Miss Inclusive goes all the way in Maryland Racing Media Stakes

Jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. put Miss Inclusive right on the lead in the $100,000 Maryland Racing Media Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday and she was never headed, coming home first by 3 1/2 lengths in the snow over a muddy track.

After the race, trainer John Servis dedicated the win to veterinarian Patty Hogan, who operates Hogan Equine in central New Jersey.

Servis said of Miss Inclusive: "She has had three throat surgeries. The last time she was having a problem, my vet at Monmouth threw his hands up in the air and said, 'I'll tell you, I think she's done.' Patty operated on her and she comes back and wins a stakes."

Miss Inclusive paid $9.20 in the 1 1/16-mile race. She was timed in 1:44.89 and earned an 86 Beyer Speed Figure.

Line of Best Fit, the 6-5 favorite in the five-horse field, finished second. It was 2 1/2 lengths farther back to In the Navy Now in third.

Sky Flower finished fourth. Sherini, who gave way after five furlongs, was eased in the stretch.

The Maryland Racing Media is Miss Inclusive's second stakes win. She crossed the finish line first in the 2016 Parx Oaks but was disqualified for a medication violation. In a controversial legal settlement, the Pennsylvania Racing Commission later name Miss Inclusive and Oaks runner-up Eighth Wonder co-winners of the race, rescinded Servis's suspension, and instead fined him.

Campbell: Afleet Willy turns back Zanotti

Afleet Willy, a $25,000 claim by trainer Claudio Gonzalez in December 2015, won his fourth stakes from his last five starts on Saturday in the $100,000 John B. Campbell at Laurel Park, turning back a challenge from Queens County winner Zanotti and scoring by 2 1/2 lengths.

Afleet Willy broke alertly in the 1 1/8-mile race for 4-year-olds and up, and was quickly joined from the outside by Zanotti, who came into the race with four wins in his last five starts. The pair set fractions of 24.52 and 47.89 under light snow before Afleet Willy drew clear nearing the far turn.

Zanotti never quit trying but had to settle for second as Afleet Willy won his 12th race from 27 starts. Jockey Jomar Torres is 4 for 5 on the 5-year-old gelding.

"The plan was to go to the lead but they put a lot of pressure on me," Torres said. "He's a nice horse, very easy to ride."

Afleet Willy paid $2.60 to win in the five-horse field. He had $114,260 of the $129,037 of the show pool bet on him. He was timed in 1:50.28 over a good track following splits of 1:11.82 and 1:37.29, and earned a 96 Beyer Speed Figure.

Dattt Melody finished third, 1 3/4 lengths behind Zanotti.

Afleet Willy races for the father-son duo of Bruno and Bobby La Banca, who own several restaurants, including the Appian Way in Orange, N.J. Afleet Willy has now earned $487,735.

Gonzalez, the winningest trainer on the Maryland Jockey Club circuit last year, credits Afleet Willy's improvement to having him gelded soon after he claimed him.

"He's a big, good-looking horse but he started to improve after we cut him," Gonzalez said. "He's the best horse I've had."

Gonzalez and the La Bancas considered running Afleet Willy in the Grade 3 General George at seven furlongs but believe 1 1/8 miles is a better distance for him.

Afleet Willy's three other stakes wins - the Native Dancer and Richard W. Small at Laurel and the Governor's Day at Delaware Park - all came around two turns. His only loss in his last five starts came in the six-furlong Dave's Friend Stakes.