The Maryland Jockey Club and Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association have agreed to the live racing dates and stakes schedule for the balance of 2009, including the return of the Grade I Frank J. De Francis Dash after a one-year hiatus.
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The fall stakes schedule for Laurel Park was approved Aug. 19 at the monthly Maryland Racing Commission meeting.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
The purses of the Maryland Million Lassie and the Maryland Million Nursery â€" both races for two-year-olds formerly valued at $125,000 and run at Laurel Park on Maryland Million Day â€" will be boosted to $150,000 each this year.
Monday, June 04, 2007
TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) champion Thor's Echo, racing in the Superman silks of Suarez Racing, made his case for a 2006 Eclipse Award, repelling a menacing challenge from the unlucky Diabolical to win the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Saturday.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Three of the top five finishers from the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) are among the 21 pre-entries for the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Nov. 25.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Thor's Echo, who became just the second California-bred to win a Breeders' Cup race when he captured the 2006 TVG Sprint (gr. I) Saturday at Churchill Downs, is to remain in the East in quest of an Eclipse Award.
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Frank Stronach's homebred I'm the Tiger pounced on the lead for jockey Jerry Bailey and left his 13 foes well behind in the stretch en route to a surprisingly easy victory in the $300,000 Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Saturday.
Saturday, November 19, 2005
Lacking a clear standout, Tiger Heart, runner-up in last month's Vosburgh (gr. I), is the 7-2 morning line favorite among 18 sprinters entered for Saturday's $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park.
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Four of the top five finishers from last month's Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) are among the 31 pre-entries for the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Nov. 19.
Thursday, November 10, 2005
A Huevo, a 9-year-old gelding owned by Mark Hopkins and winner of the 2003 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) was euthanized after being pulled up soon after the start and vanned off following the West Virginia Breeders' Classic Stakes the evening of Oct. 8. The son of Cool Joe had been the 1-2 favorite in the nine-furlong race at Charles Town Races and Slots.
Tuesday, October 11, 2005
In spite of contesting just off a fast pace, New Farm's homebred Wildcat Heir had enough in the tank to hold off favored Midas Eyes by a neck in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Pimlico Saturday.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Mark Hopkins' A Huevo, a 7-year-old gelding making just his seventh career start, came with a rush from the outside near the sixteenth pole to register an upset of odds-on choice Shake You Down in the $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park Saturday.
Sunday, November 16, 2003
Robert Cole Jr.'s Shake You Down heads a field of 10 in Saturday's $300,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I). The 4-5 morning line choice might be the most accomplished entry in the field, but he still has plenty to contend with.
Friday, November 14, 2003
Shake You Down, who finished third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I), headlines the 10 entries for Saturday's $300,000 De Francis Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park.
Wednesday, November 12, 2003
Led by multiple graded stakes winner Shake You Down, third in the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) Oct. 25, a probable field of 11 is being pointed toward Saturday's Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) at Laurel Park. The field for the $300,000 race at six furlongs will be drawn Wednesday.
Tuesday, November 11, 2003
Friday's eighth race at Laurel Park could provide a candidate or two for next month's $300,000 De Francis Dash (gr. I), as two top contenders – Boston Common and Take Achance On Me – finished one-two in the $36,000 optional allowance test.
Friday, October 31, 2003
Maryland racing fans will get a rare treat on Saturday when Jerry Bailey rides To The Queen in the $100,000 Anne Arundel Stakes (gr. III) at Laurel Park for trainer Bill Mott.
Thursday, December 12, 2002
A million-dollar international race doesn't usually serve as practice for a $300,000 stakes in Maryland. But following a script that was part wisdom and part luck, the Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) turned out to be a dress rehearsal for the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (gr. I) Nov. 17 at Laurel Park.
Saturday, November 17, 2001
Kona Gold, champion sprinter of 2000, was to board a plane in California Tuesday and fly to Maryland to take on Xtra Heat, the local heroine, in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash Nov. 17 at Laurel Park.
Tuesday, November 13, 2001
