Penn National

The confrontational tone of recent Maryland Racing Commission meetings gave way yesterday to one of conciliation. Meeting at Laurel Park, commissioners commended Magna Entertainment Corp. for progress in meeting its commitment to upgrade the barn areas at Pimlico, Laurel and the Bowie Training Center. Jim McAlpine, president of Magna, parent company of the Maryland Jockey Club, told commissioners his company had spent $2.8 million on backstretch upgrades as of Aug. 31 and had deposited $2.2 million into an escrow account to pay for ongoing improvements.

Did Martin O'Malley forget in which state he is running for governor? Last week the governor said, "I don't think we should be bullied into accepting slots at the mall. " ("Thousands drawn to opening of Maryland casino," Sept. 30.) Who is the bully he is referring to? The Maryland-based Cordish Cos., who were selected fair and square by the O'Malley-appointed independent slots licensing commission? The Maryland teachers, police and fire fighters campaigning for Question A because Mr. O'Malley's government cannot otherwise fund their vital services?

The owner didn't make the race. Nor did the trainer.Shoop, however, arrived ready for action and she scored a lTC length victory over local favorite Miss Slewpy yesterday in the $100,000 Snow Goose Handicap at Laurel Park.The victory in the Grade III event pushed the 5-year-old mare's lifetime earnings above $220,000. She has not finished worse than second in her last seven outings. Shoop ran the 1 1/8 miles in a solid 1: 49 2/5."I've ridden this mare and won on her and believe me, she has a ton of heart," said jockey Julio Pezua.

With the talented Meadow Monster scratched, the $72,875 Housebuster Handicap became a wide-open affair yesterday at Laurel Park.It was Wise Dusty who closed the door.On a lightning-fast track, the chestnut gelding dominated five rivals and scored a three-length victory, perhaps gaining himself a shot at the big boys in the $300,000 De Francis Dash July 19.Wise Dusty finished the six furlongs in 1: 08 4/5, only three-fifths of a second off Fighting Notion's track record."We were looking at it [the De Francis]

The Baltimore Sun is offering expanded horse racing results and entries through Sundial, our telephone information service, and Sunfax, our fax service. Both services are free.Entries and results from Maryland racetracks will continue to run in the newspaper and also will be available via Sundial and Sunfax. Entries and results from selected racetracks outside the state, including the addition of those tracks simulcast in Maryland, can be obtained on Sundial and Sunfax. Entries and results from out-of-state tracks will not be printed in the newspaper.

Rapid Redux, a 5-year-old gelding, earned his fifth victory of the year, the most for any runner in North America, by taking the eighth race at Laurel Park. The chestnut, ridden by Sheldon Russell and trained by David Wells , won the starter allowance test over three other entrants. The horse is 5-for-5 this year, having won three times at Laurel, once at Charles Town and once at Parx Racing. Since being claimed for $6,500 at Penn National in October by owner Robert Cole , the son of Pleasantly Perfect is 8-for-9 with seven straight victories.

The Double Triple is gone. The Bonanza is on the horizon.Beginning Saturday at Laurel Park, Maryland tracks will introduce a new exotic bet that will be offered on weekend cards to fans throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.The Bonanza will be a regional pick six affair that features two races each from Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, usually overnight events.Races will be the fourth and fifth on each track's card with post times set so that Bonanza races are run eight minutes apart."We're all excited about creating a unique wagering opportunity for fans throughout the Mid-Atlantic area as a first step in regional cooperation," said Joe De Francis, president of the Maryland Jockey Club.

The chairman of a commission charged with awarding Maryland's five casino licenses said Tuesday that "there's more optimism" these days for a gambling-related windfall to state coffers despite a recession and lackluster initial interest from the private sector. Donald C. Fry, a former Harford County delegate who heads the politically appointed panel, said he based his hopeful prognosis on new expectations that a full-scale casino will come to downtown Baltimore and on preliminary feedback from consultants hired to advise the commission.

Rapid Redux started 2012 the way he finished last year — winning. The victory in the sixth race at Laurel Park Wednesday was the 22nd straight for the horse, who held off Awesome Rhythm. Rapid Redux paid $2.80 as the 2-5 betting favorite. Earlier in the day it was announced that Rapid Redux had earned a Special Eclipse Award and his owner, Robert Cole, will receive it later this month in Beverly Hills, Calif. "Being a local it is fun winning in front of the home crowd," said Cole, a 1981 graduate of Loch Raven High School.

Racing history could be made at Laurel Park as Rapid Redux, who has won 18 consecutive starts, looks to tie the all-time North American record of 19 straight victories held by Zenyatta and Peppers Pride, when he starts in Thursday afternoon's 6 th race, a $20,000 starter allowance. The seven-furlong test drew seven runners, including Maryland Million Starter Handicap winner Shordzwatyadrink. Rapid Redux will start from post position six. Post time will be approximately 3:30 p.m. “It looks good,” owner Robert Cole said.