Mike Gathagan
Vice President-Communications
Maryland Jockey Club

LAUREL, Md. – A good stakes always sparks interest when enough promising fillies show up and this is the case in Saturday’s Wide Country at Laurel Park.

At the top of the 3-year-old class are Judge Sonya and Gator Prowl, multiple winners with stakes credentials. Ben Perkins sends Judge Sonya (5-2) from New York, where most recently she finished a good third in the Busanda Stakes and a strong second in the Dearly Precious Stakes, both at Aqueduct. Leading rider Erick Rodriguez has the mount.

Gator Prowl (3-1) owns the six-furlong stakes record after winning the Marshua Stakes on President’s day in wire-to-wire fashion, her third win in a row for trainer John Salzman, Jr. and jockey Harry Vega. The daughter of Roar of the Tiger is a perfect four-for-four at Laurel and set a track record for 4-1/2 furlongs in her debut last April.

“She came out of the race fine and is doing super,” Salzman said. “The seven-eighths (distance) concerns me a little and I also considered the Grade 3 Cicada next weekend in New York at three-quarters but there isn’t much speed in this race so this looks like a good spot. If she gets a fairly easy first quarter and through the half (mile), I think she’ll go on.”

Jim’s Prospect (7-2) has been the victim of Gator Prowl’s success, finishing second with good efforts in the Marshua and an allowance race on Jan. 29. Vladimir Diaz rides the daughter of St Averil for trainer J.B. Secor.

On New Year’s day That’s How I Roll (6-1) became a stakes winner against Maryland-breds with a front running victory in the Maryland Filly Championship. Kiaran McLaughlin thinks enough of her to ship her to Laurel again from Belmont. McLaughlin has won the last two runnings of the Wide Country with Armonk (2008) and Saarlight (2009).

Imanheiress (6-1) defeated Jim’s Prospect here last November and brings an undefeated record into the Wide Country. Travis Dunkelberger has been aboard the daughter of Smoke Glacken for all three wins and retains the mount for trainer Rodney Jenkins.

Completing the field are You Need Me (12-1), Insurance Money (15-1), For Royalty (15-1) and Lily Quatorze (30-1).