John Jones repeats in Jennings Stakes

John Jones scored his first victory from four starts on the season while notching a repeat score in the $75,000 Jennings Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Under a confident ride by jockey Edgar Prado, John Jones stalked the early pace of Bridget's Big Luvy after breaking from the outside post in the 11-horse field. He took the lead in upper stretch and then pulled away to win comfortably by 2 1/4 lengths.

"He took me for a ride today," Prado said. "I was a very happy pilot."

John Jones won last year's Jennings, a mile race for Maryland-breds, by five lengths and then went to the sidelines for nine months. The win was his sixth since trainer Lacey Gaudet claimed him on behalf of Matt Shera for $25,000 in July 2016.

"I think today just absolutely set up for him," Gaudet said. "We told Edgar there was a lot of speed inside him, and to just let him do his thing."

John Jones paid $5.80 as the favorite. He was timed in 1:36.36 over a fast track.

Bridget's Big Luvy finished second, a length ahead of Rockinn on Bye in third.

Politely: My Magician up late

My Magician was slow from the gate in the $75,000 Politely but made up for it with a fast finish to nail Renaissance Rosie on the wire by a neck.

My Magician, who is trained by Claudio Gonzalez, raced well back early under Jomar Torres while 17-10 favorite Renaissance Rosie and She Rolls dueled on the lead. My Magician commenced a wide rally on the far turn and then finished strongly from the middle of the track to get up for the win.

My Magician paid $7.60 as the second betting choice in the field of nine Maryland-bred fillies and mares. She was timed for the six furlongs over a fast track in 1:10.82.

Up Hill Battle finished third, three-quarters of a length behind Renaissance Rosie.

Renaissance Rosie, who is trained by Kevin Patterson, tripped and fell during the gallop-out, unseating jockey Julian Pimentel. Renaissance Rosie galloped off after the incident. After several minutes, Pimentel also got to his feet. He was taken to the hospital for precautionary X-rays with soreness in his chest area, according to his agent, Ronny Gerardo.

My Magician has won four races, including three stakes, since Gonzalez claimed her for $25,000 in May.