Race 4: The City of Laurel Stakes $100k 3 Year Olds 7F
1st: #4 Amundson, two straight wins in restricted company in New York, this colt is obviously heading in the right direction. May be some speed to his inside but this one looks to be the fastest early without too much to challenge him.
2nd: #2 Honest Mischief, not too frequently you see Chad Brown ship down to Laurel so that catches your eye, this one looks to me to looooooove Keeneland. He was 1-2 in the allowance win last out so maybe it was a light field, Chad will attract a lot of money and there’s decent reason to play against this one.
3rd: #3 Rohrbacher, has a win in his lone attempt on dirt and it was local although a wet track. Probably prefers turf but 20-1ML means this one is overlooked.
Race 5: The Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes $100k F&M 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #5 Vault, this one has simply been on fire and has been destroying track records two times in a row up at Pen. Tougher waters for sure here, but she is hot hot hot.
2nd: #2 Layla Noor, has kept the best company in the field and she’s hit the board at least in Graded company in the past. Has a win over this course so she should handle the switch back to dirt.
3rd: #3 Beach Diva, Delacour’s “other” in here, won big in the first time back after a quick break, definite contender.
Race 6: The Richard Small Stakes $100k 1 & 1/8thM
1st: #7 Golden Brown, going with this ever-consistent Jersey-bred here as he’s thrown 4 straight Beyers in the 90s. Shipped down to Laurel last year on this day and attempted the 7F City of Laurel and was gaining like mad.
2nd: #2 Han Sense, wanted to pick this one on top but just couldn’t justify off a narrow win in claiming company, despite the solid Beyer. Two excellent drills recently and Kelly Breen probably has this one ready.
3rd: #3 Sunny Ridge, playing against this tepid ML favorite. Jason Servis and Trevor McCarthy combination will undoubtedly draw money and he certainly has back class. Probably wins if he’s ready, hasn’t been seen since August.
Race 7: The Safely Kept Stakes $100k 3 Year Old Fillies 7F
1st: #2 Needs Supervision, Jerry O’Dwyer obviously thinks very highly of this having shipped her down to Keeneland to attempt the G2 Raven Run. She was outclassed, but returns today to a friendlier scene and obviously amongst company she can handle.
2nd: #6 Philanthropic, certainly has speed but she tired badly in the stretch last out and faces considerably speed to her inside today.
3rd: #4 Las Setas, was the queen of the stakes program last winter and spring ripping off 4 in a row at one point before heading to the bench. If she’s ready she could win clearly, long enough layoff for me to play against here.