Win Win Win, Smarty Jones, and more: The week in social media

by | May 3, 2019 | Breaking, Business, Regionwide, Top Stories

Laurel Park

Racing at Laurel Park. Photo by Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club.

Win Win Win  triggered Derby fever for his fans, a turf record was set at Laurel Park, and Parx Racing has exciting news to share.

Here’s what the Mid-Atlantic region has been talking about this week:

On to the Derby for Win Win Win

Derby fever raged across social media pages over the past week, when Kentucky Derby longshot Win Win Win restored hope to his fans and connections with a workout that was both unusual, and impressive.

Win Win Win first sparked excitement within the Mid-Atlantic region when he earned a coveted spot in the Kentucky Derby. The dark bay son of Hat Trick began his career at Laurel Park, and will now be making a bid for the roses along with Maryland-based trainer Michael Trombetta, and Laurel-based rider, Julian Pimentel. With morning line odds of 15-1, the colt is not among the favorites in the “Run for the Roses.” However, his final workout for the main event displayed all the signs that this colt has a shot at making some noise.

Win Win Win went out for a four-furlong drill at Churchill Downs on April 28 with his workmate, Souper Courage. During his final breeze for the Derby, Win Win Win came across not one, but two fellow Derby contenders in, Tacitus and Country House. With his competitive nature shining through, Win Win Win abandoned his workmate and surged forward to confront his Derby rivals. In a thrilling and unusual sight, the trio hooked up and completed their workouts in sync, exhibiting what many have described as a preview to the Derby.

Win Win Win created a lot of buzz when he confidently finished ahead of his targets in his final breeze for the Derby. The colt completed his work in a swift final time :47.60, topping it off with a powerful gallop out.

Of the 76 horses that worked the same distance that day, Win Win Win’s breeze was the fourth-fastest.

It’s Pizmo Time!

A bay Maryland-bred by the name of Pizmo Time made some noise on social media over the weekend, when he set a new record at Laurel Park.

The six-year-old gelded son of City Zip set his new speed record on April 28. The record-breaking performance took place in a one-mile $45,000 allowance optional claiming event on the turf, which went off as race six. Pizmo Time stalked the pace for most of the race, before taking over in the final yards of the challenge to declare victory in a scorching final time of 1:33.91. The triumphant gelding returned $7.00 to those who backed him with a $2-win bet.

The win came on the Bowl Game Turf Course with the rail set at 17 feet, and the time eclipsed the course’s old record of 1:34.17, set by Sweet Talker in 2006. The fastest turf mile on any of Laurel’s six courses came on the Kelso Course — a lane to the outside of the Bowl Game — in 2012, when Saint Pierre ripped a mile in 1:33.3.

Owned by Caves Farm, Pizmo Time is trained by Edward Graham, and was ridden by Jorge Vargas Jr. The gelding currently boasts a record of four wins from seventeen starts and has collected current career earnings of $183,969.

Smarty Jones to make Parx appearance

Smarty Jones fans have something to look forward to, as it was announced that the famous Pennsylvania-bred will be making an appearance at Parx Racing on September 2, Labor Day.

In 2004, Smarty Jones captivated the nation when he rolled to convincing victories in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes. The chestnut was a perfect eight-for-eight until he met his match for the first time in the Belmont Stakes. Gallant in defeat, Smarty Jones went on to a life at stud after his try at the Triple Crown and currently stands at Equistar Training and Breeding in Annville, PA.

The $300,000 Smarty Jones Stakes in slated to take place on Labor Day. If all goes according to plan, Smarty Jones will be paraded before the fans during the race card, before the race named in his honor is contested.