Race 1: Clm $16k F&M 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #1 Rag Top, highest Beyers in the field breaking from the important first post will allow her to choose her style whether she wants the lead or to rate slightly she won’t have to go out of her way. Just narrowly missed at this level last out after a couple decent allowance and higher priced claiming tries. Broke her maiden over this strip back in September.
2nd: #6 Millie’s Journey, lightly raced out of the Motion barn, she broke her maiden on the synthetic in a MdSpWt event in Eerie so this should be close to her level. Motion tried turf perhaps just for some exercise last out down in Florida, think she’ll prefer the dirt again.
3rd: #3 Liz’s Smile, broke her maiden locally two back earning a 55 Beyer, first try against winners was decent but was 4 lengths behind Rag Top there.
Race 2: Clm $5k F&M 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #2 Sierra Leona, already sensing a pattern as this one will actually break from the rail and won’t have to do too much to get position on that first turn. Like the improving Beyers, ran evenly in the first after the 7 month layoff and then came back and won earning a 61 Beyer at the $7500 level.
2nd: #5 Z Nation, went off at 50-1 last out allowance try at Charles Town and finished 3rd by only 3 lengths and the second place finisher came back to win. Two and three back second place finishes at this condition.
3rd: #1 Include Gold, Lake has two in here so depending on which actually starts this one might not make it, but 7 for 17 locally and dropping to lowest level.
Race 3: OC$50k 1M
1st: #8 Marengo Road, the last out performance doesn’t look as good on paper as it actually was. The field in the Native Dancer stakes was loaded and General Downs is absolutely on fire. This one is a big step down from there and if he gets any kind of pace to close into he’ll be tough to beat. Expect #3 Moe Trouble to provide the pace. Two back finished just 2 and a half lengths behind Tiz He The One.
2nd: #5 Bronx Sandman, 3 for 7 with 3 seconds locally and the two back performance at the OC$35k level was fantastic earning an 89 Beyer. Have to hope he rates and doesn’t get into a speed duel with Moe Trouble.
3rd: #3 Moe Trouble, going against Claudio Gonzalez here and it may be a mistake but he didn’t seem to handle Laurel in his first try here last out and got ran off his feet albeit after some tremendously strong fractions. If he gets loose with an easy pace he should win.
Race 4: Clm $12.5k 6F
1st: #6 Just Flashy, taking a shot here, it is unclear what happened that caused his form to go off so badly in the last two, but the addition of Lasix for the first time tells me he may have bled. If that is the case, his previous form wins this contest as he was improving beforehand, narrowly missing at the $25k level. Look for him to be forwardly placed early to tell if Lasix is the solution.
2nd: #1 Gringo Star, first out for the Gonzalez barn who is hitting at 27% with 1st timers in his barn, he was sometimes competitive and sometimes not in his California career, the Beyers are decent. If Gonzalez can improve him he’s a definite contender, maybe should be picked on top.
3rd: #5 Sound Off, the last effort was pretty good earning a 70 Beyer and getting second place after going off at 10-1. Form is inconsistent and if the track is wet that’ll hurt his chances.
Race 5: Clm $5k 1M
1st: #8 Runabout, we predicted this one’s win in his last out when he ran away and won by nearly 6 lengths last out at 8-5. The improvement since the summer is real and we think he satisfies this final condition today.
2nd: #5 Vicar’s Chalice, two straight wins in the two and three back. Not sure what happened in the last, got a bad trip and really gave in, but his previous form is real and we’re willing to believe he’s closer to those two wins than his last.
3rd: #6 Accusing, constantly being claimed back and forth and his results rarely make him seem worth it, especially of late. Still has a win over this track and is clearly in demand.
Race 6: MdClm $16k Fillies 3 Year Olds 6F
1st: #8 Polished Gal, first out for Lynn Ashby is pretty decent especially when you examine the fractions. She set really fast ones for her class and managed to maintain a decent result. If she gets a more manageable pace she should win. Drills show ability, especially Dec 20 4F 48 and 3 from the gate.
2nd: #9 One Odd Story, has shown ability to be forwardly placed which should serve her well here. Stamina concerns.
3rd: #1 Chicken Dinner, don’t like debuters but this one has some strong workouts mixed in amongst some poor ones. Hard to know but clearly has ability.
Race 7: Clm $12.5k Fillies 3 Year Olds 5 & ½F
1st: #1 Caterina One, 2 for 6 locally including a wire to wire win over a couple others in this field last out. Love the improvement from her first against winners to her second, think she’s primed for a third here against open company.
2nd: #8 No Stone Unturned, a third time going against Gonzalez here may not be wise, especially for a horse that broke her maiden at the MdSpWt level back in November at the Finger Lakes. But the last try was dismal here at Laurel, albeit against allowance horses, she may not prefer this surface.
3rd: #4 Rosuri, first try against winners after breaking her maiden last out earning a 46 Beyer. Will be tough.
Race 8: MdClm $10k F&M 5 & ½F
1st: #6 Gateau St Honore, 3 seconds in 5 tries locally. Needs to be a bit more forward at this distance than she has been but think some distance relief should help. Weak field.
2nd: #10 Louise, 6 seconds in 10 tries here, definitely has stamina concerns, she’d probably have a better shot if it was even shorter. 0 for 14 lifetime.
3rd: #2 Dangerus Talent, like the improvement from debut to second try, was 4 lengths behind Gateau in the last.
Race 9: OC$50k Fillies 3 Years Old 6F
1st: #5 Two Dozen Roses, Pletcher shipper attracted Johnny V to ride during the Maiden Breaking win at Saratoga, has since tried some nice Stakes events, this one is probably more suited to her, she didn’t fair well in her first try locally, but the shorter distance should be a big relief today.
2nd: #4 Elverson, love the debut where she earned a 62 Beyer and maintained a lead over some quick early fractions beating 8 rivals. Couple decent maintenance drills since, some improvement should win this one. First try against winners will be tough.
3rd: #3 Knock Out Kid, just won at this condition back in December after a couple nice tries before. Definite contender here.
Race 10: MdClm $10k 3 Year Olds 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #4 Trion Wings, two narrow misses in last two locally, including ability to handle a track with some water in it. Today’s the day.
2nd: #1 Expect Drama, set the early pace in the last at 1M but was overtaken in the stretch. Reason to believe his stamina will be improved but would prefer to see him prove it first.
3rd: #3 Village Prince, first try in New York was even, Rudy usually brings live ones down.