Laurel shipper Hometown Bound finds home at Turfway to win Prevue
Turfway Park stakes recap by publicist Kevin Kerstein (Coady Media photo of Hometown Bound winning the Turfway Prevue under Victor Carrasco).
FLORENCE, Ky. (Saturday, Jan. 3, 2026) – Colts Neck Stables’ Hometown Bound remained unbeaten as he cruised to a 1 ¼-length victory as the heavy 2-5 favorite in Saturday’s 31st running of the $123,750 Turfway Prevue at Turfway Park Racing & Gaming.
Trained by Jorge Duarte Jr., Hometown Bound completed 6 ½ furlongs in 1:18.27 under jockey Victor Carrasco.
Immediately out of the gate, Shipmate and Hometown Bound showed a quick turn of foot and dueled for the lead. However, as they crossed over to the main track, Hometown Bound moved clear of his fellow 3-year-old rival and completed a quarter-mile in :22.85. As the field approached the three-furlong marker, longshot Blessed Warrior punched through an opening at the rail inside Shipmate but had to reel in Hometown Bound, who cruised an uncontested half-mile in :46.72. At the top of the lane, Carrasco kept Hometown Bound to task in the two path and moved clear of the field to the wire.
Trendsetter, who had a slow beginning, nailed Blessed Warrior at the line for second. They were followed by Shipmate and Sometime.
With his win in the Turfway Prevue, Hometown Bound earned his connections $77,000 to boost his overall mark to $105,200. The $350,000 OBS March purchase is now a perfect 2-for-2. Hometown Bound shipped to Turfway shortly after winning his debut at Laurel Park by three lengths, coming into the Prevue off three strong works over the Tapeta surface.
Hometown Bound is a gray son of Mitole out of the stakes-winning mare Youngest Daughter. He was bred in Kentucky by G. Watts Humphrey Jr., Vicki Oliver and G. Watts Humphrey III.
Live racing at Turfway Park resumes Wednesday for the start of a four-day week with daily first posts of 5:55 p.m. ET. For the latest information about racing and gaming, visitwww.turfway.com.
