Jean Valjean redeems himself in the co-featured seventh race

LAUREL, MD—Xavier Perez experienced the full gamut of emotions at Laurel Park on Friday afternoon.

As Costa Linda cruised under the wire 7¾ lengths in front in the second race, the first 2-year-old heat of the year in Maryland, Perez pumped his right fist and let out a whoop.

By the time Costa Linda returned to the winner’s circle, Perez hid his face in his forearm, tears of joy streaking down his cheeks.

Costa Linda is the second foal from Anna’s Bandit, a popular West Virginia-bred mare by Maryland stallion Great Notion. Anna’s Bandit had 17 wins from 39 races, earning $806,655, and was bred and trained by John Robb. Perez contributed to 15 of those victories.

It’s no surprise that Anna’s Bandit is Perez’s favorite horse. He showered praise on Costa Linda after she crushed the field of maiden special weight fillies in 54.60 seconds on a fast track.

“Doing what she just did first-time out after getting pummeled out of the gate, that shows you how royally bred she is. I think if she stays sound, we’re going to have fun,” he enthused.

Costa Linda, the favorite to win, had a rough start, getting bumped to last place in the opening strides. However, she quickly bounced back, gaining ground on the leaders and taking over after a first quarter of 24.37 seconds. From that point on, the outcome was in little doubt.

“The break got me,” Perez said. “I had schooled her behind the dirt before, and she acted like an old horse. I was going to stay behind them turning for home, but [Rebelka] and [Legend’s Girl] were getting out, and I saw the seam between. Once she got the clear, she just kept going.”

Rebelka nipped Engage At Will for second place. Sweet Bourbon and Tea and Legend’s Girl followed.

Costa Linda returned $3.80 to win. Her uncoupled stablemate, The Stork Club, was scratched after dumping jockey Jeiron Barbosa and running off during the post parade.

Costa Linda’s temperament reminds Perez of Anna’s Bandit, the last horse to win both a Maryland Million race and a West Virginia Breeders’ Classic race in the same year.

“Just like mama,” Perez said. “She gallops the same way; she does the same routine. We go to the gap [in the morning], and she stands there for 15 or 20 minutes. She goes about her business, and she just goes around this track like she owns the place.”

Costa Linda is a homebred owned by John and Gina Robb. Foaled in Maryland, she is a daughter of Frosted and a half-sister to the stakes-placed Tartabull.

“You have to stay on Tartabull the whole way,” said Perez, who guided Tartabull to a maiden victory at Laurel last fall. “She’s push-button.”

John Robb noted Costa Linda was professional from the start. The trainer has a proven record with young horses. Robb and Perez teamed up to win Maryland's first 2-year-old race last year with Romeo, who later won the Bashford Manor Stakes at Churchill Downs before selling for $1.7 million.

“She learned a lot,” Robb said. “She had every reason to get beat.”

“The sky’s the limit,” Perez concluded.

*Jean Valjean redeems himself in the co-featured seventh race

Making his second start after a long injury-induced layoff, Jean Valjean looked strong in the co-featured seventh race, a $56,000 allowance race for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Exceller Turf Course.

Conditioned by Elizabeth Merryman, Jean Valjean thrived on turf in 2024, winning his first three grass races thanks to his blazing early speed.

Jean Valjean finished third in the $250,000 Turf Monster Stakes at Parx that fall and, in his final start of the season, finished third in the $150,000 Aqueduct Turf Sprint Championship.

He then went away.

And stayed away.

For 525 days.

“Last spring, he cut the sole of his foot on a rock, and it became an abscess that got walled off,” Merryman said. “It took forever to come around, and then he had some little hind-end issues. We sent him to New Bolton, and there was a little bit of bone bruising in his hind ankles. So, between the foot needing to grow back out and that [issue], we were going to be late for the turf last fall. We decided not to press it and push him to get back for one race in the fall.”

Jean Valjean’s speed wasn’t dulled by the layoff, as he dueled with favored Doncho before tiring in the $100,000 King T. Leatherbury Stakes at Laurel on April 18.

That race set him up perfectly. Ridden today by Horacio Karamanos, Jean Valjean parked himself just off Normandy Hero through an opening quarter in 22.11 seconds. Jean Valjean confronted Normandy Hero in the midstretch, finally dispatched that tough foe, and drove clear to prevail by 2 ½ lengths over late-running Incinerator.

Normandy Hero finished a nose behind the runner-up. Then came Where’s Ray, Prince of Jericho, Tidewater, Gold Trust, Talented Man, and Studlydoright.

Jean Valjean, the race favorite, paid $7 to win.

“I was concerned there was quite a bit of speed in the race,” Merryman admitted. “This is how he runs his best race. When he can sit just off a bit of speed, he’s at his best when he does that.”

Foaled in Pennsylvania, Jean Valjean is a homebred owned by Hasting Farm. A 7-year-old gelding by Uncle Lino out of Lady’s Tale, by Tale of the Cat, he has won eight of 19 starts, earning $260,391.

“When he was a young horse, he was extremely difficult,” Merryman noted. “He’s gotten a lot easier with age and maturity. He’s really grown up a lot. He’s pretty special.”

Merryman’s other crack turf sprinter, Witty, is nearing a return to the races. The 7-year-old gelding has earned $914,282.

“Witty’s wonderful,” Merryman said. “He had his first breeze last week. Knock on wood, he’ll breeze again tomorrow, but he won’t be ready until June.”

*Around the track:

Apprentice jockey Yedsit Hazlewood rode two winners this afternoon. The 18-year-old found a perfect pace-tracking position aboard trainer Hugh McMahon’s Spencerian ($8) in the third race, then guided the heavily favored Blue Kingdom ($2.20) to a popular win in the sixth for trainer Jamie Ness.

Fellow apprentice rider Jose Vargas swept the late daily double. Vargas went straight to the lead aboard Hailey’sfirstnotion ($2.80) for trainer Gary Capuano, then rallied to win the finale aboard I’m a Lil Wicked ($16.40).

Live racing resumes on Saturday for a ten-race card with two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each offering a low 12% takeout rate.

The free “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” is available on every race day. It provides picks, analysis, trainer stats, trip notes, horses to watch, track bias info, and more from The Maryland Jockey Club’s team of handicappers. Saturday’s guide is available. Click here to view it.

Enjoy the excitement of the Kentucky Derby at Laurel Park on Saturday with the “Kentucky Derby Watch Party and Buffet.” Experience live racing at Laurel Park and the full simulcast of races from Churchill Downs, including the “Run for the Roses.” For ticket information and the full menu, visit here.

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