Laurel Jocks Give New Crop Thumbs Up

Sheldon Russell | Sarah K Andrew

A new, cushioned riding crop designed by retired Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Dominguez was used during Thursday's live racing program at Laurel Park to positive reviews from the local jockey's colony. The Maryland Jockey Club purchased the first batch of 50 crops on behalf of its riders.

“So far, everything is good. We've had no complaints,” six-time Maryland meet champion Sheldon Russell said.

The new crop has a larger, cushioned padding at the end designed to have less impact on horses. Some Laurel riders began experimenting with it during a special Easter Monday program.

“It's a little bit of a different design than we're used to riding with, but the handle and the flexibility is very similar,” Russell continued. “As long as it's safer for the horses, we're all on board. We're trying to make it safer for the horses and safer for the game. We don't want any problems. Everything's good. The horses seem to be running; if anything, they're running a little bit faster, time-wise. Everything seems to be going smoothly, so onward and upward.”

Spring meet-leading rider Trevor McCarthy, Maryland's two-time overall champion, won Thursday's eighth race and said, “I really like it. I think it's great for the horses.”

 

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