Laurel weekend: “Special” Big Bolton strikes
Juvenile winners also catch the eye
The Biz
November 2, 2026
Big Bolton returned to the winner’s circle Sunday at Laurel Park, capping a four-day racing week that also featured a sharp debut by Musashi and allowance victories by juveniles Prince of Peace and Scabiosa.
A winter injury had sidelined Big Bolton for much of the turf season. In his third start back, the Milan Milosevic trainee put it together, stalking favored Biscuitwiththeboss before taking command and winning Sunday’s co-featured allowance by 1¼ lengths.
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“When we had all the snow and ice, he hurt himself, so we put a lot of time and effort into rehabbing him because [trainer] Milan [Milosevic] said this is a special horse,” breeder-owner Richie Blue Jr. said.
Jorge Ruiz kept Big Bolton just off Biscuitwiththeboss through fractions of 23.05 and 45.48 seconds in the 5½-furlong turf contest for Maryland-bred or -sired runners. Big Bolton dispatched the leader turning for home and held Chimney Sweep safe. Reggie Runs Rogue, making his turf debut following a 477-day layoff, finished third.
Big Bolton ($6.60), who won his debut on grass last November, now has two wins from six starts and earnings of $72,250. His connections are looking toward a 4-year-old campaign that could include Virginia-certified races at Colonial Downs and the Maryland Million Turf Sprint.
Saturday’s standout was Musashi, a Great Notion colt who overwhelmed 11 two-year-old rivals in his career bow for trainer Hugh McMahon and owner-breeder SAB Stable.
Sent off as the 2-1 favorite, Musashi ($6.80) broke sharply under Charlie Marquez, set fractions of 22.50 and 46.01 seconds, and drew away with hands-and-heels encouragement. He finished six furlongs in 1:12.02, eight lengths ahead of Side Hug. Replicate finished third in the waiver maiden claimer for 2-year-olds.
McMahon said patience helped the colt overcome an awkward growth phase.
“My owner’s really patient, so we just took our time with him. The last couple of months, he started blossoming,” he said.
Musashi had logged five five-furlong workouts before completing his preparations with a one-mile breeze Oct. 23. His composure on race day also impressed his trainer.
“In the paddock today, he was really composed, just like he’s been doing this his entire life,” McMahon said.
Friday’s juvenile allowance winner, Prince of Peace, presented a different challenge.
Trainer Robbie Bailes had to saddle the restless colt while he circled the walking ring. Then Prince of Peace broke poorly from the rail and needed room to launch his winning bid in the $49,000 first-level allowance.
Jevian Toledo guided him outside, and the gray colt gradually reeled in pacesetter Winslow, taking over in the final 150 yards. Prince of Peace ($3.80) won by 1¼ lengths in 1:11.27 for six furlongs. Winslow finished 6¾ lengths clear of third-place Harewood.
“Toledo said he didn’t like the dirt [in his face], and as soon as he got him out, he came charging,” Bailes said.
The Virginia-bred Cairo Prince colt, a homebred for Steven Smith and Chris Kuhn, had finished second in Laurel’s James F. Lewis III Stakes in his previous start.
Thursday, Scabiosa remained unbeaten in two turf starts with a front-running allowance victory for trainer Hugo Padilla and owner Tom Coulter’s Arrowwood Farm.
Jomar Torres sent the Pennsylvania-bred Mendelssohn filly straight to the lead, and she finished 5½ furlongs in 1:02.93, beating Maybe Gold by 2¼ lengths. Worryaboutyourself was another nose back in third.
“She loves the turf,” Torres said. “She did it so easy today. She’s really good. She’s got talent.”
NOTES Jockey Mychel Sanchez won four races over the weekend to lead all local riders, and nine riders total won at least twice… Jorge Ruiz, Carlos Lopez, Horacio Karamanos, and Martin Chuan each won three times… Sanchez has 19 wins at the meet, one more than Jaime Rodriguez (18), with Jorge Ruiz and Jeiron Barbosa just behind at 16 apiece… Trainer Jamie Ness won with five of 17 starters during the weekend, while Robbie Bailes went 4-for-8… Hugh McMahon, Kieron Magee, and Lacey Gaudet each won twice… Ness has won nine times in the last two weeks to move into a tie with Brittany Russell for the meet lead with 20 victories… McMahon and Bailes are next with 11…
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