LAUREL, MD. 3-7-09---Cam Allard’s Saarlight went from maiden to stakes winner in a single jump with a front running victory in today’s feature at Laurel Park, the $50,000 Wide Country Stakes for 3-year-old fillies.

Second in her only start at Aqueduct in early February, Saarlight sped the seven furlong distance in 1:22.78 under jockey Raymundo Fuentes. She finished one length the better of Strut the Canary, who was looking for her fourth consecutive victory. Haley’s Lollipop finished third.

Saarlight is a daughter of Saarland who is trained by Kiaran McLaughlin at Belmont Park. She paid $5.60 and topped a $19.80 exacta.

“We thought she ran well in her first start and there were some horses in that race who came back to win impressively so Kiaran put her in here and it was a good spot,” assistant trainer Andrew St. Lawrence said. “She got it done. They went a little quick early. I knew she was quick but that was pretty quick. She beat some good company today. The Tim Tullock filly (Strut The Canary) is very nice. We’re pleased to come out ahead.”

The McLaughlin barn won the 2008 Wide Country with Armonk.


LAUREL BASED HORSES 1-2 IN AQUEDUCT STAKES

Laurel Park-based Ah Day won his ninth career stakes race for owner-trainer King Leatherbury with a rallying score in the $110,700 Toboggan Handicap (Grade III) at Aqueduct this afternoon. The Maryland-bred, who was making his 6-year-old debut, beat the Mike Trombetta trained Eternal Star by a head.

The son of Malibu Moon, who had run just twice since May 2007 prior to today’s start, paid $16.80. The Laurel Park exacta brought home $88.50.

Apprentice Sheldon Russell, who began his career in Maryland, picked up his first career stakes victory. Seven different riders have won aboard Ah Day, who has now earned $764,574.

Leatherbury now has 6,267 career victories, third on the all-time list.