Today is a big day at Laurel Park, and I thought I’d give my “local” track a little attention today by handicapping the card, including the two feature events of the day; The Laurel Futurity and the G1 Defrancis Memorial.
Race 1:
The opening race on the card sets up nicely for #3 Fire Hero who gets Ramon Dominguez aboard today and the addition of blinkers. I just wish there was an early pick 4 to single here. Don’t expect a lot of value though as he’s 3/2 on the morning line.
Race 2:
There are 2 horses I like in this maiden special weight event. #3 Clerico looks mighty tough here from a class and speed figure standpoint. That being said, Fogelsonger has had a bit of seconditis lately so you have to cover at least one other here. #4 Something Dixie looks like a live first time starter for Trombetta.
Race 3:
A vulnerable favorite exists here if I’ve ever seen one in #9 Simoom. I just hope we don’t have any bridge jumpes out there on this one! I’ll look to beat her with 3 choices. #10 Feisty Time looks like one the public may ignore but has an excuse or two to step forward here. #1 Colleen’s Prospect is extremely enticing at the morning line odds of 6/1 if you scratch off that last race. Lastly, #8 Color My Star is probably the top contender at 5/2. She’s been heavily involved in the pace setup her last 2 out and should be today as well.
Race 4:
A very competitive Allowance race here with 3 that I think can win. I settled on #4 Furrariat as my top choice at 7/2. #1 Sporty Boy could surprise from the inside at 9/2. I love that last win by 6 lengths as it looks quite impressive. Lastly, the favorite Georgian at 8/5 has to be used as well. I’ll hope the others prevail, but he’ll certainly have a shot here.
Race 5:
#9 Annis is the one I expect to prevail here. She really took to the turf last time out going up about 40 points on the Beyer speed scale. #1 Angel I B looks intriguing with some tactical speed here. I’m not sure why she’s 12/1 here, but I’ll play that all day long. Lastly, if you can stomach using a closer in a 5 1/2 furlong event, #11 Pure Fantasy does look like she’s got enough to be rolling late. Can she reach the wire 1st would be my only concern. In my mind she’s begging for more distance. #10 Sooz is one to watch in the post parade.
Race 6:
Not a lot in this race from an experience standpoint, but I do think that #9 Crimson Comic should break his maiden in his first time out here. The workouts are sharp and Pletcher is tough with debut horses. Of the horses with experience here, I like #3 Malibu Kid. Note that the show horse in his debut returned to win, plus that was at the $41k level.
Race 7:
Perhaps the toughest race on the whole card. I counted 4 horses with a legit shot to win in this one. #4 Sherine, though currently riderless, looks best to me. Pay attention to who gets the mount when the changes are announced. She won by 11 lengths last time out. #4 Wind in my Wings took a $150k event last time out and looks to go 3 for her last 3 today. #11 Fareena is 2 for 2, winning by a combined 14 lengths, and can’t be ignored. Lastly, #2 Grace and Power may have been 3 for 3 if not for the yielding turf last out and also can’t be left out.
Race 8:
There are 3 horses in this one I think can win. #9 Apache Road rates highest with Dominguez aboard and a 93 Beyer to boot. #1 Hot Sunrise is in sharp form lately and should be a player here as well. The horse I really want to see take this one is #6 Twist of Lemon, the 4 year old son of Lemon Drop Kid. I like seeing Pino take the reins today, and it’s worth noting that Kasprzak reclaimed this one immediately after losing him in the claim box on 8/10/07.
Race 9:
The Laurel Futurity looks very competitive this year. My hunch is that Graham Motion steals this one at 3/1 with #12 Adriano, but there are others that need to be covered as well. Adriano drops in from a G1 event against Wicked Style and Slews Tiznow, and should face slightly lesser here. #13 Cowboy Cal is very dangerous coming off a sharp maiden special weight win. #2 Titan of Industry was close behind in that one and should be again today.
Race 10:
The feature race of the card, the G1 Defrancis Memorial. It would be hard for me not to endorse #1A Benny the Bull here, as I liked him against Midnight Lute on Breeder’s Cup day. With a firmer track, that Beyer figure should be back in the 100s today. #6 Miraculous Miss is a threat to win it all as well and is clearly on the improve. The thief of the race may be #5 Saint Anddan, moving up from a G3 event last out.
Pick 4 (races 6 -9)
- Race 6: 9
- Race7: 2, 4, 5, 11
- Race 8: 1, 6, 9
- Race 9: 2, 12, 13
Total Cost: $36
Best of luck to you today!
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