Tasty Time earns 5% Maryland Million Maiden Bonus

LAUREL, MD—“He was strong through the wire today,” jockey Sheldon Russell said as he guided Hixon to the winner’s circle after Friday’s featured seventh race at Laurel Park, a $49,000 first-level allowance for 3-year-olds at one mile.

Hixon, a 3-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Hoppertunity, demonstrated professionalism and maturity that belied his inexperience.

Making only his third lifetime start, Hixon settled into a tracking position as heavily favored Bala de Plata coasted to an uncontested early lead.

Bala de Plata, a three-time winner who hadn't finished worse than third in his first seven races, posted fractions of 24.73 and 48.80 seconds while leading Hixon by three lengths.

Bala de Plata’s jockey, apprentice rider Yedsit Hazlewood, tried to build an unbeatable lead after six furlongs in 1:14.16, but his mount couldn’t fully pull away.

Instead, Hixon gradually closed the gap and took the lead for good at the eighth pole. Hixon crossed the finish line six lengths ahead of Bala de Plata, with Dancing Denae another five lengths behind in third. No More Calls finished fourth.

Hixon ran the mile in 1:40.75 on the muddy track and paid $5.40 as the public’s second choice. Lundi Loot, Paul’s Guitar, and Red Zone Runner scratched.

Hixon won his debut, a one-mile maiden special weight race, by three lengths on December 5.

“He was at Fair Hill with my assistant, Emma [Wolfe], and she always really liked him,” said winning trainer Brittany Russell. “That was always the consensus—that he needs a little more ground.”

The following month, Hixon finished sixth out of seven in a first-level allowance race on a sealed, sloppy track.

“I wasn’t sure if it was the sloppy track,” Brittany Russell continued. “He’s just a better version of himself now than he was when I last ran him. I felt more confident about him walking over here today. He’s a good guy.”

Russell admitted that it might be a bit too early to rush Hixon into stakes company.

“We regrouped after that bad run, so I think he’s the kind of horse that will tell us when he’s good,” she said.

Bred by Karmac Stables, Hixon sold for $1,000 as a yearling before being purchased for $30,000 at OBS last June.

*Around the track:

Maryland-bred maiden winner Tasty Time earned a 5% bonus for her victory in the second race. The bonus program, which began on March 1, rewards Maryland Million-eligible horses that win maiden races inside the state. Only horses by Maryland Million stallions, conceived in Maryland, and fully nominated and certified for the Maryland Million program are eligible. Stallions must have been nominated in the year the horse was conceived. Tasty Time ($3.40) is a 4-year-old filly by Blofeld out of Hashtag Selfie, by Medallist. Bred by Dr. Michael Harrison, Tasty Time is owned by Gainey Brothers Racing.

Trainer Anthony Farrior and jockey Jevian Toledo teamed up for two winners on Friday: Ineedyoubabe ($10) in the first race and Long Legged Luis ($6.20) in the third.

Live racing resumes Saturday with an eight-race card featuring two $100,000 stakes races. The first post is at 12:00 pm ET. Click here for the stakes advances. In addition, Laurel Park offers two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each with a low 12% takeout rate.

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. Click here to view it.

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