RUSSELL WRESTLES TOP SPOT FROM BOYCE
LAUREL, MD. 10-09-10---One week after winning three races on Jim McKay Maryland Million day, including a score aboard Regal Solo in the Maryland Million Classic, Sheldon Russell moved into the top spot in the Laurel Park jockey standings. With two wins Saturday, the 23-year-old moved ahead of apprentice Forest Boyce 18-16 after 17 days of the fall meeting.
“Winning on Maryland Million day was a confidence builder,” said Russell, who won the 2008 Laurel fall riding title. “I just keep working hard in the morning and am starting to ride for some of the same trainers I did with the bug. It is a really good feeling when you are winning, especially early in the card. Good things seem to happen when you are happy and everything is working out right now.”
Russell, the top apprentice rider in the state three years ago, visited the winners’ circle with Lady in the Money ($4.60-second) and True Success ($3.80-fourth), while Boyce was shutout.
Russell, who won 104 races in 2008 and 2009, has 94 victories this year for more than $2 million.
“My goal is to win this meet,” added Russell. “We are on some live horses but Forest is riding really well.”
PINO RETURNS TO MARYLAND COLONY
From 1979-2003, Mario Pino was a mainstay at the major Maryland tracks winning 4,570 races at Pimlico, Laurel Park and Bowie during the 25-year period. This afternoon, the 49-year-old rode in the state for just the fourth time all year, finishing fourth aboard Settling for Gold in the fifth.
“It felt good to be back in the room,” said Pino, who has not been a regular rider in the state since the end of the 2009 winter meeting a year and a half ago.
The Ellicott City, Maryland resident alternated between Maryland and Delaware Park from 2004-08 and spent the last 18 months at Presque Isle Downs and Philadelphia Park.
“I plan on riding here during the fall and winter,” added Pino, who became the 15th rider to win 6,000 races here on Nov. 7, 2007 and now has 6,291 trips to the winners’ circle. “I missed a lot of sporting events while going back and forth the last few years and want to make it to as many games as possible.”
Pino’s middle daughter, Victoria, is a freshman point guard at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (100 miles away). Evana, his youngest, plays soccer and basketball at nearby Centennial High School. Eldest daughter Danielle is a college graduate and works as a recruiter for Wells Fargo in North Carolina.
NINE-RACE CARD SET FOR COLUMBUS DAY
Laurel Park will offer live racing on Columbus day on Monday, Oct. 11 with a nine-race card, including four on the turf. There will not be live racing on Wednesday, Oct. 13 but the racing office will fill races for Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
-mjc-
PHOTO CREDIT-Jim McCue, Maryland Jockey Club
Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club
410-578-4461 (Pimlico)
301-470-5461 (Laurel Park)
240-876-7403 (Mobile)
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