Already with two stakes wins to his credit, jockey Sheldon Russell put an exclamation point on his spectacular Saturday afternoon by riding Grade 3-placed 3-year-old Prince of Jericho to a 4¾-length victory over Coffeewithchris in the $100,000 Concern at Laurel Park.
The seventh running of the seven-furlong Concern for sophomores, honoring the first Maryland-bred winner of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), headlined an Independence Day weekend program that included the $100,000 Laurel Dash for 3-year-olds and up and $75,000 Jameela for Maryland-bred fillies and mares, both sprinting on the grass.
Prince of Jericho ($3.40), sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the Concern, completed the distance in 1:23.16 over a fast main track to complete a stakes sweep for Russell following Tim Keefe-trained Coconut Cake ($13.40) in the Jameela and Fore Harp ($11.60) in the Laurel Dash for trainer Robert E. 'Butch' Reid Jr.
Michael Dubb and Morris Bailey's Prince of Jericho is trained by Russell's wife, summer meet leader Brittany Russell. Represented by agent Marty Leonard, Russell also won three stakes on one card in the 2020 Jim McKay Maryland Million including the Classic on Monday Morning Qb for Reid.
“When the overnight came out I thought my agent had gotten me on some decent live mounts,” Russell said. “We got some really good trips today. [I'm] very fortunate, very blessed to have these owners and trainers still giving me these opportunities. Three stakes wins today is a huge day. I'm just very, very grateful.”
Prince of Jericho had the benefit of breaking outside each of his four rivals in the Concern, and Russell settled him in the clear in third behind multiple stakes winners Recruiter and Coffeewithchris, the latter making his first start since the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) May 20 at historic Pimlico Race Course.
Recruiter posted fractions of :22.59 and :45.14 under pressure from Coffeewithchris, when Russell began to make his move midway around the far turn. They approached the stretch with Recruiter still in front and Coffeewithchris trying to fend off Prince of Jericho while slightly drifting out, causing the two to brush.
At that point Russell set Prince of Jericho down for a drive to get past Coffeewithchris and reel in Recruiter, drawing away for his second career stakes win following Laurel's Jan. 21 Spectacular Bid, also at seven furlongs. A claim of foul for interference in the stretch by rider jockey Jaime Rodriguez and trainer John Salzman Jr. of runner-up Coffeewithchris was dismissed.
Coffeewithchris was 3¼ lengths clear of Recruiter in third. Tiz No Clown and Bristol Channel completed the order of finish.
Prince of Jericho, a Munnings colt out of the Medaglia d'Oro mare Golden Review, was second to Coffeewithchris in the one-mile Miracle Wood and sixth in the 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio before being cut back to three-quarters in the Chick Lang (G3) on the Preakness undercard, rallying to be second.
“We shortened him back up that day and he seemed to handle the six furlongs great. I came back and told Brittany, 'Look, if I had a clean trip that day, I think I would have been right there,” Russell said. “He'd trained forward coming into this race so we knew the seven-eighths would be perfect. We had a good little trip [today] and we're just happy that he bounced out of that last race and he's back in form. He's a very straightforward horse. I'm just happy to get him back into the winner's circle today.”
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