Virginia-bred horses collected a three-pack of wins at Laurel Park on December 11, two via big come from behind efforts while the other came in coast-to-coast fashion.
Celtic Lord and Minor Crisis both made things interesting and challenging, trailing at the halfway point of their races by 14 1/2 and 11 1/2 lengths respectively. Both were sent off as the betting choice, both circled five wide in the final turn to begin their rallies, and both had to pass eight rivals to reach the winner’s circle.
Celtic Lord, who trailed by 14 1/2 lengths, comes back to win December 11 at Laurel.
Celtic Lord, bred by Phil Cassidy, competed in a $16,000 one mile maiden claimer and was in for a claiming price of $7,000. The 3 year old Sahara Heat gelding was buried through the half but surged at three-quarters to trail by only two, took the lead at the top of the stretch and won by 3 1/2 over Slews Love in 1:41.88. Trained by Benjamin Perkins, Jr. and ridden by Trevor McCarthy, Celtic Lord is out of the Unbridled mare, Bridle Wave. His prior best outing was a runner-up at Monmouth in late August. He also competed at the September 20th Virginia Downs event at Great Meadow where he placed fifth in a maiden starter allowance.
Minor Crisis scores a one-half length win over Bob’s My Uncle December 11 at Laurel.
Minor Crisis, out of trainer Ferris Allen’s stable, caught the leaders in his 1 1/16 miles claiming race with a furlong to go. The 5 year old Lemon Drop Kid gelding reached the front by himself with a 1/16th left and beat Bob’s My Uncle by a half length at the wire in 1:47.84. Bred by Edward Evans, Minor Crisis is out of Tigi by Dixieland Band. Jevian Toledo guided the effort up top for owners, the Warwick Stables. The winner paid $4.80.
Secret Or Not earned her second straight win by capturing a $41,000 allowance race at Laurel December 11.
Secret Or Not thrived in a $42,000 allowance test for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles, winning her second straight. The 3 year old daughter of Orientate never trailed at any point among a field of 12. Under the direction of jockey Xavier Perez, the winner maintained a two length cushion through most of the fractions, opened up by 3 1/2 at the top of the stretch then held off fast closing favored Cavort at the finish by three-quarters of a length in 1:50.24. Secret or Not was bred by Charles Wilson, who also owns the horse, and is trained Ollie Figgins, III. Out of the Secret Hello mare Leed Me Home, Secret Or Not got a maiden special weight win at Laurel November 15th and took third in the $60,000 Brookemeade Stakes September 26th in her most recent starts. Unlike the other two Virginia-bred victors on Friday’s card who were sent off as heavy favorites, Secret Or Not returned $15.80 to her backers.
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