Race 1: MdClm $16k 1M
1st: #2 Marden, this feels like an easy one, Trombetta and McCarthy team up here for a 3 year old gelding that has started to really figure it out. Should absolutely get claimed out of this group, further improvement from last race effort puts him well into allowance company. 2-1ML expect much lower.
2nd: #4 Yes Man, another improving colt, could make a case for this one on top but the connections don’t inspire confidence. Trainer just 2-42 this year using a jockey who’s 4-103. Yikes!
3rd: #5 Bourbon Streak, ML oddsmaker has this 4 year old gelding as the 9-5 favorite, I guess the Beyers are the most consistently high in this group, but 0 for 16 lifetime including many tries in claiming territory. Easy play against.
Race 2: [R]Alw $35k F&M 6F
1st: #2 My Queen Michelle, which Claudio Gonzalez horse do you want? I’ll take this one and the oddsmaker agrees. Lightly raced filly broker her maiden nicely at first asking and followed it up with a gaining open allowance placing where she was 4-6 on the turn. 9-5 would be a gift.
2nd: #3 One Two Three Go, not a whole lot of fun picking CG horses 1-2, but sometimes you just have to take what they give you. Improving filly.
3rd: #6 Shecor, one time would’ve done a lot in this field, not on top of her game, but does have some back class.
Race 3: [R] The Politely Stakes $75k F&M 6F
1st: #3 Anna’s Bandit, I foolishly went against this mare on MdMill day and that was obviously a mistake. 9 for 16 locally and 8 for 10 this year. She’s the most likely in this field to fire her best race and her best race is clearly good enough to win. Really special mare.
2nd: #1 Las Setas, 4 for 5 locally, was the Alwaysmining of the fillies division last winter before a long rest. She’s good enough to win here but you have to wonder what her conditioning will be like and this probably isn’t her best distance.
3rd: #2 Majestic Reason, can’t blame you for putting this filly on top, she has the best class in the field, was only 5 lengths behind Come Dancing in the G2 Gallant Bloom at Bel in September. What’s the excuse for the last race though? “No kick” chart comment is ugly.
Race 4: OC$35k 6F
1st: #1 Articulator, déjà vu all over again, which Claudio Gonzalez horse do you want here? I’ll go with this one who on his debut in the CG barn fired a 91 Beyer in route to a come from behind victory going a half panel less than this after being 5wd on the turn. Rail draw doesn’t help, but not a big field and the added distance should allow him some more time to get to the front.
2nd: #2 Cozy Lover, logical second choice who has a less attractive 1-5 record locally. Has the early speed in a field that doesn’t have too much of it. Gets the benefit of a top local pilot Alex Cintron.
3rd: #4 Onemoregreattime, just 4 lengths behind Articulator in the most recent, does have 3 wins locally.
Race 5: [R]Alw $35k 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #7 Tap the Mark, my look at how this 3 year old has developed at the end of the season! Two straight wins featuring his two best Beyers of his life. Clearly appreciates a bit of ground and should get a decent stalking trip from the outside here.
2nd: #6 Can’t Pass It Up, improved bigly last out to win at a similar level to this at 13-1. Clearly still being disrespected today but my guess is he will savor the added ground just like in the two back at Belmont which was just a single turn. Note was 8wd on the turn in the last race. Might take a shot with this one, will definitely have him in exactas with Tap the Mark.
3rd: #3 Pretty Good Year, probably likes the dirt a little better than the turf, usually comes with a rally.
Race 6: The Maryland Juvenile Filly Championship $100k 2 Year Old Fillies 7F
1st: #8 Hello Beautiful, have been waiting to bet this one back since the MdMill win, she was much the best that day against a closing bias. Improving filly still with a highly competent trainer.
2nd: #2 Lookin Dynamic, love this as a long shot play to bust up the exotics, Trombetta probably has high quality filly here and she started to find herself before a poor trip held up her plans. Gets Pimentel again today.
3rd: #6 Miss J McKay, easy for me to play against this one as she took a notable step back in figures last out. Returns to the dirt today, breezing tremendously for Cal Lynch.
Race 7:The Maryland Juvenile Futurity Stakes 2 Year Olds $100k 7F
1st: #2 Laddie Liam, quickly improving colt is coming off the best figure of his career so far and has two wins locally. Sheldon Russell pilots.
2nd: #3 Raging Whiskey, one of the most experienced in this field, this one comes out of honest showing in open stakes company last out. More time with O’Dwyer will be a benefit.
3rd: #4 Monday Morning Qb, ML odds favorite coming off a really hot Beyer in a MdSpWt event at Parx where he was 1-2. Enough questions for me to look elsewhere.
Race 8: The Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes $75k 6F
1st: #3 Alwaysmining, simply no blemishes on his career at Laurel Park where he’s 7-8. After some time on the farm Kelly Rubley likely has this one ready to win. I’ve always thought he has a rare combination of speed to win at sprint distances and stamina to win routes, lets see him put that to the test.
2nd: #2 Still Having Fun, doesn’t have any Beyers as high as Alwaysmining’s career best and also hasn’t been out in some time, but previously was keeping the best company and wasn’t getting embarrassed. 4 lengths behind McKinzie and 4 lengths behind Promises Fulfilled is legit.
3rd: #5 Taco Supream, last seen winning the MdMillion Sprint Championship, you could easily place this one on top. Must use in all exotics, he is a very high quality gelding.
Race 9: MdClm $40k 5 & 1/2 F
1st: #5 Whiskey and You, lotta whiskey on today’s card, the almost prohibitive 7-5ML favorite, simply not much else in this field.
2nd: #1 Fiya, logical second choice, don’t understand why McCarthy is jumping ship. At least showed speed in his debut at cheaper.
3rd: #7 Rock the Comet, always like Gary Capuano with two year olds, clearly see with the amount of published works he’s serious about getting him ready.