Laurel lovers Foxy Junior, Stronsino return
Look to burnish records in Twixt, Polynesian
The Biz
October 2, 2026
Laurel Park lovers Foxy Junior and Stronsino look to burnish their local resumes in a pair of $100,000 stakes for older runners here Saturday.
Foxy Junior seeks a repeat in the Twixt for fillies and mares, while Stronsino cuts back in distance for the Polynesian. Both races are contested at one mile, with the Twixt scheduled as race eight for 3:33 p.m. and the Polynesian race nine at 4:06.
Dianne Stern’s Foxy Junior has won three of four Laurel starts, including the 2024 Maryland Million Distaff and Thirty Eight Go Go and last year’s Twixt by 4¾ lengths. Her only local defeat came when third last year in her Distaff title defense.
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The 6-year-old Cuba mare returns from consecutive stakes placings in Pennsylvania, most recently a third on Presque Isle Downs’ Tapeta surface August 17. Jomar Torres retains the mount for trainer Bernie Houghton.
“She’s getting older,” Houghton said. “You always wonder in the back of your mind how long it’s going to last, but right now, she’s doing great. I picked this race as a prep for the Maryland Million [Distaff].”
Among her rivals is Dream Big Racing’s Dazzling Move, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Royal Delta and third in the Grade 1 Ogden Phipps. Now trained by John Ortiz, she enters off a September 3 allowance win at Horseshoe Indianapolis and has won twice in three Laurel appearances. Johan Rosado rides.
Brittany Russell counters with Waveless, second in Colonial Downs’ Maggie L. Walker Stakes in her first start for the barn, and Especially, an allowance winner there August 13. Reputation, Anna’s Promise, and Sheilahs Warcloud also entered. Connections said Amalfi Drive and Doctor Abbie will scratch.
Stronsino brings a similarly productive Laurel record to the Polynesian: three wins and a second from four starts. Owned by Madison Avenue Racing and Morris Kernan Jr., the Jamie Ness trainee returned from more than a year away to win a Laurel allowance June 28.
He subsequently finished fourth in the Mayor’s Mile and third in the 1½-mile Greenwood Cup at Parx September 19. Mychel Sanchez rides.
“It’s coming back a little quick, but I’m stacked in that category,” Ness said. “There are only so many races around, so we’ll wheel him back quick. You always like cutting back in distance. That’s a good angle in racing.”
Winterfell, another Russell trainee, won all three starts for her in 2024, including the City of Laurel. Back with Russell after a stint with Bob Baffert, he finished third in an August 20 Colonial allowance. Sheldon Russell rides.
Bush Racing Stables’ Mr. Ripple arrives off consecutive wins by a combined 17¼ lengths, including Delaware Park’s Governor’s Day Handicap for trainer Tim Kreiser.
Joanne Shankle’s Zero Blitz won his first six Laurel starts, including last year’s City of Laurel, before finishing fourth on a sloppy track September 11. Jorge Ruiz rides the eight-time winner.
Bold Diversion and J J Zo Zo also entered. Trainer Gary Capuano said Thursday that Shaft’s Bullet’s participation remained uncertain.
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