Ex-Baffert colt Uncle Jake wins at Laurel for Brittany Russell

Triple Crown-nominated Uncle Jake, given clear run throughout by jockey Jevian Toledo, powered to a popular 9 1/2-length maiden special weight victory in a dazzling opening of Friday’s program at Laurel Park.

Racing for the first time for trainer Brittany Russell, Uncle Jake ($2.40) covered one mile over a fast main track in 1:40.03 to graduate in his second lifetime start. A $675,000 son of champion Uncle Mo, he was sent off as the 1-5 favorite in a field of six sophomores.

Breaking from post 4, Uncle Jake was content to stalk 30-1 pacesetter Treasurer through a quarter-mile in 23.72 seconds while racing three wide, chased by stablemate Touchdown Montage and Irish Rill. Uncle Jake assumed the lead after a half mile in 47.56 and had extended his lead to six lengths at the top of the stretch before opening up through the lane.

In his Jan. 29 debut at Santa Anita for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Uncle Jake broke slowly and rushed up along the inside to quickly get into contention before having to drop back and go around horses, ultimately finishing fourth. The runner-up in that race, Sonoran, came back with a 7 ½-length maiden special weight romp Feb. 20 for Baffert.

“I thought Toledo did a great job,” Russell said of Friday's race. “The horse was eager down the backside, but we also didn’t want to probably jump on the lead too quick. I was a little scared with the long run to the second wire here. It can get a little tough for these maidens, but he handled it well. He responded and kept going. It was a nice effort.”

Owned by SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital and Catherine Donovan, Uncle Jake hails from the same connections that moved Fort Warren from Baffert to Russell, who recently collected her second straight Renaissance Award as Maryland’s top trainer. Fort Warren last ran third in the San Vicente (G3) on Jan. 29 at Santa Anita.

Russell said the connections have not thought beyond Friday’s race. The next stake for 3-year-olds at Laurel is the $100,000 Private Terms March 18. Russell has six nominated to the race, including Fort Warren, stakes winner Prince of Jericho and recent allowance winner Circling the Drain.

Following the Private Terms is the $125,000 Federico Tesio on April 15, a 1 1/8-mile event that serves as a "win and in’ qualifier for Triple Crown-nominated horses to the 148th Preakness Stakes (G1) on May 20 at historic Pimlico Race Course.

“We think he’s a really nice horse,” Russell said of Uncle  Jake. “It’s nice to see he has the allowance (condition). Who knows. The Tesio? I think he wants to go all day. That’s also a big ask off a maiden win, so I think we’ll just stay grounded.”