LAUREL, Md.-When Eff Thirty-five mind his manners, he is a difficult horse to beat.
Unfortunately, Eff Thirty Five can be cantankerous, and jockey Sheldon Russell believes mischievous behavior has worked against him in recent races, most prominently in his last start of the summer at Colonial Downs on August 20.
“At Colonial he was erratic during the post parade,” Russell said. “He’s a big boy, playing around and never really focused. He made about four runs at me down the back. He clipped the heels, got eight wide, hit the front, [and] was everywhere.”
Despite his immature attitude that afternoon, Eff Thirty Five was defeated by only three-quarters of a length, indicating his upside potential.
This afternoon Eff Thirty Five woke up on the right side of the stall. He was Dr. Jekyll compared to the Mr. Hyde we saw at Colonial.
He was calm, cool and collected in the paddock, settling back into last position and then charging through the middle of the Bowl Game Turf Course to win the fifth race, a conditioned allowance of $56,000 for 3-year-olds and over at one mile.
“Today he was like a pony, and we have to keep him that way because then he runs,” Russell added. “It saves energy and is easier to drive.”
There Are No Words, a 10-time stakes-placed performer, predictably took the immediate lead under Kentucky Derby-winning rider Sonny Leon, posting splits of 24.41 and 48.06 seconds at the urging of multiple stakes winner Forever Souper. The pacer tried to sneak away through a fast third quarter in 23.62, but those exciting fractions cooked his chicken. Forever Souper eventually took the lead, but Russell had Eff Thirty Five in full flight and they narrowly shot under the wire.
Race favorite Forever Souper finished a neck behind and There Are No Words a further three quarters back in third place. Then came multi-stakes winner Fulmineo, Grade 2 winner Wow Whata Summer, stakes-placed Hunter Joe and stakes-placed Hittheroadjak. Feeling Woozy and quick to accuse scratched.
Eff Thirty Five ran the mile in 1:35.72 at brisk speed and paid $8.80 as second choice in the betting.
“He was nice and laid back,” Russell noted. “He’s probably further back than I wanted, but when he ran into the first corner he was just off the bridle. I got him going a little too early, and it was a question of whether I would get there in time. He came running across the line. I couldn’t really pull him up. I had to jog him home because he ran away with me. [on the way] back. Cool horse.”
That’s high praise from Russell, who originally wanted nothing to do with Eff Thirty Five.
“I didn’t want to ride him,” he said after the four-year-old gelding won in similar fashion here on April 12. “I knew I couldn’t control him. I saw him in the morning. I saw some of his other races. I said [to wife and trainer Brittany Russell] not to appoint me. [Jevian] Toledo, Victor [Carrasco], [anyone but me].”
Eff Thirty Five was bred in Pennsylvania by Equivine Farm and was purchased as a yearling by Stuart Grant’s The Elkstone Group for $62,000. He is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Newstome and stakes winner Miss You Ella. The third dam, Hollywood Wildcat, won the Breeders’ Cup Distaff.
“I think it’s the Yoshida,” Brittany Russell said of Eff Thirty Five’s father after the April 12 win. “I think I’ve heard other people say they’re just a bit tense. He’s doing really well at Fair Hill because he’s being turned out, and they’re doing great with him there. He’s just a bit of a pain, and he’s a big, strong horse, so when you put all that together…”
Eff Thirty Five has won six times from 17 starts and earned $213,607.
Petingas Twin comes from mild upset in race ten
Twin Petings. (Jim McCue/TMJC)
Since receiving $20,000 for his career debut at Churchill Downs in 2023, Petinga’s twins hinted at potential.
He reached the board in his first three starts for trainer Anthony Farrior, graduating 9 ¼ lengths in a maiden special weight at 5 ½ furlongs, and winning three consecutive races at three different tracks in the spring and summer of 2024.
Since the last win during that stretch, a second-level allowance at Laurel on July 21, 2024, Petinga’s Twin has suffered an eight-race losing streak, with some handicappers wondering if he would ever break through to the next level.
Petingas Twin answered that question affirmatively in today’s eighth race, a $56,000 conditional allowance for 3-year-olds and above at six furlongs, beating a good quality field in a fast time of 1:09.89 on the fast track.
Ridden by the meet’s leading jockey, teenage student Yedsit Hazlewood, Petingas Twin ran arguably the best for a lifetime. He broke nicely, secured the inside to be able to press a three-length pace with multiple stakes winner No Cents and stakes-placed SS Sinatra, was pushed back slightly entering the turn, immediately recovered to chase No Cents with a three-wide bid, then ran past nicely to prevail by three lengths on the fast track.
Paradise Valley started for second, 3 ½ lengths ahead of stakes winner Sunny Breeze. Stakes winner Karan’s Notion, SS Sinatra, No Cents were next, followed by favorite Grade 3 winner Dean Delivers. Faster Gator, Seven’s Eleven, Northern Flame and Worcester scratched
Petingas Twin paid $11.60 as sixth choice in the seven-horse field.
Petingas Twin, a four-year-old gelding by Take Charge Indy, was bred in Kentucky by Mesingw Farm. His third mother, Summer Colony, was a Class 1-winning millionaire.
Petingas Twin was purchased as a yearling for $52,000 and started once for Steve Asmussen before being claimed by Farrior on behalf of owner James C. Wolf.
He has won five times from 19 starts for earnings of $228,086.
Around the track … … …. …..
Jockey Horacio Karamanos rode two peat winners on Sunday’s card when he rallied late aboard Luca Machine ($9.40) in the opener, and on Amie’s Symphony ($6.80) in the ninth race…
Live racing resumes Friday immediately 10-race program. The first post time is 12:10 PM ETand they are there two “Value selection 5” bets, each with a low 12% takeaway rate…
Laurel Park proudly hosts the “Craft Beer Festival” on Saturday October 25. Enjoy the best of local Maryland craft brewing on our Trackside Apron. For more information, visit https://www.laurelpark.com/craftbeer/
