Correjon sets Laurel Park track record*

by | Feb 3, 2019 | Breaking, Maryland, MD Racing, Racing

The Laurel Park track has been lightning-fast for much of the last month. Prior to recent weeks, the track hadn’t carded a 6 1/2-furlong race in years. And five-year-old Correjon is at the top of his game right now.

That combination of factors was enough for a Laurel Park track record to fall Sunday.

FTF Racing’s Correjon continued his winter hot streak at Laurel Park, earning his third straight win over its main track with a record-setting half-length triumph in Sunday’s featured Super Bowl Starter Handicap.

Ridden by Jorge Ruiz, the gelded 5-year-old son of 2008 Fountain of Youth (G2) winner Cool Coal Man covered 6 ½ furlongs in 1:15.07, breaking the track record of 1:15.40 set by 3-year-old Ebonizer Nov. 23, 1990.

Breaking from the rail, Correjon ($8) raced along the rail as Bobcat, half of the favored 7-5 entry, and Tradfest dueled through a quarter-mile in 23.07 seconds. In tight quarters leaving the backstretch, Ruiz steered Correjon to the outside after a half in 45.80 and was set down for a drive once straightened for home, edging past Tradfest in deep stretch.

It was the third win from four starts for trainer Jose Corrales since early December, including a hard-fought neck victory Jan. 6 in his previous effort. The only loss came in a 6 ½-furlong optional claimer Dec. 22 at Charles Town.

Jockey Jevian Toledo, Maryland’s leading rider in 2015 and 2017, visited the winner’s circle three times Sunday aboard Pat’s No Fool ($23.20) in Race 2, The Great Catsby ($14) in Race 3 and 2018 Maryland Million Classic winner Saratoga Bob ($9.40) in Race 8.

There will be carryovers of $6,028.78 in the 50-cent Late Pick 5 and $5,411.06 in the 20-cent Rainbow 6 when live racing returns to Laurel with an eight-race program Thursday, Feb. 7. Tickets with four of five winners returned $1,004.75 in Sunday’s Late Pick 5 while tickets with five of six winners were worth $391.56 in the Rainbow 6.