unday’s co-featured eighth race, a first-level allowance for 3-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16 miles, it was Mika’s turn to shine, and the 3-year-old colt ran up the score to win in pacesetting fashion by 14 ¼ lengths.

“I loved him,” Brittany Russell said in the winner’s circle. “I told Sheldon to break and go on with it. He’s ready. He’s been working really good.”

A homebred owned by Nice Guys Stables, Mika began his career in Kentucky last year for trainer Mike Maker.

Mika won his second lifetime start, a maiden special weight at one mile on turf at Ellis Park, then finished eleventh in the $1 million Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile.

Brittany Russell took over Mika’s training over the winter, and the colt finished off the board in his first two starts, both on grass.

Mother Nature then smiled on Mika. A scheduled turf race at Delaware on May 28 was washed off, and Mika relished the surface switch to dirt. Controlling the pace from the start under Sheldon Russell, Mika powered away to win by 9 ¼ lengths with a career-high 77 Beyer Speed Figure.

"I look back and it was stupid [for me to have raced him on turf] because my assistant was working him on the dirt at Fair Grounds, and he kept telling me how well he’s working,” Brittany Russell admitted. “He’s always been a good workhorse, so it’s funny how it worked out that we tried it.”

After the Delaware race, Mika went to the sidelines for a 172-day break.

“He needed it,” Russell said. “He didn’t come out of the race as good as he had been for us. Kudos to the owner for letting us take our time.”

Mika ($10.20) was the second choice in the wagering behind odds-on Indy Magic, who sought his fifth consecutive win on dirt.

Indy Magic didn’t break well under Jevian Toledo, fell far behind through fractions of 23.90, 47.29, and 1:12.45, and flattened out after making a wide bid on the turn. Instead, it was Rhythm ‘n Blues who finished second with Mad Banker another three-quarters of a length back in third. Amy’s Music, Holiday Express, Indy Magic, Masayoshi, and Collection Day rounded out the order of finish.

Mika raced the distance in 1:44.12 over the fast track. Majestic Tiger and Super Accelerate scratched.

A $42,000 buyback as a yearling, Mika again failed to reach his reserve as a 2-year-old and was listed as a $22,000 RNA. Considering his pedigree, it isn’t surprising that he has been successful on dirt and turf. His sire, Catholic Boy, won the Grade 1 Belmont Derby on turf and the Grade 1 Travers Stakes on dirt in successive starts in 2018.

*Primed to Go game winner for Toledo

Toledo came back a half-hour later to score with Primed to Go ($11.40) in the ninth race, a $49,000 first-level allowance at 1 1/8 miles on turf.

Conditioned by Jorge Duarte Jr., Primed to Go settled off the pace as Mr. Keys controlled solid splits of 24.09 and 47.66 seconds while racing just off the inside. Mr. Keys maintained the lead after six furlongs in 1:11.51, but Toledo had Primed to Go outside and on the move.

They made a four-wide sweeping bid to command in the upper stretch, then dug in resolutely in between horses to deny Ennis Town by a head in 1:49.24 over the firm turf. Dr. Hyde placed another nose back in third.

Favored Border War was fourth and was followed by Phil’s Prince, Whiskeyinthejaro, Mr. Keys, Paraclete, Name It, and T Rex. Primed to Go survived jockey objections from J.G. Torrealba (Ennis Town) and Sheldon Russell (Dr. Hyde) for alleged interference turning for home.

The third choice in the wagering, Primed to Go, a homebred owned by Colts Neck Stables, earned his fourth victory from 16 starts.

A 4-year-old colt by More Than Ready, Primed to Go was listed as a $125,000 RNA as a yearling. His dam, Misericordia, was Grade 2-placed sprinting on the Tapeta All Weather surface. Misericordia is a half-sister to Grade 2-winning turf router Redistricting from the family of Breeders’ Cup Turf winner St Nicholas Abbey and millionaire Ballingarry.

Primed to Go didn’t win his maiden until his seventh start, a $30,000 maiden claimer here last year. Last month, Duarte raced Primed to Go without success in the $150,000 John Forbes Memorial Stakes at two miles over Far Hills turf.

Turning back in distance, getting Lasix once again, and shedding 19 pounds from that marathon event all likely worked in Primed to Go’s favor this afternoon. He’s earned $171,063.

Around the track:

Earlier in the card, Brittany and Sheldon Russell sent out Hammer of Justice ($13.80), who rallied from off the pace to win his career debut in the third race for Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group…Live racing resumes Friday with a 10-race program. The first post time is 12:00 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. Friday’s Guide will be available on Thursday evening: 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…Join us at Laurel Park on Thanksgiving Day for an all-inclusive buffet, and receive a FREE apple or pumpkin pie with the purchase of a racing program. Click here to learn more. …Never miss a second of the action with the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to catch full pan and head-on replays.