Spring to the Sky all the way in Laurel Dash

Spring to the Sky was sent to the lead by jockey Mike Luzzi in the $100,000 Laurel Dash on Saturday, and he never relinquished the advantage, holding off Night Officer after a long stretch drive to win by a half-length.

Bruce Brown trains both Spring to the Sky and Night Officer.

The Laurel Dash was the first win for Luzzi since Nov. 1, when he was badly hurt in a paddock accident at Aqueduct. Luzzi was given a leg up on his mount that day, but when he hit the saddle, the horse flipped over backward and fell on Luzzi, breaking his pelvis.

“It’s great to get a win,” said Luzzi, 45. “My career was in jeopardy after I got hurt.”

Luzzi said Spring to the Sky had not been breaking well in his recent starts, and Brown wanted him to get a good early position.
“We wanted him up there,” Luzzi said. “I had to ask him, but once he made the lead, he was fine.”

Against the Win pressed Spring to the Sky early, and Night Officer moved up to challenge three wide nearing the stretch. Spring to the Sky was resolute, however, and refused to let him by.

Spring to the Sky paid $10.80 as the third betting choice in the 10-horse field. He completed the six furlongs over yielding turf in 1:13.57 after setting fractions of 23.31 seconds, 47.90, and 1:00.24. The $2 all-Brown exacta returned $52.80.

A.P. Elvis rallied to finish third, 2 1/4 lengths behind Night Officer. Oak Bluff, the 2-1 favorite, lodged a wide bid into contention in upper stretch but flattened out and finished fourth, a half-length behind A.P. Elvis.

Lady Baltimore: Interrupted stays perfect over Laurel course

Interrupted improved her record over the Laurel turf to 4 for 4 by winning the $150,000 Lady Baltimore Stakes over a yielding course.

Jockey Matthew Rispoli had Interrupted forwardly placed along the inside until upper stretch of the 1 1/16-mile Lady Baltimore. He then angled her outside the battling leaders, and she pulled away to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Speed Seeker set a slow pace while being pressed from the outside by Pink Poppy. The fractions were 25.21, 51.46, and 1:17.45, and a mile went in 1:43.56.

Although Speed Seeker could not keep up with Interrupted, she did hold second over Pink Poppy by a head. It was five lengths farther back to 2-1 favorite Fasnacloich, who raced in last position in the eight-horse field to the stretch.

Interrupted paid $12.20 and was timed in 1:50.28. Interrupted is trained by Graham Motion, who also sent out Pink Poppy and sixth-place finisher Joy.

Interrupted is now 5 for 9 in her career for her owner and breeder Pin Oak Stud. She has earned $190,205.

Selima: Ruby Notion puts on a show

Ruby Notion cruised to an eight-length victory over a sloppy track in the 5 1/2-furlong Selima Stakes. Originally scheduled for turf, the $75,000 Selima was transferred to the main track following heavy rain.

Ruby Notion raced on the early pace outside 21-1 shot Atara, disposed of that rival nearing the stretch, and drew off to win as much the best under Trevor McCarthy.

Ruby Notion is trained by Wesley Ward. She had dominated the Colleen Stakes at five furlongs over the Monmouth Park turf in her prior start.

Ruby Notion began her career with a 3 1/4-length win over the Churchill Downs main track while racing for a $40,000 claiming tag. Ward then took her to Royal Ascot, where she finished fifth of 27 runners in the Windsor Castle Stakes.

A West Virginia-bred, Ruby Notion is now 3 for 4 in her career. She has earned $96,718 for owner and breeder Silverton Hill Farm.
Look Who’s Talking finished second in the Selima, two lengths in front of Holiday Wishes. Table Jumper, the 2-1 favorite, was fourth, a head farther back.

Laurel Futurity: Formal Summation makes no mistakes

Formal Summation lugged out and was pulled up in the Tyro Stakes at Monmouth Park on Aug. 9, but he ran straight as a string to win the $75,000 Laurel Futurity on Saturday.

Formal Summation raced on the early pace three wide. The first horse to drop back was Mid Life Crisis along the inside. When Louise the Laser had had enough, Formal Summation was left all by himself, and he went on to score by 2 3/4 lengths under jockey Antonio Gallardo.

Captain Alex finished second at 19-1, a half-length in front of Thunder Pass, the 9-5 favorite in the eight-horse field. Thunder Pass broke near the rear of the field and was slow to find his best stride over the sloppy going.

Formal Summation is trained by Kathleen O’Connell, who said she had “no idea” why Formal Summation behaved badly in the Tyro Stakes.
“He’s always been a levelheaded baby,” She said. “It was a total shock.”

Formal Summation is now 2 for 3. He won a Gulfstream Park maiden race in his debut by 4 3/4 lengths in July.

Formal Summation paid $6.40 as the second choice. He was timed for the 5 1/2 furlongs in 1:06.21, 0.55 seconds slower than the filly Ruby Notion’s winning time in the Selima Stakes one race prior.