From Laurel Park
Play Bingo, winner of the 2005 Maryland Million Classic, will not start in this year's renewal of the race at Laurel Park Oct. 13 because of a quarter crack in his left hind hoof, owner/trainer John “Doc” Fisher said Oct. 12.
Fisher said the injury was discovered Oct. 9 just before the 6-year-old gelding was going to work at Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland.
The son of Polish Numbers has raced just five times since winning the 2005 Classic with jockey Ryan Fogelsonger aboard. He missed 14 months with a bowed tendon and returned from that layoff with a solid fifth-place finish in an allowance race at one mile three weeks ago.
“I couldn’t take the chance,” Fisher said. “I really liked him in the race. We got what we wanted from the prep race and with Fogelsonger back on him we had plenty of confidence. But luckily we’ll be able to run another day.”
Other early scratches from the 12-race card are Happy Hailey and Twisted Whisker from the $150,000 Lassie and At Depole in the $30,000 Sprint Starter Handicap. Those scratches will not be official until the morning of Oct. 13.