There are no stakes in the mid-Atlantic this weekend.  But that doesn’t mean there’s nothing to watch.  Here  what’s on tap: Sunday’s runners we’ll be watching:

 

  • Golden Glint (3-1), Laurel Park, R7 (3:27), Allowance N2X/Optional Claiming, 4yo and up, abt. 1 1/16 miles
    • How good is this Medaglia d’Oro gelding?  That’s the question we’re in the process of answering for a six-year-old (!) who’s made just six career starts.  He’s won twice in those six tries and finished second two other times.  Broke his maiden in an off-turf event by 14 lengths while earning a 93 Beyer.  He’s won two of four tries on the main track and most recently was second to the hard-hitting Feisty Albert at this same level.  He came under a ride rounding the turn and appeared to be done — but stayed on willingly to earn the place, a couple clear of Connemara Coast, who’s also here today.  One of two to run back from that race, fourth-place Slinger, won next out.  He may be compromised by the outside post position here (#8) but top rider Julian Pimentel stays aboard.  It took him three shots to break his maiden, two to win the first-level allowance; now this is his second try here.
  •  Que Regalo (7-2), Parx Racing, R8 (3:34), Allowance N2L, 4yo and up
    • It took a drop down to claiming company to shake this Tale of the Cat filly out of the maiden ranks, but she did it with panache, rolling to a five-length score for trainer Marcos Zulueta and rider Kristin Troxell.  Showed that she fit with maiden special horses , running second twice.  But in her most recent try, against allowance foes, she was sluggish early, dropping to last and a dozen behind the speed, before rallying stoutly while “extremely wide.”  That was a change of attack for a horse that usually showed sufficient speed to attain a good stalking position.  She ended up fifth – but beaten just a couple for all the money.  That was her first start since Halloween ’14, and it came in her first foray on an off track.  Though showing just one moderate work since her last, there’s plenty of reason to look for an improved effort here.