Carrasco Continues Winning Ways at Laurel

Eleven years ago, Ryan Fogelsonger used a dominating fall meet at Laurel Park to earn the Eclipse Award for outstanding apprentice rider. Victor Carrasco is looking to strike lightning in a bottle by rallying for same award.

The 21-year-old rode three winners for the second consecutive day. On Thursday’s card, he scored aboard Sheriff Silverstar ($2.80-race 2), Time of the Sword ($6.80-race 3) and Lunar Rock ($13.40-race 4).

Carrasco ranks second in North America among bug riders with 178 victories, just one behind south Florida-based Edgard Zayas and is a good bet to be one of the three finalists for the Eclipse Award. After arriving in Maryland from Florida in April, he tied for second in the Pimlico standings and then finished as the runner-up at the Delaware Park meet.

“Like I said yesterday, I am working hard for the Eclipse and trying to improve each day. I am getting a lot of help from a bunch of the riders in the room. Luis Garcia, Kendrick Carmouche, Carlos Marquez and Julian Pimentel are watching the replays with me and telling me what I am doing wrong,” Carrasco said. “I went to the same riding school as Edgard. We have talked on Facebook or Twitter but not recently.”

NAME                                  MOUNTS              WINS-SECOND-THIRD                      EARNINGS

Edgard Zayas                    913                       179-120-130                                     $3,410,079

Victor Carrasco                 910                       178-135-143                                     $3,476,605

Carrasco has 35 victories in the current fall meet, six more than fellow apprentice Trevor McCarthy.

HOLIDAY WEEK INCLUDES THANKSGIVING DAY CARD, GUYS DAY OUT PROMOTION

Thanksgiving traditions: turkey dinner, NFL games and thoroughbred racing at Laurel Park. The central Maryland track offers a special 11:05 a.m. post time next Thursday with a nine-race card.

The day also features the 26th annual pie giveaway (pumpkin or apple) after the fifth race at both Laurel and its sister track, Pimlico Race Course. Free donuts with coffee or cider will also be available from 9:30 to 11:00 a.m. Laurel’s terrace dining room will feature a traditional, home-style Thanksgiving buffet for $22.95.

Friday features free admission to Laurel Park’s live program for all men as part of the “Guys Day Out” promotion, which includes $2 Natty Boh draft beers and concession specials. Fans will have an opportunity to win 12 prizes, including Turfside Terrace tickets to the 139th Preakness Stakes on May 17, 2014 and tickets to upcoming Baltimore Ravens and Washington Capitals games.

There will also be live racing cards on Wednesday and Saturday. First post on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday is 12:35 p.m.