LAUREL, Md.—For the 18th straight year, the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie (G3) will have a different winner when the prestigious stakes for older female sprinters holds its 70th running Saturday at Laurel Park.
Ed Seltzer and Beverly Anderson’s homebred Hibiscus Punch sprung a 41-1 upset of the 2021 Barbara Fritchie over a field that included multiple stakes winners Hello Beautiful, Dontletsweetfoolya and Needs Supervision; graded-stakes winners Sharp Starr and Estilo Talentoso; and stakes winner and multiple graded-stakes placed Club Car.
Hibiscus Punch had more start in the Derby City Distaff (G1) last May before going to the sidelines. Trainer Justin Nixon had hoped to bring the 7-year-old mare back for a title defense in the Fritchie, but she ran ninth in her prep, the six-furlong What a Summer Jan. 29 at Laurel.
“We were obviously a little disappointed. Not in her, by any means, but she didn’t run as I had hoped,” Nixon said. “Maybe I had misjudged her readiness, if you will. We had a few hurdles with getting her ready. Not that that’s an excuse, but it’s a factor. I probably misjudged where she needed to be for that race.”
First contested at 1 1/16 miles at old Bowie Race Course in 1952, the Fritchie has been run exclusively at seven furlongs since 1964. Hall of Famer Xtra Heat was its last back-to-back winner, in 2002 and 2003. Too Bald (1968-69) and Twixt (1974-75) also won in successive years.
Nixon said the connections will take their time deciding what’s next for Hibiscus Punch.
“She came out of it in good order. She was a little tired, a little flat down the lane. I may be needed to do a little more with her beforehand, but where we’re at is where we’re at,” he said. “The only thing we can do is do right by her, so we’re gonna drop back regroup a little bit and see where we go.”
A field of eight will line up for Saturday’s Fritchie led by 7-5 program favorite Glass Ceiling, a New York shipper that enters off two straight wins including the six-furlong Garland of Roses Dec. 11 at Aqueduct.
Maryland Jockey Club Press Release
Photo: Hibiscus Punch winning the 2021 Barbara Fritchie. (Jerry Dee/Maryland Jockey Club)
