Wicked Prankster winning the 2022 MM Turf. (Jim McCue/MJC)
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md. – Two-time defending Maryland Million Turf winner Wicked Prankster, owned and trained by Sam Davis, is entered to make his second start of the year in Saturday’s Race 8 feature, a second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up scheduled for 1 1/16 miles on the Bowl Game turf course.
Wicked Prankster ran sixth, beaten three lengths, in a similar spot to open his season April 21 at Laurel. He led all the way to win the 1 1/8-mile Maryland Million Turf at Laurel in 2023 (1:48.28) and 2022 (1:49.44). Yomar Ortiz rides from Post 4 in a field of 11 that includes main-track-only entrants Tops the Chart and Frightland.
Trainer Brittany Russell entered The Elkstone Group-owned pair of The Addison Pour and Eldest Son. The Addison Pour has been beaten less than a length in each of his two starts this year, one each on the Laurel and Pimlico turf, while Eldest Son is set to make his first start since being claimed for $40,000 out of a runner-up finish – a neck ahead of The Addison Pour – April 21 at Laurel.
Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds’ homebred Hardspun Reason, trained by Graham Motion, chases a third straight victory in his first race since capturing a restricted allowance last October at Laurel. Street Copper, second to Wicked Prankster in the 2022 Maryland Million Turf, is entered to make his 9-year-old debut for trainer Mike Trombetta.
Sterling Road Stables and LBR Racing’s Riccio, three times stakes-placed on dirt was third by a neck in a one-mile turf allowance April 27, his season debut, before returning to the Laurel turf to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance June 1. Also entered are Marched, Sports Editor and Amusing Mischief.
Notes … … … ……..
Jockey Horacio Karamanos doubled Friday aboard Power Back ($11.60) in Race 5 and Alla Breve ($6.60) in Race 7 …
Trainer Anthony Farrior saddled a pair of winners, Switzer ($5) in Race 1 and Money Room ($9.60) in Race 4 …
Paul Fowler Jr.’s Shaft’s Bullet ($3.80), winner of Laurel’s Harrison Johnson Memorial in mid-March, collared pacesetting Ain’t Da Beer Cold at the top of the stretch and pulled clear for a popular three-length victory over late-running Vance Scholars in the Race 8 feature, an open allowance for 3-year-olds and up. The winning time was 1:44.58 for 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track …
There will be carryovers of $1,399.86 in the $1 Jackpot Super High Five (Race 6) and $1,051.38 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 (Races 4-9) wagers Saturday. First race post time is 12:25 p.m.
