Improving off his third-place finish in his last start on January 2 at Aqueduct, ROOKIEOFTHEYEAR found conditions to his liking this afternoon with a maiden-breaking score at Laurel Park. And it was a perfect day for a win photo – sunny with temperatures in the low 60s after a January that found us bundled against the bitter cold day after day!

Sycamore Hall Farm bred and owns the 3-year-old son of multiple graded stakes winner Madefromlucky, who stands at Northview Stallion Station in nearby Chesapeake City, Maryland. His dam is the First Samurai mare Freedom’s Flame, and here we go again with the recurring theme – Freedom’s Flame is also a former Herringswell trainee. Rookieoftheyear was ridden by Jorge Ruiz in today’s 1 1/16 mile contest on Laurel’s main track.

Congratulations to Michael Golden, Sycamore Hall Farm and Maryland-bred Rookieoftheyear!