Spartianos picks up first win of year in Laurel feature

Nick Sanna Stables LLC and Two Legends Farm’s Spartianos picked up his first win of the year in his return to Laurel Park, sprinting to a front-running victory in Saturday’s featured eighth race.

Taking advantage of his quick early foot, the 4-year-old gelding broke running from the far outside of an eight-horse field and went straight to the lead under jockey Jevian Toledo. With 8-5 favorite Grey Fox stalking in second, Spartianos hugged the rail through a quarter-mile in 22.90 seconds and a half in 45.48.

Toledo and Spartianos were still in front turning for home, dismissing a brief challenge at the top of the stretch from Grey Fox and pulling away to win by 3 1/4 lengths in 1:03.76 for 5 ½ furlongs over a 'good' Kelso Turf Course.

The $42,000 entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds and up was the first victory for the Michael Pino-trained Spartianos ($11.80) since beating fellow Pennsylvania-breds in the slop at Penn National Dec. 17. He now has two wins, a second and a third from five career starts at Laurel.

“I just followed instructions. The trainer called me early and said he didn’t see much speed in the race so try to break and go, and I said OK,” Toledo said. “I just went and he relaxed really nice. I was waiting and waiting, and when I asked him, he responded very well and gave me everything he had.”

Joseph rallied late down the center of the track to pass Grey Fox near the wire for second, with Miners Quest fourth.

Source: Maryland Jockey Club