Play Harder takes Star de Naskra via disqualification

Play Harder was placed first via disqualification in Saturday’s $75,000 Star de Naskra Stakes for Maryland-bred or –sired 3-year-olds traveling seven furlongs at Laurel Park In a wild and exciting race from start to finish.

Celtic Contender broke well from the far-wide post position, but moved inward during the opening furlong, and herded odds-on favorite Quint’s Brew into Blue Kingdom. That caused Blue Kingdom to check off heels and drop back off the early pace.

After that chain reaction of bumping, Haileysfirstnotion grabbed the rail and the early lead under Jaime Rodriguez. They set fractions of 22.95 and 45.56 seconds while pressured from between horses by Quint’s Brew, with Celtic Contender shadowing them outside.

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Celtic Contender and jockey Victor Carrasco made a strong bid to the lead turning into the stretch, opened a clear advantage at the three-sixteenth marker, and braced for Play Harder’s stretch challenge.

Play Harder, who settled in the second flight while in between horses under J G Torrealba, angled out for the drive, gobbled up ground with every stride, but fell a nose a shy after 1:23.93.

Previously unbeaten Quint’s Brew was another 8 3/4 lengths back in third. Then came The Band Runs On, Circle P, Cap Com, Haileysfirstnotion and Blue Kingdom.

Almost immediately after the finish, a stewards’ inquiry was announced. Raul Mena, Quint’s Brew’s rider, then claimed foul against Carrasco.

After some deliberation, the judgment went against Celtic Contender, and he was moved down to the third position behind Quint’s Brew.

Play Harder returned $15 to win as the fourth choice in the wagering.

Bred by Maria Haire, Play Harder sold for $10,000 as a weanling, then was purchased for $23,000 last year. The Outwork colt won his first two starts for Rising Sun Racing Stables and trainer Claudio Gonzalez before placing third, beaten three-quarters of a length in a first-level allowance at Laurel on April 7.

Three weeks later, Play Harder returned to the winner’s circle with a narrow victory in a state-sired allowance event, and he prepped for the Star de Naskra with a win against open first-level allowance rivals on June 1.

Play Harder has won five of six starts for earnings of $171,895 and has prevailed at distances ranging between 5 1/2 furlongs and one mile.

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