Ex-claimers sweep stakes

Don't expect to see either Reckless Ways or P. Kerney running for a claiming tag again anytime soon.

Taken for $18,000 in January, the 5-year-old Reckless Ways scored his third consecutive victory for his new connections and provided 18-year-old apprentice rider Rosie Napravnik with her first stakes win in Saturday's $60,000 Harrison Johnson Memorial Handicap at Laurel Park.

About an hour later, P. Kerney, claimed for $25,000 out of his last start on Jan. 22, scored a 15-1 upset over a quality group of older sprinters in the $60,000 Northern Wolf Stakes.

Napravnik had to work hard to coax Reckless Ways ($8.20) to reach the wire first after Reckless Ways was headed by 1-2 favorite Your Bluffing at the eighth pole. Reckless Ways refused to give in and came back on to beat Your Bluffing by a neck. The time for 1 1 /8 miles on a fast track was 1:50.78.

Reckless Ways is owned by Lacey Gaudet, the 18-year-old daughter of trainer Eddie Gaudet. The Gaudets won an eight-way shake for Reckless Ways on Jan. 11, the third consecutive race from which he had been claimed. In his first two starts for the Gaudet family, Reckless Ways dominated high-priced optional claimers, earning a career-best 97 Beyer Speed Figure in his last start on Feb. 24.

Prior to Saturday, Your Bluffing had won five consecutive races dating back last October. He had to carry 125 pounds, 11 more than Reckless Ways.

In the seven-furlong Northern Wolf, P. Kerney ($32.40) jumped out to a quick three-length lead under Abel Castellano Jr. and was never seriously challenged en route to a 5 1/4-length triumph over Abbondanza.

He covered the seven furlongs in 1:23.02.

P. Kerney was making his first start since he was taken by trainer Ben Feliciano on behalf of owners Nancy Clark and Fred Heyman and his first appearance in a stakes since June 2004.

A 5-year-old gelding, P. Kerney is now 6 for 15 lifetime, including a 3-for-5 record at Laurel.