Mid-Atlantic: Fritchie, General George fields in flux

The retirement of Eclipse Award winner La Verdad last weekend has resulted in added interest from horsemen for the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie Stakes, according to Coley Blind, stakes coordinator for the Maryland Jockey Club. But as of Wednesday, the field for the $300,000 Fritchie, a seven-furlong race for older fillies and mares at Laurel Park on Feb. 13, remained in flux, according to Blind.

The expected starters include La Verdad’s Linda Rice-trained stablemate Hot City Girl; last year’s Fritchie winner, Lady Sabelia, who is trained by Robin Graham; Clothes Fall Off, who set a 5 1/2-furlong Aqueduct inner-track record in her last start; Thirteen Arrows, the winner of the Pan Zareta Stakes at Fair Grounds for Larry Jones; and Dancing House, who like Clothes Fall Off is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

The Fritchie undercard will include a pair of $75,000 stakes, the John B. Campbell for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/8 miles and the Maryland Racing Media Stakes for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles.

The second day of the Winter Carnival will be on Presidents Day, Feb. 15, when three stakes will be held: the Grade 3, $250,000 General George, a seven-furlong race for older horses; the $75,000 Miracle Wood, a one-mile race for 3-year-olds; and the $75,000 Wide Country, a seven-furlong stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Probables for the General George include Always Sunshine, trained by Ned Allard; the Larry Jones-trained Coup de Grace; Majestic Hussar, who is conditioned by Bill Campbell; and Sonny Inspired, trained by Phil Schoenthal.

Entries will be taken for the Fritchie card Monday. General George Day entries are due next Friday.