Trainer Keri Brion’s stable has become a dependable force in the Mid-Atlantic, routinely producing winners whether on the turf or over hurdles. Despite claiming 11 Grade 1 victories over jumps, Brion is still chasing her first stakes win on the flat, a milestone she’s eager to achieve after numerous close calls.
Brion will field two strong contenders in the $125,000 Selima Stakes for 2-year-old fillies, held over 1 1/16 miles on Laurel Park’s Bowl Game Turf Course. This race is part of the Autumn Turf Festival, which also features the $125,000 Laurel Futurity for juveniles and the $100,000 All Along Stakes for fillies and mares, both run on the Exceller Turf Course.
The day’s program includes ten races beginning at noon ET, with the gates opening at 11 a.m. Laurel offers two “Value Pick 5” wagering options, each with a low 12 percent takeout, enhancing betting value.
Additionally, Laurel Park is hosting the hybrid “Autumn Turf Festival” Handicapping Challenge, available on site and through Xpressbet, TwinSpires, and TVG/4NJBETS. With a $500 entry (half as entry fee and half as live bankroll), participants can wager on the entire live card including Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and Daily Double bets. More details are available online.
The “Craft Beer Festival” will run concurrently in the Apron Tent Lounge, providing fans with local brews and a chance to meet brewers while enjoying the racing action. Tickets are available for this social event.
Brion’s entries in the Selima include Sea Isle City, a Jack Christopher filly owned by Three Diamonds Farm and ridden by Vincent Cheminaud from post 2, and Millford Lass, owned by Norman Lewis and ridden by Jorge Ruiz from post 10.
Sea Isle City initially ran on dirt at Saratoga, but after struggling on that surface, she flourished on grass, earning her first win at Kentucky Downs. Brion praises her maturity and professionalism, noting her preference for longer distances as suggested by jockey Flavien Prat after her latest race.
Millford Lass, a Galawi filly, is moving up in distance after two Colonial starts, showing evident improvement and a strong pedigree for two-turn races. Brion is confident she’ll handle the step up given her physical build and breeding.
Trainer Brittany Russell has also entered two promising fillies: Dance to Glory, a $400,000 Into Mischief yearling who won her turf debut at Colonial, and Hidden Overture, a $180,000 Mendelssohn juvenile who dominated five rivals over two turns at Delaware Park. Both are expected to be challengers.
Maybe Gold, the 3-1 favorite according to the Horse Racing Nation morning line, brings strong form and breeding as a Medaglia d’Oro filly from trainer Jorge Duarte Jr. She rallies well and appears ready to take on the stamina test of the Selima at Laurel.
Other notable Selima entrants include Cherokee Purple, Homeawayfromhome, stakes-placed Gypsy Lullaby, and the speedy Sun Valley, with Cash Or Credit likely to scratch.
The Selima Stakes honors a foundational mare, Selima, imported to Maryland in the 18th century and pivotal in American Thoroughbred breeding. Past winners include Sharing, who used a Selima win as a springboard to a Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf title.
In the $125,000 Laurel Futurity, New York-based horses are making strong appearances. Dahman’s Broadcast, a colt by Into Mischief and closely related to Breeders’ Cup winner Shared Account, is the morning-line favorite at 9-5. Trained by Miguel Clement, Broadcast showed promise despite a narrow loss in his debut and will break from post 4 with Mychel Sanchez aboard.
Howard’s Hope, trained by Horacio De Paz, shipped from New York after impressing with a late rally in his debut win on statebred restrictions. Though skipping the With Anticipation Stakes due to a slight dip in appetite, he enters the Laurel Futurity ready to impress.
Also running are Coast Highway, trained by Graham Motion and a winner on the inner turf at Colonial, Moneta Agenda stretching out over two turns, Perfect Dream from Anthony Fontana’s barn, and Fullcup from Wachtel Stable and Team Penney Racing, who will make his turf debut. Maidens Bishop Moon and Fire Marshal complete the field.
The Laurel Futurity boasts a storied history with champions like Count Fleet, Secretariat, and Affirmed on its roll of honor.
In the $100,000 All Along Stakes, top turf trainer Chad Brown fields Grayosh, a graded stakes-winning gray mare dropping in class after a recent race at Saratoga. She is the 2-1 morning-line favorite and will be ridden by Jorge Ruiz.
Opposing her is Awesome Czech, a multiple stakes-winning New York-bred, who had a troubled trip last out but showed strong closing ability according to trainer Horacio De Paz. Jose Lezcano takes the reins from post 5.
Amelia Green has entered two mares including Shore War, a local winner stalking the pace with recent solid results at Saratoga. Eric Rizer and Robbie Bailes’ Nick’s Notion, a horse in fine recent form especially on firm turf, also contests the race, alongside contenders Mischief in Motion, Salty Senorita, and So Darn Pretty.
The All Along Stakes commemorates the Hall of Fame mare All Along, Horse of the Year in both the U.S. and France in 1983, notable for winning four Grade 1 races within 42 days and becoming the first foreign-based Horse of the Year in the U.S.
This comprehensive racing festival highlights the depth of juvenile and turf talent in the Mid-Atlantic, promising exciting stakes action and quality wagering opportunities.
Fan Take:
This festival not only showcases emerging stars at Laurel Park but also highlights the region’s commitment to turf racing and juvenile development. For horse racing fans, it’s a thrilling glimpse into the sport’s future champions and a perfect opportunity to engage with the racing community through innovative contests and social events.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
