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Articles by Patrick Moquin
Trio of rivals get another rematch in Maryland Million Turf Sprint
Barbara D. Livingston Witty looks to win another edition of the Maryland Million Turf Sprint Saturday at Laurel. Laurel ParkRace 6 Saturday, Oct. 24Post: 2:10 PM ET All of the usual suspects in one of the Mid-Atlantic’s strongest divisions will knock heads again in the $100,000 Maryland Million Turf Sprint on Saturday at Laurel Park. The rivalry between Witty, Whenigettoheaven, and Had to Have Him has carried on for years and shows no signs of stopping any time soon.
Barbadian Runner a heavy favorite to repeat in Maryland Million Classic
When Barbadian Runner stunned the Maryland-bred standard-bearer Post Time in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic last year, he upended the division and cemented himself as a powerhouse in the Mid-Atlantic. In this year’s edition on Saturday at Laurel Park, he will be the one with the target on his back, the new ruler seemingly without equal in the local ranks. “I don’t want to take anything for granted, but he’s in the same spot that Post Time was in last year,” trainer Henry Walters said.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint draws overflow cast of 26
The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint was always going to require cuts, and after 26 horses pre-entered the race earlier this week, the merciless process began. With five horses earning a Win and You’re In berth and another two qualifying on points, 19 horses were left to scrap over the seven remaining spots in the main field.
Breeders' Cup Distaff: Nitrogen heads compact cast of nine
No surprise on the pre-entry list could have possibly supplanted Nitrogen as a heavy favorite in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Distaff, making it all the more reasonable that no surprise came Wednesday. The Mark Casse-trained filly was pre-entered alongside eight rivals who have long been expected to take a shot against her, many of whom are represented by horsemen who see second as a reasonable best-case scenario.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Emphatic the clear leader after Alcibiades win
Emphatic, the winner of the Grade 1 Alcibiades last month, led a group of 13 pre-entered in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies on Wednesday. A small army of improving contenders seem willing to challenge the Brendan Walsh trainee, but she remains the two-turn specialist with a clear head start. With Summer Starlet, the beaten favorite in the Alcibiades, out of contention for trainer Steve Asmussen, Emphatic went from a short second choice to the expected favorite in the Juvenile Fillies.
Long Beach badminton swings to 12-2 mark
Long Beach boys badminton came up just short of an undefeated fall campaign, with two losses down the stretch costing the Marines the Conference 2 championship to Valley Stream District. But though they were denied at the very end, head coach Michelle LaBarbera takes nothing away from one of the most competitive rosters of her coaching career. Undefeated in their first 10 matches, the Marines needed to sweep four meets in October in order to complete their undefeated run to the conference title.
Long Beach badminton swings to 12-2 mark
Long Beach boys badminton came up just short of an undefeated fall campaign, with two losses down the stretch costing the Marines the Conference 2 championship to Valley Stream District. But though they were denied at the very end, head coach Michelle LaBarbera takes nothing away from one of the most competitive rosters of her coaching career. Undefeated in their first 10 matches, the Marines needed to sweep four meets in October in order to complete their undefeated run to the conference title.
East Meadow secures playoff spot
When East Meadow field hockey set out to move on from a large group of seniors, coach Courtney Castle focused on rebuilding the culture first. That approach has resulted in immediate success, and with a 7-3-2 record, the Jets are headed to the playoffs in Nassau Conference 2. “If your skills aren't the best, we'll get you there,” Castle said. “We just need you to show up and be focused and willing to learn and grow.
East Meadow secures playoff spot
When East Meadow field hockey set out to move on from a large group of seniors, coach Courtney Castle focused on rebuilding the culture first. That approach has resulted in immediate success, and with a 7-3-2 record, the Jets are headed to the playoffs in Nassau Conference 2. “If your skills aren't the best, we'll get you there,” Castle said. “We just need you to show up and be focused and willing to learn and grow.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Crazy Hot Mess will not run
Coady Media Crazy Hot Mess finished second in the Del Mar Deubtante and third in the Sorrento Stakes this summer. Trainer Ray Bryner said Monday that Crazy Hot Mess, the runner-up in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante, will not run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Bryner, who also co-owns the filly, brought her back to Kentucky last month to begin training for the race, but a “hiccup” in her recent preparation has stopped that progress.
Wild Vine stays home for shot at M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile Stakes
Trainer Jamie Ness was considering a trip to New York with the ever-improving 7-year-old Wild Vine, but for now, the Pennsylvania-bred will stay close to home. The gelding will be the one to beat in a salty edition of the $75,000 M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile Stakes on Tuesday at Parx Racing. “There’s a race in New York in a few weeks, so we’ve been flip-flopping between them, but he’s a local Pennsylvania-bred,” Ness said.
Maida takes Endine Stakes; Quint's Brew prevails in Wilmington
The graded stakes winner Maida bounced back in a big way in the $200,000 Endine Stakes on Saturday at Delaware Park, putting away Mystic Lake to win by two lengths. After winning back-to-back stakes in the $125,000 Alma North at Laurel Park and Grade 2 Honorable Miss at Saratoga, the Brittany Russell-trained filly failed to contend in the Grade 1 Ballerina last month. Back in the Mid-Atlantic, she proved overwhelming again in her third stakes victory in her 4-year-old campaign.
Mister Omaha romps in Oklahoma Classic Cup
Mister Omaha won his second consecutive $175,000 Oklahoma Classic Cup Handicap in commanding fashion on Friday at Remington Park, proving far superior to five rivals in a 4 1/2-length, gate-to-wire victory. In an effortless performance under jockey Luis Quinonez, the 4-5 favorite was never in trouble, pulling well clear early through an opening quarter-mile in 23.72 seconds and half-mile in 47.32.
Grammy Girl, Maida meet again in Endine Stakes
Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. might have strength in numbers with three mares entered in the $200,000 Endine Stakes on Saturday at Delaware Park. But with Bob Baffert and Brittany Russell shipping graded stakes winners, his trio won’t have it easy. Grammy Girl, the de facto leader of Joseph’s fleet in the field of 13 fillies and mares, kicked off her 2026 campaign with back-to-back Grade 3 victories at Aqueduct.
Mister Omaha moves back to dirt off long layoff in Oklahoma Classic Cup
Mister Omaha won the 2025 edition of the $175,000 Oklahoma Classic Cup by 9 3/4 lengths in the midst of a battle-tested 3-year-old campaign. If the Joe Offolter-trained colt is going to repeat at Remington Park in 2026, he must do so while switching back to dirt off a nearly four-month layoff. “Just had to miss a little bit of time for this and that,” Offolter said. “I was hoping to get a start in him, but we didn’t.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Doncho on long line for spot in the field
Barbara D. Livingston Doncho ran a gallant third in the Woodford over the course and distance of the BC Turf Sprint. The Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint is shaping up to be one of the toughest tickets at the championship event this year, with about 25 horses vying for a spot in the starting gate at Keeneland. Doncho is one of many stakes winners who would fit in the field perfectly, but for now, trainer Michelle Lovell can only hope for the opportunity.
Breeders' Cup Distaff: Super Corredora working her way toward trip
Super Corredora must clear several hurdles to convince John Sadler she’s ready to ship to Keeneland for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, but the 3-year-old filly has not let him down so far. With a recent victory in the Grade 2 Zenyatta and several encouraging workouts since, last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner is well on her way. “It looks like the Breeders’ Cup Distaff is such a tough race,” Sadler said. “We’ll make sure that we’re really happy.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Crazy Hot Mess looks to get it together for new trainer
While most contenders in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies have done the traditional work to prepare for the $2 million race, Crazy Hot Mess is taking a somewhat unconventional path. After finishing second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Debutante for Peter Miller last month, she made an early move from California to Kentucky to begin working with new trainer Ray Bryner, who also co-owns the 2-year-old. “She’s training very well,” Bryner said.
West Hempstead battles to seal playoff spot
Through gritty defensive play and a well-rounded attack, West Hempstead boys soccer has successfully clinched a playoff spot in Nassau Class B. With a 3-6-3 record, the Rams have had their trials, but they have also proven capable of hanging with most rivals in a competitive conference. “I don’t care about the end result,” coach Chris Van Kovics said. “You come in every day and you just work hard. Some guys step up and play multiple positions, and some guys keep their position.
Uniondale rebuilds quickly with youth
Uniondale girls soccer has been a pleasant surprise to many in Nassau Class AAA, starting with coach Kevin Daly. After losing more than 10 seniors between seasons, the Knights currently hold a 5-4-2 record and are quickly forming a promising new core. “I’m shocked in a good way,” Daly said.
Heavily favored D I Wire goes wire to wire in New York Breeders' Futurity
D I Wire didn’t have it quite as easy in his second stakes start at Finger Lakes, but the juvenile colt still proved overwhelming in the $176,000 New York Breeders’ Futurity on Monday. Jockey Paco Lopez, now 2 for 2 in his career at the New York track, broke sharply again and had plenty left in a 1 1/4-length, gate-to-wire victory.
Brother vs. brother in Commonwealth Sire Stakes at Parx
Trainer Hugo Padilla said he thought he would have a relatively easy time when he entered the classy Pennsylvania-bred mare Nature’s Candy in the $60,000 Commonwealth Sire Stakes on Tuesday at Parx Racing. His brother, trainer Ernesto Padilla-Preciado, thought much the same when he entered Lady Annabelle, who will make her stakes debut on a six-race winning streak.
Jubawithatwist romps in Sam Huff Breeders' Classic
Jubawithatwist floored heavy favorite Teachintherelease to win the $300,000 West Virginia Sam Huff Breeders’ Classic by 10 lengths on Saturday at Charles Town. Far from a dramatic and hard-fought upset, the 5-year-old gelding took over on the far turn and never looked back in his first stakes victory since 2024.
Laurel postpones Sunday card due to weather from Isaias
Barbara D. Livingston Laurel and the Maryland Jockey Club’s network of off-track betting sites will remain open on Sunday. Laurel Park will postpone its Sunday card due to inclement weather, with the remnants of hurricane Isaias expected to pass through the Mid-Atlantic region. The storm, which first reached the United States as a Category 2 hurricane on Friday, will still bring winds and heavy rain by the time it reaches Maryland.
D I Wire could have company up front in New York Breeders' Futurity
Trainer Kelly Breen and jockey Paco Lopez will try to raid Finger Lakes a second time when the juvenile colt D I Wire returns for the $176,000 New York Breeders’ Futurity on Monday. The juvenile colt is coming off a gate-to-wire victory in the $100,000 Aspirant and should be prominent again in another short field. “It’s the general progression,” Breen said. “He won last time out at five and a half.
Teachintherelease odds-on to repeat in Sam Huff Breeders' Classic
Teachintherelease entered last year’s edition of the $300,000 West Virginia Sam Huff Breeders’ Classic at Charles Town as an overwhelming favorite and pulled clear in a dominant 14 1/4-length victory. It’s hard to believe, but the 6-year-old gelding has only gotten better since. “He’s the best he’s ever been going into a race in this caliber,” trainer Stephen Murdock said.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Emphatic punches her ticket with upset
The potential field for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies came into much clearer focus last weekend, even if the results from three major preps might have raised more questions than answers. The favorites in the Grade 1 Alcibiades at Keeneland, Grade 1 Frizette at Belmont, and Grade 2 Oak Leaf at Santa Anita all went to relative newcomers in the division.
Breeders' Cup Distaff: Field thins as Nitrogen, Full Subscribed emerge as standouts
Nitrogen and Fully Subscribed seem to have scared a few more potential rivals out of the starting gate for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff later this month, as the connections for Counting Stars and Bodacious Bay both said they will not point their 3-year-old fillies toward the championship event. Trainer Mark Casse, who trains both Nitrogen and Counting Stars, confirmed the decision to end his star 3-year-old’s campaign after the Grade 1 Spinster last Saturday.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Bacio will get first shot on home course
In six career starts, the 3-year-old turf star Bacio has run at six different tracks on two continents, winning five races. The jet-setting colt handled this rigorous travel remarkably well, but in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Keeneland, he will finally get to run at home. “It’s a big advantage having the race here with this particular guy,” trainer Wesley Ward said.
East Meadow gaining experience
East Meadow girls volleyball has spent the last month on peaks and valleys, winning its first three matches before dropping four straight against strong competition. The key all along has been gaining experience and growing sharper in Nassau Class AAA, focuses coach Devon Hagerstrom has maintained through the good and bad. “I hope we can see a little bit better when we play them again, the second round through,” Hagerstrom said.
Freeport tops Uniondale for second win
Freeport girls volleyball defeated Uniondale in three straight sets Oct. 1, to earn its second victory in Nassau Class AAA. After getting swept in three of their first four matches against Syosset, Massapequa, and Oceanside, it was a much needed bounce-back effort at home for the Red Devils. “It was good for the kids because we've been getting pounded by the Massapequas and the Syossets and teams like that,” coach Lolita Beathea said.
East Meadow gaining experience
East Meadow girls volleyball has spent the last month on peaks and valleys, winning its first three matches before dropping four straight against strong competition. The key all along has been gaining experience and growing sharper in Nassau Class AAA, focuses coach Devon Hagerstrom has maintained through the good and bad. “I hope we can see a little bit better when we play them again, the second round through,” Hagerstrom said.
Regaled at home in mud, gains second consecutive Delaware Handicap win
Trainer Whit Beckman said he doesn’t know if Regaled loves Delaware Park, or a wet track, or a wet track at Delaware Park. But when the 5-year-old mare splashed home in the mud to win her second straight Grade 3 Delaware Handicap on Saturday, he didn’t need an answer. “Everything seemed to line up, just like it did last year,” Beckman said. “She got a nice pace to run at, and I mean, she just ran an incredible race.
Barbadian Runner catches Cooke Creek late in Battery Park Stakes
Barbadian Runner bounced back in emphatic fashion to win the $200,000 Battery Park Stakes on Saturday at Delaware Park, flying late to snipe the front-runner Cooke Creek by three-quarters of a length. He has now won eight stakes for trainer Henry Walters. “Leaving the three-eighths pole, he really hadn't gotten the track yet,” Walters said. “He was still a little farther out of it at that point than I had hoped. On that kind of track, it's hard to make up some ground.
Winterfell wins Polynesian Stakes at Laurel
Jeffrey Snyder/Maryland Jockey Club Piggybunz's victory in the Smart Halo was one of two on the day for trainer Brittany Russell. Winterfell has spent much of his 12-race career bouncing between the coasts, but his stays in Maryland for trainer Brittany Russell have always been fortuitous. Back home at Laurel Park, where he remains unbeaten in three starts, the 5-year-old proved overwhelming again in the $100,000 Polynesian Stakes on Saturday. “He loves it at Laurel,” Russell said.
Laurel trainer Corrales suspended two years for nikethamide positive
Jose Corrales, a trainer based at Laurel Park since 2011, was issued a two-year suspension and $10,000 fine by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit on Friday for the use of a banned substance in February. The case concerned the 3-year-old filly Curlene’s Spirit, who tested positive for nikethamide following a 6 3/4-length victory in a $25,000 claiming race at Laurel on Feb. 20. The respiratory stimulant is a Class 1 drug no longer approved for veterinary clinical use.
Trailblazing Puerto Rican jockey Eddie Belmonte dead at 83
Eddie Belmonte, the first Puerto Rican jockey to win an American Triple Crown race, passed away on Wednesday at age 83. Born into a racing family in Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Belmonte began riding professionally in the early 1960s and quickly became a leading jockey in Puerto Rico in 1963 and 1964. He later enjoyed successful stints in New York, Florida, and California before his retirement in 1976.
T Kraft holds off a late charge from Crazy Mason to take Vosburgh
T Kraft, brave on the front end under Junior Alvarado, held off a late-flying Crazy Mason by a nose to win the Grade 3 Vosburgh Stakes on Thursday at Belmont Park. After coming up just short in the Grade 1 Forego in August, trainer Bill Mott didn’t need to wait much longer for the colt’s first graded stakes victory. “He ran well and got away good and Junior gave him a good ride,” Mott said, per the New York Racing Association.
Shelzawa flashes powerful turn of foot in Winter Memories victory
Shelzawa unleashed a powerful last-to-first move under jockey Flavien Prat to pick up her first stakes victory in the Grade 3 Winter Memories on Thursday at Belmont Park. The 3-year-old filly has now won three straight races for trainer Chad Brown. “Great effort,” Brown said, per the New York Racing Associarion.
Ness wheels Stronsino back quick for cutback in Polynesian
Stronsino, far from disgraced at 1 1/2 miles two weeks ago, will cut back to a more familiar mile in the $100,000 Polynesian Stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park. Trainer Jamie Ness acknowledged the short turnaround, but he is willing to take the chance with his notoriously game 5-year-old gelding. “Wheeling back a little quick, but I’m a little backed up in that category,” Ness said of his willingness to run horses on short rest.
Battery Park a perfect spot for Barbadian Runner to rebound
Barbadian Runner has not had many chances to run at Delaware Park in a bustling career, but the track will provide the perfect chance for the 4-year-old gelding to bounce back in the $200,000 Battery Park Stakes on Saturday. The Battery Park is part of a 10-race program that was canceled last Saturday because of an incoming nor’easter. The card, headlined by the Grade 3 Delaware Handicap, was moved in its entirety to this Saturday.
Regaled poised for another celebration in Delaware Handicap
In her third start for Whit Beckman last year, Regaled romped home by 6 1/4 lengths in the Grade 3 Delaware Handicap, relishing the muddy track in a breakout victory. The rain fell a little too hard last weekend, leading to this year’s edition being pushed back, but the 5-year-old mare will make her belated return to Delaware Park as a strong contender on Saturday. “We were fortunate to have won it last year,” Beckman said last week.
Breeders' Cup Distaff: Heavily favored Nitrogen likely won't be Casse's only runner
Nine minutes before Nitrogen cruised home to win the Grade 2 Beldame at Belmont Park last Friday, trainer Mark Casse said all three of his candidates for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff remain in play. If all continues as planned, he could have the overwhelming favorite in the championship event and one of the few fillies capable of taking her down.
Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies: Weekend preps will bring field into focus
The field for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies remains in flux and only features a handful of contenders, but the picture is expected to become clearer after three prep races this week at Keeneland, Belmont Park, and Santa Anita. In the Grade 1 Alcibiades on Friday at Keeneland, all eyes will be on Summer Starlet, who will stretch out to 1 1/16 miles in her third career start after a commanding victory in the Grade 1 Spinaway at Saratoga.
Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint: Shisospicy will have a crowd awaiting her return
Shisospicy has only run once since winning the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint last year, and it wasn’t pretty. Trainer Jose D’Angelo is counting on light preparation and raw talent to make an improbable title defense off a six-month layoff, made more difficult in what should be an immensely deep field. “I know it’s a hard thing to do, especially being a filly against boys,” D’Angelo said. “And this year, I know the competition looks very tough. But she’s very talented and she’s been very, very well.
John Salzman, trainer of Xtra Heat, dead at 81
John Salzman Sr., a prominent Maryland-based trainer for nearly five decades, passed away on Monday at age 81. Salzman is best known for training the filly Xtra Heat, who won 26 of 35 starts and nearly $2.4 million in purse money between 2000 and 2003. She earned 25 stakes victories, including seven at Laurel Park, and also finished second in the 2001 Breeders’ Cup Sprint and third in the 2002 Dubai Golden Shaheen. In 2015, she was inducted into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
Freeport chasing playoff position
Freeport boys soccer has scrapped through a grueling early schedule in Nassau Class AAA, earning a 2-3-3 record with gritty defensive play and timely offense. The Red Devils are outside playoff contenders, but more than that, they have proven they are capable of hanging with practically anyone on their best day. “It’s been a roller coaster of a season so far, but we're halfway through,” coach Craig Klasson said. “The boys are confident that we can get the results.
Senior-led Long Beach clicking
Long Beach boys volleyball is meeting high expectations so far, winning three straight matches in commanding fashion to kick off competitive play. Coach Stewart Ratzken struggled to highlight a single player on a Marines roster delivering on every level, all the time. “They play indoor for Long Beach high school, straight to club, preseason with me in the late winter, early spring,” Ratzken said. “Then we start trickling down to the beach.
Senior-led Long Beach clicking
Long Beach boys volleyball is meeting high expectations so far, winning three straight matches in commanding fashion to kick off competitive play. Coach Stewart Ratzken struggled to highlight a single player on a Marines roster delivering on every level, all the time. “They play indoor for Long Beach high school, straight to club, preseason with me in the late winter, early spring,” Ratzken said. “Then we start trickling down to the beach.
Rileytole relishes two turns in Remington Park Oaks
Rileytole finally got a chance around two turns and bounced back to win the $200,000 Remington Park Oaks on Sunday. The 3-year-old filly finished sixth in her first two starts of 2026, but she easily handled four rivals at 1 1/16 miles for Steve Asmussen. With a confident ride from Paco Lopez, the 2-1 third choice settled into fifth on the backstretch before advancing wide around the far turn. She easily circled the field and prevailed by 1 3/4 lengths, paying $6.60 to win.
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