General George Handicap

In his first race outside New York, Peeping Tom won the $200,000 General George Handicap yesterday at Laurel Park so convincingly that he stamped himself as a horse of national significance. A 4-year-old gelding stabled at Belmont Park, Peeping Tom capitalized on a blistering early duel by two speedsters to charge from last place, through and around horses, for a 3 1/2 -length victory. His time of 1 minute, 22 seconds for the seven furlongs fell three-fifths of a second off the 12-year-old track record of Tappiano.

Today Prized Stamp, the surprise winner of the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap two weekends ago, headlines a strong field in the $60,000 Miss Spin Stakes at Laurel Park. Eight fillies are expected to start the 6 1/2 -furlong race, including five that have won stakes races at Laurel Park in the past seven months. In addition to Dale Capuano's filly, the other winners are End Sweep's Girl (Singing Beauty, Feb. 19), Miss Cheers (Squan Song, Dec. 26), Elektraline (Contrary Rose, Dec. 10)

Xtra Heat and Carson Hollow, two of the fastest female thoroughbreds in the world, will meet for the second time Saturday in the $200,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap at Laurel Park. Xtra Heat, who is stabled at Laurel, will break from post 2, and Carson Hollow, who is expected to arrive at Laurel today from Florida, will break from post 4. The Barbara Fritchie is a Grade II stakes of seven furlongs. Frank Carulli, Maryland Jockey Club handicapper, rated Xtra Heat the even-money favorite and Carson Hollow the 9-5 second choice in the field of seven.

Disco Rico has used his afterburners for six furlongs. Today, he must make them last for an extra eighth of a mile. An explosive Maryland-bred son of Citidancer and Round It Off, Disco Rico is the top local hope in the General George Handicap at Laurel Park. A Grade II $200,000 stakes of seven furlongs, the General George is the male counterpart of the Barbara Fritchie Handicap, run Saturday at Laurel. Together, they make up Winter Sprintfest, one of Maryland's premier events for thoroughbreds.

Today: Defending champion Passeggiata is among 14 fillies and mares entered for the 47th running of the Barbara Fritchie Handicap. At 116 pounds, the Argentina-bred mare is also the high weight. Trainer Ferris Allen took a similar path to victory in last year's 7-furlong Fritchie. Before Passeggiata's nose victory in the $250,000 Grade II event, Allen sent the daughter of Samoan out to capture the Francis Scott Key Stakes. Passeggiata won this year's Key and is likely to be among the choices for the Fritchie.

What began as a major three-day weekend of stakes races turned into a three-stakes race day at Laurel Park after snow and the threat of it forced the cancellation of racing yesterday and today. Even the three stakes bunched together tomorrow could be in jeopardy depending on when the storm departs. Racing officials are hoping the snow, no matter how much falls, stops in time for them to clear and prepare the track by 12:40 p.m. post time. "We anticipate being open for business on Monday," Lou Raffetto Jr., chief operating officer of the Maryland Jockey Club, said yesterday.

Ah Day won his second straight Fire Plug Stakes at Laurel Park yesterday. Ah Day, with Jeremy Rose aboard, won the $80,000, six-furlong race by 4 3/4 lengths. After going into the far turn, Ah Day took control of the race. He paid $3.60 and finished in 1:09.95. Cognac Kisses finished second and Lemons of Love was third. The race was Ah Day's his first since May. After the Grade II Churchill Downs Handicap, "a rear-end problem" was discovered during an examination, and King Leatherbury, who bred, owns and trains Ah Day, decided to rest him. The 5-year-old will next race in the Grade II, $300,000 General George Handicap at Laurel on Feb. 18. Ah Day finished second in the race last year.

With injured local favorite Ah Day on the sidelines, a flock of New Yorkers will be at Laurel Park today to seek the winner's share of the purse in the Grade II, $300,000 General George Handicap. The field of eight has only one home entry, John Alecci-trained Ryan's for Real, and one other not stabled in New York, Marvel Wood, who campaigns primarily at Philadelphia Park and Delaware Park. And both are decided long shots in the morning line. They face a daunting task in trying to get on the board against shippers from New York who stand in the barns of Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Rick and Tony Dutrow and Bruce Levine.

The Laurel Park Winter SprintFest has attracted 76 nominees for two $200,000 Grade II stakes.Opening the event next Saturday is the Barbara Fritchie Handicap, a seven-furlong test for fillies and mares that has drawn Black-Eyed Susan winner Calipha, Stars Knockout, Inside Information and Lottsa Talc among 36 eligibles.The defending champion, Mixed Appeal, is also expected in this race.After is the General George Handicap on President's Day, another seven-furlong test for 3-year-olds and upward.