There is a specific kind of patience required to ride the turf, a rhythmic understanding of the grass that separates the winners from the also-rans. On Friday at Laurel Park, Jorge Ruiz didn’t just find that rhythm—he dictated it. In a clinical display of turf mastery, the 40-year-old veteran swept three grass races, reminding the Maryland circuit that while youth often captures the headlines, experience remains the most valuable currency in the paddock.
Ruiz, a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina, arrived at the Preakness Meet with a reputation as a specialist, but his performance on Friday was a masterclass in versatility. From the explosive start of the opening race to a patient, rallying finish in the seventh, Ruiz navigated the complexities of the Laurel turf with a precision that seemed almost intuitive. It was a dominant afternoon that served as a fitting continuation of a career-defining trajectory.
While Ruiz stole the spotlight with his triple-victory, the day also served as a coronation for the next generation and the established elite. Yedsit Hazlewood, an 18-year-old phenom from Panama, officially secured the Laurel Park Spring Meet riding title, while Brittany Russell further cemented her status as the region’s powerhouse trainer. Together, these stories weave a broader narrative of resilience and dominance currently unfolding at one of the East Coast’s most storied tracks.
The Anatomy of a Turf Sweep
Ruiz’s afternoon began with an immediate statement of intent. Aboard the favored Sonic Sass, Ruiz surged to victory in the opening race of the Preakness Meet. The win, secured for trainer Jonathan Maldonado, set a high bar for the day and established a momentum that Ruiz refused to relinquish.
The second victory required a different set of tools: grit and positioning. Two races later, Ruiz placed Come to Mama in the “closest attendance” to the pacesetter, a strategic move that kept the horse within striking distance without burning early energy. As they hit the stretch, Ruiz surged to the lead, grimly fending off a late challenge from Casa Juanita to secure the win for trainer Sarah White.
The finale of his three-win streak came in the seventh race, where Ruiz demonstrated his ability to time a rally from the back of the pack. Riding River Tay, an Irish-bred mare, Ruiz waited for the perfect opening to sweep past the field. The victory marked the fourth consecutive win for River Tay and trainer Bruce Brown, underscoring a potent partnership between horse, trainer, and jockey.
This success is no fluke. Ruiz has carved out a niche as a premier grass rider, a skill set highlighted by his victory aboard No Show Sammy Jo in the Grade 3 Sheepshead Bay Stakes at Aqueduct on May 1. To date, all four of Ruiz’s career graded stakes wins have come on the turf, a statistic that speaks to his specialized expertise.
Resilience and the Rise of Yedsit Hazlewood
If Ruiz represents the seasoned veteran, Yedsit Hazlewood represents the unstoppable ascent of youth. The 18-year-old Panamanian claimed the Spring Meet riding title with 17 wins, edging out fellow apprentice Jose Vargas by two victories. Sheldon Russell and Forest Boyce followed in third, tied with nine wins each.
Hazlewood’s path to the title was not without its obstacles. The young rider missed several months of competition due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident—a setback that could have derailed a less determined athlete. Instead, Hazlewood returned to the saddle with a renewed intensity, posting 137 victories and earning $4,451,869 in 2025.
His trajectory suggests a rider destined for national prominence. After winning his first title last summer at the Maryland State Fair Meet in Timonium and dominating the Laurel Park Fall Meeting, Hazlewood entered 2026 as Maryland’s winningest jockey. Currently, he leads the national standings in total winners, managed by agent John DiNitale.
The Russell Dynasty and the Preakness Outlook
On the training side, the dominance of Brittany Russell remains the gold standard in Maryland. The 36-year-old trainer captured the Spring Meet title with 11 wins, comfortably outpacing Jamie Ness, who finished with eight. Russell’s consistency is staggering; her barn has surpassed 100 wins annually for the past four years and has maintained yearly earnings of at least $7.5 million over the last three seasons.
Russell’s success is built on a foundation of high-caliber talent, exemplified by the Maryland-bred Post Time, who captured both the General George and Carter Stakes in 2024 and finished second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. However, the current focus of the Russell stable is shifted toward the upcoming Preakness Stakes.
All eyes are on the undefeated Taj Mahal, who is expected to be a primary contender in the second leg of the Triple Crown series next Saturday. For Russell, who often celebrates her wins alongside her husband, jockey Sheldon Russell, and their children, Edy and Rye, the Preakness represents the pinnacle of the meet.
| Category | Leader | Stat | Runner-Up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jockey Title | Yedsit Hazlewood | 17 Wins | Jose Vargas |
| Trainer Title | Brittany Russell | 11 Wins | Jamie Ness |
| Turf Specialist | Jorge Ruiz | 3 Wins (Friday) | N/A |
Looking Ahead at the Track
The activity at Laurel Park continues with a nine-race card on Saturday, featuring “Value Pick 5” wagers with a reduced 12% takeout rate. For those looking to analyze the field, the Maryland Jockey Club provides a free “Laurel Park Handicapping Guide” available every race day, featuring trainer stats and track bias information.
Fans can follow the action via the Laurel Park YouTube channel for full replays or tune into “Today at the Races,” the morning handicapping show airing at 11 am ET on the Maryland Jockey Club X account.
The racing community now turns its attention to next Saturday’s Preakness Stakes, where the undefeated Taj Mahal will attempt to maintain a perfect record in one of horse racing’s most prestigious events.
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