In a Laurel Park race named for one of American racing's most versatile greats, Give It a Whirl showed the same virtue in victory.

Jockey Jose Bautista utilized the Hard Spun colt's natural speed to control all the pace to win Sunday's Bald Eagle S., originally scheduled for turf. Give It a Whirl won his first two career starts going short yet proved he's also adept carrying his speed further.

The Cathal Lynch trainee's 3yo's return to form enabled dam Chic Thrill to join the ever-growing list of Smart Strike's stakes-producing daughters. The Sam-Son Farm homebred out of Catch the Thrill (A.P. Indy) was acquired by Greg and Carolyn Bentley for $300,000 carrying Give It a Whirl at 2021 Keeneland January.

Hard Spun has 41 yearlings catalogued in the upcoming Keeneland September Sale.