Laurel River

A homebred of the famed Juddmonte Farms, Laurel River won his second career start in April 2021 by 4 ¼ lengths in a sparkling victory that also marked his 3-year-old bow. The Into Mischief colt followed with a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Lazaro Barera Stakes May 15, 2021, at Santa Anita. After an unplaced finish sprinting, Laurel River stretched out to a mile for his final start of the season and led every step of the way in an 11 ½-length romp.

Laurel River returned from 10 ½ months on the sidelines with a 4 ¾-length victory July 31, 2022, at Del Mar and next punched his ticket to the Big Ass Fans Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile with another runaway victory, this time dominating the opposition in the $250,000 Pat O’Brien Stakes Aug. 27.

Laurel River was scratched by veterinarians from competing in the BC Dirt Mile in fall 2022, and did not race in 2023. He was sent overseas by Juddmonte to the supervision of United Arab Emirates-based Bhupat Seemar and made his first start in January 2024 in that country, finishing seventh in a Group 3 stakes at Meydan Racecourse. The now 6-year-old improved in his next outing, romping in the Group 3 Burj Nahaar Sponsored by Emirates Skycargo, and then unleashed a career-best effort in the Group 1 Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline March 30, routing an accomplished field by 8 ½ lengths.

Laurel River is out of the Empire Maker mare Calm Water, a full-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Emollient.