Since Gulfstream has switched their racing schedule to no Thursday racing, I’ll be jumping into Friday’s at Laurel Park for a while. There’s chance of thunderstorms Friday but I’m pretty sure the turf course will be able to handle any rain so I’m hoping for on the turf. If they do get rained off I’ll have off turf picks on my twitter feed before the first race post.
Best Bet Race 7 #10 Abuelo Paps
Price Play Race 4 #3 Twirling Liz
Race 1
5-6-4
#5 Fort Royal takes a significant class drop here for trainer Mark Reid who’s 35% with these types of runners, #6 Big Boots is the morning line favorite but 0-10 at this distance makes me nervous.
Race 2
9-13-4
#9 Rockin Anna Rollin drops back to the 25K maiden level where she finished 2nd twice on the dirt. She’s had two solid works recently at Pimlico including a 4 furlong in 46 work followed by a 4 furlong in 47 breeze one week later. #13 Queen of Tomorrow finished second last out on the dirt at this level and was claimed by Claudio Gonzalez who’s 30% first off the claim.
Race 3
4-7-2(only)
#4 Cash Register showed speed in her last start just getting caught late to finish second at this distance. she looks like she could be lone speed in this field and may hang on today to ring the Register. #7 Letmeslidebyyou finished 4th last time out but was only beaten 3 1/4 lengths. If there happens to be a solid pace up front this one could pick up the pieces late.
Race 4
3-9-7
Very tough race, a lot of these runners have been knocking heads quite a few times recently. I’ll take #3 Twirling Liz the only filly in the race. Won at this level wire to wire in her most recent start against filly’s back in late February. Been working the best of any of these for this race including a 4 furlong work in 47 on the 19th of May, 15-1 I’d be surprised to get I think she wires them again. #9 Galerio just got up in time to win his last at this level. One solid work back on May 24th followed by a good breeze makes him a player. 6 for 9 either 1st or 2nd at Laurel makes him a must include.
Race 5
2-6-3
#2 Belmullet broke his maiden 2 back at this distance. Tried the dirt last time out and that just didn’t work well. The return to turf has to help. #6 Ready To Run also returns to turf after several failed attempts on the dirt. He’s run very well at this distance in the past but only has one win in 7 starts. May be an over bet favorite.
Race 6
10-2-8
#10 Ziggy Mon led the whole way last time out at this level just getting caught late and finishing second. Been working well for this one and he may just hold on today. #2 Revolutionary Road had a bad break last out then a wide trip most of the way and still finished only 3 1/4 of lengths behind the top pick. If you like one you should include the other.
Race 7
10-6-3
#10 Abuelo Paps has 2 solid seconds at this level on dirt. Throw out the race on the slop and if this guy takes to the turf he should handle these. #6 Deshackled has one previous turf race at this distance finishing third but only 3/4 of a length behind. Hamilton Smith puts him in a protected spot here and he’s 17% with this move.
Race 8
5-14-12
#5 Ten Eyck returns to Laurel where he’s 4 for 4 in the money with 2 wins. He’s also 3 for 6 at this distance albeit at lesser levels. This one gets my horse for course angle. 14 J Bereford Tipton ships in from Tampa Bay Downs for trainer Delacord who’s 24% with his shippers. Ran a couple of solid seconds earlier in the year at Tampa so he must be respected.
Race 9
1-6-3
#1 Muchacho cuts back to a mile where he’s won his 2 previous starts and Forest Boyce stays aboard. #6 Buddy’s Run will be trying a mile for the first time in his career and may be the favorite at post time. I can’t pick a horse doing something for the first time going off as the favorite, but he should be very competitive in here.
Good luck