Pimlico: Alwaysinahurry upsets Wondrwherecraigis

  • userPress Release
  • dateSeptember 18, 2022

Mopo Racing’s Alwaysinahurry, winless in five previous starts this year, came with a steady run down the center of the track to catch Grade 3 winner Wondrwherecraigis and spring an 11-1 upset of Sunday’s stakes-quality feature at historic Pimlico Race Course.

Alwaysinahurry ($24.40), who had not won since becoming a stakes winner in the Concern last July at Laurel Park, got his nose down at the wire to win the six-furlong optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up in 1:10.42 over a fast main track.

“He has been [knocking on the door]. He’s been so unlucky. I think he should have won quite a few races but he hasn’t,” winning trainer Dale Capuano said. “Finally today, he had to hook this tough horse but he was able to get there.”

Alwaysinahurry was unhurried in the early going under Angel Cruz as jockey Sheldon Russell hustled Wondrwherecraigis to the front from Post 2, leading through a quarter-mile in 23.11 seconds and a half in 45.78 pressed by 2020 Maryland Million Sprint winner Karan’s Notion.

Wondrwherecraigis straightened for home having put Air Token away after five furlongs in 57.75 seconds, but Cruz swung Alwaysinahurry to the outside to take a run at the leader and get up in time. In his prior race, Alwaysinahurry ran third by 1 ½ lengths in a 6 ½-furlong optional claiming allowance Sept. 4 at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.

“I’ve had good luck running horses at Timonium and coming back to the mile tracks over the years,” Capuano said. “It didn’t hurt him any, that’s for sure.”

Wondrwherecraigis was a decisive second, followed by 2020 Maryland Million Sprint winner Karan’s Notion, 2021 Maryland Million Sprint winner Air Token, and Final Shot. Torch of Truth was scratched.

Bred in Maryland by Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Bowman, Quin Bowan and Rebecca Davis, Alwaysinahurry will be pointed to the 32nd Jim McKay Maryland Million Oct. 22 at Laurel Park. He ran second to then-stablemate Kenny Had a Notion in the Nursery for 2-year-olds in 2020.

“Most likely the Maryland Million will be his next start,” Capuano said. “That’s been our plan.”

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