Gypsy Judy rallies to win Wide Country Stakes

LAUREL, Md. - Gypsy Judy, never far back while racing outside of horses, came rolling in the stretch to overpower the pacesetting Hot City Girl and win the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park on Monday.

The Wide Country was the second stakes win of the holiday weekend for trainer Robin Graham, who on Saturday won the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Handicap with Lady Sabelia. Horacio Karamanos was aboard both of Graham's winners.

Gypsy Judy had won a one-mile Laurel maiden race by 7 3/4 lengths in her prior start Jan. 8.

"I'm really thrilled with this filly. She's coming along great," Graham said. "She's just been cruising in the morning and doing everything we want."

Gypsy Judy defeated Hot City Girl by 3 1/4 lengths in the seven-furlong Wide Country. It was another 2 1/2 lengths back to Diannestillworks in third.

Gypsy Judy, the fourth choice in the eight-horse field, paid $14.80. She was timed in 1:25.75 over a fast but dull track that appeared to be favoring horses racing out from the inner rail.

Lake Sebago, the 6-5 favorite, raced in early contention but lacked the needed kick and weakened to finish seventh.

Miracle Wood: Savvy Street wins blanket finish

Savvy Street won a wild running of the $100,000 Miracle Wood Stakes, getting up in deep stretch to win a four-horse blanket finish under Forest Boyce.

Bodhisattva set slow early fractions of 24.94 and 49.15 seconds, with Golden Years, Savvy Street, and Governmentshutdown lined up behind him in the one-mile race for 3-year-olds. Savvy Street was shuffled back a bit on the turn but rallied again in the stretch and was up for a nose decision while three out from the rail.

Combat Driver on the far outside was second, a neck ahead of third-place Golden Years, the 6-5 favorite who had raced along a deep inner rail early. Bodhisattva, who finished along the inside, was fourth, a head behind Golden Years.

Savvy Street, trained by Donald Barr, was timed in 1:40.36 after six furlongs in 1:14.55 and seven furlongs in 1:27.33. He paid $8 as the second choice in the six-horse field.

Savvy Street, a son of Street Sense, is now 3 for 6 with earnings of $118,610.