LRL: Where’s Ray scores emotional victory
Continues streak started for late trainer Timmy Salzman
Press Release
April 12, 2026
“It’s the hardest race I’ve ever won in my life,” said a tearful John Salzman Jr. after Where’s Ray was placed first by disqualification in Sunday’s co-featured third race at Laurel Park, a $53,000 second-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up at 5 ½ furlongs on the Kelso Turf Course.
Where’s Ray was the last starter saddled by Salzman’s brother, Tim, who passed away on February 7 at age 54 after a long battle with cancer.
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“It was for him,” said Tim’s widow, Megan Salzman, who owns Where’s Ray. “It’s so hard, but I’m so grateful for this horse. This was the last one he picked out, and he loved this horse. He always had so much faith in this horse.”
Sent away the prohibitive favorite in the seven-horse field, Where’s Ray tracked the pace while racing three wide under jockey Jevian Toledo and made a comfortable bid for contention in the upper stretch.
Confronted from the inside by Cairo Surprise, Where’s Ray appeared to stall briefly as that rival drifted out in front of him. Once Toledo righted the ship, Where’s Ray rallied to miss by 1:02.05 over the firm grass.
After a stewards’ inquiry and a jockey’s objection lodged by Toledo, Where’s Ray was awarded the victory. He paid $3 to win.
Where’s Ray won his final three starts of 2025 under Tim Salzman’s name.
“He’s a super-nice horse,” John Salzman Jr. said. “I actually had him his last two starts when my brother wasn’t doing good. He’s so easy to train; he does everything right. I wasn’t sure I had him fit enough. I’ve only had him [back] five weeks. We rushed him here.”
Tim Salzman started his training career in 2003, winning with his sole starter that year. Over his career, he secured 425 wins and earned a total of $10,259,438.
Among his best runners were Bsharpsonata, a multiple Grade 2 winner, and Sensible Lady, a six-time stakes winner. Sensible Lady is honored annually at Laurel Park with the Sensible Lady Turf Dash Stakes.
Where’s Ray is a 6-year-old gelding by Mshawish, out of Edgehill Road by Old Forester. Bred in Kentucky by Susan Moulton, Where’s Ray was purchased for $10,000 as a short yearling.
Where’s Ray won his maiden in his fifth lifetime start, a six-furlong race on dirt, but he’s raced exclusively on turf since then.
The Salzmans dropped Where’s Ray in class last fall, and he responded by starting his current winning streak.
“He’s growing up,” Megan Salzman added. “Last year, early on, it seemed like he was always in trouble, too. He always tries. He loves what he does.”
Where’s Ray has won seven of 23 starts, earning $215,850.
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