Live Oak Plantation’s Victory Achieved has been named the 5-2 morning-line favorite for Saturday’s $100,000 Laurel Dash, a six-furlong turf sprint for horses aged three and up on the Fort Marcy Turf Course, according to Horse Racing Nation. This race shares the spotlight on a nine-race card with the $100,000 Sensible Lady Turf Dash, a six-furlong event for fillies and mares, also contested on the Fort Marcy turf.
The gates open at 11 a.m. ET, with the first race starting at noon ET. Bettors will have access to two “Value Pick 5” wagers, each featuring a low 12 percent takeout rate.
Victory Achieved, a 5-year-old gelding by Street Sense trained by Mark Casse, has competed three times already in 2026. He boasts a win in a top-tier Gulfstream allowance on Tapeta from May 30, followed by runner-up finishes in the Karl Boyes Stakes at Presque Isle Downs on July 3 and the Van Clief Stakes on Colonial’s turf at 5 ½ furlongs on August 1. Casse praised the horse’s resilience and consistency this year, noting that he expects Victory Achieved to handle the six-furlong turf trip well, with Kentucky Derby-winning jockey Sonny Leon aboard likely to keep the horse close to the lead.
Among those trailing Victory Achieved in the Van Clief Stakes is Witty, a popular 7-year-old owned by Elizabeth Merryman and Marc Detempel. Witty, who finished second in last year’s Laurel Dash and earned millionaire status by winning the restricted Ben’s Cat Stakes here on June 20, recovered from a wrenched ankle sustained at the end of 2025. He captured his first two races of 2026 before a poor start hampered his Van Clief performance.
From New York, Senbei, a G3-winning 7-year-old gelding by Candy Ride trained by Miguel Clement, ships in for the race. He last raced in October 2025, finishing last in the restricted New York Turf Sprint Championship at Aqueduct.
Hollywood Racing’s Isivunguvungu, trained by Graham Motion, joined the field after drawing in from the Also Eligible list. The global competitor, bred by Narrow Creek Farm, won his seasonal opener at Laurel Park in an allowance race on June 19 and has notable wins overseas, including two G1 sprints in his native country. He also claimed the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial and narrowly missed the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint before competing internationally in the Dubai G1 Al Quoz Sprint. Isivunguvungu last raced this year finishing sixth in the Van Clief.
Trainer Ned Allard expects to start two horses: Alogon, a G3 Belmont Turf Sprint winner and son of California Chrome, and Card Trick. Alogon had a rough start in his two 2026 races but is expected to deliver a solid effort this time from a more favorable post. Card Trick, who was castrated last winter, has made significant improvement and appears better suited for turf sprints. Bold Diversion and Alder are also slated to run, while Had to Have Him, Fierce and Strong, Creeds Vision, and Jet Sweep Joe are set to scratch.
In the fillies and mares division, the Sensible Lady Turf Dash features a potential family showdown with Witty’s younger half-sister, Somnium. Both share the outstanding Congrats mare Zeezee Zoomzoom as their dam. Witty is a nine-time stakes winner, while Somnium, a 4-year-old Street Boss filly, recently won a second-level allowance at Laurel and placed second in the Andy Guest Stakes at Colonial. She drew the rail and will be ridden by Jevian Toledo.
Mopo, owned by Maury Povich’s Mopo Racing and trained by Phil Capuano, is the 3-1 favorite for the Sensible Lady Turf Dash. Mopo has demonstrated toughness with multiple wins and placings this season, including the restricted Jameela Stakes and several allowance victories.
Other notable entries include Gerrards Cross, a 3-year-old filly by Midshipman trained by Kathleen O’Connell, who faces older competition for the first time but has shown good early speed and consistency. Le Amazonia, conditioned by Victor Barboza Jr., arrives off a solid third in Saratoga’s Smart N Fancy Stakes and boasts a strong overall record.
Gary Barber’s Minty, drawn into the race from the Also Eligible list and trained by Mark Casse, has progressed steadily and recently secured a second-level allowance win at Colonial. Miguel Clement also entered Les Reys, a G3 winner on Woodbine’s Tapeta.
Likely starters include stakes-placed runners Gift of Gab, Obstreperous, Secure’s Hope, and Come to Mama. Quiet Confidence, Cougar Cocktail, and Mystic Realm remain on the Also Eligible list, while Capturing and Wisconsin Gal are expected to scratch.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on September 10, 2026.
Fan Take:
This upcoming Laurel showdown highlights the depth and quality of turf sprint talent, featuring seasoned veterans and emerging stars alike. For horse racing fans, it’s an exciting opportunity to witness tactical battles on the grass that could shape the turf sprint landscape and elevate the profile of summer turf racing.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
