Virginians Take Over Laurel Park Sept. 13

The cooperative spirit between racing and breeding programs in the Mid-Atlantic region will be on full display Sept. 13 when Laurel Park in Maryland offers five stakes for horses bred and/or sired in Virginia.

The special card for Virginia-breds came about after the 2014 live race meet at Colonial Downs, the only Thoroughbred track in the state, was canceled. Each of the stakes for Virginia-bred and/or sired racehorses are scheduled for turf and carry a purse of $60,000 provided by the Virginia Thoroughbred Association.

Topping the field for the Brookmeade Stakes, a 1 1/16-mile grass test for fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, is Embarr, who won the race in 2011 and 2012 at Colonial Downs. Bred, owned, and trained by Susan Cooney, the 6-year-old daughter of Royal Academy carries top weight of 124 pounds as she seeks her first win since taking the Dahlia Stakes at Pimlico Race Course April 5.

With a career line of 28-8-1-0 and earnings of $321,959, Embarr is coming off a game fifth, only a length behind winner I'm Already Sexy, in the Modesty Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Arlington International Racecourse.

The Brookmeade also drew Big Lick Farm's Leda's Swan, who had a troubled trip before finishing second, a head behind Lady Olivia, in  the 2013 edition of the Brookmeade.

The Oakley Stakes, also for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs, is headed by Wardelle, the 2013 winner of the Pink Ribbon Stakes at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races. Now trained by Scott Lake for Home Team Stables, the 8-year-old Toccet   mare has won or placed in 29 of 62 starts and has bankrolled $393,631.

Back to defend his title in the Punch Line Stakes, also at 5 1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up, is John W. Tucker's Boltin' Out. Since taking the 2013 Punch Line at 7-10 odds, the 6-year-old Outflanker   gelding trained by Carlos Garcia has one win in nine starts, that coming in allowance/optional claiming company at Delaware Park last out Aug. 21.