Showalter held off Hennessy Fire to break his maiden at first asking yesterday at Laurel Park. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.
From a Maryland Jockey Club release
Baltimore Orioles manager Buck Showalter is a popular fellow in Birdland, having piloted the previously moribund franchise to two playoff trips in the last four years. He was named American League Manager of the Year after his 2014 team went 96-66.
Now, his namesake horse might be poised to make some waves of his own.
Showalter, a 2-year-old gelding bred and owned by Orioles CEO and majority owner Peter Angelos (as Marathon Farms), won his racing debut Sunday at Laurel when he led throughout to win a 5 ½-furlong race by a neck over Hennessy Fire. It was another six lengths back to Cozze Cat in third.
Showalter, a Maryland-bred son of the Grade I winner Quality Road and out of the stakes-winning mare Lucette, also owned by Angelos, covered the distance in 1:05.32 over a muddy and sealed track.
Showalter is trained by Robert Leaf Jr., and was ridden by Xavier Perez. Showalter earned $29,640.
Congrats to Mr .Leaf and all the connections. I had a $20 exacta with the 8 horse on top of the 7; so that neck cost me 5 grand! Laurel bettors should ignore Mr.Velazquez at their own risk!
Thanks for checking in, Bill – I had the 8 horse, too. One of a series of painful beats on Sunday.
Yes indeed. Sunday was painful for me too! I hate bad beat horse racing stories,but what fun would the game be without them? After getting nailed by Showalter in the 8th I boxed my key horse,Duff, in the 9th with 4 horses.horses. Bellarmine was not one of them. Then in 10th race, I keyed Scott Lakes horse,13-1, with 2 horses. We all know what happens. the 2 horses I keyed, finish 1rst and 2nd.Sure did look like Lakes horse would hang on for at least 2nd,right? As I’m a glutton for punishment; I can’t wait for Friday!