Trainer Anthony Lynch nets first career victory
![Anthony C. Lynch Anthony Lynch](https://www.theracingbiz.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Anthony-C.-Lynch.jpg)
Young trainer Anthony Lynch after Queen of Cause prevailed at Laurel Park to give him his first victory. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.
Frank Davino’s Queen of Cause came flying down the center of the track to catch pacesetter Stiva in deep stretch and edge clear in the second race at Laurel Park Saturday, giving trainer Anthony Lynch his first career victory.
Queen of Cause ($31.60) completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:41.56 over a firm All Along turf course in the waiver maiden claiming event for fillies and mares 3 and up. It was the first grass race of the season as live racing resumed in Maryland for the first time since March 15.
“It’s amazing. I want to cry so bad right now,” an emotional Lynch said. “I just have to thank everyone that’s ever been with me as a trainer and been with me since I was a little kid. It means a lot.”
Lynch, 18, is a son of Laurel-based trainer Cal Lynch who works for his father along with his older brother, Charlie. Queen of Cause made her first three starts last fall for Cal Lynch before being turned over to Anthony Lynch this year.
“His mom and I couldn’t be more proud,” Cal Lynch said. “We appreciate Frank and Joe [Davino] giving a young guy this opportunity.”
Anthony Lynch was fifth with his first career starter, Alphastest, Jan. 18 at Laurel. Queen of Cause, a 3-year-old daughter of Creative Cause, was his eighth runner.
Queen of Cause was bumped early and raced next-to-last in the field of 10 through a half-mile as Stiva posted fractions of 22.75 and 46.22 seconds. Jockey Jorge Ruiz swung Queen of Cause outside where she circled the field entering the stretch and set her sights on the leader, closing ground steadily to prevail by 1 ¼ lengths.
“I knew she was fit and I knew that she had trained very, very well coming into this race. I expected her to run very well and she proved it today,” Lynch said, unsure of how he would celebrate the milestone. “There’s not much to do with the quarantine, but we’ll find something.”
LATEST MARYLAND NEWS
Dean Delivers looks for hat trick in De Francis Dash
The cooler Midlantic weather has helped Dean Delivers shake off the Florida doldrums, and he arrives for Laurel’s De Francis Dash with two straight wins.
Laurel Park picks and ponderings: July 26, 2024
We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.
Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 25
In Spa Selections, our correspondent provides his Saratoga picks for key races on today’s Saratoga card!
Spa selections 2024: Saratoga picks July 24
In Spa Selections, our correspondent provides his Saratoga picks for key races on today’s Saratoga card!
Sparkle Blue defends Big Dreyfus title
Sparkle Blue dropped out of graded company for the first time in five starts and defended her title in Laurel Park’s Big Dreyfus Stakes Sunday.
Laurel Park picks and ponderings: July 21, 2024
We provide full-card picks and analysis for this afternoon’s races at Laurel Park.