Hazlewood's streak reaches 21

LAUREL, MD—On the Mark showed no rust on Saturday at Laurel Park as he returned from a 155-day layoff as fresh as a daisy to take the featured seventh race, a $40,000 optional claimer for 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs.

The 5-year-old gelding broke sharply from the inside post under jockey Tais Lyapustina, controlled fractions of 23.12 and 46.49 while pressed by Sheriff Ronnie and Tenebris, then sprinted home to prevail by 3 ¾ lengths in 1:11.71 seconds over the fast main track.

Tenebris, third in the Grade 3 General George Stakes in 2024, finished second, 3 ¼ lengths ahead of odds-on favorite Cattivo Ragazzo. Then came Sheriff Ronnie, Magic Mule, and Manor House. Swill scratched.

On the Mark was the second winner this afternoon for owner-trainer Joanne Shankle, who wasn’t concerned about the five months off preceding today’s start.

“He runs hard every time,” Shankle said. “He tries. We gave him a freshening. He deserved it.”

Shankle didn’t expect On the Mark to make the early lead. Tactics might have changed, however, once Cattivo Ragazzo and Manor House broke through the gate before the start. The favorite ran off for a good sixteenth of a mile before being apprehended by the outrider, then was last from the blocks once the gates opened.

On the Mark is a 5-year-old gray gelding by Anchor Down. Bred in Kentucky by Burden Creek Farm & Springland Farm, he is a half-brother to Percolator, who placed second in the Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga in 2015. He hails from the family of multiple Grade 2 winner Punch Line, who garnered the Maryland Million Sprint at Laurel Park in 1996.

Shankle said she “took a shot” when she claimed On the Mark for $20,000 out of a winning effort on New Year’s Day in 2023.

On the Mark boasts a lifetime record of eight wins from 25 starts, earning $305,920.

*Hazlewood’s streak reaches 21

Teenage apprentice rider Yedsit Hazlewood rode two winners on the Saturday card.

The phenom settled Fear Nothing ($11.20) off the early leader in the sixth race, and they wore down odds-on favorite Do It for Michael to prevail by a length for trainer Hamilton Smith.

Hazlewood concluded the afternoon with a late-rallying victory aboard juvenile filly Yes Picnic ($9.80), who made it 2-for-2 in her career for trainer Jamie Ness.

Hazlewood, 17, a leading candidate for the 2025 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, has ridden at least one winner on each of the last 21 racing dates at Laurel Park.

A native of Panama, Hazlewood holds a comfortable lead in the current Laurel Park jockey standings. Heading into Sunday’s racing, Hazlewood has 59 winners at the meet, 26 more than Jorge Ruiz.

Hazlewood rode his first career winner on Oct. 4 and now has 113 victories from 514 rides, including five stakes scores. His mounts have earned $3,800,927.

*Around the track:

Live racing resumes Sunday with an eight-race program…The first post time is 12 p.m. ET, and there are 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, horses to watch, track bias information, and much more from The Maryland Jockey Club team of handicappers. Sunday’s Guide is online: click here to view…Reserve your spot for our weekly “Bubbly Brunch Sundays.” Kick back with friends over delicious brunch favorites and bottomless mimosas in our vibrant Stone Bar Restaurant and Bar. Sunday Brunch begins at 11:00 am ET…Never miss a second of the action with the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to catch full pan and head-on replays.