Yedsit Hazlewood rides three winners

LAUREL, MD— “Yeah, baby,” exclaimed Weston Hamilton right as he coasted under the wire aboard Sun Above in Saturday’s featured fifth race at Laurel Park, a $47,000 maiden special weight for 2-year-olds at one mile on turf.

Hamilton had every right to be excited about the victory, his second win of the day following Regalo Perfetto’s gate-to-wire gambit in the opener.

Sun Above isn’t the biggest horse in the world, and he acted very aggressively in the post parade, running off from the pony. Then, he completely missed the break and was last heading into the first turn, 14 lengths off the quick pace set by favored Midas Factor and Goodluck Road.

That’s a lot for any horse to overcome, especially a juvenile first-time starter racing around two bends.

Hamilton didn’t panic, however, and he settled Sun Above into a rhythmic beat as the leaders carved out fractions of 24.02 and 47.02 seconds.

Midas Factor shook clear after six furlongs in 1:12.19 but started to tire from his early efforts. Sun Above picked up horses one by one, swung widest into the stretch, and surged past another late-runner, Leverage, to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:37.01 over the firm turf course.

Sun Above returned $23.20 to win as the public’s fifth betting choice.

Leverage finished two lengths better than Vignon Manor, who finished third but was disqualified and placed fifth for interference. Red Dawn Coming was placed third and was followed home by Shakin My Head, Midas Factor, Goodluck Road, Play It Cool, and Dynaflame. Hop On Top scratched.

Both of Hamilton’s wins this afternoon came on the turf for trainer Madison Meyers, who enjoyed the first training double of her career.

“We’re super excited,” Meyers said in the winner’s circle. “He’s been working well, but he’s always really professional. So, when he came out onto the racetrack and had a couple of bucks, I was [nervous]. He’s been fine with the pony. Today, he saw the pony and was caught off guard.”

Meyers was understandably worried after her charge’s poor start.

“When he broke, I just put my head down, but he started picking off horses,” she said. “Wes looked like he was loaded, and he gave a nice, safe trip.”

Sun Above, a gelding by Optimizer out of Joyful Joyful, is a homebred owned by Robert Bonnie and Julie Gomena’s Bonnie Rye Stable in partnership with Stonelea Stable. Stonelea is operated by Bonnie’s mother, Nina Bonnie.

Additional distance shouldn’t be a problem for Sun Above, considering his pedigree. His second dam, Gold Mitten, was a Grade 3 winner racing 2 ¼ miles over jumps.

Meyers was impressed with Sun Above’s demeanor.

“He’s a little narrow, and a little on the smaller side, but he’s always done everything right, and he’s fairly confident in himself,” she explained. “I’m really, really happy with this effort. I do tend to start a lot of mine off sprinting regardless of pedigree or anything, just to get a run into them, but with the way he worked, it’s always the eighth after the wire that you’re watching. He’s on the bridle and he’s put in some really nice works here.”

*Hazlewood rides three winners

Following a two-win day on Friday, teenage apprentice rider Yedsit Hazlewood booted him three winners on the Saturday afternoon program.

Hazlewood’s big day began in the second race when Fear Nothing ($3.20) got up in the final strides to take the second race at one mile on dirt for trainer Jose Corrales. Hazlewood switched his tack to turf for his second winner as he guided Lou’s Birthday ($22) to a stalk-and-pounce victory in the seventh race at 5 ½ furlongs for trainer Daniel McKenzie. Finally, Hazlewood notched the eighth race aboard trainer Hamilton Smith’s Fear Nothing ($4.20) at six furlongs on dirt.

Hazlewood, who won the Timonium riding title during the Maryland State Fair Meet, currently enjoys a lead (14-11) over veteran Jevian Toledo in the standings for leading jockey at the Laurel Park Fall Meeting. Jorge Ruiz is currently in third place with ten victories.

*Around the track:

Live racing resumes Sunday with a nine-race program. First post time is 12:10 ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each with a low 12% takeout rate…Bids are still being taken for the Maryland Million Silent Auction. All proceeds benefit the Maryland Horse Foundation and Saddle Up Scholars. Click here for items and bidding information.