The Elkstone Group LLC's homebred Joe, a 2-year-old son of Declaration of War, drove to the front down the stretch under jockey Victor Carrasco to win Saturday's $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Championship at Laurel Park in Laurel, Md.
After making his debut on turf Oct. 24, Joe broke his maiden Nov. 21 at a mile on the main track at Laurel by 3 ½ lengths. Carrasco, who has ridden Joe in each of his starts and works the horse, got the seven furlongs in 1:25.63.
“We knew we was a really talented horse,” Carrasco said. “The first time Mike decided to run him on the turf because he was bred for the turf. I said, 'Mike, I think he's better on the turf,' and he's showed – he's two for two on the dirt – he's pretty good.”
Breaking from the No. 12 post, Joe was four wide down the backstretch while a group including Royal Spy, Coastal Mission, Local Motive, and Mr. Mox set an opening quarter in :23.09 and a half in :47.26. Five wide entering the stretch, Joe drove past Alottahope and Local Motive inside the eighth pole and to the finish line.
“After I turned for home and got him in the clear I started getting after him and he moved on,” Carrasco said.
The post Joe Goes Wide, Drives Down Stretch To Take Maryland Juvenile appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
