Hybrid Eclipse defends her Caesar’s Wish title (Maryland Jockey Club)
David Joseph/Maryland Jockey Club
LAUREL, Md.— The Elkstone Group’s Hybrid Eclipse trailed her rivals around the far turn before coming with a steady run on the far outside to reel in fellow multiple stakes winner Award Wanted and defend her title in the $100,000 Caesar’s Wish by a neck.
Hybrid Eclipse ($8.20) gave the team of Elkstone, trainer Brittany Russell and jockey Joe Rocco Jr. their second win of the day following 4-year-old gelding Wish Me Home in Race 3, the 1 1/16-mile turf allowance his first start off a $40,000 claim.
Intrepid Daydream, first or second in five of seven career starts facing stakes company for the third time, took the early initiative but was pressed to her outside by Award Wanted as they went the first quarter in 24.30 seconds and a half in 47.22 with Hybrid Eclipse unhurried in last.
The two leaders entered the stretch together as Rocco began to work on Hybrid Eclipse, still with plenty of work to do entering the turn. Award Wanted, last out winner of the Obeah at Delaware Park, was able to edge past Intrepid Daydream but could not hold off Hybrid Eclipse as she came flying on the far outside to get up in time.
“We really thought she was good enough to win this race. It just had to set up right and get the right trip,” Rocco said. “It worked out the way I thought, at least. The two horses went out on the lead and kind of helped [knock] each other out. My filly got a little lost on the turn, but when I got her running, she had a head full of steam to come home.
“Honestly, it wasn’t until we crossed the first wire that I said, ‘Oh, I’m gonna win.’ But up until that point, I wasn’t sure if I was going to run third,” he added. “She’s a smart horse. She got the lead right at the second wire, her ears went up right away and she’s like, ‘My job is done.’”
Award Wanted held second, a half-length ahead of Intrepid Daydream, followed by Deco Strong, Misty Mauve and Cashing Big Checks.
Hybrid Eclipse was purchased by Elkstone’s Stuart Grant for $107,000 at auction last July following her 3 ¾-length victory in the Caesar’s Wish, her second start for Russell, Maryland’s leading trainer in 2023. The 5-year-old Paynter mare subsequently won the Thirty Eight Go Go last November and Nellie Morse Feb. 18 at Laurel, most recently running third to Award Wanted in the Obeah.
Midwest-based Rocco, who turns 41 July 19, previously came to Laurel to ride June 9 and 10, winning two of five starts. A winner of nearly 1,600 races, he grew up in the Mid-Atlantic the son of jockey Joe Rocco and grandson of trainer Baden Hughes.
“It’s great. I get to come here and fill in and ride for Brittany and other guys,” he said. “This is home so it’s always nice coming home.”
Notes
Jockey Angel Cruz registered a hat trick Saturday aboard Marvelette ($13) in Race 1, Alliallioxenfree ($14.60) in Race 6 and B Determined ($8) in Race 9 …
Kockey Victor Carrasco doubled with Charge to Victory ($13.40) in Race 4 and Eons ($16.80) in the $100,000 Prince George’s County …
The 20-cent Rainbow 6 was solved by one lucky bettor Saturday for a jackpot payout of $29,978.00 … There will be a carryover of $1,981.08 in Sunday’s $1 Jackpot Super High Five (Race 6). First race post time is 12:25 p.m.
