I live about 5 hours south of Laurel and it’s been raining here since Monday afternoon but Laurel has received little to none of it so the track should be fast and firm. If they do happen to get rained off the turf I’ll try to post off the turf picks before the first turf race on my twitter feed. Two weeks ago was certainly not a banner day for me but after some much needed R&R I’m coming out firing today.
Best Bet Race 4 #12 Unique Humor
Price Play Race 5 #4 The Forty Factor
Race 1 9-4-12 #9 Si Mamacita drops in class and returns to the dirt after a poor turf effort last time out. Trainer Damon Dilodovico is 24% with his second off the lay off horses. Combine that with the drop in class and she should get to the winners circle. #4 Don’tbaggagecheck finished second at this level back on March 1st where she was claimed by Mario Serey. This is her second start for Serey who’s 18% with his second off the claim runners. Should be on the front end and could hold on.
Race 2 1-7-8 #1 Scarfree has not been seen in over a year but she’s 4 for 7 either first or second at this distance. Been working well for this race and she’s won at this level albeit over 2 years ago. #7 Polished Gal returns to the turf after 2 poor efforts on the dirt at the end of last year. She’s 2 for 5 at this distance and at Laurel so she must be respected.
Race 3 4-2-11 #4 Bobby’s Goldengirl returns to Laurel and level where she finished 3rd in her debut going a mile after a solid 3rd at Churchill Downs back in late May. She showed speed in her other 2 races and now cuts back to 6F which should help her chances. #2 Bernadette the Jet also ships back to Laurel from Churchill where she finished an ok 5th, closing some late. If there’s a pace battle up front she’ll be flying late.
Race 4 12-3-4 The battle of the 5K beaten claimers, #12 Unique Humor has 5 career wins and 3 of those wins are at this level at different distances so obviously this race should be right in her wheel house. #3 Swirrlie Shirlie just missed at this level last time out after being off since February, Ricardo D’Angelo is 29% with his second off the lay off runners so this one has to be respected.
Race 5 4-10-12 #4 The Forty Factor ships in from NY and take a pretty big drop in class for Steve Klesaris who’s 15% with his shippers. This guy has speed and now get a 7 pound weight break which should help him go wire to wire in this field. #10 High Roller is second off the lay off after being off since February. He’s 11 for 21 in the money with 5 wins at Laurel so he must be respected.
Race 6 4-5-7 #4 Winning Melody made her debut in November at Aqueduct for James Jerkins where she ran an even 5th in a 40K maiden claimer. Today she runs protected for new trainer Dale Capuano who’s 33% with this move. The fact she runs protected today makes me think Capuano saw something he liked in her training and he doesn’t want to lose her. #5 Seven Clubs made her debut at Gulfstream Park in March running an ok 4th to a much the best winner. This is a slight drop in class and the extra distance shouldn’t hurt her chances. As always look for live money on the first time starters.
Race 7 11-8-9 #11 The Right Path comes in here dropping in class from his last at Belmont and second off of a freshening for trainer Jorge Duarte who’s 29% with these types of runners. This guy has faced much better in his career and has run well at this distance. Toledo has ridden this guy well before and I think he’s got a great chance here at a price. #8 Rough Sea has won 3 out of his last 4 races here at 7F and a mile. He might have won all 4 if he hadn’t bled 2 back and stopped badly. This is a jump in class but you can’t argue with his record on this track.
Race 8 9-11-12 #9 Eastern Bay just missed at this level last time out back in February and was claimed by Claudio Gonzalez who’s 29% first off the claim. There seems to be enough speed in here for him to sit a good stalking trip. #11 Tappin Cat also just missed at this level last time out back in March. He does get a weight break today but this guy seems to have a case of seconditis, but must be included.
Race 9 9-10-2 #9 Janelle Dreams returns to turf after 5 fair dirt races in a row over the winter. The last time she ran this distance on the turf she was a winner with this jockey Correa. This seems to be her best spot in several months and I’m thinking I’m going to get a good price. #10 Jumpstartmyheart beat tougher 2 starts back and ran a very good 3rd last out in a small 60K stakes race in October. I think this guy may need a start to be in better shape but has to be respected.