LAUREL, MD—At this time last year, RKTN Racing’s Pay Billy was about to embark on a journey that would lead him to victory in Laurel Park’s Private Terms Stakes and Federico Tesio Stakes.
Those wins stamped Pay Billy as the Mid-Atlantic region’s top 3-year-old and earned him a spot in the 2025 Preakness Stakes field.
After finishing seventh against some of the best sophomores in the land, trainer Michael Gorham gave his charge the entire summer to rest. That patience paid off in Friday’s featured seventh race at Laurel, a $56,000 allowance for 4-year-olds and up, run over a one-turn mile to a second-wire finish.
“He’s mellowed out a lot,” Gorham said. “He’s a big colt, and he doesn’t really act like one. He does whatever you want him to do. Like, in the paddock, he’s all laid back.”
Pay Billy had to earn his winner’s circle photo on Friday with regular jockey Raul Mena. Favored Indy Charges On set fast fractions of 23.94 and 46.87 seconds while being hounded by Quick to Accuse. Meanwhile, Mena urged Pay Billy to stay within striking range of the pacesetters.
Indy Charges On parried each thrust from Quick to Accuse and opened up a two-length advantage after six furlongs in 1:11.11, but Mena wheeled Pay Billy out into the clear, and the classy bay unfurled his long stride.
Indy Charges On gave it a good try, but Pay Billy wore him down to prevail by a couple of lengths in 1:37.44 on the fast track.
“He broke pretty sharp today, and [Mena] kept him closer,” Gorham continued. “He had to ride him around the turn a little bit to keep him in pace, but he still finished strong once he straightened out.”
Quick to Accuse finished third, 1 ¾ lengths behind Indy Charges On. Hittheroadjak and Feeling Woozy followed. J D Factor scratched.
Pay Billy was bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm. A $38,000 yearling purchase, the bay colt was purchased by RKTN for $60,000 as an April juvenile.
The 4-year-old colt is an improbable half-brother to stakes-winning sprinter Espionage, out of Grade 3-winning sprinter Harlington’s Rose, by Harlington. Pay Billy’s second and third dams were also stakes winners.
Pay Billy has improved incrementally since returning from his hiatus. He finished sixth, beaten only four lengths, in the $100,000 City of Laurel Stakes on November 22; ran third behind champion Maryland-bred Post Time in the Robert T. Manfuso Stakes on December 20; and rallied for second as a first-time Lasix user in a high-level allowance on February 5.
Since Pay Billy has run out of conditions, Gorham mentioned that another stakes start might be in the works.
Pay Billy has won five of 13 starts, earning $290.275.
*Around the track:
Hollywood Import and Wild Warrior, the first- and fifth-place finishers in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on February 4, breezed one mile in 1:43.40 on Thursday morning for trainer Gary Capuano.
Maryland Million Lassie heroine Slewperstitus had her first workout of 2026, a half-mile breeze in 50.40 seconds on Thursday. Robbie Bailes trains the 3-year-old filly.
Sultry Lass, the runner-up in Laurel’s Nellie Morse Stakes on Valentine’s Day, worked a half-mile in 50.80 seconds on Friday morning for trainer Brittany Russell, who also drilled multiple stakes-winner Complexity Jane over four furlongs in 48.00 seconds.
Trainer Jose Corrales swept Friday’s early Daily Double with two horses moving from route to sprint. Bella’s Password ($5.80) prompted and pounced to take the opener under Matilda Burnham, while Dancing Denae ($17) snuck through along the inside to grab the second for jockey Jorge Hernandez.
Leading rider Yedsit Hazlewood captured two races on Friday. He rallied from last aboard trainer Jose Magana’s Union Fleet ($9.80) in the fourth race, then skimmed the fence on Bailes’s Triathelon ($3.60) in the finale.
Live racing resumes Saturday with a nine-race program. The first post is at 11:57 am ET, featuring two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each with a low 12% takeout.
Celebrate the Lunar New Year at Laurel Park on Saturday. It’s the “Year of the Fire Horse,” and we’ll honor the day’s spirit with special food and drink, including Prosperity Dumplings, Longevity Noodles, and Fire Horse-Inspired Cocktails. There will be giveaways and fun for the whole family. Learn more here.
The FREE “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available every racing day. Get picks, analysis, trainer stats, trip notes, horses to watch, track bias information, and more from The Maryland Jockey Club’s team of handicappers. Saturday’s guide is available here.
Reserve your spot for our weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays.” Kick back with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas at our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar. Sunday Brunch begins at 11:00 am ET.
Never miss a second of the action on the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to watch full pan and head-on replays.
