Wolfie’s Dynaghost returned to the winner’s circle Saturday at Laurel Park, turning in a front-running masterpiece in the $125,000 Prince George’s County Stakes and setting a course record in the process.

Under a confident ride from Sheldon Russell, the 7-year-old gelding covered the 1 1/8-mile turf distance in a blistering 1:45.83, establishing a new course standard.

A Virginia-certified homebred for Woodslane Farm, Wolfie’s Dynaghost was bred and is owned by Lauren and Rene Woolcott, who named the horse for their grandson Wolfie.

“That’s the joy,” Rene Woolcott said. “The joy is breeding.”

Breaking from post 6 in a field of seven, Wolfie’s Dynaghost wasted no time seizing control, cruising to the lead by the first turn and setting sensible early fractions of :24.08 and :48.02. From there, Russell kept the Ghostzapper gelding comfortably rated along the rail, and when asked in upper stretch, Wolfie responded with authority, spurting away from his rivals to win by 4½ lengths.

Russell, who also won the Deputed Testamony earlier on the card aboard Post Time, credited trainer Jonathan Thomas’s confidence.

“[Jonathan] was so confident in the horse,” Russell said. “I know he’s coming off long layoffs and his races are spaced out, but he had assured me, this horse is working good. He was fine.”

The victory marked Wolfie’s Dynaghost’s 11th from 28 career starts, boosting his earnings to over $969,000. A stakes winner on both turf and synthetic, he continues to showcase remarkable versatility and longevity.

The only concern pre-race for the Woolcotts was the distance. “You’re just always worried about a mile and an eighth,” said Lauren Woolcott, “but he looked like it was every bit in his wheelhouse.”

Behind the dominant winner, Crystal Quest rallied late to secure second, while favored millionaire Trikari stalked from the inside but flattened in the stretch to finish third.

Trikari could make his next start at Colonial Downs, and it also seems likely that Woodbine – where he won the Grade 2 Autumn last season – is in the cards down the road.

One race prior, five-year-old mare St. Benedicts Prep earned her breakthrough stakes victory, rallying from last under John Velazquez to win the Alma North Stakes by two lengths as the 6-5 favorite. St. Benedicts Prep is trained by Linda Rice for Ronald P. Stewart.