Fanniebellefleming springs upset in stakes at Laurel

Lee Christian’s Fanniebellefleming, cut back to sprinting off a disappointing effort at a mile last out, edged clear of favorite Kapalua Starlight in midstretch and pulled away to a 2¼-length victory in Saturday’s $50,000 Donna Freyer Stakes at Laurel Park. The Donna Freyer for 2-year-old fillies was one of two 6-furlong stakes for horses that spent at least 90 days in South Carolina between Jan. 1 and June 30 on the nine-race program, along with the $50,000 Christopher Elser for 2-year-olds. Known as the South Carolina Residency Races, the Freyer and Elser were created in 2005 and had been previously run at Parx Racing. Christian is a former president of the South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. Bred in Maryland by Mrs. J.W.Y. Martin Jr., Fanniebellefleming ($23.20) completed the distance in 1:12.28 over a fast main track for trainer Hamilton Smith. The 2year-old daughter of Freedom Child was raised at the Elloree Training Center in Elloree, S.C., that has been owned and operated since 1973 by Smith’s brother, Frank “Goree” Smith . ... Marathon Farms homebred Whirlin Curlin, racing over a fast main track for the first time following off-the-board finishes in the slop and on turf, rolled to the lead on the far turn and never looked back to upset the $50,000 Christopher Elser Memorial by 2½ lengths. Whirlin Curlin ($49.80) ran six furlongs in 1:11.73, giving fall meet-leading jockey Jevian Toledo his third win of the afternoon and trainer Gary Capuano his second straight Elser victory following O Dionysus in 2016. BOYS VARSITY CROSS COUNTRY: McDonogh senior Dalton Hengst finished fourth at the Foot Locker Cross Country Championships Northeast Regional at Van Cortlandt Park in New York. Hengst finished in 15 minutes, 39.2 seconds. He was less than seven seconds behind winner Tristan Shelgren of Boxford, Mass. MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Bowie State (2-4) defeated Augusta, 91-80, snapping a fourgame slide. Senior Ahmaad Wilson led five Bulldogs in double figure scoring with 22 points and sophomore Saiquan Jamison contributed 20 points. Senior Omari George had 15 points and redshirt sophomore David Belle chipped in 14 points in the win . ... Hood turned in its best defensive performance of the year in a 72-58 win over visiting Delaware Valley. The Blazers held the Aggies to just 31 percent shooting in the game and forced 27 turnovers. Nathaniel Christian had 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, four steals and two blocks . ... Senior Danzel Wright and junior Jaylin Johnson each finished with 29 points and six rebounds to lead Stevenson past Penn State Berks 113-83. WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: Junior Jonyae Curry (Westminster) led four Stevenson players in double figures with 17 points as the Mustangs downed Stevens 72-61. Curry finished 9-for-11 at the free throw line and also registered five rebounds and three steals for the Mustangs (2-2). Freshman Brandi Hall came off the bench to score 12 points, knocking down both of her 3-point attempts, while senior Kristine Tennyson was 5for-9 from the field and scored a career-best 11 points with six rebounds. Sophomore Hannah Crist went 3-for-5 from behind the arc and added 10 points. Freshman Morgan Jacobs finished with nine points. CONCUSSION SEMINAR: Health Quest Chiropractic & Physical Therapy will host a coach’s reception Dec. 14 designed to educate area high school and college coaches, trainers and athletic directors about how to recognize and treat postconcussion syndrome. Health Quest’s Dr. Sean Grady will present new protocols for the successful treatment of PCS at the Radisson Cross Keys in Baltimore from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. To register, call 410-356-9939. —