Maryland Pride Day program Saturday at Laurel
Saturday is Maryland Pride Day at Laurel Park, with a card comprised solely of races for Maryland-bred or Maryland-sired horses, and will include the Mister Diz and Jameela stakes, a pair of $75,000 turf sprints.
Unlike Maryland Million Day in the fall, Maryland Pride Day will give preference to Maryland-breds over Maryland-sired horses. Ben’s Cat, who has won the last six editions of the Mister Diz, is expected to start.
The Maryland Jockey Club has announced it will donate $10,000 on Saturday to the United Way of Central Maryland’s ECStrong Fund, which will help those affected by the recent flash floods in Ellicott City, Md. Anyone donating $10 or more to the ECStrong Fund at Laurel on Saturday will receive a Laurel Park cap or lunch tote.
Carrasco making progress
Jockey Victor Carrasco continues to rehabilitate his injured right foot and is scheduled to see the doctor again Aug. 29, according to his agent, Tom Stift.
“We’re hopeful to be released then,” Stift said.
Carrasco was leading the Laurel rider standings when he was unseated and then stepped on by his mount on the way to the track from the paddock prior to the fourth race Aug. 7. He is currently wearing an orthopedic boot.
Since Carrasco’s injury, Jevian Toledo has moved ahead in the standings. Coming into this weekend’s final three days of the meet, Toledo leads Carrasco by three wins and Feargal Lynch by four.
Racing will be held at Timonium from Aug. 26 to Sept. 5. The Laurel fall meet begins Sept. 9.