Carrasco places fifth, fourth at Laurel Park in return to racing

After a serious leg injury that kept him away from racing for more than nine months, journeyman jockey Victor Carrasco made his return to competition Sunday at Laurel Park. Carrasco, 25, the Eclipse Award-winning apprentice of 2013 who has ranked among Maryland’s top riders since his arrival from Puerto Rico in March of that year, finished fifth on Jonathan Maldonado- trained Mythos in Race 5, a $17,000 claiming event for 3-yearolds and up going 7 furlongs on the main track. One race later, Carrasco finished fourth aboard Another Broad for trainer Mike Trombetta in a $33,000 waiver maiden claiming event for fillies and mares ages 3 and up going 6 furlongs on the main track. The races were the first for Carrasco since breaking the fibula and tibia in his right leg in a five-horse spill Sept. 14, 2017 at Delaware Park. The injury required surgery and rehabilitation that only allowed him to get back on horses for the first time May 22. “Right now, I’m feeling very tired. But it’s part of the game, coming from so long not riding but it feels great to be back out there and hear everybody cheering for me and happy to see me. It was good,” Carrasco said. MORE HORSE RACING: Also on Sunday’s card, Lucky 7 Stables’ G’s Warrior ($8.20) swept into a contending position on the far outside and chased first-time starter and 3-2 pacesetting favorite Helen through the stretch to get her nose down on the wire and win Race 3, a $33,000 waiver maiden claimer for 2-year-old fillies. Ridden by Xavier Perez, the chestnut daughter of Majestic Warrior ran 5 furlongs in 59.25 seconds. Live racing returns to Laurel Park with a 10-race program Friday that begins at 1:10 p.m. ... Defending champions Special Envoy, Queen Caroline and Do What I Say are among 112 nominations to a quartet of $75,000 stakes restricted to Virgina-bred/sired horses hosted by Laurel Park Saturday. The one-mile Edward Evans and 5½-furlong White Oak Farm for 3-year-olds and up, and the one-mile Nellie Mae Cox and 5½-furlong M. Tyson Gilpin for fillies and mares 3 and older will be contested over Laurel’s world-class turf course. MAJOR LEAGUE LACROSSE: Goalkeeper Niko Amato (Maryland) stopped 15 shots to spearhead an impressive defensive performance as the Chesapeake Bayhawks began an extended homestand on a positive note by beating the Atlanta Blaze, 9-6, on Saturday night before an announced 3,974 at NavyMarine Corps Memorial Stadium. Veteran attackman Steele Stanwick (Johns Hopkins, Loyola Blakefield) scored four goals for Chesapeake (6-2), which won its fifth straight game. Attackman Matt Danowski, a United States national team member, added a goal and four assists as the Bayhawks outscored the Blaze 4-1in the fourth quarter. Rookie Stephen Kelly (Calvert Hall) captured some clutch faceoffs down the stretch for Chesapeake, which took a big step toward reaching the postseason for the first time since capturing the MLL championship in 2013. Midfielder Deemer Class (Loyola Blakefield) scored three goals to lead Atlanta (3-5), who have lost three straight. OBSTACLE RACE: Tyler Mccredie captured the men’s elite title with a time of 39 minutes, 38 seconds, while Tiffany Palmer earned the top prize on the women’s side with a time of 50:42 at the Maryland International Raceway for the Spartan Washington D.C. Sprint on Saturday. On the men’s podium, David Magida was second and Lefty Kapanadze third. Laura Cummings and Imogen Cross rounded out the women’s top three, earning second and third, respectively. The course featured miles of technical terrain, steep elevation and obstacles. LOCAL GOLF: With a gross total of 35, Vic and Ryan Roy won the traditional division of the Father’s Day Tournament at The Golf Club at South River. Steven and Jameson Valladares had the best net score (gross score minus handicap) in the traditional division ( just fathers and sons) with 33. In the open division (other combinations of relatives), John and Summer Stroop had a gross score of 38 to win, while Jim and Aiden Oddis placed first in net score with 34. BASEBALL CAMP: UMES is hosting a Nike baseball camps July 8-11 on campus in Princess Anne for ages 9-18. Registration is openfor both overnight and extended day campers. New Hawks coach Brian Hollamon will lead the Nike camp that is managed by U.S. Sports Camps. To register, go to USSportsCamps.com or call 1-800-645-3226. BASEBALL: The regular meeting of Talkin’ Baseball will take place July 7 at 9 a.m. at Brighton Gardens, 7110 Minstrel Way, Columbia. The speaker will be Ken Mars, whowill discuss his book, “Baltimore Baseball: First Pitch to First Pennant, 1858-1894.” Call 410-992-1186 for details. —