During the hot summer months, the pace at Laurel Park slows. The stakes schedule is modest, and the track takes a three-week vacation from mid-August through Labor Day. The break not only gives the turf course time to heal but builds anticipation for the fall meet, which begins Friday and includes 36 stakes worth more than $4.1 million. The resumption of racing at Laurel Park marks the return of the Stronach 5, which was not held while racing shifted to the Maryland State Fair at Timonium. This Friday’s Stronach 5 includes races from Laurel, Gulfstream Park, and Golden Gate Fields. The Maryland Jockey Club has dubbed the Sept. 21 and Sept. 28 cards “September to Remember” 1 and 2. The Sept. 21 program will include eight stakes worth a total of $1.3 million, topped by the Grade 3, $250,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at six furlongs and the Grade 3, $200,000 Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup at a mile. Last year the De Francis Dash and Baltimore/Washington International Turf Cup were run on separate days. The card also includes the Laurel Futurity and Selima for 2-year-olds. The purses of both turf races have been doubled this year to $200,000, and the distances have been increased from six furlongs to the 1 1/16 miles of their glory years. Chris Merz, racing secretary for the Maryland Jockey Club, said the intent is to try and make the Laurel Futurity a Win and You’re In for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf. “We reached out to the Breeders’ Cup early on, and the decision was made long ago to increase the Futurity purse,” Merz said. “As we thought about it, we decided to raise the Selima purse, too.” On Sept. 28, Laurel will hold six stakes worth $600,000. The headliner will be the $150,000 All Along for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf. New to the card will be the $100,000 Howard County Stakes and $100,000 Anne Arundel County Stakes, both for 2-year-olds at 5 1/2 furlongs on grass. The races basically fill the void left by lengthening the Laurel Futurity and Selima. According to Merz, more changes are in the works for next year. “Our goal is to create a festival weekend where we run all 14 of our stakes on a Friday, Saturday, and Sunday,” Merz said. “Obviously, the Preakness is a huge weekend for us, and we’d like to replicate it in September.” The centerpiece of October remains Maryland Million, which consists of seven stakes worth $800,000, plus four starter races worth $220,000. While the afternoon’s purses are less than De Francis Day and the races are primarily restricted to Maryland-sired runners, Maryland Million is arguably the most festive day of the Laurel season and draws a strong crowd. For the second year, Clubhouse Fest, which features live DJs, will take place on Maryland Million Day at Laurel. Last year, the stage was placed in the parking lot just off the clubhouse turn. ◗ It will be interesting to see if five-pound apprentice jockey Julio Correa can maintain his momentum after winning the Laurel summer meet title. Correa, a 25-year-old from Puerto Rico, came into closing day with a 31-30 lead over Trevor McCarthy and went on to win four races on the afternoon. ◗ Kevin Gomez was the leading rider at Timonium with seven wins, one more than Xavier Perez and Ashley Castrenze. Perez had the highest mount earnings at the seven-day meet. Anthony Farrior won the Timonium training title, going 7 for 18. Hugh McMahon finished second with six wins, and Jerry Robb had the highest purse earnings of $146,194. Robb and Perez teamed to win the Timonium Distaff last Saturday with Anna’s Bandit.