Law School looks to continue progressing in Wide Country
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Law School was one of countless Parx Racing-based runners who missed training because of poor weather in January, skipping a potential start at Aqueduct to kick off her 3-year-old campaign. Instead, she will make her 2026 debut Saturday as a daunting contender in the $100,000 Wide Country Stakes for 3-year-old fillies at Laurel Park.
“It was this race this weekend or the Busher next weekend at Aqueduct,” trainer Jamie Ness said. “I think the mile’s a little better for her, but it’s a short field here, and Laurel’s one of my home tracks. I want to try to run there if I can, even though it’s seven-eighths.”
Law School’s juvenile campaign was turbulent at times, mired by a long stretch in which she failed to stand out in the Mid-Atlantic allowance ranks. Her four-race losing streak came to an abrupt end Dec. 7, however, when she stretched out to 1 1/16 miles and throttled five rivals at Laurel by 14 1/4 lengths.
Later that month, the Mitole filly returned home to Parx for the $75,000 Future Stars filly division, earning 2-5 favoritism in her stakes debut. At seven furlongs, she settled just off the pace and kicked away to a similarly dominant seven-length score, earning an 80 Beyer Speed Figure.
Law School’s strongest competitor in the field of five 3-year-old fillies will likely be Peach Tie, who has won 4 of 5 career starts for trainer Brittany Russell. On Dec. 27, the filly stuck around for a three-horse running of the $100,000 Gin Talking and defeated stakes winners Just Philtored and Slewperstitus by eight lengths.
“I was really proud of her last effort,” Russell said. “I don’t know if those two regressed that day, but my filly is doing good and she seems to be pretty consistent. This was always the plan for us off the last win, and everything’s gone to plan.”
Momaxie, undefeated in two starts for trainer Jose Corrales, will make her stakes debut after closing to win a $49,000 allowance by 5 1/2 lengths Jan. 10 at Laurel. She will be joined by last-out maiden winners Strike a Rose and Velocity Girl.
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