Laurel: Ah Day upsets

Ah Day came back raring to go after a two-month layoff, charging home to win the $74,400 Fire Plug at Laurel over the 7-5 favorite, Crafty Schemer.

Jockey Mario Pino kept Ah Day on the rail and off the early pace of the six-furlong Fire Plug, as Kazoo went to the lead pressed by Country Moggie through an opening quarter-mile in 22.01 seconds. After Crafty Schemer, with Ryan Fogelsonger riding, came up and overtook the leaders, Pino swung Ah Day wide coming off the turn, then back inside Crafty Schemer, and took off to a 3o3/4-length victory.

Crafty Schemer held second, 1 1/2 lengths ahead of the 92-1 Gold Cluster. Ah Day ($9.40), a 4-year-old Maryland-bred son of Malibu Moon, finished in 1:10.30 over a fast track

After the victory, Ah Day's trainer, King Leatherbury, said he is pointing Ah Day for the General George Breeders' Cup Handicap, a seven-furlong Grade 2at Laurel on Feb 19.

In the day's co-feature, the $96,400 What a Summer, Silmaril easily got the best of her four opponents with a three-length victory.

ogelsonger settled back in fourth early with Silmaril, as La Chica Rica led through a half-mile in 46.52 seconds. Fogelsonger swung his mount wide looking for running room, then found a seam coming into the stretch and went on to win. Scheing E Jet came up for second, 1o3/4 lengths ahead of the tiring La Chica Rica in third.

Silmaril paid $3 as the favorite. A 6-year-old Maryland-bred daughter of Diamond trained by Chris Grove, she finished the six furlongs in 1:11.11.

Grove has the seven-furlong Barbara Fritchie Breeders' Cup Handicap, a Grade 2 on Feb. 17 at Laurel, as Silmaril's next stop.