Horse named after Markakis triumphs at Laurel Park

We all know Nick Markakis has some kind of glove. What about yesterday's diving grab at Fenway Park that kept Wei-Yin Chen's perfect game intact, or the game-saving grab at the wall at U.S. Cellular Field last month? Yep, Markakis can flash the leather.

But Markakis also has some pretty impressive closing speed.

What's that? You say Markakis has only stolen four bases this season, six in the last three seasons and has only reached double digits in swipes twice in his nine-year career? Or that Markakis can wheel it home from first on a double to the gap, but he doesn't exactly qualify as a blazer?

Maybe we're not talking about the same Markakis.

Markakis, a 2-year-old horse named after the Orioles right fielder, won the ninth race at Laurel Park yesterday, topping a field of 10. The first-time starter weaved through traffic, taking the lead on the outside near the sixteenth pole and beat Caboppo by 1 3/4 lengths. Horacio Karamanos was the winning jockey in the $40,000 race, a 5 1/2-furlong sprint on the turf.

The bay colt, trained by Robin Graham, went off at 13.20-to-1 and paid $28.40 to win, $14.20 to place and $6.80 to show. He won in 1:04.31. You can view the full race chart here.

"Now I have to get my (Nick) Markakis shirt," Graham joked.

Markakis is the son Greek Son, out of Alafair by Gentlemen. He's a Maryland-bred, born Feb. 18, 2012. Co-owners Graham and Mary Jones obiously have an affinity for the long-time Oriole.

The first-place finish netted them $26,790.

Here's video of the race, courtesy of the Maryland Jockey Club (a tip 'o the cap to Mike Gathagan, vice president of communications):

Photo courtesy of Jim McCue/Maryland Jockey Club