Race 1: 4yo and Upward, Maiden Claiming $10,000. 7 Furlongs.
6 – Telecommunication ran well in his last two starts for Englehart, recovering from bad steps and making a late bid to just miss in his last. He stretches back out to 7 furlongs; last time he was at this distance, he gave way to tougher $20k maidens. Sharp right now, and potential lone speed.
3 – Uncle Shaggy improved on the drop to $16k company in his last start, but that was nearly five months ago at Fort Erie. Further class relief and respectable works encourage, but the uptick in distance is something of a question mark for this stalker-closer.
7 – Orient Point set a healthy enough pace at this distance on Dec. 7, but gave way after maintaining a clear lead to the quarter pole. He loses Russell, but could benefit from a lack of other pace and shades of front-running ability.
Race 2: 4yo and Upward, Claiming $5,000-N3L. 1-1/16 Miles.
5 – Vicar’s Chalice seeks a third straight win at 1-1/16 miles after running on late to overcome road trouble and reach in each of his last two. Solid closer has thrived over this long stretch, and he’s rounding into form sharply with the aid of apprentice Adrian Flores.
1 – Super Vision should be able to perch close to the pace with the short run to the first turn, and he’s consistently stayed on for minors since dropping to the $5k level. McCarthy and Lynch both boast solid strike rates, and this one’s stout late bid last out encourages on the stretch back to two turns.
3 – Watch Your Words almost kept a bid alive in a near miss at this level six back at Monmouth. Since, he’s earned money in four of five tries at the level. Now he stretches back to two turns. Minor option in what feels like a more manageable group.
Race 3: 4yo and Upward, Maiden Claiming $10,000. 7 Furlongs.
4 – Phantom Spot gained belatedly in an overflow Boxing Day event, and now gets an extra furlong to strut his stuff. There’s much less risk of traffic trouble for this one who’s been carried wide in recent outings.
5 – Zephyr Train showed potential in his most recent lines others in the field simply have lacked, but he’s been out of action for ten months. Russell lands aboard, but there are red flags despite a steady stream of decent works leading to this outing.
2 – Watchmeneighneigh improved some in his last, but still petered out badly after surging clear from post 9 and controlling sensible fractions early in that two-turn race on Dec. 31. He wheels back on just 10 days of rest, and the cut back and class relief both can aid. Potential long shot candidate.
Race 4: F&M 4yo and Upward, Claiming $8,000. 1 Mile.
3 – Bring Me Answers earned a win at this distance and tag two back, and was claimed from Edward Maher out of that race. She drops back to winning circumstances after an extended duel over two turns and $12.5k foes led to late regression. Last year, she hit the board in two-thirds of her starts!
5 – Lonely Drifter won going away while ridden out in a beaten $16k field on Oct. 27 that was removed from the turf. Last out, she was elevated to first after being bumped amid a stretch duel. Clearly capable, but at what price? Forgive her Nov. 18 line against tougher allowance company.
8 – Viva Nevada invades from Parx after threading an inside seam to win on Dec. 29. That being said, one-mile races go around only one turn at Laurel, and the long stretch can sometimes prove tiring. Solid enough minor option if price holds true.
Race 5: 3yo Fillies, Maiden Claiming $25,000. 6 Furlongs.
This is a headscratcher and any of these could jump up for the victory
Race 6: 3yo Fillies, Maiden Claiming $50,000. 7 Furlongs.
7 – Alluring Prospect turned in a credible debut, chasing the winner in a $40k event on Dec. 22 over muddy going. She stretches out another furlong; staying power is of no concern despite flat works leading up to that debut outing.
5 – The Factor’s Fact fired a couple bullets leading up to this debut outing. While Jenkins is only 7% with first-time starters, he’s hitting at 20% overall and 18% in maiden claimers.
4 – Lucky Dilly has been no worse than fourth in six starts on dirt, and has generally taken a liking to Laurel since arriving in the Mario Serey barn in November. She’s earned two seconds and a fourth in three tries; cut back in distance can aid.
Race 7: 3yo, Claiming $12,500-N2L. 1 Mile.
6 – Vorian broke his maiden for $25k on Nov. 9 over six furlongs, but kept more or less even over a one-turn mile against optional claiming company in his first try against winners. Now he’s in for a more reasonable tag after chasing evenly down the grandstand side in his last.
1 (POE) – Vegas Tycoon broke his maiden for $20k on Dec. 2 in convincing fashion, but stretches out to his longest race thus far. To his credit, he rallied steadily into a no-match second against $65k maidens at Gulfstream last summer. The stretch to a mile is the big variable.
3 – M G Broker drops in for his lowest tag to date after breaking maiden for $40k at Parks in September and failing to fire against tougher twice for new trainer Claudio Gonzalez. Class relief is massive, but the stretch to a flat mile is a major variable given it’s hard to assess his Nov. 17 line against far tougher.
Race 8: F&M 4yo and Upward, Allowance N2X, Opt. Clm. $35,000. 1-1/16 Miles.
2 – Riley’s Choice was a wire-to-wire winner in a restricted stakes event on Sept. 29 in what was her first start on dirt in over a year. She held her own in allowance company as a 3-year-old, as well. There’s plenty to like about her.
4 – Moon Virginia rallied to reach for $25k three back, and since closed into third twice at this level. She remains at this class via the optional tag, and her stout closing bid two back over this distance encourages greatly.
5 – Bodega Bay swung four-wide to upset at 14-1 over this distance two back in an easier group, and since mustered an even finish over the slop in a starter handicap. Tougher do await, but she’s back to two turns after a solid enough workout on Sunday morning.
Race 9: F&M 4yo and Upward, Claiming $5,000-N1/6m. 1 Mile.
Since I’m not a fan of backing chalk, I’ll sit this one out.
10 – Splendor Gal won solidly on the drop to the $5k level on Boxing Day after an even but non-threatening outing against $12.5k types on Nov. 30. She won at the distance in a $16k for non-winners of two on Sept. 8, so the ability is definitely there. The downside: value is bound to take a hit.