Ziggly shaves .02 off record; Markakis a Hutch finalist

Ziggly set a course record for a mile on the turf when she galloped to a 5 1/4 -length victory Thursday at Laurel Park. The winner, under Rosemary Homeister, swept to the lead against optional/claiming runners as the field straightened for home and finished in 1 minute, 34.24 seconds, knocking .02 off the previous mark, set by Tune of the Spirit on Nov. 13, 2005. In other Laurel news, jockey Luis Garcia picked up career win No. 999 before Thursday's opening race when the Maryland Racing Commission stewards ruled that Midwatch, who won the Sept. 23 opener, had too much phenylbutazone in his system. Garcia, and his mount, Rescigno, were elevated from second to first.

Orioles: Right fielder Nick Markakis was one of 10 finalists for the Hutch Award, which goes to the major league player who best exemplifies the honor, courage and dedication of the late Fred Hutchinson, who played and managed in the majors before dying in 1964 of cancer at the age of 45. The award has been given since 1965, with Eric Davis, in 1997, the only player to have won while with the Orioles.

- From Sun staff and news services