Blog

1^st: #6 Offerhecantrefuse, like the 25 point Beyer improvement from first to second try. Can draw a line through the first try on a sloppy dirt course here, the last effort was in MdSpWt company up at Pen, probably equivalent to claiming company here, might be enough.

2^nd: #10 Snidely, similar improvement Beyer-wise with this one, coming down from Belmont at the $40k level but was 11 lengths behind and the try locally first out was so terrible I’m staying away.

3^rd: #3 Trion Wings, clearly this is the right company for this one, last time he tried this level was second by just half a length over at Del. Last out was ugly.

Race 2: OC $25k 1M Dirt

1^st: #3 Uno Dancer, two good efforts locally, you can put a line through the off-the-turf events that are sandwiched in there. Last out just nipped at this same level earning a 73 Beyer. Should still be improving.

2^nd: #4 Accolade, best career effort came last out on the switch back to dirt locally where he made up lengths around the turn and down the lane. Gets another furlong here, could make the difference.

3^rd: #2 Bandito, 9-5 ML favorite, obviously this one has the best Beyers in the field earning a pair of 80s back in the spring under the tutelage of Jose Fernandez. We’ll look elsewhere given the layoff and switch to the Salazar barn who is winning just 9% this year. Previously, Dale Romans had thought highly enough of this colt to try him in the Holy Bull where he finished 23 lengths behind Audible.

Race 3: StrAlw $8k F&M 1 & 1/16M Dirt

1^st: #4 Lady Terp, this 7 year old mare has been around the block a few times but she seems to be feeling her absolute best currently coming off a couple wins at this level and the OC$15k level by open lengths. 8 for 35 lifetime here at Laurel, we’re playing the recent form angle.

2^nd: #5 Princess Tiznow, running consistently at Pen, she’s been flashing mid-70s Beyers in three straight at the allowance and starter allowance levels. 0 for 1 and not in the money locally, I wonder what those fields up at Pen have in them.

3^rd: #8 I Dream of Lois, can’t say I’m unbiased here as my mom’s name is Lois so this is a must pick for me. She’s had a very consistent campaign mostly in the claiming ranks. 0 for 4 at Laurel but 2 were second place finishes. Go Lois!

Race 4: Clm $16k 6F Dirt

1^st: #10 Stomp Dance, draw a line through the most recent where this gelding was bumped at the start and was out of it early. He likes to get away quickly and then run his race. Two and three back he registered improving 70s Beyers including the two back a 77 in a win at the restricted allowance level in the slop locally. Some caveats to that performance, but we like him on the drop back into the claiming division.

2^nd: #4 Hot Mic, has shown quality in recent starts earning a 68 and 75 respectively in last two over this strip, both second place efforts. Overall at Laurel 3 second place finishes in 4 tries.

3^rd: #2 Lacrostix, 2 for 6 lifetime, wasn’t competitive in the allowance divisions but dropping back to the level where he’s won previously. Beware the Garrido barn who has yet to win in 20 tries in 2018.

Race 5: MdClm $10k 1M Dirt

1^st: #3 What a Hoot, this is a play on a progressing 3 year old. Notice consistent Beyer improvement 20, 48, 55 last time out at the $25k level. Drops down to lowest level of his career and we think he gets it done.

2^nd: #8 Any Darn Day, 0 for 8 lifetime but has shown quality earning Beyers in the 60s twice in his career. Last out only lost by 3 lengths, but would need to improve off that to win here.

3^rd: #4 Gio Lemon, last out an extreme eyesore and you have to wonder about his readiness off the long layoff but he should be better for it. Neil Morris respectable 18% clip brings him onto the dirt for the first time, expect improvement.

Race 6: OC$35k F&M 5 & 1/2 F Turf

1^st: #9 Mrs. Ramona G, we’re not missing out on the Englehart shipper this week (7 for 15 so far this meet), this 3 year old miss won off a 6 month layoff up on yielding turf at Bel in a $77k allowance earning a 79 Beyer. That effort should win this one and we expect improvement. 7-2 ML would be a gift, think she’ll be bet down considerably from there providing this one stays on the turf. Best bet of the day.

2^nd: #1 Summer Frock, two straight second place efforts including last out over this strip earning a 72 Beyer at the OC$20k level. 2 for 14 lifetime over this turf.

3^rd: #6 She’s Stunning, think she’s in there in the event this moves to the main track, but she has shown ability to run at high levels and finish close with 3 wins since July.

OTT: 11-6-3

Race 7: OC$35k 7F Dirt

1^st: #6 Divine Interventio, we had this gelding from the red hot Gaudet barn to finish second in her last out where she got third behind TizHetheOne who really ran them off their feet. Love that she’s bringing him back just 7 days later and giving him a bit of distance relief. Should get a fair price.

2^nd: #3 Saratoga Bob, struggled with whether to put this one on top after the big Maryland Million Classic win over this strip last month going a mean 9F. 3 for 8 locally with 3 second place finishes, he loves the surface. Will be tough to beat.

3^rd: #5 War Stroll, has Beyered in the 80s in 4 of his last 5 starts including a win at the $25k claiming level last out where he earned an 85. First try for the Potts barn will be moving surfaces for just the second time in his career, wonder why the change.

Race 8: Alw $42k 5 & 1/2 F Dirt

1^st: #7 Forced, wow can’t say enough about this pattern, this 3 year old was popping BIG Beyers this spring a 90 and 93 respectively and Miguel Vera must have thought he had something very special. Whatever happened that Forced (see what I did there) the layoff, the Gallant Bob up at Parx was not the place to return. He ran decently in the second off the layoff at this condition earning a 78 and we expect continued improvement.

2^nd: #3 Sonic Boom E Jet, out of the leading Claudio Gonzalez barn at this meet, put a line through the last where he was “widest” of the bunch and tired. Previously was 3 for his last 5 with two seconds and is 3 for 8 lifetime locally. Two bak 87 Beyer jumps off the page.

3^rd: #4 Cousin Jimmy, yet another improving 3 year old (stop me if you’ve heard that before), this gelding has earned two straight 72 Beyers with decent improvement in each start since his debut. First try against winners last out he was fifth but beaten only 3 lengths, just 2 lengths behind Forced.

Race 9: MdClm $20k 1& 1/16M Turf

1^st: #10 Baltic Art, this German bred out of the Trombetta barn has Beyered in the 80s in three of his last four efforts with the one exclusion an event that came off the turf. Two for four locally plus a second in four starts, we like his chances a lot back in the claiming ranks.

2^nd: #3 Tempt Me Twice, has been performing admirably in the OC$20-25k levels with two wins in his last four tries earning an 83 and 84 Beyer in those wins. Only 3 for 19 locally.

3^rd: #12 Datt Melody, last two have been , he goes back to turf where he has shown quality recently earning an 82 Beyer four back at Pim.