Special Envoy (#4 outside) edged Rose Brier (#3 inside) in a thriller Saturday in the $75,000 Edward Evans Stakes at Laurel Park. This was the first of four turf stakes on the program for Virginia-bred or sired horses.
Special Envoy (outside) battles with Rose Brier (inside) in the $75,000 Edward Evans Stakes. photo by Jim McCue.
A year ago in the same event, Rose Brier got the best of Special Envoy by a length but the tables turned this afternoon. Jockey Daniel Centeno led the charge for trainer Arnaud Delacour. The 6 year old Stroll gelding was bred by Mr. & Mrs. Bertram Firestone. Special Envoy won for the first time since March, 2016. Rose Brier had been undefeated in his last four Virginia-bred stakes. Photo by Jim McCue.
Special Envoy turned the tables on Rose Brier as the two battle to the wire in the Edward Evans Stakes. photo by Jim McCue.
Queen Caroline successfully defended her title Saturday in the $75,000 Nellie Mae Cox Stakes, the second Virginia-bred event on the annual Maryland-Virginia Breeders’ Day card at Laurel.
Queen Caroline won the Nellie Mae Cox Stales for the second straight year at Laurel June 24th. Photo by Jim McCue.
The 4 year old Blame filly, bred by the Morgan’s Ford Farm, went gate to wire and held off Armoire to capture her first win in three starts this year. She most recently finished third in the Grade 3 Gallorette Stakes on Preakness Day at Pimlico. Queen Caroline completed the one mile turf event in 1:36.24. The winner is out of the Forestry mare, Queens Plaza, and is owned by Amy Moore.