Quint’s Brew, guided by Paul Berube, Karen Linnell, and Heather Hunter, is set to return to Laurel Park this Saturday to defend his General George Stakes crown in a $200,000 race for horses aged four and older, running over seven furlongs.
The General George is one of four stakes events on a 10-race card that also features the $200,000 Barbara Fritsch Stakes for fillies and mares at seven furlongs, the $100,000 Post Time Stakes over 1 1/8 miles for four-year-olds and up, and the $100,000 Nellie Morse Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile race for fillies. The card starts at noon ET, with two “Value Pick 5” betting options available, each promising modest payouts around 12%.
Laurel Park is also hosting the “Last Chance, First Chance Handicap Tournament,” a one-day hybrid handicap competition available onsite or online via Xpressbet and TVG/4NJBETS. The $500 contest requires a $250 entry fee plus a $250 bankroll, allowing participants to place Win, Place, Show, Exacta, and Daily Double bets across the live races throughout the day. Contestants must wager on at least five races with a minimum of $50 per race, although smaller bets are allowed once five races at $50 each are won. Complete contest details and registration are available via the event website.
Quint’s Brew, a 5-year-old gelding bred by Mosler in Maryland and trained by Ned Allard, has been remarkably consistent, never finishing out of the money in nine consecutive starts. He emerged on the scene in early 2025 with a commanding eight-length win in the limited Jennings Stakes before capturing the General George, earning widespread acclaim. These strong performances prompted Allard to challenge him in New York, where Quint’s Brew narrowly finished second in both the Grade 2 Carter Stakes and Grade 3 Westchester Stakes.
After his May 4th Westchester race, Quint’s Brew was rested for the summer due to a minor issue, according to Allard. Returning to action in December at Laurel Park’s Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes, he ran a gutsy second despite a challenging race setup, with jockeys blocking his path during a critical stretch. “He ran the best horse, but the best horse doesn’t always win,” Allard remarked.
In 2026, Quint’s Brew took a tenacious second place in the Jennings Stakes, settling behind the leaders and fighting back at the finish line. After a final workout galloping five furlongs in 1:02 at his Delaware training base, Allard reports the horse is feeling strong and ready for the General George, despite some weather-related training interruptions. Leading horse racing analyst Ed DeRosa has pegged Quint’s Brew as the morning line favorite at 9/5.
Blue Kingdom, owned by DEA Thoroughbred Racing and trained by Jamie Ness, rebounded well from a fifth-place finish in the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial with a solid effort in the Jennings. This 5-year-old Maryland-bred son of First Mondays has demonstrated consistent speed figures above 92 at distances ranging from seven furlongs to 1 1/8 miles. Although drawing the rail and needing to manage a tricky inside trip, jockey Michelle Sanchez is confident Blue Kingdom will perform well.
Point Dume, representing Busch Racing and trained by Tim Kreiser, impressively won the Fireplug Overnight Handicap at Laurel Park over six and a half furlongs. His victory was emotionally charged due to Brian Busch’s recent battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Point Dume has shown versatility and determination, capturing the MP Barezzi Application Mile at Parkes Racecourse and proving to be a tenacious competitor.
Slam Notion, a 4-year-old gelding bred in Maryland and trained by Robbie Bales, enters the General George with excellent form, having won four of his last five races including high-profile sprints. Jockey Jevian Toledo praised the horse’s adaptability and improvement with every run.
Additional entrants include Pettingus Twin, who bounced back to place third after winning the Open Dave’s Friend Stakes, and strong contenders On the Mark and Freeze the Fire. The General George Stakes honors Gen. George Washington, the first President of the United States and Revolutionary War leader. Notably, past participants include Grade 1 winners like Florence Fire, Imperial Hint, Silver Wagon, and Affirmed Success.
Heading into the Barbara Fritsch Stakes, Gold Square LLC’s Dry Powder embarks on her 4-year-old campaign after an impressive 3-year-old season that saw her qualify for the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Trainer Chad Summers praised Dry Powder’s development, highlighting a patient approach to her early career which included a well-timed rest at Ocala. The Gun Runner filly has posted strong performances in graded races and returned from a winter break in good condition, now ranked as the second favorite at 5/2 by DeRosa.
Other key runners in the Barbara Fritsch include Michael Day’s Casey K Racing stable and Take the Money Honey from Final Turn Racing, the latter having dominated the Limited Geisha Stakes earlier in the season. Trainer Michael Moore remains optimistic about her ability to face increasing competition given her consistent training and racing schedule.
Further notable entries include stakes winners Hold Your Breath, On Command, Backstretch Rose, Bolt Enory, and Juba’s Parade, alongside impressive seven-time winner Passage East. The Barbara Fritsch honors Barbara Fritsch, a patriot remembered for boldly flying the American flag despite threats from Confederate forces during the Civil War. Hall of Famer Extra Heat previously won this event twice consecutively.
In the Post Time Stakes, Madison Avenue Racing’s Call Me Fast aims for his fourth straight victory under the guidance of trainer Jamie Ness. Purchased for $50,000 in July 2025, the 7-year-old gelding has flourished, winning two stakes recently and showcasing remarkable resilience. Call Me Fast is the morning line favorite at 3/2 according to DeRosa.
Warp Nine, a 5-year-old son of Hightail, also enters sharp off a career-best Beyer speed figure and is a proven competitor at Laurel Park. Silver Trail Stable’s Otter Mischief, stepping up to 1 1/8 miles for the first time and expected to control the pace, adds depth to the field alongside multiple graded stakes performers Jokester and Surfside Moon. The Post Time stakes, formerly the John B. Campbell Stakes, now honors the accomplished Maryland-bred Post Time, who will begin his stallion career in 2026.
In the Nellie Morse Stakes, Golden Lion Racing’s Complex Jane is favored as she pursues a third straight stakes win. Returning from a summer break, she dominated the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes and Carousel Stakes, earning high praise from jockey Sheldon Russell for her quietly effective racing style. Brittany Russell, who trains Complex Jane, also fields Sartori Las, a 7-year-old filly chasing her first stakes triumph.
Other challengers include Late Night Call, who narrowly lost to Complex Jane and may benefit from the race’s two-turn configuration, and Jeff Ranko’s 13-time winner The Sky Is Falling. Additional entrants include stakes-winning Xedobiana Angel, Dr. Abby, Navani, and Atlantis Queen. The Nellie Morse Stakes commemorates its namesake filly, renowned for winning the Pimlico Oaks and Preakness Stakes in 1924 just days apart.
This article was originally published by Paulick Report on February 11, 2026 and appeared first in their news section.
Fan Take:
This lineup of high-caliber races at Laurel Park showcases some of the most exciting turf and dirt talents across multiple age groups, promising thrilling competition for horse racing fans. With established stars defending titles and emerging horses making their mark, the General George weekend could signal the rise of new contenders and shape the future landscape of Mid-Atlantic racing.
