Sunday Cancellation Closes Laurel Winter Meet

(from Maryland Jockey Club release)
The 15-week Laurel Park winter stand ended April 15 with the cancellation of the meet's final day of racing due to heavy rains and high winds in the Baltimore region.

Jockey Jeremy Rose, trainer Scott Lake and owner Robert Cole won individual titles during the 71-day meeting that began at the central Maryland track on Jan. 1. Four cards were canceled during the meet.

Rose dominated the jockey standings by winning 74 races, 22 more than Mario Pino, for his first title in Maryland since capturing the 2002 Laurel winter crown. The 28-year-old rode four winners on three occasions and had 17 multiple winning days during the meet.

“I am extremely happy,” said Rose, who rode at Oaklawn Park and Gulfstream Park the last two winters. “My agent (Kid Breeden) did a terrific job and when you ride for Scott you are going to have a good meet. The decision to ride here this winter worked. It helps my business for the rest of the year.”

Lake ruled the trainer standings, winning 49 races, 15 more than John Rigattieri. The veteran conditioner saddled four winners on March 18. Team Lake also had three winners three times and produced nine two-win days.

“I am really pleased with the way things went,” Lake said. “Hugh McMahon (Lake’s Maryland assistant) did a great job as usual. Jeremy has been riding fantastic for us. I hate to see the meet end.”

Cole reigned supreme in the owner standings, finishing first 17 times. The Howard County native won races with Lake, Rigattieri, Howard Wolfendale, Tim Salzman and Stephanie Beattie.

Final handle numbers will be released later this week.

Live racing shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course on April 19 for an eight-week spring meet.