LAUREL, MD. 11-29-12—Laurel Park will present nine races on Saturday afternoon, including two $100,000 stakes as co-features: the Marylander Stakes for 2-year-olds and the Jennings Handicap for 3-year-olds and up.

Hello Lover, who has won three consecutive races, is the 7-5 program choice to win the one mile Jennings Handicap for Maryland-breds. Based at Parx Racing, the son of Not For Love has won 9-of-15 races this year. The nine victories have come at four different distances with an average Beyer Speed figure of 89. Trainer Butch Reid claimed the 6-year old for $7,500 on Jan. 3.

“He has been a wonderful horse for us and a thrill to watch. We certainly didn’t expect this much when we dropped the slip on him,” Reid said. “I think the one turn mile might be his best distance. We gave a lot of thought to running in the Maryland Million Classic but I think his best races are around one turn and we have been able to find races that fit him best.” 

Defending champion Eighttofasttocatch (9-2) has won five stakes races at Laurel Park but the Tim Keefe trainee has not won since taking the Harrison Johnson Memorial Stakes in March. Sheldon Russell will try to turn around the fortunes of the son of Not For Love.

 

Regal Solo (5-1) won the 2009 Jennings as a 4-year-old and finished sixth last year. The son of Louis Quatorze, who has battled foot issues his entire career, is 1-of-4 in 2013. The 2010 Maryland Million Classic winner is trained by Damon Dilodovico. Julian Pimentel will become the 12th different jockey to ride Regal Solo.

Koh I Noor (6-1), London Lane (8-1), Charge (10-1), Albrecht (15-1), Concealed Identity (20-1) and Go Marie Tu (30-1) complete the field.

Whiskey Romeo is the even-money favorite to win the seven furlong Marylander off an impressive score in the James Lewis Stakes here on Nov. 10. The victory was the second win in as many starts for the son of Forestry, who led from start to finish in both outings. Stewart Elliott makes a return trip to ride Whiskey Romeo for trainer Tony Dutrow.

“He is a very precocious, talented, smart 2-year-old,” Dutrow said. “He has not been challenged or faced any adversity. He will meet one as talented as him one day and then we’ll see what he is made of.”

Amerigo Vespucci (4-1) finished a distant second to Whiskey Romeo in the Lewis and is the second choice in the field of eight. Tim Tullock trains the Henrythenavigator colt. Erick Rodriguez has the mount.

Hard Enough (6-1), On The Go (8-1), Lunar Rock (8-1), Smash and Grab (10-1), Hamp (15-1) and Indefinable Humor (30-1) are also expected to face the starter.

About Laurel Park

Laurel Park is a Stronach Group company, North America’s leading Thoroughbred racetrack owner/operator. The Stronach Group racetracks include Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park & Casino, Golden Gate Fields, Portland Meadows, Laurel Park and Pimlico Race Course, home of the world-famous Preakness. The company owns and operates the Palm Meadows Training Center in Florida and is one of North America’s top race horse breeders through its award-winning Adena Springs operation. The Stronach Group is one of the world’s largest suppliers of pari-mutuel wagering systems, technologies and services. Its companies include AmTote, a global leader in wagering technology; Xpressbet, an Internet and telephone account wagering service; and Monarch Content Management, which acts as a simulcast purchase and sales agent of horseracing content for numerous North American racetracks and wagering outlets. The Stronach Group is also a major producer of televised horse racing programming through its HRTV cable and satellite network and is North America’s premier supplier of virtual online horse racing games, as well as a leading producer of social media content for the horseracing industry.