The Laurel Park Winter SprintFest has attracted 76 nominees for two $200,000 Grade II stakes.
Opening the event next Saturday is the Barbara Fritchie Handicap, a seven-furlong test for fillies and mares that has drawn Black-Eyed Susan winner Calipha, Stars Knockout, Inside Information and Lottsa Talc among 36 eligibles.
The defending champion, Mixed Appeal, is also expected in this race.
After is the General George Handicap on President's Day, another seven-furlong test for 3-year-olds and upward.
Birdonthewire, an Eclipse Award winner in 1993, heads a list of nominees that also includes Powis Castle, Boom Towner, Night Spirit and Storm Tower.
Powis Castle has earned nearly $400,000 with five wins in 14 starts while facing the likes of Tabasco Cat, Go For Gin and Concern.
Previous winners of the General George include Broad Brush,
Private Terms and Little Bold John.
Jameela Stakes
White Cliffs, one of the area's most promising 3-year-old fillies, will meet undefeated Power Play and other top opposition in today's $60,000 Jameela Stakes.
Trained by Carlos Garcia, White Cliffs is on a three-race winning streak, the last two victories coming in stakes. She has won five of seven lifetime.
Power Play is 2-for-2 under the tutelage of trainer Graham Motion.
Tennis Lady is retired
Tennis Lady, stabled at Pimlico for most of the past two years, has been retired by trainer Dick Small.
Owned and bred by Robert Meyerhoff, Tennis Lady is a full sister of Breeders' Cup Classic winner Concern. She earned $283,470 during a 27-race career.
She has been sent to Lantern Hill Farm in Kentucky, where she will be bred to Gone West.
Notes
Jockey Austreberto Salazar recently switched his tack to the Midwest, hoping to ride on the Illinois circuit. Salazar was one of Maryland's top apprentices in 1993. . . . Laurel's simulcasting card today includes the Grade I $300,000 Donn Handicap from Gulfstream Park, where the field includes Holy Bull, the 1994 Horse of the Year. Tomorrow's simulcasts include the Grade III $100,000 San Vicente, a key Triple Crown prep, from Santa Anita. . . . Jockey Eric Payne has moved ahead of Roniel Gerardo as Maryland's leading apprentice. Payne won his 18th race Thursday. . . . Stakes winner Majesty's Time has also been retired and will stand at Derby Hill Farm near Mount Airy. . . . Charles Town has postponed the resumption of simulcasting because it requires approval from local horsemen, and it cannot get it until one of two competing groups is established as their representative. . . . Veteran trainer Ed Gaudet will be the guest of today's racing seminar at 11:30 a.m. in the Laurel clubhouse.