“I would be less than honest if I said we weren't a little disappointed with the number of horses that we received,” Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning said at the conclusion of Wednesday's auction. “But I would also be less than honest if I didn't say we were very surprised at the strength of some of the results. I think it clearly demonstrated that there was a legitimate marketplace here for quality horses. There was significant demand and bidding well above reserves on the top-priced offerings.”

From a catalogue of 99 head, 79 juveniles went through the sales ring Wednesday with 59 selling for a gross of $2,541,000. The average was $43,068 and the median was $26,000. With 20 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 25.3%.

“I thought it was a productive exercise,” Browning said of the final results. “I think the folks who came were generally rewarded, but it's like everything else in the marketplace, there is still fragmentation and segmentation. All in all, I would say it was a successful effort, but not an overwhelming, 'Oh, my god, it was fantastic' and there are going to be 400 horses here next year.”

Clovis Crane admitted the day before the auction that he expected a buyer's market at the first June sale in Timonium, but after selling the sale-topper Wednesday, the Pennsylvania-based horseman said he was pleasantly surprised by the market.

“In all honesty, I got fair market value for my horses,” Crane said. “Maybe there was a hole or two here or there, but the way the sales have been trending, it was pretty much business as usual. I was extremely tepid coming in here, but at the end of the day, after the smoke settled, I think the market was fair. I am saying that and I walked out with the sale topper, but I had a lot of other horses in here that I think they moved along plenty fair.”

Consignor Cary Frommer had the session's second-highest priced offering when she sold a daughter of Arrogate for $225,000. She admitted it was a tough market, but she has hopes that the June sale will gain traction once these graduates hit the track.

“It's very, very tough to get over about $30,000,” Frommer said. “I think there is a mindset with the buyers that this is just the last sale of the year type thing. When, in fact, we have all commented that there are some really nice horses in the sale. I think they are getting missed a little bit, but maybe it will get stronger by next year when these horses come out running.”

Although slim on numbers, the catalogue did attract plenty of attention from buyers off-site, who were active bidding over the internet and over the phone.

Boyd Browning | Fasig-Tipton

“There was a lot of internet activity,” Browning confirmed. “We are seeing an increasing comfort level of buyers to watch horses on the internet and to evaluate breezes. The most interesting thing from a technology standpoint was the amount of vetting that was done off-site. I am going to bet you that 90% of the vetting was probably done by veterinarians who weren't on the sales grounds who were able to access the repository and evaluate those X-rays. And maybe that's something that we look to grow and be strategic with–how do we increase the technology. That might be an angle that we look to in the future as well.”

One of those off-site buyers was Dennis O'Neill, who bid on three horses and walked away with a filly by Practical Joke (hip 46), who was purchased for $79,000. Consigned by Tom McCrocklin, the juvenile had RNA'd for $70,000 at the OBS March sale.

“I went through all the breezes and there were three of them that I really liked,” O'Neill said of his process in going through the June catalogue. “This filly was in the March sale. I had seen her there and I really liked her. She had some physical issues; I think shins and something else. I really liked her, I just couldn't get anyone to buy her with the physical issues. And then when I saw she showed up here, I thought her breeze was fantastic. And then she vetted perfect. Everything was good on her today.”

O'Neill admitted that seeing the horses he was bidding on at previous sales gave him confidence to move forward with them.

“This filly I knew. I had seen her before,” O'Neill said. “There were two others that I bid on and I had seen them before. They were both in the Maryland sale in May. It is a little stressful if there is something in there that I haven't seen. And then you kind of have to trust the vet. For me, I do like to put my eyes on them.”

O'Neill said he thinks the Midlantic June sale does have a spot on the calendar going forward.

“This sale almost took the place of the California sale,” O'Neill said. “There were always a couple of good horses out there at that sale. But my opinion, for 40 years, is that a good horse can come from anywhere. I bought Goldencents from the supplement of the [OBS] June sale and at the time they said no good horse could come out of the June sale. I am convinced that a good horse can come from anywhere.”

Asked about the prospect of returning to Timonium in June of 2024, Browning said, “I would think so. I never want to make any guarantees or promises until we go through and evaluate and see what happens through the yearling sales and make plans. But I think when you sell a horse for $500,000 and several others for over $100,000, there was good trade. My gut reaction is yes. But we don't make too many bold proclamations the day of the sale or the day after the sale. A lot of times you are better off catching your breath and evaluating and try to make an intelligent decision on how to best serve the marketplace. If we can serve the marketplace, it makes sense. If there isn't a need in the marketplace, we won't do it. If you are serving the marketplace, it will grow and it will prosper.”

After making the inaugural sale's top bid, Young admitted he hopes to be back again next year.

“This is a great place to buy 2-year-olds, it always has been,” Young said. “I hope [the sale returns next year] because Fasig-Tipton deserves it.”

Kantharos Filly Stands Out

Hip 47 | Fasig-Tipton

A filly by Kantharos (hip 47) stood out on the track with a bullet quarter-mile breeze in :20 4/5 and duly delivered in the sales ring when selling for $500,000 to the bid of bloodstock agent Steve Young Wednesday in Timonium. Young, who was bidding on behalf of an undisclosed client, said the filly will be joining the barn of trainer Todd Pletcher.

“She is a tremendous physical,” Young said. “When you buy horses at that number, they have to be able to stack up to the horses that were sold at other sales. And she does that. She had a terrific work and she is a very talented filly.”

The chestnut is out of La Titina (Distorted Humor), a daughter of multiple Grade I winner Ask the Moon (Malibu Moon). She was consigned by Crane Thoroughbred Services and was purchased by Clovis Crane for $125,000 at last year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale. She RNA'd for $110,000 following a :10 1/5 work at the OBS April sale.

After praising her breeze over the dirt this week, Young admitted, “I saw her breeze [at OBS], but I didn't see her up close.”

Following her bullet breeze Tuesday over the dirt surface at the Maryland State Fairgrounds, Crane said the filly had not liked the synthetic surface in Ocala and had only a handful of views before the April auction.

“The instant I stepped onto the synthetic with her, I knew I was in trouble,” Crane said Wednesday. “She just didn't like it at all. The extra month and a half gave me time to tighten her up and get her ready to go farther and prove that she could run. I had seen it several times at home, but when you can actually prove it in front of everybody, that's what matters.”

In addition to her bullet breeze this week, the filly also has a pair of published works at Penn National, most recently going four furlongs in :47.20 (1/21).

“We are going to send her to Todd at Saratoga and we like her enough that she'll tell us when to run her,” Young said. “The foot traffic here is light–if she was in a sale where she would have been looked at by 50-100 people, then we always like to give them some break. But she appears to be doing very good mentally and I think she can go straight on to the races.”

Charles Takes Home Arrogate Filly

Hip 78 | Fasig-Tipton

Ellen Charles of Hillwood Stables bought out her pinhooking partners to secure a filly by Arrogate (hip 78) for $225,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale Wednesday. Barry Berkelhammer signed the ticket on the juvenile, who was consigned by Cary Frommer. Frommer had purchased the gray filly for $170,000 at last year's Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling Sale. Following a :10 1/5 work at the OBS March sale, the filly was purchased by agent Mike Ryan, but was ultimately returned and came into the Midlantic sale with a :10 3/5 work.

“Mike bought her for $250,000 and there was a problem with the owner who decided not to keep her,” Frommer explained. “We took her back. She had a chip in an ankle, we took it out. We haven't done too much with her until this sale. She was back here for sale.”

The filly, the final juvenile by the late champion to sell at auction, is out of Summer Shade (Stephen Got Even) and is a half-sister to stakes-placed Harmon (Cairo Prince). The mare is a half-sister to multiple graded winner Hot Summer (Malibu Moon).

“I think she is destined to be a really nice horse,” Frommer said. “Mrs. Charles, who I deal with and who also pinhooks a little bit herself, she decided to stay in on her and just go ahead and buy us out. She probably got the nicest horse in the sale.”

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Expectations were high for Smile Happy coming into the Risen Star. He was 2-for-2 last year and his win in the GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. came at the expense of Classic Causeway (Giant's Causeway) and White Abarrio (Race Day). Classic Causeway won the GIII Sam F. Davis S. in his next start and White Abarrio captured the GIII Holy Bull S. in his 3-year-old debut. Colleague T.D. Thornton had Smile Happy on top in his TDN Derby Top 12 and Mattress Mack was out there doing his thing, helping to promote the horse who may be Runhappy's best offspring.

Smile Happy was made the 2-1 favorite, but with the way the race unfolded, he never had a serious chance.

Epicenter, a quality horse, was sent to the front by Joel Rosario and, going into the first turn, it looked like he might face some pressure. But Pioneer of Medina (Pioneerof the Nile) and Boddock (Street Boss) backed off. That left Epicenter alone on the lead. When he got through an opening half-mile in :47.94, it was clear that he was going to be hard to beat.

Meanwhile, Smile Happy was eighth in the 10-horse field down the backstretch. He probably could have won from there if the rest of his trip broke his way, but that didn't happen. Entering the far turn, jockey Corey Lanerie found himself bottled up between horses. Throughout the turn, he couldn't find a running lane and once he did he was still eighth. It looked the best he could do was fourth or fifth. But Smile Happy managed to close a good amount of ground inside the final 100 yards or so and was beaten just 2 3/4 lengths.

Finishing third, Zandon (Upstart) also put in a strong effort. He hopped at the start and was last early behind the slow pace. Despite all that, he lost by just 3 1/4 lengths.

After the race, trainer Ken McPeek said he had yet to decide what would be next for Smile Happy. The GII Louisiana Derby on Mar. 26 would be the logical spot. He'll surely get one more race before the Kentucky Derby to show why so many people were so high on him. Next time, he won't get beat.

Speaking of the Runhappys

Smile Happy, Runhappy's best colt, may have been beaten in the Risen Star, but it was far from a lost day Saturday for Jim McIngvale's favorite sire. At Oaklawn, the 3-year-old filly Happy Soul (Runhappy) came off a layoff of more than eight months to beat a good field in the Dixie Belle S. A decisive winner, she turned in an impressive effort.

When last seen, Happy Soul scored an 11 1/2-length win in the Astoria S. at Belmont. Considering that Happy Soul has never gone beyond six furlongs, a start in the GI Kentucky Oaks might be a stretch, but trainer Wesley Ward said the race is under consideration. Ward said she will make her next start in either the GI Ashland S. at 1 1/16 miles or the Apr. 10 GIII Beaumont S. at seven furlongs. Both races are at Keeneland. A start in the Ashland would mean that Ward is serious about the Oaks.

Breeders' Cup Juvenile Starters Continue to Come Up Short

When Pappcap (Gun Runner) finished eighth in the Risen Star, it marked the latest loss by a horse who had run in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile. Pappacap was second in last year's Juvenile.

There were 11 starters in the Juvenile and not one has won since that race. They are a combined 0-for-9. Five Juvenile starters have not run since the Breeders' Cup, a list that includes winner Corniche (Quality Road). He has not had a workout this year and there have been no updates on his schedule. It is unlikely that trainer Bob Baffert will have him ready for the Derby.

Perseverance Pays Off For Cordmaker Connections

He may not be a superstar, but there are few horse in the sport that are more admirable than the 7-year-old Cordmaker (Curlin).

He was bought for $150,000 at the 2016 Fasig-Tipton Midatlantic Fall yearling sale by owner Ellen Charles and sent to trainer Rodney Jenkins. It was apparent early on what they had. Cordmaker, who was gelded before his career debut, was one of those tough old pros who just went out there and tried every single time.

He came into Saturday's GIII General George S. at Laurel with 13 career wins overall and nine stakes victories. But he had never won a graded stakes.

As last, he got it done, winning the General George by three-quarters of a length. It was his fourth straight win, all of them coming in stakes. At seven, he's never been better and with $989,640 in career earnings he could go over the $1-million mark in earnings in his next start.

The Marcus Vitali Meth Case

Marcus Vitali should have been thrown out of this sport a long time ago. His record is as bad as it gets. And shame on tracks like Turf Paradise and Presque Isle Downs that have opened their doors to him.

But that doesn't mean Vitali is guilty of the latest charge, a one-year suspension and a $10,000 fine handed down by the Pennsylvania Racing Commission after a horse he ran last summer at Presque Isle Downs tested positive for methamphetamine. Going to bat for Vitali, Todd Mostoller, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents horsemen at Penn National and Presque Isle Downs, said that the methamphetamine positive was a result of environmental contamination and that Vital should not have been suspended

He very well could have a point. Common sense says that giving a horse meth would not result in an improved performance and use of the drug by humans is rampant.

But the bigger issue is whether or not Vitali is being treated differently because he is, well, Marcus Vitali. Mostoller said there have been “three or four” other methamphetamine positives in recent months at Penn National and in all those cases it was ruled that the positive test was the result of environmental contamination and the trainers were not suspended.

In 2017, a Peter Miller-trained horse tested positive for methamphetamine after running in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup at Penn National. The Pennsylvania Racing Commission ruled that there were “mitigating circumstances” and fined Miller $1,500 but did not suspend him.

Vitali does have rights and should be treated like any other trainer. He's going to fight this and he may just win.

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Ridden by Victor Carrasco for trainer Rodney Jenkins, favored Cordmaker was rated inside for most of the 1 1/16-mile Manfuso. He was guided outside entering the stretch and reeled in the leaders—Workin On a Dream and Shackqueenking, who finished second and third, respectively—to capture his third stakes win in this year's MATCH Series. Cordmaker, a 6-year-old Curlin gelding bred in Maryland by the late Robert Manfuso and Katy Voss, who operates a stable at Laurel, is the only horse to have had competed in all six races in his division (3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt) this year.

“It's all so special,” said Ellen Charles, who owns Hillwood Stable, a prominent Maryland racing and breeding operation. “Bob (Manfuso) was always my friend. I think Cordmaker is my best horse, an amazing horse who is a great character in the barn. He knows he's special, and he has given us wonderful, wonderful wins. It's just great to be a part of this.”

It was the 12th victory in 34 starts for graded stakes-placed Cordmaker, who is approaching $800,000 in earnings. His MATCH Series scores came in the Manfuso, the Richard Small Stakes at Laurel, and the Victory Gallop Stakes at Colonial Downs. He also won the Harrison Johnson Memorial at Laurel, where his is stabled, earlier in 2021.

“Cordmaker is very special,” said Carrasco, who has ridden Cordmaker in all of his starts this year and some before that. “We had a good trip right off the speed, and once we turned for home and he got some daylight, he was gone. It's awesome. He's a good horse and I think it's even better when you have a home-track horse winning the series. I'm just happy for Mrs. Charles, Mr. Jenkins, assistant trainer Eveline (Kjelstrup) and the whole crew in the barn.”

Cordmaker ended the MATCH Series with 49 points in his division, the most of any horse in the 2021 series. Mary Eppler Racing Stable and Ram Racing Stable's McElmore Avenue was second with 18 points in the division, followed by Trin-Brook Stables' Forewarned in third with 6 points.

Willa On The Move Stakes

Bush Racing Stable & Liberty House Racing's Kaylasaurus, claimed for $25,000 at Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course in her previous start, went from last to first to win the $100,000, six-furlong Willa On the Move Stakes. It was the 2021 MATCH Series debut for the 5-year-old Munnings mare.

Ridden by Horacio Karamanos for trainer Tim Kreiser, Pennsylvania-bred Kaylasaurus won for the seventh time in 19 starts and passed the $200,000 mark in earnings. Eric Rizer's Princess Kokachin, who had previously won five races in a row, finished second, with Dontletsweetfoolya third.

“She always makes a big move down the stretch,” the Penn National-based Kreiser said. “Horacio saw the early pace and saw (Hello Beautiful) struggling.”

Hello Beautiful, owned by Madaket Stables, Albert Frassetto, Mark Parkinson, K-Mac Stables and Magic Stables and trained by Brittany Russell, finished fifth but took the division title on the strength of two wins and a second in series competition. Hello Beautiful, with four MATCH Series starts this year, finished with 34 points (second to Cordmaker), while the retired Never Enough Time (22 points) and Paisley Singing (12 points) finished second and third, respectively, in the division.

Dave's Friend Stakes

Hillside Equestrian Meadows' Laki was entered in the $100,000 six-furlong Dave's Friend and scratched the morning of the race. But the 8-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Cuba had enough points to capture his third consecutive title in the MATCH Series division. Laki, trained by Damon Dilodovico, has only missed two MATCH events—the Dave's Friend and a stakes at Delaware Park—in the three years since the series returned to the Mid-Atlantic calendar.

“He's a warrior, that's for sure,” Dilodovico said. “He's a special guy. After a horse like Immortal Eyes, who we had, it's not often you get a very good, quality animal. He spiked a temperature this morning; we've had a few bugs the last seven to 10 days. But to be able to know you have a shot to get to the wire first every time you go to post—that's Laki.”

Laki, who is 11-for-38 with multiple stakes victories, has earned $833,162. He finished the 2021 MATCH Series with 21 points in his division, followed by Mucho with 20 and Whereshetoldmetogo with 10.

Pocket 3's Racing Threes Over Deuces, trained by Gary Capuano and ridden by Victor Rosales, rallied wide in the lane and got the advantage at the wire in a scramble in the Dave's Friend. The 6-year-old Flat Out gelding, first, second or third in 28 of 40 starts, cleared the $500,000 mark in earnings.

“He's always fighting,” said Jon Madden of Pocket 3's Racing. “In his last couple races the jockey sent him, but with how the track was playing today, he held him back early. It was time to turn the tables once on Whereshetoldmetogo.”

Kentucky-based Mucho, owned by WSS Racing and 4 G Racing and trained by John Ortiz, competed in three MATCH Series events, two in Maryland and one in Virginia. Ortiz said he looks forward to future MATCH appearances.

“We were very happy to be a part of the series and hope to be back again in 2022 with two new shooters,” he said.

Carousel Stakes

BB Horses' Miss Leslie and James Wolf's Artful Splatter entered the 1 1/8-mile Carousel tied at 13 points each. Miss Leslie, trained by Claudio Gonzalez, won the race, but Artful Splatter, trained by Kieron Magee, won the division with a second-place finish in her fourth series start.

Miss Leslie, a 3-year-old Paynter filly, won her third race in a row, all under jockey Angel Cruz, with a strong rally from the back of the pack. She was one of two 3-year-olds in a field of eight.

“She's a good filly,” Cruz said. “She's nice to ride. In the morning she's kind of laid-back; I have to work hard with her. I felt really comfortable with her today. Just about every horse was coming from off the pace.”

Artful Splatter, under Carol Cedeno, sat just off the early leader before taking the lead on the far turn. She maintained the lead until the final sixteenth of a mile but held for second, which gave her the division victory. Artful Splatter, a 5-year-old Maryland-bred mare by Bandbox, made four series starts to three for Miss Leslie.

“I'm thrilled,” Magee said of winning the MATCH Series division. “I brought her here last week (from Pimlico Race Course) to work on this track. She broke well and took herself into the race. The filly that beat us obviously is very nice, but Artful Splatter has been a really good mare for a $16,000 claim.”

Artful Splatter finished with 25 points in the division, followed by Miss Leslie with 23 and Lookin Dynamic with 9 points.

MATCH Series division bonus money is awarded to the owner and trainer of the top horses based on points as follows: $20,000/$10,000 for first, $15,000/$7,500 for second, and $7,500/$3,000 for third. In addition, the owner and trainer of the overall points-earner regardless of division will receive $20,000 and $10,000, respectively. A horse must start at least three times in one division to qualify for bonus money.

In addition, bonuses will be distributed to the breeder of the top overall point-earning Maryland-bred horse and Maryland-sired horse in the series as follows—$3,000 for Maryland-bred and $3,000 for Maryland-sired.

The post MATCH Champion Cordmaker Emphatic In Final Race Of The Series appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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The 21st running of the 1 1/8-mile Small for 3-year-olds and up, part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series, was the last of three $100,000 stakes on the program, preceded by the City of Laurel for 3-year-olds and Safely Kept for 3-year-old fillies, each sprinting seven furlongs.

Cordmaker ($12.20) ran second in last year's Small to Harpers First Ride, who went on to win the historic Grade 3 Pimlico Special, a race where Cordmaker finished third for the second consecutive year. The winning time Saturday was 1:50.48 over a fast main track.

“It's great for the horse and the barn and [owner] Mrs. [Ellen] Charles,” winning trainer Rodney Jenkins said. “It's a nice thing all around.”

With regular rider Victor Carrasco aboard, Cordmaker settled in third as 17-1 long shot Workin On a Dream and Shackqueenking led the way, going the opening quarter-mile in :24.58 and a half in :47.59. Racing in the clear, Cordmaker closed the gap after six furlongs went in 1:11.84 and swooped to the front at the top of the stretch, running a mile in 1:37.14.

“I wanted him to stay closer. We've been taking him, not way out of it, but pretty far and that's a lot of ground to make up in a stakes race,” Jenkins said. “I told Victor, 'Keep him up in there and make them run,' and he did. Victor gave him a great ride.”

Shackqueenking finished third, with two lengths separating him from runner-up Workin On a Dream and Forewarned in fourth. They were followed by Informative, Tappin Cat, Mischief Afoot, Treasure Trove, Bustoff, and McElmore Avenue.

Cordmaker, a gelded son of two-time Horse of the Year and 2014 Hall of Famer Curlin, added to his lead in the MATCH Series' 3-year-olds and up long dirt division with his 11th career victory from 33 starts, pushing his lifetime bankroll over $700,000 and bouncing back from being disqualified from second to sixth for interference in the Sept. 18 Polynesian at Laurel.

“His last race, when he had that [incident] down here, you never know how they're going to react the next time, and that made me nervous,” Jenkins said. “But he came around great.”

Formerly run as the Broad Brush, the multi-millionaire and four-time Grade 1 winner he trained, the Richard W. Small was renamed following the beloved horseman's death from cancer in 2014. Baltimore-born 'Dickie' Small served two tours of duty during the Vietnam War as a Green Beret before becoming a trainer, also campaigning Broad Brush's son, 1994 G1 Breeders' Cup Classic winner Concern. He won at least one stakes race in Maryland every year but one between 1974 and 2014 and is also known for helping launch the riding careers of female jockeys such as Andrea Seefeldt, Jerilyn Brown, Rosie Napravnik, and Forest Boyce.

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With regular rider Victor Carrasco aboard, Cordmaker broke well in the 1 1/8-mile stakes and found himself in a good spot in third behind Workin On a Dream and Shackqueenking, who raced one-two, respectively, until a duel developed on the far turn. Cordmaker, nursed along by Carassco, rallied three-wide on the turn, reached the front in the final eighth of a mile, and pulled away to win by 1 3/4 lengths for his third stakes victory of the year.

Workin On a Dream, a blowout winner of an allowance race at Laurel in his last start for owner Steven Walfish and trainer Robin Graham, held gamely for second under jockey Forest Boyce. Shackqueenking, who had won his last two starts in allowance company at Delaware Park in Wilmington, Del., for owner Pocket 3's Racing and trainer Gary Capuano, easily held for third under Jaime Rodriguez as the favorite.

Cordmaker, who cleared the $700,000 mark in career earnings with his 11th win in 33 starts, paid $12.40 to win as the fourth choice in a field of 10. The 6-year-old Maryland-bred gelding by Curlin was bred by Robert Manfuso and Katy Voss and purchased as a yearling for $150,000 by Hillwood Stable, which is operated by longtime Maryland Thoroughbred owner Ellen Charles.

“I wanted him to stay close early,” trainer Rodney Jenkins said after Cordmaker won his second MATCH Series stakes in the 3-Year-Olds and Up Long—Dirt division in 2021. “I didn't want him to have a lot of ground to make up. I told Victor, 'Keep him up there and make them run.' This is a great result for the horse, the barn and Mrs. Charles.”

Cordmaker, who has started in all five legs thus far in his division, won the Victory Gallop Stakes at Colonial Downs in New Kent, Va., in August. He returned in the Polynesian Stakes at Laurel in September and crossed the finish line in second but was disqualified and placed sixth for drifting out near the three-sixteenths pole. Despite the setback, he picked up 5 MATCH bonus points in the Polynesian and padded his division lead.

“He broke well and we had a great trip,” Carrasco said. “I followed (Shackqueenking) because I thought he was the only horse who could beat us. As soon as we passed the five-sixteenths pole, I said, 'Go,' and he responded nicely. He got the job done.”

Cordmaker entered the Richard Small with 24 points. He earned 10 points for the victory and another 2 bonus points for making his fifth start in the division. That gives him 36 points, nine more than Hello Beautiful, who leads the Filly and Mare Sprint—Dirt division with 27 points.

The division winners and the overall champion will be decided at Laurel the day after Christmas, when the final stakes for each of the MATCH Series' four divisions will be run.

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The fifth running of the Alma North for fillies and mares 3 and older was the first of three $100,000 stakes on the final program of July, followed by the Challedon, also sprinting six furlongs, and 1 1/8-mile Deputed Testamony, both for 3-year-olds and up.

All three races are part of the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred Championship (MATCH) Series.

It was the eighth career win and sixth in a stakes for Hello Beautiful ($2.20), who is trained by Russell's wife, Brittany. The final time of 1:09.63 was the fastest of two runnings at the current distance.

“It's always anxious because she means so much to us and she's been so good,” Sheldon Russell said. “As soon as she got the first quarter, I knew that she was in her happy place and it was cruise control from there. The final time was extremely impressive. She's a good filly.

“I'm just very happy that we got it out of the way, and for it to happen on Hello Beautiful. She's been a great filly throughout my career, she's given me some great wins,” he added. “She was mine and Brittany's first stakes winner together, so for me to reach a milestone on one of our favorite fillies, it's something I'll never forget.”

To commemorate the milestone, Russell teamed with agent Marty Leonard to gift Hello Beautiful's groom, Luis Barajas, with $1,500. It was a gesture Russell began with $1,000 for his 1,000th winner on March 7, 2015, with Shayjolie in the Cat Cay at Aqueduct.

“Luis has been with us for about a year now. He's a key role behind the scenes at the barn and he takes care of some really, really nice fillies,” Russell said. “He's got years of experience, so when they come with that kind of background, straight away when he came into Brittany's barn she gave him the best five horses pretty much that she has.

“It's good that the money's coming home. I see these guys on a daily basis and for them to make the extra money is always great,” he added. “Just finally to have gotten the 1,500, we can start moving forward now. I was starting to feel the pressure there. I had a couple of close finishes [Friday] and then today. It takes the pressure off.”

Beaten at the wire in his first mount of the day, 3-5 favorite Make It a Double in Race 2 for trainer Anthony Farrior, Russell and Hello Beautiful quickly established command as the 1-9 choice in a field of five. They rolled through a quarter-mile in :23.41 and a half in :45.84 with mild pressure from Call On Mischief.

Hello Beautiful straightened for home in front and shook loose through the stretch from Call On Mischief, who stayed up for second by a neck over Precious, followed by Bluefield and Paisley Singing. Club Car was scratched.

It was the first win in three tries at Pimlico for Hello Beautiful, having run third in her May 10, 2019 unveiling and second by a neck to undefeated Chub Wagon in the June 13 Shine Again. Bred in Maryland by Ellen Charles' Hillwood Stable, Hello Beautiful was picked out and purchased by Brittany Russell for $6,500 at Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic December 2018 mixed sale.

“The question was always is she a horse for the course at Laurel and she's run two big races at Pimlico now so it's good that she can run on a different surface, as well. It feels great,” Brittany Russell said.

Hello Beautiful won the Jan. 16 What A Summer, 2020 Safely Kept and Maryland Million Distaff, and 2019 Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship and Maryland Million Lassie, all with Sheldon Russell aboard at Laurel Park. She now has earnings of $464,610 from 16 lifetime starts and a milestone win for husband and wife, who are parents to daughter, Edy, who turns 2 next month, and are expecting a second child in November.

“It's really incredible it worked out that way, especially because [Sheldon] was on a very live horse of Farrior's in the second race and they're very good friends of ours,” she added. “I would have been just as happy to see him do it on his horse, but then when the horse got nailed on the line, selfishly I thought, 'Ok. It's going to be the big filly.' She means so much to us. It's very special.”

Russell was Maryland's overall leading rider in 2011 and has won eight career meet titles, the most recent coming at Laurel Park's calendar year-ending 2020 fall stand. He has battled various injuries over the course of his career and currently ranks second to Charlie Marquez for the state's most wins in 2021.

“In this game, you've got to stay healthy. The wins will always come. Knock on wood, we've been on a bit of a roll here and not been injured for a while,” Sheldon Russell said. “Just very fortunate. I'm happy to get to this milestone; hopefully, we can get to 2,000.”

The Alma North is named for the Maryland-bred champion 3-year-old filly and Horse of the Year in 1971 and Maryland-bred champion older filly of 1972. Owned by the late Eugene Mori's East Acres Stable, Alma North won 23 of 78 career starts with $513,597 in purse earnings from 1970-74. Her victories included graded-stakes scores in the Grade 1 Matchmaker and Grade 2 Vineland, Grade 3 Margate, and Grade 3 Betsy Ross handicaps in 1973.

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Dictated by MHBA bylaws, the annually-held election fills five open seats on the board. Those elected will serve for the next three years. Bill Reightler, who served on the board from 2010 to 2015 and 2017 to 2019, is this year's only incumbent.

Ellen M. Charles – A prominent owner and breeder in Maryland who races as Hillwood Stables, this will be Charles first three-year term on the board. The granddaughter of Marjorie Meriweather Post, heiress to the Post cereal fortune, resides in Washington, D.C., and has served as president of the board of Hillwood Estate Museum and Gardens for 25 years. Owner of Grade 3 winner Bandbox, who stands at Northview Stallion Station, Charles has her own herd of broodmares, horses of racing age and young stock. She had connections to three 2019 Maryland-bred champions as co-breeder/co-owner of Majestic Reason, owner of Cordmaker and breeder of Laddie Liam. A board member of Beyond The Wire and past board member of the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association, Charles hopes “to restore racing to its success before the pandemic and continue supporting breeders' bonuses and aftercare programs.”

Michael D. Golden DVM – A small animal veterinarian, Golden is the vice president of family-owned Northview Stallion Station and Sycamore Hall Farm in Chesapeake City (Cecil County), and will serve on the board for the first time. The Baltimore City resident has been involved in Thoroughbred breeding and racing since 1975, highlighted by homebred Clever Mind's win in the 2017 Maryland Million Nursery, and has owned the Veterinary Housecall Service and Clinic, based in Crofton, since 1997. While serving on the board, Golden aims to “support an agenda conducive to the growth and expansion of Thoroughbred breeding in Maryland, promote ongoing efforts to improve the safety of Thoroughbred racing, and help the transition of horses from racing to a second career when not suitable for breeding.”

A. Leonard Pineau VMD – Owner of Three Pines Farm in Glyndon (Baltimore County), Pineau has bred the likes of graded stakes winner Purely Hot and stakes winners Ten Out of Ten and Music City. A veterinarian at Aardmore Veterinary Hospital, Pineau is a member of the Maryland Veterinary Medical Association (VMA) and American VMA, while also serving as president of the Greater Baltimore VMA. President of Pet E.R. and board member of the McDonogh School, Pineau has the goal of “ensuring the highest standard of integrity, honesty and drug-free racing.”

William S. Reightler – Founder and president of Bill Reightler Sales and Consulting Agency, this is Reightler's fourth term on the board, having previously served from 2010 to 2015, and 2017 to 2019. The resident of White Hall (Harford County) owns Hillrise Farm with wife Barrie. Serving as part of the MHBA's Yearling Show, Building and Legislative committees, Reightler is also a board member of the Maryland Agricultural Commission, Maryland State Fair, Maryland Horse Council and Maryland Association of Wildlife Conservation. One of the leading Thoroughbred sales agents in the Mid-Atlantic region, Reightler plans to “continue the stewardship that has resulted in Maryland's achievement of creating a strong regional program for racing and breeding.”

Thomas J. Rooney – A former U.S. Congress member, whose family owns Shamrock Farms in Woodbine (Carroll County), Rooney was a presidential appointee to the MHBA board in 2019. Based in Tequesta, Fla., Rooney is an attorney, instructor of constitutional law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and CEO of Home Safe, a shelter for abused and abandoned children in Florida. With a small breeding and racing program of his own, Rooney strives to “make sure owners and breeders with a small stable are represented.” After working at the top level of politics, he understands “in order to move forward in a productive way, you have to have an open mind and understand all points of view.”

Of the five directors whose terms expired in 2020, Larry Murray was ineligible to stand for reelection because of having served six consecutive years as a member of the MHBA Board. Those whose terms have not expired are Richard F. Blue Jr., Michael Harrison DVM, Christy Holden, Michael Horning, Louis Merryman, Sabrina Moore, Kent Allen Murray, James B. Steele, David Wade and Theresa Wiseman.

The election results, along with committee presentations, will be on the agenda at the MHBA annual general membership meeting, to be held virtually Monday, June 22, starting at 12 p.m., online via Zoom.

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Of the five directors whose terms expired in 2020, Larry Murray was ineligible to stand for reelection because of having served six consecutive years as a member of the MHBA Board. Those whose terms have not expired are Richard F. Blue, Jr., Michael Harrison, DVM, Christy Holden, Michael Horning, Louis Merryman, Sabrina Moore, Kent Allen Murray, James B. Steele, David Wade and Theresa Wiseman.

The post MHBA Board of Directors Election Results Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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