Race Details
- Venue Location: Laurel Park, 198 Laurel Race Track Road, Laurel, Maryland 20725.
- Post Time is scheduled for 3:34 p.m. ET (first post at 12:30 p.m. ET; races spaced approximately 30 minutes apart).
- Race Conditions: $200,000 purse, Grade 3, 7 furlongs on dirt, for fillies and mares 4 years old and upward. Lasix not allowed within 48 hours of post time. Weights: 124 lbs for stakes winners, 122 lbs for others.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 45°F and low of 28°F. Winds W at 6 mph, humidity 40%, no precipitation expected.
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- Track Conditions: Dirt expected to be Fast, based on the dry forecast. Laurel Park’s winter dirt favors early speed in sprints (60% wire-to-wire winners in similar stakes), but contested paces benefit closers.
The Barbara Fritchie Stakes, in its 71st running, honors the legendary figure from John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem. This $200,000 Grade 3 sprint is a key prep for graded spring events like the Madison (G1) or similar. With a projected fast pace led by speedsters like Takethemoneyhoney and Juba’s Parade, closers such as Passage East could capitalize on a meltdown.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions and Beyer speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis. Morning line odds from official entries.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Date/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Dry Powder (KY) | X Perez | C Summers | 5/2 | 1st (1/25/26 AQU Allowance/95), 2nd (12/15/25 BEL Stakes/92), 1st (11/5/25 SAR Allowance/90) | Front-runner in peak form; Perez (local specialist) for Summers (rising trainer). Pedigree (Gun Runner – Tell All) favors speed; rail post aids wire bid. High win chance if uncontested. Owners: Gold Square LLC. Breeder: Corser Thoroughbreds LLC. |
| 2 | Hold Your Breath (KY) | A Adorno | J C Servis | 7/2 | 2nd (1/10/26 PEN Allowance/93), 1st (12/20/25 PEN Stakes/90), 3rd (11/15/25 PEN Optional Claiming/88) | Versatile stalker; Adorno (aggressive) for Servis (stakes success). Pedigree (McKinzie – Illicit Affair) adds endurance; consistent. Owners: Main Line Racing Stable, Avalon Racing Stables & Medallion Racing. Breeder: Highclere Inc., Constance Wickes & Rocky Top Racing. |
| 3 | Backstretch Rose (KY) | J G Torrealba | L Gaudet | 20/1 | 4th (1/17/26 LRL Allowance/85), 3rd (12/27/25 LRL Optional Claiming/88), 2nd (11/22/25 LRL Allowance/86) | Mid-pack type; Torrealba (underrated) for Gaudet (local). Pedigree (Army Mule – Cholena) hints at late kick; needs pace help. Owners: Liberty House Racing & Penwood Racing. Breeder: St. Elias Stables, LLC. |
| 4 | Takethemoneyhoney (MD) | E Ruiz | M M Moore | 9/5 | 1st (1/3/26 LRL Allowance/95), 2nd (12/15/25 LRL Stakes/92), 1st (11/10/25 PIM Allowance/90) | Speed demon; Ruiz (stakes hits) for Moore (Maryland specialist). Pedigree (Golden Lad – Goodonehoney) favors sprints; favorite with edge. Owners: Kasey K Racing Stable LLC, Michael R. Day & Final Turn Racing Stables LLC. Breeder: Kasey K Racing Stable, Michael Day and Final Turn Racing Stable. |
| 5 | Bolt Enoree (ON) | J A Hernandez | S Chircop | 30/1 | 3rd (1/15/26 AQU Allowance/85), 4th (12/20/25 AQU Optional Claiming/82), 5th (11/15/25 BEL Allowance/80) | Longshot closer; Hernandez (aggressive) for Chircop (Canadian). Pedigree (Bolt d’Oro – Enoree) provides endurance; exotic filler. Owners: Zilli Racing Stables. Breeder: Mark Dodson. |
| 6 | Juba’s Parade (WV) | W Santiago | W S Sanderson | 30/1 | 5th (1/10/26 CT Allowance/80), 3rd (12/15/25 CT Stakes/82), 4th (11/22/25 CT Optional Claiming/78) | Front-runner; Santiago (local) for Sanderson (West Virginia success). Pedigree (Juba – Mummers Parade) suits speed; upset chance if clear. Owners: Regulator Racing Stable. Breeder: Taylor Mountain Farm. |
| 7 | Passage East (KY) | S Russell | H I McMahon | 9/2 | 2nd (1/17/26 LRL Allowance/90), 1st (12/27/25 LRL Optional Claiming/88), 3rd (11/15/25 LRL Allowance/85) | Steady closer; Russell (stakes expert) for McMahon (local). Pedigree (Audible – Salten Sapity) adds stamina; good for exotics. Owners: Larry E. Rabold. Breeder: Don Alberto Corporation. |
| 8 | On Command (KY) | J Toledo | A J Green | 8/1 | 1st (1/3/26 AQU Allowance/92), 2nd (12/20/25 AQU Stakes/90), 3rd (11/22/25 AQU Allowance/88) | Versatile veteran; Toledo (aggressive) for Green (emerging). Pedigree (Omaha Beach – Flautist) provides endurance; value. Owners: Lucky Hat Racing LLC & V Hop Racing. Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Barbara Fritchie Stakes, in its 71st running, is named after the legendary figure from John Greenleaf Whittier’s poem. It’s a Grade 3 since 1989, previously G2, and has featured winners like By the Light (2025) at 5-1 odds.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 5 of the last 8 editions, with speed holding in 60% of 7-furlong renewals at Laurel. Closers board in 70% of contested paces; average exacta payout $45.
