Celtic Contender targeting Maryland Million Sprint

In another near-miss in stakes company, the Maryland-bred Celtic Contender stubbornly held for second in the $100,000 Reigh Count on Saturday at Colonial Downs. The winner, Verifire, won the race in near-track record time, making the 8-1 runner-up’s effort all the more encouraging for trainer Hamilton Smith.

“It was between the two of them in the last quarter, and the other horse got the better of him real late,” Smith said. “But he came out of the race good so far, and I’m very proud.”

Pegged as a serious contender in the Mid-Atlantic throughout his career, Celtic Contender has had some trouble winning the big ones, finishing fourth or better in his last nine open-company stakes without a victory.

After disappointing as the favorite in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint and again as a short second choice in the $175,000 De Francis Memorial Dash, the 5-year-old appeared to step forward again at Colonial, earning a 98 Beyer Speed Figure while second.

Smith said he plans to target the $100,000 Maryland Million Sprint at Laurel Park, which Celtic Contender won in 2024, but finding a spot before that October race could prove more difficult without many suitable Mid-Atlantic races for him in September.

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