Jorgie Stover and jockey Kaymarie Kreidel were overlooked in the wagering, but they teamed up for a front-running upset victory in Saturday's $67,750 Harrison Johnson Memorial Handicap at Laurel Park. The 2-5 Michael Gill owned entry of Last Intention and My Request ran third and fourth, respectively.Kreidel sent Jorgie Stover scampering to the lead from the opening. Your Bluffing, the second choice in the wagering, moved comfortably behind the pacesetters, then powered up and hooked them three wide entering the homestretch. Jorgie Stover refused to yield the lead and repelled Your Bluffing and jockey Mario Pino in a head-bobbing duel to the wire. He won by a nose in 1:49.51 for the nine furlongs. The winner paid $40, $19.80 and $2.10. He topped a $95.80 exacta with Your Bluffinf ($6.20, $2.10) and a $210.20 trifecta with Last Intention ($2.10).Kreidel won her first stakes race in Maryland. "He's always been kind of a problem child and that's how I got to ride him. He proved today that we make a good connection. I knew my horse was digging in and he gave me everything he could give me. I was just hoping that he didn't come up a hair short in the end."The 32-year olds rider's other added money victory was for trainer Graham Motion at Delaware Park in 2000 with Senza Paura in the Denise Rhudy Memorial. "We're usually in a hurry to get our horses out in the morning, but I sit there and watch Kaymarie and him playing around for about fifteen minutes," said winning trainer John Alecci. "My assistant pleaded to me to let her ride him. You can see it worked. They kept it at a decent pace and he held on. I'm careful about who I let her ride, but she will definitely keep this mount."Jorgie Stover was one of the top Maryland-bred sprinters in 2001 as a 3-year old, winning the Maryland Million Sprint and Star de Naskra Stakes at Pimlico. After 30 starts Alecci starting stretching out the son of Press Card with solid results, including a third place finish in the Maryland Million Classic.
Jorgie Stover has now won eight career races with earnings of $326,615. The win was the 12th of the meet for Alecci out of just 33 starters.(Chart, Equibase)