This track has drove me crazy over the past few weeks for sure, but now that most of these horses have a race or two under their belts since the shutdown hopefully things will start to make more sense. Looks like a sunny hot day so it should certainly be fast and firm today.
Best Bet Race 3 #8 Champagne Horizon
Price Play Race 7 #13 Twirling Wind
1st 3-6-4
#3 Thunderturtle just missed in her last start on dirt at a lower level at Charles Town. Now she tries turf for her 3rd career start. Breeding says she should like the turf and her dam has produced a turf winner. #6 Notroubleatall finished about 4 lengths back in her last start here on the turf at a mile back last October at a higher level. Very interesting mile and a half clocked turf work June 13th at a place I’m not familiar with seems interesting.
2nd 7-4-3 #7 Hero’s Return broke his maiden here last time out in February by 19 lengths. He’s had some ok works for his return, I just think this is the ultimate light bulb angle and anything close to that last effort can beat this field. #4 Boat Over The Hill takes a big drop in class and Jamie Ness is 29% with this type of move. No real stellar works but the drop has to put him in the mix.
3rd 8-5-7 #8 Champagne Horizon ships in from Gulfstream Jane Cibelli who’s 19% with her shippers. This filly just missed in her last start against similar competition. Should be flying late. #5 Nevisian Sunset is sent out for Claudio Gonzalez who’s 29% first off the claim. She just missed at this level and distance back in September so I’m thinking the 5 1/2 furlong race last out was just a nice race in preparation for this one.
4th 8-5-4
#8 Cam’s Carter broke his maiden by almost 9 lengths last time out and has now been freshened for a bit for this effort. This is obviously a tougher spot but the way he won his last has to give him a solid chance in here. #5 Thatwouldbegrand takes a suspicious drop in class after an ok 5th last out closing late. That was his first start in 9 months so he certainly should improve.
5th 1-8-2 #1 Sophie Rules has not raced since last September but takes a huge drop in class for trainer Brittany Russell who has started this meet on fire winning at 36%. Been working steadily for this start so I’ll ride the hot trainer. #8 Not My Money was bet down to the favorite last time out in her first start since February and trainer Allen Ferris is a solid 26% with beaten favorites. She was steadied twice in the stretch in her last so a clean trip has to improve her chances.
6th 7-9-3
#7 Robber Bob drops back to a level where he finished 2nd back in February. His last race was nothing to write home about but I think the class drop and his second start in a few months will help. #9 First Fighter goes turf to dirt here and ran much better on the dirt two starts back albeit in the slop. Trainer Damon Dilodovico is 23% with his second off the layoff runners so that’s a positive sign.
7th 13-9-4
#13 Twirling Wind drops in class, ships back in from Gulfstream and returns to her best 5 1/2 furlong distance which is where she broke her maiden last October. #9 Toma tries turf for the first time in her career. Her maiden has produced two turf winners which should be expected being out of a Lure mare. Solid works at Pimlico points towards a solid effort today.
8th 8-7-6
By far the toughest race on the card. This field is a combined 31-68 at this distance and 44-110 at Laurel. I’ll take the class of the field in #8 Alwaysmining dropping to his lowest level in a long long time. Completely throw out that last race at Churchill after a bad start he was never really into the race. 3-4 at the distance and loves Laurel is enough for me to put this guy on top. #7 Cordmaker won his last 2 starts at Delaware Park towards the end of last year facing better in his last. Solid works for his 2020 debut and 6-12 at Laurel has to put this guy in the mix.
9th 6-1-5
#6 Cannon’s Roar gets back on turf today after his last race was washed off by rain. He just missed at this level and distance back in September of last year. He was over his head in the next start, so this puts him right back at the right level. #1 J Bereford Tipton just missed his last time out on a yielding turf course. He now takes a drop in class and should get a firm turf course today, those are two positives.
10th 3-5-7
#3 Cruise and Danze has not raced since January when she won 100K Ruthless stakes at Aqueduct. This is a much softer spot for her first start this year and she’s been working well including a 4F in 47 work here last week. Her class wins this race. #5 Three Hawks returns to Laurel after a solid 3rd last time out at Delaware Park. She also reunites with Cintron who knows her very well. She 10-12 in the money at Laurel with a win at this distance, must be respected.
11th 2-9-6
#2 Can the Queen has won both of her starts here at this distance albeit at lower levels. She seems to in solid form right now so another I expect another solid effort. #9 Beantown Baby has finished second in her last 2 starts as a heavy favorite. This is an easier spot for sure but I’m not sure I just her to get to the line first. #6 Jen’s the Boss won at this level last time out in an off the turf race. She likes this distance for sure so give her a second looks for sure.
Good Luck