Turf racing at Laurel Park opens Friday with big fields

Spring is in the air, the grass is green, and turf racing is back at Laurel Park beginning Friday, April 18.

There are five turf heats on the 10-race program. The first post time is 12:10 pm EDT.

Unsurprisingly, the turf races drew big fields.

The opening race is a $16,000-$12,000 maiden claimer at one mile over the inner turf course. Twelve horses were entered, including two on the eligible list.

The third race is open to non-winners of two races lifetime with a claiming range from $40,000 to $32,000. Thirteen horses entered the 1 1/16-mile event over the outer course with the rail set at 52 feet.

Race five is the second division of the $16,000-$12,000 maiden claimer. Twelve entered, including an also-eligible.

The seventh race is a first-level allowance for fillies and mares at 5 1/2 furlongs on the outer turf course. Sixteen horses entered, including three main-track-only runners and one on the also-eligible list.

Dixieland Belle, a stakes winner last year over the Tapeta surface at Presque Isle Downs, makes her seasonal and turf debut for Michael Trombetta, who led all Laurel Park trainers in 2024 with 21 turf victories. Trombetta also entered uncoupled stablemate Noquestionaboutit in the seventh race.

The co-featured ninth race, a second-level allowance with a $40,000 claiming option, is carded at 1 1/16 miles over the inner turf. Ten horses entered, including Grade 3-placed My Imagination, multiple stakes-placed performers Hay Chief and Worthington, and stakes-placed runners Cyber Ninja and Point Dume.

Last year, Laurel Park’s leading turf rider was Jaime Rodriguez, who won 39 grass races from 193 mounts.

Laurel Park's Saturday card, which features five stakes in total, includes three $100,000 stakes on the grass. They are the Dahlia for fillies and mares at one mile, the Henry S. Clark for 3-year-olds and upward at one mile, and the King T. Leatherbury Stakes for 3-year-olds and upward at 5 1/2 furlongs.

The card also includes two $150,000 stakes races on the dirt. The 1 1/8-mile Federico Tesio is a Preakness Stakes qualifier, and the 1 1/16-mile Weber City Miss earns its winner a berth in the Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

Horse Racing Nation coverage of Laurel Park is provided via a marketing co-operative agreement with Laurel Park.