Race 1: MD-bred Alw $35k F&M 1 1/16M Turf
1st: #3 Unbridled Escape, last out registered field best 80 Beyer winning the Maryland Million Maryland-Bred Handicap by 10 lengths going 1 & 1/8M on this very turf. The course was yielding that day and if this stays on the turf will probably be similar condition.
2nd: #8 My Vixen, got a 77 Beyer last out in the Maryland Million Lady’s Stakes finishing second by just a neck. Only 2 for 18 on the Laurel turf.
3rd: #4 Magician’s Vanity, was third right behind My Vixen last out beaten only 2 lengths, but just 1-19 here at Laurel.
OTT: 13-2-6
Race 2: Clm $12.5k F&M 1M Dirt
1st: #4 Unlucky Hillary, close readers of these pages will recall we picked Unlucky Hill (har har) in her last out Oct 25th at the OC$25k level. She ran decently finishing 6th but by only 3 lengths behind Beyond Forever who is entered in the 1st today the $35k alw. We’ll pick Hill again dropping into the claiming ranks now. I especially like that Claudio G is bringing her back after just 13 days off.
2nd: #7 Mrs. Rembrandt, was tempted to pick this Miss out of the Scott Lake barn on top based on her last out win here at this level (1 & 1/16 miles) and her 2 for 4 record at Laurel Park. Strong contender.
3rd: #2 Splendor Gal, speaking of Beyond Forever–this one beat her by a whopping 7 lengths on a muddy track back in September. Couple of poor efforts on the turf before that. Might pick her on top if not for the freshening.
Race 3: Mdn Clm $25k F&M 1 1/16M Turf
1st: #9 Glance, 10-1 on the ML we think she’ll be bet down considerably based on this field. This 3 year old out of the Tom Proctor barn has done nothing but improve as she’s received class relief. Last out at this level she finished 2nd by 5 lengths but beat 9 rivals that day and earned a field-best 61 Beyer. Last drill at Fair Hill she got the bullet going 4F in 47 2/5s breezing. Looks ready.
2nd: #1A Lilibet, 3 starts at Laurel with 2 seconds including last out nosed at this level although it was back in August. She’s been drilling regularly for Kelly Rubley.
3rd: #1 Tapanista, taking the other side of this coupling as well, they both won’t make the gate but both deserve a shot. Throw the last out as it was taken off the turf, she’s ran to some decent figures so far, should show up in this field.
OTT:9-2x-11
Race 4: Clm $5k 5 1/2F Dirt
1st: #5 Time for Quality, this gelding has shown ability to win off the layoff including earlier this year winning at the $7.5k level at Monmouth. Proven closer, we’ll see if he has the distance to make up an early deficit here.
2nd: #9 Colonel Andy, 2-1 ML favorite but I’m not fond of the pattern. Showed class and speed during the spring and summer but since winning 1st off the claim has descended the class ladder and shown that he runs to the competition, not above it. Last out was 3rd in a field of 4 losing by 7 earning his worst Beyer of the year.
3rd: #6 Double Sky, this 3 year old speedball should set the early fractions and has shown ability to finish at times in the past but those were mostly up at Pen. Not a good start last out locally after being bumped at the start.
Race 5: OC$35k F&M 5 1/2F Dirt
1st: #8 Virginia Fable, last three all came off turf, before that broke her maiden at the MdSpWt level by 3 open lengths earning a 72 Beyer. Before that just nipped in a Md-bred Stakes race by Altamira who came back to win.
2nd: #6 Pass a Mento, suspect Lacey Gaudet is looking for this one to come off the turf given her last out off the turf event win by a whopping 9 lengths earning a 65 Beyer. She might want to see her run on turf as well though–so would I.
3rd: #5 Caruca, first since January when she was claimed by Ness down at Tampa. Interesting spot here, if she’s ready to run she could compete.
OTT: 6-4-3
Race 6: OC$35k 7F Dirt
1st: #3 Lezendary, Rudy Rodriguez shipping this stakes winner down from New York. Registered the stakes win back at Aqueduct in March in the Cicada earning a field-best 85 Beyer. Since then has struggled a bit but ran decently at the OC$62k level two back finishing third by only 2 lengths.
2nd: #2 Timeless Curls, broke her maiden here at Laurel at the MdSpWt level and last out beat 5 rivals at the OC$16k level at Del earning a 75 Beyer. Cross-entered in the 6th tomorrow, may not start here.
3rd: #4 Deep Red, 4 wins in 15 tries locally, last out earned a 71 Beyer and a 94 DRF Speed Rating at this level in an off-the-turf event. 11 times in the money in those 15 starts at Laurel.
Race 7: Clm $5k F&M 1M Dirt
1st: #4 Petticoatsnpistols, Long Live the King (Leatherbury), she has a win at this distance and a win over this strip. Been racing competitively locally earning Beyers in the 40s in each of her last two.
2nd: #5 Lady Scholar, broke her maiden last out at the $5k level and had run competitively as high as the $16k level. Will need to improve on the Beyer figure to win here.
3rd: #6 Corvid, has the top Beyers in the field and finished second last out but by 7 lengths. 0 for 8 on the Laurel Turf lifetime.
Race 8: OC$35k 1M Dirt
1st: #3 General Downs, close readers will recall we hit the superfecta in his last race on Oct 18, the unlucky runner up to Adulator who led the whole way round. General Downs was coming on strong though and earned an 88 Beyer and a 102 DRF Speed Rating there meaning he ran the fastest time in the past 3 years at that distance locally (well, second fastest to Adulator). Adds blinkers for more early speed this time. I couldn’t be higher on this horse. Really strong field, could get a nice price.
2nd: #9 Divine Interventio, Lacey Gaudet hitting 37% so far this meet, this one is 1 for 2 at Laurel with a second including an impressive last out 5 length win in a $46k alw going 7F earning an 85 Beyer.
3rd: #1 Tiz He the One, 2 for 3 here at Laurel and Jeremiah Englehart is 5 for 13 shipping into this meet. Last out won here at the same distance earning an 82 Beyer beating Bronx Sandman who came back to win. Wanted to pick this one on top but field is too strong.
Race 9: Md Clm $25k 1M Dirt
1st: #9 Glengar, earned a 66 Beyer in last out attempt finishing a close 4th by 3 lengths at the MdSpWt level over this surface. Strong improvement after the 47 Beyer in first try. Running that same race should win this one, any improvement should mean a runaway win. Gets a bit more distance as well which should help.
2nd: #4 Arrive in Style, returns to his favorite surface after a bad race at the $30k level at Parx. Showed ability in the two-back MdSpWt event locally earning a 54 Beyer finishing third. Strong works over this strip adds to intrigue.
3rd: #1 Mr. Ducati, a second place finish in his only try locally, it was his best effort but came at the $16k level. Strong morning drills, will need some improvement to win here.