Early Grey’s Maiden Win Kicks Off Virginia Day At Laurel Park Festivities August 5th

Early Grey captured a $30,000 maiden special weight race to kick off the first of five Virginia-bred races at Laurel Park Saturday afternoon (August 5th).

Early Grey captured a $30,000 maiden special weight race for Virginia-breds August 5th at Laurel. Photo by Jim McCue.

Jockey Sheldon Russell led the effort for owner/breeder Morgan’s Ford Farm. The 4 year old Flatter gelding broke his maiden over a year ago at Laurel in a similar Virginia-bred race, but he was disqualified and placed last. Not so on Saturday.

Jockey Sheldon sits atop Early Grey after the 4 year old’s maiden win at Laurel August 5th. Photo by Jim McCue.

The winner settled into fifth inside in the nine horse field, moved outside to second at the top of the stretch, caught the leader with a furlong to go and crossed 1 1/4 lengths in front of Black Prong in 1:42.62. The Phil Schoenthal trainee is out of the Black Tie Affair mare, Pearls.