McCarthy rides three stakes winners on card

Jockey Trevor McCarthy won three of the five stakes on the Laurel Park card Friday, led by Largent in the $75,000 Bert Allen.

McCarthy’s other winners were with the Michael Stidham-trained stablemates Tasting the Stars in the $75,000 Brookmeade and Embolden in the $75,000 Punch Line.

“I’m feeling very ecstatic,” McCarthy told Laurel publicity. “To win the third stake of the day with Embolden, he’s been one of my favorites since I broke his maiden at Colonial.”

The stakes Friday were all on turf and all restricted to Virginia-bred or Virginia-sired horses. They had been scheduled to be held at Colonial Downs in Virginia, but were moved to Maryland after Colonial was required to close its meet early due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Largent ($2.10) was the shortest-priced stakes starter on the card on the strength of his form that included a runner-up finish to Grade 3 winner Ballagh Rocks in the Lure on Sept. 7 at Saratoga.

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Largent on Friday was prominent and was a neck winner over Tolaga Bay. It was another length back in third to Kendama. Largent covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:42.06.

“He likes to fight, this horse,” McCarthy said. “I have to give a huge credit to [Tolaga Bay], who really put up a good race. He does everything you want him to. I’m just really happy.”

Todd Pletcher trains Largent, a son of Into Mischief owned by Twin Creeks Racing and Eclipse Thoroughbreds.

Earlier this year, Largent won the Edward P. Evans for Virginia-breds at Colonial. He is a 4-year-old half-brother to stakes winners Kona Blend and Edgewater.

Embolden ($3.20), who was second to Largent in the Edward P. Evans, was a length winner over Lynchburg in the Punch Line. It was another 6 1/2 lengths back in third to Boondoggle.

Embolden was always prominent and covered the 5 1/2 furlongs on firm ground in 1:02.17. He was winning his second stakes behind last year’s Jamestown at Colonial. Embolden is a son of The Factor who races for Dare to Dream Stable.

Tasting the Stars ($4) delivered as the favorite in the $75,000 Brookmeade, when she rallied for a 1 1/4-length win over Pink Pearl. It was another 2 3/4 lengths back in third to Fionnbharr.

Tasting the Stars stalked the pace set by Pink Pearl and moved past that rival in the stretch while going on to cover the 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:43.60. McCarthy was aboard for Newtown Anner Stud Farm. Tasting the Stars is a daughter of Bodemeister.

Virginia Beach ($8) won her turf debut in the first stakes on the card, when she wired her rivals in the $75,000 M. Tyson Gilpin. She won by 1 1/4 lengths over Tea in China, while it was another 1 3/4 lengths back in third to 1-5 favorite What the Beep.

Virginia Beach covered 5 1/2 furlongs on firm ground in 1:03.41. Victor Carrasco was aboard for Country Life Farm and trainer Michael Trombetta. Virginia Beach is a daughter of Twirling Candy.

Kenny Had a Notion ($3) was a five-length winner of the $75,000 Jamestown for 2-year-olds, covering 5 1/2 furlongs on firm turf in 1:03.62. Jorge Ruiz was aboard for trainer Dale Capuano. Kenny Had a Notion is a son of Great Notion who races for Louis Ulman and Neil Glasser.