Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – The second half of the Maryland racing season got under way Saturday with the start of the Laurel Park summer meeting. J.D. Acosta rode three winners from as many mounts on the nine-race card on a picture perfect afternoon. Live racing had been on hiatus in the state since May 22 at the conclusion of the Pimlico Race Course spring stand.

Acosta, a mainstay at Laurel, Pimlico, Timonium and Charles Town since 2002, scored with Brahma Queen ($9) for trainer Dale Capuano in the fourth and then had back-to-back victories for top client Chris Grove aboard Pleasant Beau ($19.40-fifth) and Night Q ($5.80-sixth).
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 Jerry Dzierwinski/Maryland Jockey Club
The opening day crowd cheers the horses as they run down the stretch Saturday at Laurel Park.
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“I love this place,” said Acosta, who ranks eighth nationally with 158 victories through the first seven months of the year. “A lot of people have told me to move on but the mid-Atlantic has been good to me. I am really happy how the owners and trainers have continued to give me a chance. They say the harder you work, the luckier you get. This is a combination of working hard and trying to do things the right way.”

The 11-day mini-meet will conclude Sunday, August 22, with live racing taking place on Friday (3:35 twilight post time), Saturday and Sunday for three consecutive weeks following opening weekend. First post for the weekend dates is 1:10 p.m.

Live racing dates for the stand are:

•July 31-Aug. 1

•Aug. 6-7-8

•Aug. 13-14-15

•Aug 20-21-22

Each day will feature promotions. Today’s festivities included live music from Sons of the Radio, a Laurel-based rock band.

At the conclusion of the meet, live racing shifts to Timonium for a seven-day state fair stand. The Laurel Park fall meeting will begin after the Labor Day holiday.