Historic De Francis Dash worth $175,000

LAUREL, MD – The new Maryland Jockey Club (TMJC) and the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association today announced $25,000 purse increases for a quartet of stakes races at Laurel Park on June 28.

The Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash, for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs, is now worth $175,000, while the Prince George’s County, Deputed Testamony, and Alma North Stakes each offer $125,000 in purse money.

“The De Francis Dash has such a great history and we wanted to shine a spotlight on it,” said Bill Knauf, President and General Manager of TMJC. “With four stakes that day, led by the Dash, it’s another opportunity to showcase Maryland racing to the country, and continue to build on the Maryland Jockey Club’s strategy of creating big days throughout the year.”

The inaugural De Francis Dash attracted the nation’s finest sprinters to Pimlico Race Course in the summer of 1990. Included in the field were 1989 Sprint Champion Safely Kept, Glitterman, and Sewickley. But at the wire, it was the Maryland-bred, Maryland-based Northern Wolf in a track record-setting time of 1:09.

The Dash moved to Laurel for its second running. The distinguished field included two champions—Safely Kept and Housebuster—as well as leading sprinters Clever Trevor and Sunny Blossom. Housebuster captured the winner’s share of the purse with a five-length victory. He was named Eclipse Award Sprint Champion for the second year in a row.

The Dash reigned as Laurel Park’s signature summer event for the next nine years. During that span, it was won by two additional Sprint Champions: Cherokee Run (1994) and Smoke Glacken (1997).

Thor’s Echo laid claim to the 2006 Eclipse Award with a hard-fought, driving victory in the Dash three weeks after winning the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Churchill Downs.

The following year, Benny the Bull earned a 111 Beyer Speed Figure when rallying from off the pace to grab the Dash by 1 ¼ lengths. That victory started a five-race winning streak, which culminated in an Eclipse Award as the champion male sprinter of 2008.

Named after the last Maryland-bred to win the Preakness Stakes, the Deputed Testamony is for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles. Past winners include Northern Wolf and Preakness runner-up Magic Weisner. Frosted Departure went gate-to-wire in last year’s edition, prevailing by 8 ¾ lengths for trainer Kenny McPeek.

The Prince George’s County Stakes is for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/8 miles on turf. Forever Souper won last year’s edition in 1:46.27.

The Alma North Stakes for fillies and mares at 6 ½ furlongs was captured last year by Apple Picker.

Nominations close on June 14.