3-8-11-1 (DIRT: 7-5-9-10)
#3 The Bullion Bomber (10-1) was in fantastic form over the summer, running in the 80s in three consecutive starts. He struggled in his last grass start after a wide trip but is now moving further in, returning to his favorite surface after a dismal failure and getting the slight nod in a very wide open field. #8 Noah Chance (4-1) easily handled a Maryland-restricted grant field in late September. He defeated Cactus and Jolly Boss that day, both of whom have since come back to win. He returns to a winnable position for the first time since and should leave for a good price with that somewhat unclear form. #11 Come on old man (5-1) also trying to recover after a flat last race. He was a non-factor after a long trip in a second-tier field last out, and although he is again drawn to the outside, at least he gets class exemption.
Bet on our picks at AmWager!
RACE 5: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 2 YEAR OLDS, FRIENDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)
12-5-15-7 (DIRT: 2-11-15-3)
#12 Coach Mazzula (2-1) went last favorite at this level. She raced at a contested pace and finished more than eight lengths ahead of her pace-setting partner. She held on bravely there, but eventually finished third behind the well-intentioned Jimmy Toner-first Tideoftime and the next winner Siouxese. Brittany Russell puts on blinders for the third start of this match, and Jevian Toledo should move her forward despite her draw. #5 Bless her (12-1) is a first starter for the dream team of Graham Motion and Jorge Ruiz. Exercise horses usually do better with experience (as readers of this column know), but he won this year with a 2-year-old first on grass, and won with three 2-year-old girls on grass last month. Check the board before deciding whether or not to use her in your late pick 5. #15 Icy Mojito (8-1) stayed in the lead almost the entire time, two starts back, but was exhausted and finished third behind Screen Test (who finished the track next at Keeneland) and Coach Mazzula. She is also the biggest speed threat in this race.
RACE 6: WILLA ON THE MOVE STAKES, 3 YEARS AND OLDER, MARIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS
1-12-4-3
Today’s first stakes race is named in honor of a pair of great Maryland-bred sprinters of the same name. #1 Onyx Ten (9-2) took the step forward she needed to come off the bench second in the Maryland Million Distaff, rallying in the middle of the track to earn her third stakes win at Laurel this year. She should be even better in third place after the dismissal of the incredible duo of Gary Capuano and Yedsit Hazlewood. Michael Moore has some interesting horses. I give the nod to #12 Alani (Alan Alan (6-1)as she has raced consistently throughout the year. She led a big race at Parx last and finished second behind Foxy Junior (who finished third to Onyx Ten in the Maryland Million Distaff). She is 3-for-4 at this track and is the only one in the race who has run in the 90s in each of her last three starts. Her stablemate, #4 Takethemoneyhoney (5-2)has not raced since winning the Serena’s Song Stakes at Monmouth Park in mid-May. She’s one nose away from a perfect 5-for-5 record, she’s undefeated on this track and has a very high ceiling. She’s also had a long break, so her final rest shouldn’t be much of a deterrent.
RACE 7: DAVE’S FRIEND INSTAKES, AGES 3 AND OLDER, 6 STATES
8-2-1-5
Stakes action continues with a race named after the Maryland star of the early 1980s. #8 Prince of Jericho (5-2) has also had a long break after finishing second in the General George Stakes in mid-February. However, Brittany Russell usually does well with horses that have not had long breaks, including a win last Friday with Lute Warm. This guy loves Laurel, with seven wins in 16 starts here, winning all his races last winter. #2 Petinga’s twins (6-1) retired over the summer and was sent to the sidelines by Anthony Farrior in late August. He returned to the races in mid-October with a very impressive three-length victory in a third-level sprint, completing a career-best 100. It’s not terribly far off the 90s he earned earlier this year, and if he can continue to emerge second after the break, he’s got a chance. #1 Subrogate (5-1) also races second off the bench. He won the DeFrancis Dash here in June and then finished a respectable fourth in the Bold Ruler Stakes at Aqueduct in his most recent effort. Jorge Duarte had a slow start to the fall competition, but is now starting to heat up.
RACE 8: RICHARD W. SMALL STAKES, 3 year olds and up, 1 1/8 MILES
5-2-6-1
The third and final effort of the day pays tribute to the longtime Maryland trainer, best known for training the Maryland-bred Concern, which won the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic. #5 Barbadian runner (6-5) has been in fantastic form all year, most recently taking his fifth win of the season in the Maryland Million Classic over Post Time. He overcame a loose leader who set a slow pace to win it, so a potentially slow pace here shouldn’t deter him too much. #2 Phantom Speed (4-1) is leveling off last after a long trip, but is racing third off the bench and has shown promise in his short career. He could pack a strong late punch if he’s able to make ground near the pace. #6 Secret zipper (9-2) was dropped from the Maryland Million Classic, has made four appearances since then and will return here in his first start after a nine-week hiatus. At his best he is a serious threat to lead all the way, and any horse trained by Gary Capuano and ridden by Yedsit Hazlewood cannot be easily dismissed.
RACE 9: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 3-6 YEARS, 6 FURLONGS
5-3-4-8
#5 Never worked day (2-1) was heavily used on debut and did nothing. He was cold on the board in the second question, but improved 17 points to a 74, setting the pace and holding a clear second. This Capuano/Hazlewood runner needs to keep moving forward on a fairly soft field. #3 verse (9-2) ran three times in his four-race career in the 1970s, falling in the only race in which he didn’t. However, all those efforts ended up on grass. It’s hard to say if his form will change, but if it does, he will be a serious threat. #4 Understanding in motion (10-1) showed some promise on the dirt front in late 2023 and early 2024. His recent turf numbers aren’t far off from Stanza’s, and he’s at least worth a look for the spots underneath.
#Laurel #Park #picks #musings #November #Racing #Biz