Saturday’s De Francis Dash day card might be the best Laurel Park card in years. How good? We say 29 percent better than last year’s.
Both Lovable Lady and Chapel of Chimes saw three-race win streaks snapped last out and will be looking for redemption in Saturday’s Geisha Stakes at Laurel Park.
The Richard W. Small Stakes, a 1 1/8 mile test, has drawn a full field, including multiple G3 winner Tommy Macho.
Six horses that have won or placed in graded stakes are entered in Saturday’s Grade 3 De Francis Dash.
In an upbeat meeting today, the Maryland Racing Commission signed off on the Maryland Jockey Club’s request to run at least 162 days of live racing in 2017.
Jockey Sarah Shaffer was injured Saturday in a spill that led to a no-contest at Laurel Park Saturday, while rider Malcolm Franklin returned to Maryland.
Apprentice jockey Ashley Castrenze broke four ribs in an October spill at Laurel Park and figures to be out until later this month.
Nearly 200 horses have been nominated to seven stakes, including the 25th running of the DeFrancis Dash, at Laurel Park November 19.
Sunday’s Claiming Crown Preview day at Laurel Park hopes to drum up excitement for the event itself. Let’s say that excitement is still developing.
John Jones ran his win streak to four and earned a Claiming Crown berth with an easy win today at Laurel Park — one of three on the day for trainer Lacey Gaudet.