Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Staff report

For the first time in 2016, grass races are scheduled at Laurel Park.

The track has two turf races slated for Friday’s card.  Race seven is a $7,500 starter allowance for older fillies and mares, with a $25,000 purse, going one mile on the turf.  And race nine is a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint for $16,000 maiden claiming fillies and mares.

The two turf races have drawn a combined total of 22 horses, with 10 in the starter allowance and a dozen in the maiden test.  No other race on the card has drawn as many as 10 runners.

Though there are no grass races in the current condition book, the track added three as extras on the overnight.  Turf races are in the book which begins April 1, and if last year is any guideline, fans, bettors, and horsemen can expect to see plenty of grass in the coming months.