Ludmila, a yearling bought for $1 million, made an impressive debut in the six-furlong maiden special weight race for 2-year-old fillies at Laurel Park on Friday. Trained by Justin Nixon for Edward Seltzer’s Stonebase LLC, Ludmila showed promise despite a rough start, quickly recovering under jockey Jean Briseno. Juniper’s Jubilee, the favorite, set early fast fractions but Ludmila steadily gained ground, ultimately taking the lead and winning with a time of 1:12.36. Other finishers included Juniper’s Jubilee in second, followed by Kiss Me Moe, My Girl Back Home, and others. Ludmila paid $7 to second-choice bettors.
Nixon praised Ludmila’s pedigree and preparation, highlighting her dam Lucrezia’s success and the horse’s professional demeanor. The Seltzer family, breeders of Ludmila in Kentucky, were keen to regain the horse after selling Keeneland stock. Nixon anticipates Ludmila will race next winter at Tampa Bay Downs.
In another highlight, Missoula won Friday’s seventh race, a five-and-a-half furlong turf allowance for mares, using new blinkers and tactical riding by apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood. Missoula, a 4-year-old Irish-bred mare by Zouster, was purchased for about $325,000 and has found success as a sprinter with trainer Kelly Raven after previously struggling at longer distances under Christophe Clement. Missoula returned $17.60 to bettors, edging out strong competition in a close finish. Raven praised Hazlewood’s riding and hinted at targeting the $100,000 Lightning City Stakes on Tampa Bay turf.
This report was initially published by The Paulic Report on November 21, 2025.
Fan Take:
This thrilling debut by Ludmila and the strategic win by Missoula highlight the dynamic nature of horse racing, where pedigree, training, and tactical decisions all play crucial roles. These stories remind fans that new stars are emerging and that expert care and strategy can unlock a horse’s real potential, promising exciting developments in the sport’s future.
