LRL: Juvy stakes to bear Capuano imprint
The Biz
December 26, 2025
Runners currently — or formerly — in the barn of trainer Gary Capuano will figure prominently in a pair of Laurel Park juvenile stakes on Saturday. Former Capuano trainee Just Philtored, now in Mike Trombetta’s barn, is the 6-5 morning line favorite in the seven-furlong Gin Talking for fillies, while Probably Dreaming (2-1) heads a quartet of Capuano trainees in the Heft at the same distance.
The two $100,000 contests conclude Maryland’s stakes action for 2025.
This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
Capuano has enjoyed a stellar season with his juveniles, sending out 16 individual 2-year-old winners, and his depth is evident in the Heft. Leading the charge is Larry Fowler’s Probably Dreaming, who won his first three starts, including two stakes at Delaware Park, before finishing second to Brad Cox trainee My World in Aqueduct’s Nashua Stakes on Nov. 1. The colt, the lone three-time winner in the field, cuts back to seven furlongs with Carlos Lopez retaining the mount.
“I got no complaints on that race,” Capuano said of the Nashua. “He had a pretty good chance turning for home, but that horse was a little too tough for him. It was a really good performance. I was happy with it.”
Oak Tree Stable’s Very Volatile offers another angle for Capuano. Beaten as the favorite in his debut at Delaware Park after losing his footing turning for home, he rebounded with a sharp maiden special weight victory going seven furlongs at Laurel on Nov. 29. That race has produced three next-out winners from six to run back.
Yedsit Hazlewood, who has wrapped up the Laurel Park riding title this meet, stays aboard as Very Volatile steps up against stakes company.
Capuano is also represented by Pocket 3’s Racing’s Hollywood Import (8-1), a late-running Honor A. P. colt who won his debut from last at Delaware Park before finishing second in Laurel’s James F. Lewis III Stakes, and Worker Bee (30-1), who may scratch.
Hollywood Import’s effort in the Lewis was flattered winner Balboa returned to run third in Aqueduct’s Grade 2 Remsen. With Hazlewood landing on Very Volatile, Mychel Sanchez will ride.
The Heft field includes several capable rivals, led by Mens Grille Racing’s Power Grid, who has won two straight for trainer John Robb, including a rallying victory over Hollywood Import in a Laurel allowance, and Charles Town stakes winner Gurney Halleck, third in the Lewis. Red Zone Runner, Wildncrazyguy, and Ihaveanappforthat complete the lineup.
Capuano’s imprint carries over to the Gin Talking, where former trainee Just Philtored (6-5)headlines the field. Named for Capuano’s three children, the filly broke her maiden by eight lengths under his care before being privately purchased and transferred to trainer Michael Trombetta.
Since the move, she has won three of five starts, including the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 6, and has proven effective on both dirt and turf. Mychel Sanchez rides from the rail.
“You can pretty much put her anywhere,” assistant trainer Tana Aubrey said after the Maryland Juvenile Filly. “She likes to be forwardly-placed, but she kicked on and finished up well.”
Slewperstitus, winner of the Maryland Million Lassie, looks to reverse the trend after finishing behind Just Philtored in all three prior meetings. Trained by Robbie Bailes, she adds blinkers and will be ridden by Jevian Toledo.
“She’s been a special little filly for us this year,” Bailes said before the Maryland Juvenile Filly. “She tries every time we put her out there. From Day One, she’s just been all racehorse.”
Brittany Russell sends out two accomplished fillies in Dazzling Dame, already a multiple stakes winner, and Peach Tie, who is unbeaten in three dirt starts. C’est Chouette and Midnight Ginny round out the Gin Talking.
Pick up reliable and rewarding tickets for major events!
STAKES ENTRIES
GIN TALKING STAKES
| Post | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | Just Philtored | 6-5 | Sanchez M J | Trombetta Michael J | Red White and Blue Racing LLC and London Reid Thoroughbreds |
| 2 | Dazzling Dame | 5-2 | Russell Brittany T | Respect the Valleys, LLC | |
| 3 | C’est Chouette | 10-1 | Cruz A | Lynch Cathal | Runnymoore Racing, LLC |
| 4 | Peach Tie | 6-1 | Russell Brittany T | Estate of Brereton C. Jones | |
| 5 | Midnite Ginny | 20-1 | Burnham M | Sanchez Jose L | David N Heaton LLC |
| 6 | Slewperstitus | 3-1 | Toledo J | Bailes W Robert | Eric A. Rizer |
HEFT STAKES
| Post | Horse | Odds | Jockey | Trainer | Owner |
| 1 | Gurney Halleck | 7-2 | Toledo J | Runco Jeff C | David M. Raim |
| 2 | Probably Dreaming | 2-1 | Lopez C E | Capuano Gary | Paul L. Fowler, Jr. |
| 3 | Worker Bee | 30-1 | Briceno J G | Capuano Gary | Pocket 3’s Racing LLC |
| 4 | Wildncrazyguy | 30-1 | Peltroche E | Lucas Anthony | Cecil E. Clugston |
| 5 | Red Zone Runner | 5-1 | Beato I | McClellan Erin C | Thomas Coulter |
| 6 | Ihaveanappforthat | 20-1 | Bocachica A J | Lucas Anthony | John W. White |
| 7 | Very Volatile | 9-2 | Hazlewood Y | Capuano Gary | Oak Tree Stable |
| 8 | Power Grid | 6-1 | Perez X | Robb John J | Mens Grille Racing |
| 9 | Hollywood Import | 8-1 | Sanchez M J | Capuano Gary | Pocket 3’s Racing LLC |
LATEST NEWS
