Maryland Juvenile: Post Time difficult but talented, and stuck on the rail

Unbeaten Post Time tackles Johnyz From Albany on Saturday in the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile at Laurel Park.

The Maryland Juvenile is co-featured along with the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Fillies. Both stakes are restricted to Maryland-bred or -sired 2-year-olds and run at seven furlongs.

Post Time and Johnyz From Albany have both earned 84 Beyers, a number that equals the fastest figure for a 2-year-old in Maryland this year. Recruiter and Prince of Jericho, who are not in the Maryland Juvenile, have also reached 84.

Post Time “has a little bit of a funny brain,” according to trainer Brittany Russell, and that quirky behavior manifested itself in his two starts.

In his debut, an off-the-turf maiden special weight at Laurel on Oct. 7, Post Time made a sweeping four-wide bid only to drift inwards and hop back to his left lead. He still won by two lengths.

Twenty days later, in a first-level allowance at seven furlongs, Post Time again brushed past the leaders. He stayed on his right lead this time but again drifted in the stretch, this time winning by 6 3/4 lengths.

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“He acted better in his second start. It’s coming together,” Russell added. “He stood in the gate this morning [Thursday] like a gentleman.”

Post Time is ridden by Eric Camacho, who won 785 races between 2004 and 2016, including graded stakes at Gulfstream Park and Churchill Downs. Camacho now works as an exercise rider for Russell.

“Eric is one of our top breeze riders,” Russell said. “He was getting on Post Time. The horse is difficult, and it just seemed like a good [fit] because he has a lot of confidence in him.”

Post Time drew the inside post.

“I hate the rail going seven-eighths here,” Russell said.

Johnyz From Albany showed speed when capturing the Maryland Million Nursery on Oct. 22 at six furlongs and is expected to set the pace.

“I’m not 100 percent sure he’s going to run as good as he did last time with the added eighth,” said trainer Dale Capuano. “His mother [multiple stakes winner Monster Sleeping] went long, but she did that as she got older. When she was younger, she was a sprinter. He reminds me of her.”

Tidewater, Tiz No Clown, California Ghost, Coffeewithchris, and Feeling Woozy also are entered.

Maryland Juvenile Fillies

Following a third-place finish in a first-level allowance on Nov. 14, Maryland Million Lassie winner Chickieness returns to statebred company in the Juvenile Fillies.

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Trained by Jamie Ness, Chickieness hasn’t been off the board from six starts. Ness mentioned the filly “is getting more mature,” but has concerns stretching out to seven furlongs.

Malibu Moonshine might have been the Maryland Million Lassie favorite based on her debut victory over Pimlico slop on Sept. 11, but was scratched due to illness, according to trainer Charlton Baker.

“I would be a lot more comfortable if she had a couple of more works, but she’s trained real good,” Baker said.

Fast Tracked, a half-sister to six black-type earners, enters following a game debut victory at seven furlongs in a $45,000 waiver maiden on Nov. 6.

Skylar’s Sister, Angel Art, Gormley’s Gabriela, Liquidator, Rowsie Express, Touisset, Cynergy’s Electra, and Bosserati are entered. Russell is unsure whether Bosserati will start.

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