Live racing shifts to historic Pimlico Race Course on April 20 for the eight-week spring meet, headlined by the 131st running of the Preakness Stakes, the middle jewel of the Triple Crown.
The 15-week Laurel Park winter meeting ended Sunday with Rosie Napravnik, Scott Lake and Robert Cole winning individual titles. The 72-day stand began at Laurel Park on Jan. 1. The apprentice Napravnik dominated the jockey standings for her first career title, winning 99 races, 43 more than Erick Rodriguez. The 18-year-old had 33 multiple winning days during the meeting. Napravnik earned $1,662,940 during the stand and hit the board 263 times from 444 mounts."I didn't expect this to happen so quickly," said Napravnik, who ranks seventh nationally in victories. "Winning the stakes races are at the top of the list but winning my 100th career race on my birthday (Feb 9) was also a highlight. The first title means a great deal to me and this will provide other opportunities because people will know I won this meet."Lake ruled the trainer standings, winning 58 races, 26 more than John Rigattieri. The veteran conditioner saddled three winners six times and had 10 two-win days. Cole reigned supreme in the owner standings, finishing first 19 times. The Howard County native won races with Lake (11), Wolfendale (seven) and Rigattieri (one).Final handle numbers will be released next week.