Race 1: 4yo and Upward, Claiming $12,500-N2L. 5-1/2 Furlongs
.2 – Top Czar easily broke maiden for $25k on Sept. 22. After a long spell, he came back in an optional claiming race in which he pushed a solid pace over the slop before weakening. Far easier await, and Motion’s winning at 18%.
3 – Great Nation closed well to hit the board two and four back, overcoming sloppy going on Oct. 11. I’m inclined to toss his Dec. 30 line against allowance runners; this group is far more to his liking.
5 – Poplar Avenue was on or near the lead in two runner-up finishes at this level or slightly tougher in the fall. He’s earned money in seven straight races, all at this level or tougher. He seems among the strongest of the front-runners.
Race 2: F&M 4yo and Upward, Claiming $5,000-N2L. 1 Mile.
1 – Dancingwithpaynter cuts back to one turn after overcoming tight quarters at the start to save a no-match second at this level on New Year’s Eve. With clearer sailing two back, she pressed and chased into a narrow lead before giving way. As strong as they come in this group; clearly the one to beat.
6 – Congrats Graduate showed some potential at a flat mile in the fall, rallying to hit the ticket in $16k events that were taken off the turf. She stretches back out off a six-wide stretch bid to pass struggling foes; the added ground could play out to her advantage.
3 – Arbutus makes her third start for trainer Timothy Vick after failing to sustain a pressing effort in a restricted stake and faltering amid an early bid in her last. Adrian Flores represents a significant uptick in ability in the irons. For the deeper minors, this race is wide open.
Race 3: 3yo Fillies, Claiming $12,500. 1 Mile.
5 – Just a Whim broke maiden on the Delaware turf last July before an even stakes effort at Monmouth. The stretch in distance and cut back in class will likely improve her staying ability, and she gains McCarthy, too. Very live long shot!
1 (POE) – Caterina One won two of her last three races by a combined 9-1/4 lengths, and they were both at the $12.5k tag or higher! She’s part of the favored entry, yes, but a big variable hangs in the balance: she stretches out from six furlongs to tackle a mile for the first time ever. Judge value accordingly.
3 – Full of Drama broke maiden at Penn National last month in her first try at a mile on dirt. While the one-turn mile at Laurel is less kind to front-running types, she is proven over the distance whereas a number of others simply aren’t.
Race 4: F&M 4yo and Upward, Claiming $8,000-N1/6m. 6 Furlongs.
9 – Little United seeks a third straight win after reeling off two at the $5k level for Anthony Farrior. After a late surge landed her in victory on Dec. 22, she wired similar on New Year’s Day. Over half the field is rising from $5k events, so the class hike on paper is somewhat deceptive.
2 – Slewzer was a solid $5k runner all fall, reeling off six straight top-three finishes at Laurel and Delaware Park. Apprentice Brittany Scampton claims a 10-pound break on her first mount aboard the 4-time winner.
1 (POE) – Leapt drops out of restricted allowance events at Penn National and below her most recent winning tag on arrival. This is her second start back since February, and while she is capable of turning around on the drop, the fact it’s a fairly severe step down gives some pause. Be mindful of value.
Race 5: F&M 4yo and Upward, Claiming $5,000-N2L. 7 Furlongs.
1 – Girl Drama aims for the winner’s circle after her first two attempts over this surface have resulted in third and second place efforts in this class but at the distances of 6-1/2 furlongs and one mile. In her mile effort on Dec. 19, she held the lead in the lane but weakened prior to hitting the wire to snag the show spot as the even-money favorite. On Dec. 29, she bobbled at the break and closed nearly five-wide to get up for second. She switched to the barn of the meet’s leading trainer, Caudio Gonzalez, two starts back and this will be her third start at what could be her preferred distance.
5 – Corvid Although she has yet to collect a victory at this facility, she rates a strong chance in this position after competing against much tougher.The drop in class and cutback in distance should suit her well.
10- Animalistic Another that has not been racking up wins, but her first start of the season over a sloppy surface at Penn National on Jan. 5 at 5-1/2 furlongs yielded a very competitive placing. She also has proven to be a strong performer at Laurel Park with a 4-1-1-1 record. She could, however, be hampered by the outside post position.
Race 6: F&M 3yo and Upward, Starter Handicap. 5-1/2 Furlongs.
1 – Miss Jak closed stoutly to just miss S W Briar Rose in a similar event on Dec. 14, but now gets an extra two pounds of relief and another 110 yards of ground to work with. She was a driving winner in going-away fashion on Nov. 16, and her connections are mighty strong. Mild upset opportunity awaits.
7 – Bye Bye Blues won five of her last six races and six of 10 in her career. After soundly wiring $8k starter company on Nov. 16, she similarly beat local second-level allowance company in the slop. Joint high weight retains Hamilton for longtime Laurel kingpin Dale Capuano.
2 – S W Briar Rose seeks a fourth straight win after keeping Miss Jak and Polite Pearl at bay last time out, but she’s been assigned a high 125 pounds on account of her recent success. Capable presser-stalker will have to endure pressure from #3, #4 and #7.
Race 7: 4yo and Upward, Claiming $8,000. 6 Furlongs.
3- Young American is currently riding a four-race win streak, albeit at a lesser level, is two for two at this distance and sports strong showings at Laurel Park regularly. The bump in class is not excessive and should be easily handled. Strong favorite in this spot.
5 – Took Over is an extremely strong contender in this event as he has been racing against much better and is proven at this distance (5-3-0-1) as well over this surface (7-3-1-1). He also hails from a barn (Lacey Gaudet) that sits fourth in the trainer’s standings at Laurel Park.
2- Rockin Cowboy is seeking his first win at Laurel Park after a strong showing in his debut effort on Dec. 22 in this class and at this distance. He circled the field with a big move to finish a game second. Expect him to be right there at the finish line.
Race 8: 4yo and Upward, Optional Claiming $35,000n2x. 6 Furlongs.
1 – Stretch’s Stone Despite never competing over this course, he has compiled a record of 3-1-0-1 at this distance and has been racing in much stronger company. Bruce Levine, his trainer, also wins at a consistent clip with his starters.
2- Classic Cotton Another that has not raced at Laurel Park, but also shares the distinction of contesting much stronger rivals and offers a respectable record of 11-3-2-1 at this distance.
8- Greatbullsoffire Yet another member of this bunch that has been dropped in class and should appreciate the distance.
Race 9: 4yo and Upward Claiming $5,000 n3L. 7 Furlongs.
3- Do Yahwanna Salsa This is a steep class drop for this gelding after a third place finish on Dec. 23 against much stiffer opposition. He also is sent to post by the meet’s leading trainer in Claudio Gonzalez. Definitely the top choice but difficult to find value.
9 – Best Surprise This is his third start for conditioner Scott Lake off under these conditions and at Laurel Park. In his last attempt (Dec. 30) at this level he was an outstanding third after placing a four-wide bid. Post may prove a problem in here but should offer an excellent account of himself.
10 – Swing Step He is an interesting play as he made his first start last year at age 5 and from four starts last year compiled a record of 4-1-0-0. He enters this event off a workman-like win as the favorite on a sloppy track at this distance.