Whiteley winner Laki pointing to Maryland Sprint

The popular 8-year-old gelding Laki, an 11-time winner with earnings of more than $800,000, is preparing to start in the Grade 3 Maryland Sprint on Preakness Saturday. Last month, Laki rebounded from four consecutive losses to grab the $100,000 Frank Y. Whiteley. In his prior start at Pimlico, Laki won the De Francis Dash last October.

“He’s come out of the race pretty well,” trainer Damon Dilodovico said Wednesday morning. “I’m planning on shipping him to Pimlico this weekend. I might give him a light breeze or I might just take him straight into the race.”

The Whiteley was postponed due to the cancellation of racing at Laurel due to track conditions. Laki will wheel back on three weeks’ rest for the Maryland Sprint.

“I would definitely like a little bit more time between races but being the local track and the first leg of the MATCH series, maybe we could work in a little break after.”

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One horse that won’t compete in the Maryland Sprint is multiple stakes winner Whereshetoldmetogo. Whereshetoldmetogo had his heels clipped from behind in the Whiteley and never factored, finishing last of nine as the favorite.

“He’s fine,” trainer Brittany Russell said. “To be honest with you, he bled a bit, which he’s never done on us before. Probably the trip and a stressful situation. We’re freshening him up a couple of weeks.”