Quint’s Brew Secures Narrow Victory in Jennings Stakes

At Laurel Park on Saturday, Quint’s Brew showcased his determination and resilience as he narrowly edged out Blue Kingdom in the $100,000 Jennings Stakes. The race, which featured older runners bred or sired in Maryland or Virginia, saw Quint’s Brew secure a thrilling win by the slimmest of margins, marking his second consecutive victory in the Jennings Stakes.

This win was particularly significant for Quint’s Brew, who had previously claimed the 2025 edition of the Jennings Stakes with a six-length advantage. His performance in the $200,000 General George Stakes at Laurel further solidified his reputation as a top contender. Trainer Ned Allard expressed confidence in Quint’s Brew’s potential to defend his title in the upcoming General George Stakes on February 14.

“It was a good effort,” Allard said after the race. “He bobbled a little bit today, but it probably worked to his advantage.”

A Competitive Race with Strategic Moves

The early stages of the Jennings Stakes were filled with intense action. Blue Kingdom led from the rail through an opening quarter of 24.29 seconds, but was closely pursued by Maclean’s Rook. After a half-mile clocking of 47.10 seconds, Maclean’s Rook took the lead and maintained an inside position.

Blue Kingdom reengaged Maclean’s Rook from the outside after six furlongs in 1:11.72, setting up a private pace battle that allowed favored Quint’s Brew to remain in contention. Teenage riding phenom Yedsit Hazlewood, a finalist for the 2025 Eclipse Award for Outstanding Apprentice Jockey, demonstrated patience on Quint’s Brew until the eighth pole, when he angled outside for a clear run.

For a brief moment, it seemed as though Quint’s Brew would take the lead, but he hopped to his left lead and drifted out at an inopportune moment. Despite this setback, Hazlewood guided Quint’s Brew to a narrow victory, finishing just a nose ahead of Blue Kingdom after 1:37.37 on the fast track. Maclean’s Rook also performed admirably, finishing only three-quarters of a length behind Blue Kingdom.

Quint’s Brew’s Recent Challenges and Resilience

Quint’s Brew has faced several close calls in recent races. After winning last year’s General George Stakes, he lost two heartbreakers in graded company at Aqueduct. On April 5, he finished second, a neck behind, in the Grade 2 Carter Stakes. Twenty-nine days later, he again finished second, a half-length behind Bishops Bay, in the Grade 3 Westchester Stakes.

“He just got nailed on the money,” Allard said. Following the Westchester, Quint’s Brew took a break due to a minor issue, with Allard explaining, “We decided to give him a little time off because he had run very hard.”

Quint’s Brew made his return in the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes at Laurel on December 20, where he finished second, three lengths behind Slam Notion. Allard described the race as one of the worst racing luck he had experienced in a long time.

“That was the worst racing luck I’ve had in a long time,” Allard said. “He was sitting behind the three top horses, and when we looked to swing around them at the half-mile pole, [Bold Diversion] came up outside of him, and we had nowhere to go for nearly a quarter to three-eighths of a mile. The rider had to worry about clipping heels. He had a ton of horse. I think I ran the best horse, but the best horse doesn’t always win.”

Background and Legacy

Bred in Maryland by Paul Berube, Karen Linnell, and Spinnaker Hill Farm, Quint’s Brew is a 5-year-old Mosler full brother to stakes-placed turf router Touisset. Campaigned by Berube, Linnell, and Heather Hunter, Quint’s Brew has won five of nine starts, earning $421,240.

The Jennings Stakes honors William Jennings Sr., one of Maryland’s greatest horsemen, whose Glengar Farm was located six miles from historic Pimlico Race Course. Jennings bred, owned, and trained Dunboyne, the 1887 Preakness winner. His grandson, Henry S. Clark, followed in his footsteps and was inducted into the National Museum of Racing’s Hall of Fame in 1982.