Laurel Park: Steady N Love earns first stakes win in Caesar's Wish

Maryland-bred 3-year-old filly Steady N Love followed up the best performance of her career by running another strong race to earn her first stakes victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Caesar’s Wish at Laurel Park.

Ridden patiently by Victor Carrasco, Steady N Love ($3.40) sat fourth as 42-1 outsider Aviddiva opened up a six-length advantage through a half-mile in 46.94 seconds. Steady N Love moved to within a half-length of the leader after six furlongs in 1:13.34 and wore down her rival in deep stretch to score by 1 3/4 lengths while completing a one-turn mile in 1:41.18.

Aviddiva, making her first start since winning her maiden at Charles Town in early November, easily held second, 2 1/4 lengths in front of New Zone.

Carrasco said he wanted his filly, a daughter of Not for Love owned by ZWP Stable and Non Stop Stable, to duplicate the kind of race she ran last month, when she came from fourth to romp by 20 3/4 lengths going 1 1/16 miles.

“I tried to do like last time, have her settle and make one run,” Carrasco said.

Trainer Gary Capuano said he was encouraged by Steady N Love’s performance racing around one turn.

“A mile is not her best distance,” Capuano said. “She’s much better going two turns where she can settle and make one run. But she dug in and she tries every time.”

Steady N Love is now 3 for 10 lifetime with earnings of $180,210.