Sticksstatelydude won't be denied in Edward Evans

Sticksstatelydude has a lot of back class and it showed in the $75,000 Edward Evans at Laurel Park on Saturday as he was resolute in the stretch despite giving up ground on both turns of the one-mile turf race for Virginia-bred or -sired horses.

Now 5, Sticksstatelydude was facing Virginia-restricted company for the first time and racing on turf for the third time. He was carried wide into the first turn by 90-1 Trustifarian, who bore out, and lodged his bid three wide on the far turn.

But jockey Jorge Vargas Jr. on Sticksstatelydude timed his move well on the far turn and got the jump on his chief rivals. Although both Special Envoy and Speed Gracer had dead aim on Sticksstatelydude through the final furlong, he just kept reaching out and crossed the finish a length in front under a hand ride.

Sticksstatelydude paid $3.60 and covered a mile in 1:34.85. He is now 4 for 17 in his career. The Evans was his first victory on turf.

Kiaran McLaughlin trained Sticksstatelydude for the Evans. Greg Burchell, a co-owner and his sometimes trainer, was on hand for the race.

"He's had a lot of physical problems, the turf is easier on him," Burchell said. "His mother and his sister both won on turf."

Sticksstatelydude scored his most important career win in the Grade 3 Discovery in November 2016. The Evans was his first win in nine starts since.

Special Envoy, who won the Evans a year ago, followed Sticksstatelydude on the far turn. He tried hard in the stretch but couldn't get to him while besting Speed Gracer by a neck for second. It was 1 1/2 lengths back to River Deep in fourth.

White Oak Farm: Determined Vision wire to wire

Determined Vision led throughout the $75,000 White Oak Farm to win his first stakes and turf debut.

Jockey Jevian Toledo put Determined Vision on the lead in the 5 1/2-furlong turf sprint for Virginia-bred or -sired runners and he stayed there all the way, cutting out splits of 21.72, 44.65, and 56.11 seconds en route to a final time of 1:01.99.

Determined Vision, a 3-year-old son of Jump Start, won by a half-length over Available, who saved ground just behind him while along the rail and steadied in tight quarters on the far turn. Available went outside Determined Vision for the stretch run, but could not get by.

Determined Vision, who is trained by Phil Schoenthal for D Hatman Thoroughbreds and Kingdom Bloodstock, paid $24.80 as the longest shot in the eight-horse field.

Lime House Louie, who was far back entering the stretch, closed with a good but belated bid. He finished a half-length behind Available and edged Fly E Dubai for third by a head.

Fly E Dubai appeared to come outward on the far turn, carrying Braxton wide. He loomed a threat in midstretch, but lacked the needed kick.

Amazingly there were three jockey objections claiming interference on the far turn. All were dismissed after being review by the stewards.

Jockey Christian Hiraldo on Available lodged an objection against the winner. Alex Cintron, who finished sixth on Two Notch Road, claimed against Julian Pimentel and Fly E Dubai. Pimentel claimed interference against the winner.