Hard-knockers square off in Jim McKay Turf Sprint

The $100,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint is named for a stalwart of sportscasting who was a beloved and important figure in Maryland racing. It’s fitting, then, that two of the favorites in this year’s field are stalwarts and familiar faces.

The 6-year-old turf sprinter Carotari and the versatile 7-year-old Hollis have, between them, made 49 starts with six stakes victories and earned a combined $1,052,296. The hard-knocking geldings are part of a field of 10 for the five-furlong McKay, which this year takes pride of place on the Preakness undercard as the 12th event immediately preceding the second jewel of the Triple Crown.

Hollis won the 2020 edition of the McKay, but was seventh last year after being steadied at the quarter pole. More recently, he has been running on dirt at Oaklawn Park for trainer John Ortiz. He began that meet with a December allowance victory by 4 1/2 lengths over the speedy Nashville, running the 5 1/2 furlongs in a track record 1:02.17. He earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 109, the highest number appearing on the past performances for this field.

After that effort, Hollis was fifth in the King Cotton Stakes, won another allowance race in February, and was fourth in the Grade 3 Whitmore in March after leading early.

“He’s got a personality like no other,” Ortiz said. “We call him The Scrapper. We call him The Boxer. He wants to be in a fight. He’ll take the fight to his competition.”

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Hollis drew post 9, meaning he and jockey Reylu Gutierrez will have to clear much of the field if he wants to assume his usual position on or near the lead while saving ground around the single turn. Carotari, who will be fighting him on that lead, had an easier time of it at the draw, landing post 2 with Luis Saez in the irons.

Carotari won three of eight starts last year, including two stakes. He was also second in the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga by a half-length, with his 102 Beyer the only other triple-digit figure in this field recently.

“I think as he’s gotten older he’s getting better and better,” trainer Brian Lynch has said. “I think this year coming up could be his best year.”

However, Carotari hasn’t raced since an impressive win in the five-furlong Janus Stakes on Dec. 31 at Gulfstream Park. A quarter crack derailed plans for additional winter or early-spring starts, but he has been working steadily in Kentucky.

Stakes winner Smokin’ Jay faces Carotari again after running third to him and to Group 1-winning stalwart Extravagant Kid in the Janus.

Grateful Bred has won both this starts on the Pimlico turf, and won the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last fall at Laurel Park.

Seven Scents, a stakes winner earlier this year in Texas, is coming off a solid allowance win at Keeneland in his first start since being claimed for $80,000 by trainer Brad Cox. Completing the field are stakes winners Arthur’s Hope and Mr. Hustle, stakes-placed Bank, and Concrete Glory and The Wolfman.

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Skipat Stakes

In race 7, fillies and mares will sprint six furlongs on the main track in the $100,000 Skipat Stakes.

Cilla brings in strong class, having won the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes last September at Saratoga and two other stakes earlier in 2021. Most recently, she was fourth over a muddy track n the Grade 1 Madison Stakes at Keeneland, finishing behind Just One Time, Bell’s the One, and Kimari in a salty lineup.

“We felt [the track] did compromise her a little bit, just by the way she traveled over it,” trainer Brett Brinkman said, “and we were taking a shot at the Grade 1. We took a roll at it.”

Kaylasaurus has won two stakes at Laurel in the last six months, having taken the Willa On the Move in December and the Primonetta last month. She was also second in the What a Summer Stakes to Skipat foe Time Limit, a consistent mare who has not finished out of the top three since September 2019, while campaigning around the country.

Street Lute is an eight-time stakes winner, including a victory in the Stormy Blues at Pimlico last June. She was most recently third in the Primonetta. The field also includes stakes winners Cheetara, Cinnabunny, Fille d’Esprit, and Joy’s Rocket.