Trainer Gary Capuano recognized Hollywood Import’s talent early on after the colt’s first three races. The bay colt made a stunning debut at Delaware Park, coming from last place to win, then improved further to finish second in the James F. Lewis III Stakes at Laurel on November 8th. Though the horse placed fourth in a Class 1 allowance race on November 23rd despite entering as the favorite, Capuano noticed something significant in the effort.
Following a front-running style, Hollywood Import secured his second consecutive stakes victory in Wednesday’s $100,000 Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds at Laurel, Maryland. With jockey Torrerealba—filling in for the absent Michelle Sanchez—guiding him to the lead early, Hollywood Import maintained steady fractions of 24.17 seconds for the quarter and 48.66 seconds for the half-mile. Nearing the quarter pole, Close the Gate challenged from outside, briefly taking the lead, but Hollywood Import responded impressively, surging past to win by three-quarters of a length in 1:26.36. Code of Silence rallied from a slow start to claim third.
Capuano expressed confidence in Hollywood Import’s resilience, noting that many young horses falter after being passed but his colt held firm, showing considerable talent. The race concluded with Popular Trendsetter in fourth, followed by Wild Warrior, Awesome Andy, and Hardto Blame, while Star Sweeper was pulled up. Hollywood Import returned $7.20 to bettors as the second favorite.
Capuano noted that despite Hollywood Import’s modest speed on paper and less-than-ideal breaks early in his career, strategic riding helped him settle at the front and control the pace, ultimately showcasing his capabilities perfectly. The Kentucky-bred colt by Honor AP out of Babyjito—half-sister to turf G2 winner Kitten’s Roar—was purchased as a yearling by Pocket3’s Racing for $50,000.
Trainer John Saltzman Jr. was satisfied with Close the Gate’s performance, despite acknowledging his horse may have been a little tired and less suited for the race conditions. The Pennsylvania-bred gelding had already shown promise, winning two races by wide margins earlier in the season.
The Spectacular Bid Stakes shares top billing at Laurel with the $100,000 Extra Heat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies, both rescheduled to Wednesday from a canceled January 31st card due to extreme cold. The Spectacular Bid kicks off Maryland’s sophomore stakes series, which runs through the 151st Preakness Stakes on May 16th. The series highlights include the Miracle Wood Stakes in February and the Tierce in March, the latter serving as a “Win and In” qualifier for the Preakness. Capuano plans to target the Miracle Wood Stakes next for his Triple Crown hopeful, Hollywood Import.
The Spectacular Bid Stakes honors the famed Maryland Hall of Fame horse who won 26 races, including the 1979 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes, earning Eclipse Awards in three seasons and retiring undefeated in nine races at age four.
Mirroring the drama of the Spectacular Bid, Victory Music rallied inside Brescia to capture the Extra Heat Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. Jockey Angel Cruz guided Victory Music into position off the pace, then fended off a closing challenge from Brescia to win by a neck. Tap Into Grace was third. Victory Music, a homebred by McLean’s Music for Three Diamonds Farm, was a $55,000 RNA as a yearling and descends from notable lineage, including G1 La Brea Stakes winner Down the Dusty Road.
Winner of her debut and trained by Michael Maker, Victory Music overcame obstacles in previous starts to enter the Extra Heat victorious. The Maryland filly continues the fillies’ stakes series which culminates in the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in May, with key prep races including the Wide Country and Beyond the Wire Stakes.
Extra Heat, the race’s namesake, was a Hall of Fame mare with 26 wins from 35 starts, including multiple graded stakes and an Eclipse Award for Outstanding 3-Year-Old Filly in 2001.
Elsewhere on the card, jockey Yedsit Hazlewood notched three wins, including aboard Think Fast, Ecumenical, and Zio Lino. Laurel Park’s live racing continues Thursday with a nine-race card featuring two “Value Pick 5” bets. Fans can access handicapping guides and participate in upcoming contests like the “Last Chance, First Chance Handicapping Challenge.”
For replays, the Laurel Park YouTube channel provides full race videos, ensuring fans never miss a moment.
This article originally appeared in the Paulick Report on February 5, 2026.
Fan Take: This report highlights rising stars Hollywood Import and Victory Music, whose emerging talents invigorate Maryland’s racing scene and point to a thrilling sophomore stakes season ahead. For horse racing fans, following these promising horses through the stakes series will be a captivating journey toward potential Triple Crown glory and classic filly showdowns, promising memorable moments for the sport’s future.
