Yedsit Hazlewood wins three races

LAUREL, MD—“He is the coolest horse,” trainer Kieron Magee said of Worcester after the late-running veteran split rivals in the stretch to post a last-to-first victory in Thursday’s featured sixth race at Laurel Park. “He goes out in the morning and does everything right.”

Magee was worried about the six-furlong distance in the $56,000 allowance race. Worcester’s recent form indicated he tends to perform better in seven-furlong or one-turn mile races.

“We couldn’t train here,” Magee said, referring to the recent spate of wintry weather that disrupted Worcester’s usual morning routine. “The race kept coming up. I kept entering. We kept canceling. He trained less and less.”

Ridden to perfection by Martin Chuan, Worcester was outrun early as stakes-placed Arden’sluckytobe, a 53-1 outsider, blasted through a swift opening quarter in 22.40 seconds.

Stakes-winner Sunny Breeze advanced to take command after a half-mile clocking of 46.23 seconds, while Worcester still had work to do.

Chuan maneuvered Worcester between rivals, and the 6-year-old horse did the rest, bursting through to catch Sunny Breeze by a half-length in 1:11.25 on the fast track.

“Perfect ride,” Magee said.

Favored Bouncer finished two lengths back in third. Multiple stakes-winner Howgreatisnate, stakes-winner Karan’s Notion, and Arden’sluckytobe completed the order of finish.

Worcester returned $6.80 to win as the public’s third choice. Prince of Jericho, On the Mark, Dean Delivers, Bump N Run, and No Easy Days scratched.

Bred in Kentucky by the Jerry Dixon Revocable Trust and the Empire Maker Syndicate, Worcester sold for $180,000 as a yearling. He is a son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, out of the stakes-winning dirt sprinter Lil Super Bear, by Super Saver.

Worcester began his career in Southern California with trainer Bob Baffert and, still a maiden, finished third in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis Stakes for 3-year-olds.

Worcester finally won his maiden in his eighth start and was then transferred to Brittany Russell’s stable in Maryland. He hit the board in his first five races for Russell, including a runner-up finish in Aqueduct’s Stymie Stakes last year and a victory in Laurel’s Frank Y. Whiteley Stakes.

Magee dipped in on behalf of owner David Moose and claimed Worcester for $40,000 in his final start of 2025, a victory on December 21.

“He’s a nice horse,” Magee said, citing Worcester’s back class and racing ability as the main reasons for the claim.

*Yedsit Hazlewood wins three races

Teenage phenom Yedsit Hazlewood keeps winning.

The runner-up in the 2025 Eclipse Award voting for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, Hazlewood, notched three more wins Thursday afternoon.

Hazlewood, who turns 18 on March 10, placed favored Last Gift ($4) near the pace before wearing down Genecho in the third race for trainer Jose Corrales.

Two races later, Hazelwood uncorked a late rally aboard Poor Mans Lady ($10.20) for trainer Michael Gorham.

In the eighth, Hazlewood aggressively put Indy Charges On ($13.20) right into the race, and they tracked the loose pacesetter before making a three-wide bid on the second turn. Anthony Farrior trains Indy Charges On.

Hazlewood, the top rider in Maryland by races won in 2025, currently leads the Laurel Park winter meet standings. With 15 wins, Hazlewood holds a seven-win lead over Angel Cruz.

*Around the track:

Gorham saddled two winners on the program. Along with Poor Mans Lady, Gorham took the first race with By the Glass ($9.20), ridden by jockey Ismerio Villalobos.

Live racing resumes Friday with a ten-race program. The first post is at 12:00 pm ET, and there are two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each with a low 12% takeout.

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. Friday’s guide is available. Click here to view it.

Register for Laurel Park’s “Last Chance, First Chance Handicapping Challenge” on Saturday, February 14. The $500 hybrid online and on-track contest ($250 entry fee, $250 bankroll) allows Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and/or Daily Double wagers on the entire card of live races at Laurel Park. Contestants must play at least five (5) contest races, with a $50 minimum bet per race. For full rules and entry information, visit here.

Join us for belated Mardi Gras festivities as Laurel Park presents “Flavors of the Bayou” on Saturday, February 21, from noon to 4 pm. Your ticket includes authentic Cajun dishes, unlimited non-alcoholic beverages, and a free betting voucher. For the full menu and ticket prices, visit here.

Never miss a second of the action on the Laurel Park YouTube channel. Click here to watch full pan and head-on replays.