Three Maryland-breds with national goals next year closed out this year in smashing fashion, winning races yesterday worth more than a quarter of a million dollars at Laurel Park.
In the twin $100,000 1 1/8 -mile stakes for Maryland-bred 2-year-olds, Red Star Rose captured the male version, the Maryland Juvenile Championship. Magic Broad won the Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship.
In the $60,000 Challedon Stakes, a seven-furlong sprint for older Maryland-breds, Purple Passion scored in near-record time. The three winners were all heavily favored.
A son of Proud Truth and Rose Rouge, Red Star Rose at 4-5 finished 3 3/4 lengths ahead of the 6-5 runner-up, Pettit's Quest. For the nation's winningest jockey, Edgar Prado, the victory with Red Star Rose was his third of the afternoon.
Jozbin Santana, the rider of Pettit's Quest, lodged an objection against Prado, claiming Prado's mount interfered around the first turn. The stewards disallowed the objection.
The trainer Hamilton Smith said he believes Red Star Rose is capable of competing in the prep races leading to the Kentucky Derby, and perhaps even the spring classics themselves. Despite troubled trips, Red Star Rose finished second in two earlier seven-furlong stakes. This was his first race around two turns.
"He's bred to run around two turns," Smith said. "If he keeps improving, I think he'll be a nice horse down the road."
Magic Broad's 1 1/4 -length victory, accomplished with an explosive burst around the far turn under her jockey, Rick Wilson, was two-fifths of a second faster than that of Red Star Rose. A daughter of Broad Brush and Illeria, Magic Broad raced seventh into the backstretch after lunging into the air at the start.
Like most progeny of Broad Brush, Magic Broad has a mind of her own, said her owner and breeder, Robert E. Meyerhoff.
"But they all want to win," said the filly's trainer, Richard W. Small. "That's what I like about them."
Magic Broad's goal is the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes at Pimlico.
The 4-year-old Purple Passion, who like all horses becomes a year older Jan. 1, won't have to wait long before seeking his 1999 goal. He'll race next Feb. 15 in the Grade II $250,000 General George Handicap, a seven-furlong stakes at Laurel Park in which he finished second last year to the top sprinter Royal Haven, now retired.
Donald Barr, who trains the son of Northern Raja and Purple Glory, said he believes the speedy colt can win this time. "You don't have any Royal Havens coming this year," Barr said.
Yesterday, Purple Passion under Omar Klinger raced seven-eighths of a mile in 1 minute, 21 4/5 seconds, two-fifths of a second off Tappiano's record set in 1989.
NOTES: In the Maryland Juvenile Championship, jockey Mark Rosenthal fell off A Call to Post after his saddle apparently slipped. Early reports said Rosenthal suffered a possible fracture of his femur. The deadline is Thursday for nominating weanlings, yearlings and stallions to Maryland Million races. For nomination forms or additional information, call 410-252-2100. Instead of the usual 12: 35 p.m. weekday start, post time Wednesday and Thursday at Laurel Park is 12: 15 p.m.
Pub Date: 12/27/98