It was a terrific way to kick of a busy Fall Sunday afternoon. Madaket Stables LLC’s SANDERSON was sharp and professional in Laurel Park’s opener this afternoon going 1 1/16th miles on the All Along turf course. He and jockey Kevin Gomez broke alertly had the lead first time under the wire, a position they never relinquished.

They led the tightly-bunched field of ten 2-year-old colts all the way down the backstretch and through the final turn, Sanderson ears-up most of the way. From the quarter pole, the flashy Mortal Sin powered down the stretch on the outside and offered a strong challenge, but you could actually see Sanderson catch sight of that rival and kick into a higher gear “to prove best, driving” by 1 1/4 lengths.

The son of Collected was bred in Kentucky by the late Governor Brereton C. Jones, whose Airdrie Stud stands the popular young stallion. Sanderson’s dam is the Kitten’s Joy mare Silent Joy. Madaket Stables LLC just purchased him in June at the OBS Two-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age sale.

Congratulations to Madaket, and thank you to Kevin Gomez for another winning ride!