Wrangler, winning the Paumonok Handicap at Aqueduct, won the General George Stakes at Laurel Monday.
Stronach Stable's Wrangler moved on the outside as the field left the turn and headed into the stretch and went on to an easy victory in the General George Stakes (gr. II) that highlighted Monday's President's Day card at Laurel Park.Ridden by Aaron Gryder for trainer James Jerkens, Wrangler got a good jump out of the gate and was then backed off to mid-pack as Rusty Spur led Here's Zealous and Affirmed Success through fast early fractions of :22 2/5 and :44 3/5 for the first half-mile. Wrangler took the lead at the top of the stretch, stopping the clock for six furlongs in 1:09 2/5, and then drew off to complete the seven furlongs in 1:22 2/5, one second off the track record.Wrangler won by 2 3/4 lengths and returned $8.20, $5.00 and $4.00, with Rusty Spar holding off a belated challenge from Affirmed Success to pay $21.60 and $8.00. Affirmed Success paid $3.00 to show. Here's Zealous, the 2-1 favorite, finished last in the eight-horse field.The victory was the third in a row for Wrangler since Jerkens took over conditioning of the 4-year-old son of Carson City previously trained by Joe Orseno. With the General George win, Wrangler improved his record to seven wins and four placings in 14 starts. Previous to the General George, Wrangler won Aqueduct's Paumnok Handicap.He was bred in Kentucky by owner Frank Stronach's Adena Springs Farm.(Chart, Equibase)
