Mid-Atlantic racing roundup, March 11, 2020

by John Piassek | Mar 11, 2020 | Breaking, Racing, Regionwide, Top Stories

Artful Splatter, here winning the Geisha Stakes, had her five-race win streak snapped this past weekend. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Plenty of racing action took place throughout the Mid-Atlantic this past week.

Here’s your five-minute read to get caught up on all of it:

LAUREL PARK

The class jump was no problem for Wicked Awesome in the Friday feature, as she improved to 2-for-2 on the year with a 5 ¾ length win. She was well off loose leader Conjecture in the early stages of the one-mile, n/w2x allowance, sitting in fourth place through the opening quarter. Odds-on favorite Artful Splatter, who was seeking her fifth win in a row, never got close to the lead — a change from her recent wins — and came up empty to finish fourth. Meanwhile, Wicked Awesome moved up the inside on the turn and rallied sharply, pulling away for an easy win. She went the mile in 1:39.04, for owner Warwick Stable, trainer Ferris Allen, and jockey Horacio Karamanos.
Apprentice Charlie Marquez continues to run hot. He had a riding hat trick on Sunday, with Whiskey and You in race 2, Earned It in the 4th race, and American Star in race 6. Marquez won five races on the weekend; none of them as the favorite. Marquez has moved up to third place in the jockey race, with 21 wins to his credit.
Three wins for Trevor McCarthy have him atop the jockey race, with 35 wins. He’s pulled 13 wins clear of Alex Cintron in second place.
Claudio Gonalez is still well in front in the trainer race, with 36 wins. Mike Trombetta and Kieron Magee are tied for second, with 15 wins apiece.

CHARLES TOWN RACES

Joopster got his third win in four starts on Friday night, taking a starter optional claiming race by half a length. After sitting a good stalking trip in the early stages of the 4 ½ furlong race, he moved four-wide on the turn, and edged past the early leaders in the final yards. The 5-year-old improved his record on the year to 2-for-3, while increasing his earnings to $23,455. He’s owned by Bryan Underwood, trained by Ronney Brown, and was ridden by Denis Araujo.
Later that night, Ellie’s Lil Man got back to her winning ways, as she scored in a conditioned allowance by 1 ¼ lengths. She sat in third early on, before moving in the three-path on the final turn and drawing off. Last fall, she was second in the West Virginia Onion Juice Stakes Breeders’ Classic and has bounced back nicely after a 1-for-9 campaign last year. This season, she’s 2-for-3 with earnings of more than $36,025. Christian Hiraldo was in the saddle, for owner Taylor Mountain Farm LLC and trainer James Casey.
Araujo has maintained his narrow advantage over Arnaldo Bocachica in the rider standings, 39-37. However, Bocachica has a much higher winning percentage, scoring at 30%, compared to Arujo’s 20% clip.
In the trainer race, Jeff Runco has taken control back from Brown, 24-22. Runco won three races on the week, one each from Thursday to Saturday.

PARX RACING

Anyone who backed Nightlife in Monday’s feature suffered a tough beat, while those who backed Getouttamyway were sweating, then celebrating. In the early stages of the n/w2x allowance for fillies and mares, Nightlife enjoyed a great stalking trip, two lengths off the leader in third place. On the turn, she pounced in the tiring leaders, and opened up a two-length advantage. Meanwhile, Getouttamyway was rallying three-wide and closing frantically. The wire didn’t come in time for Nightlife, and Getouttamyway hit the line a neck in front, going the six furlongs in 1:11.70. The winner is owned by Happy Tenth Stable, trained by Daniel Velazquez, and ridden by John Bisono.
PA-bred 3-year-old filly Cinnabunny improved to 2-for-2 on Tuesday afternoon, as she scored in a state-bred allowance race. After a slight stumble at the start, the 9/2 shot rushed up to the lead and set a blazing first quarter of 21.81 seconds. Undeterred by the blazing pace, she pulled away and won by 1 ¼ lengths. She completed the six furlongs in 1:12.14. Angel Rodriguez was in the saddle for owner Shooting Star Stable and trainer Kathleen Demasi.
Mychel Sanchez is in front in the jockey race, with 30 wins. He had four winners over the week, three of them for leading trainer Joseph Taylor. Frankie Pennington and Angel Rodriguez are in close pursuit, with 23 victories each.
Taylor has 22 wins to lead all trainers, but Jamie Ness, with 20 victories, is not far back.

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