To be precise (and quote the chart), CINDER BLOCK “dug in stubbornly the final furlong” to win his Laurel Park allowance this afternoon. The weather forced the race – originally carded as 9 furlongs on the grass – on to the main track. With regular partner Jorge Ruiz aboard, Cinder Block earned his second win from six career starts.

Unraced at 2, he debuted this year in a maiden special weight at Keeneland on April 14, finishing third with Jorge. He followed that up with a second in the same conditions at Pimlico on Black-Eyed Susan Day, May 17. His third time was the charm, breaking his maiden at Laurel Park on June 29.

Stepping up next in Laurel’s Bald Eagle Derby on August 4, he earned black type coming in third. His only disappointing effort came in a Saratoga allowance three weeks later (the only time Jorge was not in the saddle!) Reunited with his preferred pilot today, Cinder Block was back in the winner’s circle.

The 3-year-old bay colt is a homebred for the late Albert Frassetto and runs in the name of his estate. He is by Blame out of multiple stakes winner Zucchini Flower. Congrats to his connections on today’s score!