February 17, 2001
The Maryland Jockey Club will present SprintFest at Laurel Park with two graded stakes races highlighting the Presidents Day weekend. In addition, there will be an autograph session with the jockeys today (11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.) and the first 4,000 paid customers on Monday receive a free Laurel Park sweat shirt. Post time for the entire weekend is 12:40 p.m.
Today
Six horses are scheduled to run in the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (Grade II). The early favorite in the seven-furlong race is California-based Nany's Sweep (5-2) with jockey Kent Desormeaux. Desormeaux, who was Maryland's top rider for three years in the late 1980s, will also be aboard Main Card in an earlier race. Maryland-bred Gin Talking is the second choice at 3-1. The Robin Graham-trained filly is 7-for-8 at Laurel.
Tomorrow
The featured race is the $100,000 John B. Campbell Handicap, where 12 horses are expected to go a 1 3/16 miles. Six of the entries are out-of-towners, including the favorite, Top Official (7-2), winner of three of its past five. The second choice is Talk's Cheap (5-1), who has been in the money in 13 of 18 starts, earning almost $500,000. Of the local contingent, Ewer All Wet (6-1), Ken Doll (6-1), and Do I Ever (8-1) have won stakes at Laurel in the past two months.
Monday
The $200,000 General George Handicap (Grade II) highlights the card, as seven horses will compete in the seven-furlong dash. Multiple stakes winners Lexicon (3-1), with career earnings of nearly $725,000, and Delaware Township (4-1) head the field. Maryland-bred Disco Rico (7-2) has been in the money in nine of his 10 career races.
