Alwaysmining putting streak on line at Laurel

Runnymede Racing’s Alwaysmining, a winner of three straight including back-to-back stakes, will look to continue his upward progression as the 7-5 program favorite in Saturday’s $100,000 Miracle Wood at Laurel Park. The 1-mile Miracle Wood for 3-year-olds and the $100,000 Wide Country for 3year-old fillies at 7 furlongs are among five stakes, two graded, worth $800,000 in purses on a 10-race Winter Carnival program that includes the $100,000 John B. Campbell presented by Fidelity First for older horses. Serving as Winter Carnival co-headliners are the 67th running of the $250,000 Barbara Fritchie (G3) for fillies and mares 4 and older and the 43rd renewal of the $250,000 General George (G3) for 4-year-olds and up, both at 7 furlongs. First race post time is 12:30 p.m. In addition to live racing, Saturday’s program will include ice sculptures, an ice carving demonstration, an ice wall with $3,000 in prizes and Tech Glove giveaway with program purchase, while supplies last. ... Uriah St. Lewis owned-and-trained Discreet Lover, 45-1 upset winner of the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) last fall, will open his 6-year-old campaign as the topweight and 3-1 program favorite for the John B. Campbell. Purchased for $10,000 by St. Lewis at Fasig-Tipton’s 2015 Midlantic auction of 2-year-olds in training held at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium, Discreet Lover is taking advantage of a Maryland Jockey Club policy initiated for 2019 waiving the entering and starting fees for any Grade 1 winner in the past 12 months that runs in an MJC stakes, excluding the 144th Preakness (G1) May18 at Pimlico Race Course. Discreet Lover was last seen finishing eighth, beaten 7½ lengths by 2018 older male champion Accelerate, in the Breeders’ Cup