Photo by Jerry Dzierwinski/Maryland Jockey Club

She was making her fifth start in the United States, coming to us late last December. After knocking on the door in three of those previous four starts, EIDIKOS (GB) made her presence known today with a decisive score at Laurel Park under Jorge Ruiz.

It’s been a weekend of turf celebrations here in the Mid-Atlantic. Colonial Downs hosted the biggest day in Virginia’s Thoroughbred racing history yesterday with their Festival of Racing. On that card were three graded stakes formerly run at Arlington Park: the Secretariat-G2, Beverly D.-G1 and the Arlington Million-G1. Today, Laurel offered the first weekend of its August Turf Festival.

Perfectly positioned by Jorge, Eidikos (GB) enjoyed a trouble-free trip in her 1 1/8 mile allowance on the grass. The pair skimmed the rail until the top of the stretch when Jorge eased to the two path and made his move. Getting the lead near the 1/16th pole, Eidikos (GB) sprinted away from the rest of the field and won by 2 1/4 lengths.

The 4-year-old filly was bred in England by Ropsley Bloodstock and St. Alban’s Bloodstock. She is by the Kodiac (GB) stallion Ardad (IRE) out of Elpida, by Giant’s Causeway. And you’ve seen those fawn-colored silks before. Among the horses trained by Graham for owner Andrew Stone were graded stakes winners Strathnaver (GB) and Mrs. Sippy.

Congratulations to Mr. Stone on this latest win today!