Film Star. (Maryland Jockey Club Photo)
Sea Dancer Springs 16-1 Upset in $100,000 Carousel
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md. – Ronald Stewart’s Grade 2-placed New York shipper Film Star battled the length of the stretch with local stakes winner Speedyness before getting his head down on the wire for a thrilling victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Robert T. Manfuso at Laurel Park.
The 1 1/16-mile Manfuso for 3-year-olds and up was the last of four stakes on a Christmastide Day program following the $100,000 Carousel for fillies and mares 3 and older and the $75,000 Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial and Politely for Maryland-bred/sired horses.
Film Star ($7.60), trained by Linda Rice, covered the distance in 1:45.17 over a fast main track to snap a two-race losing streak since becoming stakes winner in an off-the-turf edition of the Aug. 3 Lure at Saratoga.
With jockey Jose Lezcano aboard for the third time and first since two straight mounts last fall, both in Grade 2 company, Film Star settled in second racing two wide as Speedyness went a quarter-mile in 23.62 seconds and a half in 47.78. The two remained inseparable approaching the stretch after going six furlongs in 1:12.83 to set up an epic stretch duel that wasn’t decided until the final jump.
Hittheroadjak finished third, two lengths ahead of multiple stakes winner and 6-5 favorite Copper Tax, who had won each of his four previous starts. They were followed by Cataleya Strike, Wild Vine and Lieutenant Brown.
Sea Dancer Springs 16-1 Upset in $100,000 Carousel
SF Racing’s Sea Dancer, making her main track debut in the first start for new connections, emerged from a tight pack at the top of the stretch to reel in front-running Miss New York near the eighth pole and spring a 16-1 upset of the $100,000 Carousel.
Sea Dancer ($34.20) completed a Saturday hat trick for Brittany and Sheldon Russell. The husband-and-wife, trainer-jockey combination also teamed up to win Race 1 with 2-year-old Holy Boss gelding Balance of Power ($5) and Race 6 with Oncourtcommentator ($11.60), a 3-year-old daughter of recently deceased Uncle Mo.
Sheldon Russell and Sea Dancer trailed all but two horses in a field of nine as multiple stakes winner Malibu Beauty and 50-1 long shot Call Another Play dueled through fractions of 24.30 and 48.05 seconds. Sea Dancer weaved through traffic to move into fifth midway around the far turn, budged past Saddle Up Jessie straightening for home and came with a steady run to catch Miss New York and win by two lengths in 1:53.27.
Miss New York, racing for the first time since a victory in Laurel’s Sept. 22 Twixt, had a two-race win streak snapped finishing second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Evidencias. Malibu Beauty, Regaled, Too Many Kisses, Saddle Up Jessie, Call Another Play and 2-1 favorite Movie Moxie completed the order of finish.
Sea Dancer had two wins and two seconds racing exclusively on turf primarily in California for trainer Tim Yakteen. She broke her maiden Jan. 24 and had made five previous stakes starts, four in graded company.
