Laurel hosts 40th edition of Jim McKay Maryland Million on Saturday
LAUREL, MD—Since reaching the winner’s circle in his third lifetime start, a six-furlong maiden special weight at Laurel Park on Feb 2, it’s been close but no cigar for the consistent Change My World.
In nine subsequent outings leading up to Friday’s featured ninth race, a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and upward at three-quarters of a mile, Change My World hit the board seven times without getting into the winner’s circle.
That all changed this afternoon as Change My World, benefiting from some crafty race-riding by jockey Jorge Ruiz, fended off favored Great Heavens to prevail by a length in 1:11.13 over the fast main track.
Ruiz placed Change My World in between horses in the second flight as speedy Elvis Himself streaked through an opening quarter in 22.57 seconds. Medagooch was the first to attack, and he snatched the lead from the pacesetter after a half-mile clocking of 45.74.
Meanwhile, Ruiz kept Change My World motivated while racing outside of Great Heavens, who steadily advanced into contention along the inner rail. His jockey, Forest Boyce, appeared to have plenty of horse, and she attempted to angle Great Heavens three wide and in between horses in the upper stretch for a clear run at the leaders.
Ruiz wouldn’t allow that maneuver, however, and he kept Boyce hemmed in while Change My World advanced on Medagooch. As Great Heavens lost precious momentum by checking in tight quarters, Change My World grinded his way to the front while racing on his left lead. Great Heavens regained his momentum and surged once more, but the wire came in the nick of time for Change My World.
“That’s the second time [Ruiz] rode him that he didn’t switch leads,” said Troy Robb, assistant to winning trainer Mary Eppler. “I think he’s just still a colt. Everything checks out with him. There was some speed for him to sit behind. He stalked the pace pretty well and made his move. [Boyce] was trying to wedge [Great Heavens] up in there, but [Ruiz] wouldn’t let her.”
Boyce claimed foul against Ruiz for stretch interference, but the stewards disallowed the motion. Change My World returned $16.20 as the fifth choice in the betting.
Change My World has now hit the board on turf and dirt at distances ranging from six furlongs to one mile.
“He tries, man, he’s still trying,” Robb added. “He’s very tactical. I wish he could go a little longer. That would be perfect. But he is what he is, and he tries for Mary.”
A half-brother to Grade 3-winning synthetic sprinter Purely Hot and stakes-placed dirt sprinter Steamy Hot by crack sprinter World of Trouble, Change My World was bred in Maryland by Dr. and Mrs. Leonard Pineau and is owned by the Mary Eppler Racing Stable and Triple Tree Stable. His second dam, Wood So, won the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap.
Change My World boasts a record of two wins from 13 starts, earning $131,070.
*Around the track:
Teenage apprentice rider Yedsit Hazlewood rode multiple winners for the fourth consecutive program. Hazlewood guided Mo Missile ($3.60) to a gate-to-wire triumph in the second race while She’s a Gem ($5.40) stalked and pounced to grab the fourth race…Jockey Sheldon Russell and trainer Brittany Russell combined for a natural daily double with 2-year-old fillies. Byway ($3.60), a Quality Road half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Bella Aurora, won the fifth race at 5 ½ furlongs over the All Along Turf Course. Prosecco Rita, a $300,000 Yaupon filly out of Grade 3 winner Agave Kiss, went gate-to-wire in the sixth race at seven furlongs on the main track…Jockey Jorge Ruiz booted home two winners on Friday (Awesome McKinzie, $23.20; Change My World)…Live racing resumes on Saturday with the 40th edition of the Jim McKay Maryland Million presented by Brown Advisory. The special first post time for the 12-race program is 11:30 a.m. ET. Gates open at 10:00 a.m. “Maryland’s Day at the Races” features the best Maryland-bred and -sired performers. There are two “Value Pick 5” wagers (Races 1-5; Races 8-12) with a low takeout rate of 12% as well as a special All-Stakes Late Pick 4 (Races 9-12) with an estimated $100,000 pool. Bring the family to Horseland at the Paddock for face painting, pony petting, crafts and games, and lots more. Enjoy the Winners Table buffet featuring signature Maryland specialties, prime indoor seats, and wagering vouchers. Click here to learn more.
