“Saturday should be a fantastic day,” Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas said. “It is an opportunity for us to show our appreciation to the Laurel community for supporting us for 100 years.”

The centennial celebration will include a 100th birthday key chain giveaway to the first 3,000 in attendance. The afternoon features family entertainment, a health fair and music in a community village, on-track performances between races, a proclamation from Laurel Mayor Craig Moe, birthday cake for fans and drawings for prizes such as flat screen televisions, iPads and airline gift cards.

The giveaways began Monday with four drawings, including one where Andre Short won an opportunity to have lunch with legendary trainer King Leatherbury. There will also be multiple prize giveaways Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Laurel Park debuted on October 2, 1911 under the auspices of the Laurel Four Corners County Fair. The Anne Arundel County track quickly became an autumn fixture on the Maryland racing calendar.

Here are some of the highlights:

* Triple Crown winners Sir Barton, War Admiral, Whirlaway, Secretariat and Affirmed won races at Laurel Park during their Hall of Fame careers. * Classic winners Omar Khayyam (1917 Kentucky Derby), Hourless (1917 Belmont Stakes), Exterminator (1919 Kentucky Derby), High Echelon (1970 Belmont), Riva Ridge (1972 Derby & Belmont), Spectacular Bid (1979 Derby & Preakness Stakes), Bet Twice (1987 Belmont), Go and Go (1990 Belmont) and Barbaro (2006 Derby) also competed at the central Maryland track. * Seabiscuit prepped at Laurel Park for his famous match race with War Admiral. On October 15, 1938, two weeks before the Pimlico Special, Seabiscuit finished second in the Laurel Stakes, a race he had won the previous year. * Kelso, the only five-time Horse of the Year, won the 1964 Washington D.C. International in his fourth attempt, beating rival Gun Bow. Kelso finished second in his three previous tries in the International, all by less than a length. * Sandy Hawley became the first rider in history with 500 victories in a single-season when he guided Charlie Jr. to victory at Laurel Park on December 15, 1973. Hawley finished the year with 515 victories. * Chris McCarron surpassed Hawley with his 516th winner on December 17, 1974 aboard Oh My Love at Laurel Park. He completed the year with 546 victories. * Kent Desormeaux broke McCarron’s mark when he rode his 547th winner for the year, aboard Gilten, at Laurel Park on November 30, 1989. Desormeaux finished the year with 598 victories, a record that still stands. * The Maryland Million, an innovative program devised by broadcaster Jim McKay to promote the Maryland breeding industry, debuted at Laurel Park in 1986. The 26th running of the event took place here on October 1. * Edgar Prado became the fourth jockey to win 500 races in a single-season when he reached the wire first aboard Hardball on November 30, 1997 at Laurel Park. Prado ended the year with 536 victories. * Mario Pino became the 15th rider in North America to reach 6,000 career wins when he guided Pass Play to victory at Laurel Park on November 7, 2007.

FIRST-TIME STARTER WINS 5TH RACE AT ODDS OF 83-1

Gaby Little Girl upset a field of 10 fillies and mares in her debut at odds of 83-1. The daughter of Hennessey stalked the pace in the 5½ furlong test on the turf then circled the field with jockey Malcolm Franklin on the turn from home and held off fast closing Count On Hope and Lucky Holly for the maiden score.

Trained by Roy Peacock and owned by Terry Overmier, Gaby Little Girl paid $168.60.

During the current Laurel Park fall meeting, only 11 of the 49 betting favorites in grass races have visited the winners’ circle. The average win mutuel is $16.30.

Reservations for Louisiana Derby Day (April 1) will not be accepted until January 2. All other dates will be open Oct. 24.

Major stakes days this season include Claiming Crown Day (Dec. 3), Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 10), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Jan. 21), Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 25), Fair Grounds Oaks Day (March 31) and Louisiana Derby Day (April 1).

The popular Starlight Racing series with live music, DJs, drink specials and racing under the lights returns for six dates: Jan. 6 & 20, Feb. 10 & 24 and March 16 & 30.

Clubhouse admission will be $10 on Major Stakes Days and Starlight Racing nights after Jan. 1. All other programs throughout the 84-day season will carry a $7 Clubhouse admission.

Other live racing dates that traditionally fill up early are opening weekend (Nov. 24-27), the day after Christmas (Dec. 26), New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31), New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) and Mardi Gras Day (Feb. 21).

Run for the first time since 2007, the historic fixture brought together nine 2-year-olds. Lemon Juice, a Johannesburg colt trained by Dane Kobiskie, was winning his second stakes race in as many starts, this time under jockey Travis Dunkelberger.

Oil Rig, the other half of the Kobiskie entry, set the pace while Lemon Juice tracked the leader into the turn. Play Eighteen took the lead from Oil Rig, while Lemon Juice was shuffled back coming out of the bend. In deep stretch Play Eighteen could not resist the late assault of the winner, who completed the race in 1:11.38 over the good turf. Magical Season served up a bold late rally to take second, while Just Sayin finished third and Play Eighteen was fourth. Oil Rig faded to seventh.

“He broke real well and just sat real close,” said Dunkelberger. “I didn’t want to push the 1A (Oil Rig) at all. If he kept going he kept going. It was a long stretch, to the second wire, so it all worked out. I didn’t hit him until late, like at the first wire and when I did I had a ton of horse.”

Lemon Juice paid $4.20 and topped a $97.40 exacta and $734.60 trifecta.

“At the three-sixteenths pole I thought the entry mate was going to run away but he kind of gets lost on the front end sometimes,” said Kobiskie. “Lemon Juice is game and Travis rode him perfect, let him settle into stride and then relaxed around the turn and not feel rushed and let him make that one run. It’s a great, historic race to win.”

The victory was the second for Lemon Juice over the grass and his fourth win in seven starts.

“He’s shows up every time,” added Kobiskie. “He has run hard this year.”

The race was once of the nation’s most prestigious Grade 1 stakes for two-year-olds. Morvich won the first running of the Futurity on his way to victory in the 1922 Kentucky Derby. Fifteen other winners have gone on to capture a Triple Crown race: Challedon (1939 Preakness); Bimelech (1940 Derby & Preakness); Count Fleet (1943 Triple Crown); Jet Pilot (1947 Derby); Citation (1948 Triple Crown); Capot (1949 Preakness & Belmont); Quadrangle (1964 Belmont); High Echelon (1970 Belmont); Riva Ridge (1972 Derby & Belmont); Secretariat (1973 Triple Crown); Affirmed (1978 Triple Crown); Spectacular Bid (1979 Derby & Preakness); Bet Twice (1987 Belmont); Go and Go (1990 Belmont) and Barbaro (2006 Derby).

RAPID REDUX SCRATCHED OUT OF TUESDAY’S 5TH RACE

Rapid Redux, who has won 17 consecutive starts to move to within two of the all-time North American record of 19 straight victories held by Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride, has been scratched out of Tuesday’s 5th race at Laurel Park.

The David Wells trainee was entered yesterday by his connections as a main track only runner in the $18,000 starter allowance scheduled on the turf. Rain is not in the forecast until Wednesday so it is unlikely the race will come off the grass.

Towson native Robert Cole claimed the son of Pleasantly Perfect nearly one year ago at Penn National for $6,250 and has watched the gelding win 18 of 19 races with earnings of $210,609, the majority in starter allowance company. He is a perfect 15-of-15 in 2011. Rapid Redux has won at seven different distances from five-furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

Cole indicated Rapid Redux would likely be entered in a $25,000 starter allowance at 1 1/8 miles, scheduled for Friday, October 14 at Charles Town and a $17,000 starter allowance race at one mile at Laurel Park to be run Saturday, October 15. Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Georganne Hale also has a $17,000 starter allowance race at five-furlongs in her condition book for Tuesday, October 18.

The win-streak began on Dec. 2, 2010 at Penn National. Since then Cole and Wells have sent their star to seven different tracks, including Laurel Park and Timonium in Maryland, using seven different riders.

With Jose Caraballo aboard, the 2-year-old son of Istan won by 7 1/4-lengths and returned $4.00 as the favorite in the field of five. The Kentucky-bred conditioned by J. Larry Jones covered the mile-and-seventy yards in 1:42.77 over a fast main track.

Doe, the only filly in the field with Sarah Rook, and Runnin Bull, with Edin Riveria, finished in a dead heat for second.

In his previous outing, Mr. Bowling broke his maiden at Delaware Park. He sports a career record of two wins from three starts with earnings of $95,580.

Live racing will be conducted at the central Maryland track on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Saturday, December 17, except next week when Laurel cards a special nine-race card on Monday, October 10 (Columbus day) instead of Wednesday, October 12.

RAPID REDUX ENTERED AS MAIN TRACK ONLY RUNNER IN TUESDAY’S 5TH RACE

Rapid Redux, who has won 17 consecutive starts to move to within two of the all-time North American record of 19 straight victories held by Zenyatta and Pepper’s Pride, has been entered as a main track only runner in Tuesday 5th race at Laurel Park, a $18,000 starter allowance scheduled on the turf.

Rain is not in the forecast until Wednesday so it is unlikely the race will come off the grass.

Towson native Robert Cole claimed the son of Pleasantly Perfect nearly one year ago at Penn National for $6,250 and has watched the gelding win 18 of 19 races with earnings of $210,609, the majority in starter allowance company. He is a perfect 15-of-15 in 2011. Rapid Redux has won at seven different distances from five-furlongs to 1 1/8 miles.

Cole indicated Rapid Redux would likely be entered in a $25,000 starter allowance at 1 1/8 miles, scheduled for Friday, October 14 at Charles Town and a $17,000 starter allowance race at one mile at Laurel Park to be run Saturday, October 15. Maryland Jockey Club racing secretary Georganne Hale also has a $17,000 starter allowance race at five-furlongs in her condition book for Tuesday, October 18.

The win-streak began on Dec. 2, 2010 at Penn National. Since then Cole and trainer David Wells have sent their star to seven different tracks, including Laurel Park and Timonium in Maryland, using seven different riders. J.D. Acosta, who has been aboard four of the victories during the streak, is named to ride Tuesday.

LEATHERBURY STILL SEEKING INVESTOR TO SEND BEN’S CAT TO BREEDERS’ CUP TURF SPRINT

Six days after Ben’s Cat won his second consecutive Maryland Million Turf Sprint, owner/trainer/breeder King Leatherbury is still looking for an investor to flip the bill on a $100,000 supplemental fee for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs on November 5.

The five-year-old captured the Turf Monster Handicap (G3) at Parx Racing on Labor Day, which earned an automatic berth into the $ 1 million race as part of the Breeders’ Cup Challenge “Win and You’re In” series. However, the son of Parker’s Storm Cat is not Breeders’ Cup nominated.

“There’s some interest but nothing to confirm,” said Leatherbury, who ranks third on the all-time win list with 6,327 career victories. “I am thinking it will heat up next week.”

Ben’s Cat has won 13 of 18 starts, including seven on the turf, with lifetime earnings of $733,230.

In honor of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Pimlico officially lit the wall of their Club House pink and announced it will stay pink throughout October to help raise awareness of breast cancer. Additionally, Pimlico Good Neighbor residents have been offered pink bulbs, generously donated by Mood-factory, to light their porches pink during October.

“We have found that this specific zip code, 21215, is being severely affected by breast cancer and has the highest mortality rate in Baltimore City,” said Robin Prothro, Executive Director of Komen Maryland. “We hope this initiative will help to raise awareness of the importance of early detection. It’s time for women throughout Maryland to take action and get screened.”

An estimated 207, 090 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed in women in the United States in 2010 alone. Maryland is ranked fifth in the nation for breast cancer related deaths, further justifying the need for Maryland women and their families to have access to breast cancer prevention information and support services.

Currently, Komen Maryland funds 15 programs in Baltimore City, totaling nearly $1.5 million. These programs provide everything from education, screening, treatment and support services for not only those affected by breast cancer, but their families as well.

“Komen Maryland works diligently to provide services for Baltimore City residents, especially women who are uninsured or underinsured,” said Baltimore City Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. “I am thrilled to be a part of an event that raises awareness of the importance of mammograms and early detection.”

Pimlico Race Course also officially announced its partnership with Komen Maryland for the third consecutive year. The return of The People’s Pink Party will help to raise funds aiding awareness and research for breast cancer on Black-Eyed Susan Day, which will take place on Friday, May 18, 2012.

“We look forward to welcoming a wonderful host of activities in celebration of this fabulous day at a time when the eyes of the world are on Pimlico Race Course,” said Maryland Jockey Club president Tom Chuckas. “The day will include live music, our Lady Legends and the amazing survivors and their guests whose participation remain a constant inspiration and reminder to us all of their courage, dignity and vitality.”

About Susan G. Komen for the Cure(r) and the Komen Maryland Affiliate

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever, and in 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure. The Maryland Affiliate is part of the world’s largest and most progressive grassroots network fighting breast cancer. Through events like the Komen Maryland Race for the Cure, the Maryland Affiliate has invested $35 million in community breast cancer programs since 1993. Up to 75 percent of net proceeds generated by the Affiliate stays in Maryland. The remaining 25 percent funds national breast cancer research, often taking place at Maryland institutions. Komen Maryland is the tenth of approximately 120 affiliates in the Komen network to host two races-Hunt Valley and Ocean City.

In the past, the Futurity was a graded event contested around two turns and the list of winners includes a who’s who of racing greats with Triple Crown winners Count Fleet, Citation, Secretariat and Affirmed using the race as a launching pad to 3-year-old greatness.

This year’s line-up contains one stakes winner and one maiden. The stakes winner is Lemon Juice, the stronger half of a Dane Kobiskie trained entry. The entry is listed at 9-5 on the morning line. The two have combined to finish in the money in 10 consecutive races.

Lemon Juice, a Johannesburg colt, broke his maiden on the turf at Colonial Downs, won a $40,000 claiming event on the dirt at Delaware and captured the Charles Town Juvenile in his most recent start. Travis Dunkelberger is named to ride Lemon Juice for the first time. Kobiskie has crossed entered Lemon Juice in Saturday’s Dover Stakes at Delaware Park, as well, but indicated he is 90 percent sure he will be running at Laurel.

“He has grown up a lot and is becoming very professional,” Kobiskie said. “He is learning how to win and comes with his run every time and you can’t ask for much more than that.”

Oil Rig is the other part of the Kobiskie entry. The speedy son of Henny Hughes, who is a two-time winner at Charles Town, will be adding blinkers for the first time. Joshua Navarro has the riding assignment.

“I really like this horse in this race,” Kobiskie said. “I worked him on the grass at Colonial but haven’t had a chance to get him on since. I have been dying to run him on the turf and really think he is going to like it. This horse has a lot of ability but every time he runs kind of gawks around on the front end. He has a lot of natural speed but we are not sure if we’ll go to the lead or let him stalk and have something to run at. The blinkers on and the sharp work on Monday (five-furlongs in one minute at the Bowie Training Center), I would not be shocked if Oil Rig won and beats my other horse.”

Seeking Romance (5-2) finished second behind Lemon Juice when the latter broke his maiden at Colonial. The Maryland-bred son of Swain won his next start, a 7-1/2 furlong contest on the turf at Delaware Park. Jeremy Rose was aboard that day and will continue as his pilot for trainer Hamilton Smith.

“Hammy Smith’s horse is nice,” added Kobiskie.

New York-bred Sportswriter (3-1), from the barn of Carlos Martin, has made two starts, both turf races at Saratoga this summer. He broke his maiden against restricted company, then faded to eighth in the Grade II Anticipation Stakes. Jorge Chavez is to accompany the colt from Belmont Park.

The Richard Small trained maiden Just Sayin (15-1) and maiden winners Freshy Francesco (6-1), Play Eighteen (12-1) Magical Season (20-1) and Distinctly Donovan (20-1) complete the line-up.

Originally run at Pimlico Race Course (from 1921 until 1965) as the Pimlico Futurity, the Futurity has always served as a showcase for up-and-coming 2-year-olds.

Morvich won the first running of the Futurity on his way to victory in the 1922 Kentucky Derby. Fifteen other winners have gone on to capture a Triple Crown race: Challedon (1939 Preakness); Bimelech (1940 Derby & Preakness); Count Fleet (1943 Triple Crown); Jet Pilot (1947 Derby); Citation (1948 Triple Crown); Capot (1949 Preakness & Belmont); Quadrangle (1964 Belmont); High Echelon (1970 Belmont); Riva Ridge (1972 Derby & Belmont); Secretariat (1973 Triple Crown); Affirmed (1978 Triple Crown); Spectacular Bid (1979 Derby & Preakness); Bet Twice (1987 Belmont); Go and Go (1990 Belmont) and Barbaro (2006 Derby).

At one time it was one of the nation’s most prestigious Grade 1 stakes for two-year-olds. Fifteen Futurity winners have earned the Eclipse Award as champion two-year-old colt. They are: Bimelech, Count Fleet, Platter, Star Pilot, Citation, Crimson Satan, Vitriolic, Riva Ridge, Secretariat, Protagonist, Honest Pleasure, Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Deputy Minister and Devil’s Bag.

According to Vicky Baze, her husband suffered a burst fracture at t-12, and needed surgery in which a plate and pins were used to stabilize and fuse the bones.

“The doctor says everything is progressing as it should,” Vicky Baze said, adding that Gary has full movement of his arms and legs.

According to Vicky Baze, Gary Baze was in the middle of working a horse when the accident occurred. A horse that was galloping suddenly ducked in, colliding with the rear of the horse Gary was riding. The collision knocked Gary off his horse, and during the fall his back struck the inside rail. Baze was then taken to John C. Lincoln Hospital in Phoenix, where he remained Wednesday following surgery.

Vicky Baze said neither of the horses nor the exercise rider involved in the collision was injured.

Gary Baze, 55, has over 3,400 career wins and is in the 2003 inaugural class of the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. He last rode at Emerald Downs in 2008 and has ridden the last few years in Arizona, Oklahoma and Winnipeg, Canada.

Vicky Baze also is riding at Turf Paradise, and in August became the first woman jockey inducted into the Washington Racing Hall of Fame. Last March she became only the fifth woman jockey with 2,000 career wins.

Trained by Eddie Gaudet, Concealed Identity rose to local prominence by winning Pimlico’s Federico Tesio Stakes. Two weeks later the Smarty Jones gelding was put to the test in the Preakness Stakes (G1), finishing tenth.

Three more stakes attempts left Concealed Identity still reeling without a win, so Gaudet opted to try him on the turf for the first time this afternoon. The result – a galloping 6-1/2 length victory in 1:39.79.

“We thought he would like it,” Gaudet said. “I don’t usually bet a lot of money but today I bet $50 on him to win. He is very fluid like a turf horse and we have been anxious to run him on the turf. He is a talented horse, confirmation wise, pedigree wise. He has a lot of class and he showed it today.”

Concealed Identity paid $7.00 to win, so his trainer pocketed $175.

PINO, VEGA, RODRIGUEZ BACK IN MARYLAND RIDING COLONY

The Maryland jockey colony gained more than 11,000 career victories when Mario Pino, Harry Vega and Erick Rodriguez returned to Maryland after spending the last five months riding at Presque Isle Downs in Pennsylvania.

Pino, who turned 50 last month, ranks 14th all-time with 6,382 victories, including nearly 5,000 at Laurel Park, Pimlico Race Course, Bowie Track and Timonium. The Ellicott City resident, who had two off the board finishes today, won his first race aboard Ed’s Desire on January 16, 1979 at Bowie.

“It is always good to come back,” said Pino, who rode Hard Spun to on the board finishes in the 2007 Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Breeders’ Cup Classic. “It felt good yesterday when I woke up and didn’t have to make the long drive to Erie.”

Pino became the 15th jockey in North America to win 6,000 races when he rode Pass Play, a horse trained by his brother Mike, to victory at Laurel on November 7, 2007. His next career goal is to land in the top 10 all-time before retiring. He is 89 wins away from passing Earlie Fires and moving into that elusive company.

“My goal has been to be in the top 10 all-time and it seems I am focusing on that more than any other milestone because when I hit it I am not going to ride again,” added Pino, who has surpassed 200 wins 11 times in his career. “I am still a lot of winners away but am whittling it down. I have never been one to look at stats but find myself glancing more now that this is a possibility.”

Vega captured his 3,916th career winner in his only mount of the afternoon (Torchme-$4.20-race 2). The 46-year-old has been a mainstay in the mid-Atlantic since 2000, after relocating from New England.

Rodriguez collected his 1,000th career victory at Presque Isle in late June. The 31-year-old has been a top 10 rider in the state of Maryland since 2003, including second place finishes in 2006, 2009 and 2010. This afternoon he rode I Am the King in the 8th race, his only mount on the card.

In his most recent, Lemon Juice posted a length triumph in the seven-furlong $100,000 Charles Town Juvenile on September 17. Previously, the son of Johannesburg ran second, beaten 3 ¼-lengths in a five-and-a-half-furlong allowance at Laurel Park on September 9.. On July 23, the Kentucky-bred conditioned by Dane Kobiskie broke his maiden going five-and-a-half-furlongs over the Colonial Downs turf. He has a career record of three wins, two seconds and a third from six starts, with earnings of $102,105. Lemon Juice will be part of the three horse PTK LLC coupling with Doe and Educator.

Brereton Jones’ Mr. Bowling will be stretching out and facing stakes competition for the first time. In his most recent, the son of Istan broke his maiden by 2 ½-lengths going six- furlongs at Delaware Park on August 22. In his only other career start, the Kentucky-bred conditioned by J. Larry Jones ran fourth in a six-furlong maiden at Delaware Park on August 1.

“He acts like a horse that wants to go on a little bit,” said Jones. “He acts like he wants to go longer. Although, he did his break his maiden in his second start going six-furlongs and laying close, but Jose (Caraballo) had to really ride him to keep him close. He is from the first crop Istan, so I really do not know a lot about them right now and I am still trying to get a line on him as a sire. There are several unknowns, but the horse acts like he wants to go long, so there is only one way to find out for sure.”

$75,000 Dover Stakes

For 2 -year-old

At One Mile and Seventy Yards

P#

PP

HORSE

OWNER

TRAINER

JOCKEY

Wg

ODD

1

5

Doe

PTK LLC

Dane Kobiske

Luis Colon

112

7-5

1a

7

Educator

PTK LLC

Dane Kobiske

Sarah Rook

117

7-5

1c

8

Lemon Juice

PTK LLC

Dane Kobiske

Alberto Delgado

117

7-5

2

1

Night Seeker

Hardin Farms

Steve Hobby

Abel Castellano Jr.

113

8-1

3

2

Hula Pie

Roman Hill Farm

Anthony Pecoraro

Joseph Rocco Jr.

117

12-1

4

3

Mr. Bowling

Brereton Jones

J. Larry Jones

Jose Caraballo

117

8-5

5

4

Scotchnwater

D. Scott Peck

D. Scott Peck

Brian Pedroza

113

15-1

6

6

Runnin Bull

Club Risque Stable

Randy Allen

TBA

115

5-1