Smokin Nitro wins his Md. debut at Laurel

Smokin Nitro, patiently brought along since his debut this spring, earned his sixth win from nine starts in his Maryland debut with a front-running upset of Friday’s feature race at Laurel Park. Ridden by Angel Suarez for trainer Jamie Ness, Smokin Nitro ($15.60) covered 51⁄ furlongs in 1 minute, 2.84 seconds over a Kelso turf course rated good to win by a length over Dubini, favored at 4-5 favorite in the open $55,000 entry-level allowance for 3-year-olds that drew a field of seven. In other action Friday, Gary and Mary West’s Astounding ($4.80) was a gate-to-wire winner in Race 7, a $45,000 second-level optional claiming allowance for 3-year-olds and up, going 11⁄ miles in 1:43.14 over the Kelso layout; and Mark Grier’s Gotham Gala ($5.60) was a popular winner of Race 8, a $42,000 entry-level allowance for fillies and mares 3 and older. The winning time was 1:10.62 for 6 furlongs over a fast main track. Jockey Trevor McCarthy visited the winner’s circle three times Friday, aboard Salt Pond ($5) in the fifth race, Astounding ($4.80) in the seventh and Silver Dagger ($4.60) in the 10th. COLLEGES: Frank Culotta of Baltimore will receive the 2018 Loyalty Award from Villanova University today. Culotta was a member of the varsity football team in 1960, 1962 and1963, starting at left tackle during his senior year. He graduated in 1964 with a degree in economics and has remained active as an alumnus, serving for a time as a board member of the Villanova University Varsity Club. VARSITY FOOTBALL: Broadneck’s Rob Harris was named Ravens High School Coach of the Week. On Oct. 19, the Bruins defeated Meade, 27-7, to improve their record to 8-0 and remain the only undefeated program in Anne Arundel County. WHEELCHAIR RUGBY: The 5th annual Maryland Crab Pot Tournament will be held today and Sunday at the Havre de Grace Parks & Recreation Activity Center at 351 Lewis Lane in Havre de Grace. The Maryland Mayhem, the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute’s wheelchair rugby team, is hosting the competition. Five teams from Washington, Northern Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania will take part in the two-day tournament. There will be games from 9:15 a.m. to 6:15 p.m. today and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday. MAJORLEAGUESOCCER: D.C. United defender Kofi Opare underwent surgery to repair the peroneal tendon in his left foot. Opare, who appeared in 11 games this season, is expected to recover in four to five months. WOMEN’S SOCCER: Washington Spirit midfielder Rose Lavelle, midfielder Andi Sullivan and forward Mallory Pugh were named to the U.S. national team squad for the team’s games against Portugal in Lisbon on Nov. 8 against Scotland in Paisley on Nov, 13. —