In Focus: Wagering Fritchie Day at Laurel Park

RACE 5 – JOHN B. CAMPBELL STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 5 (2:30pm EST), $100,000 guaranteed purse for 4-year-olds and upward, 1 1/8 Miles (Dirt)

THE PICKS

1. #3 – Afleet Willy (1-1): Winner of 4 of his last 5, all versus similar stakes competition where the only lost came in a sprint; love the Laurel dirt strip (15: 7-4-1) and being on the early lead but has also come from off the pace to win as he did in the Richard Small last November; today’s foes lack the need for the lead so expect to J. Torres try to make every pole a winning one
2. #4 – Zanotti (3-1): Pulled off a shocker in winning the $100k Queens County at Aqu when ignored (38-1) in first start stretching out to 1 1/8 miles and just second against stakes company; claimed for $30k eight races back by Prx-based trainer J. Guerrero (22%) converted him from sprinter to router to the tune of $217,660 in earnings; BRIS#s have continued to climb in each of his last 7 outings, earning a 100 in latest          
3. #1 – Turco Bravo (7-2): A disappointing seventh in this event last year when sent off the 4-1 second choice coming off a 6-month layoff; this 9-year-old gelding is back for redemption after earning the SHOW purse in the $100k Jazil Stakes at Aqu traveling 9 furlongs with J. Rocco, Jr. in the irons and will be in here as well
4. #6 – Dattt Melody (15-1): This career allowance level runners’ 32nd start will be his first in a stakes; catches a 6 lb. weight break, not surprising is 1 for 1 at the distance based on pedigree (by Unbridled’s Song out of an A.P. Indy mare) while 7 of 9 lifetime victories have come on turf (3) or an off track (4) but best speed figure was earned on a fast track; at the ripe age of 8 the pace scenario sets up nicely to stalk the early leader(s) and still be around to hit the board 

Still Having Fun. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Race 6 — MIRACLE WOOD STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 6 (3:00pm EST), $100,000 guaranteed purse for 3-year-olds, 1 Mile (Dirt)

THE PICKS

1. #1 – Still Having Fun (8-5): The MJC Racing Office did this Old Fashioned colt no favors drawing the rail in his distance progression from 7 to 8 furlongs; can boast the best BRIS# (95) to date among this group; appeared to have plenty left in the tank in cruising to a 4+ length victory in the Frank B. Whiteley stakes last month; looks to be a wise investment as Gary Barber and Wachtel Stables bought a piece of him after his career debut win               
2. #3 – V. I. P. Code (6-1): Bounced back nicely to earn the SHOW purse in the Whiteley behind the top pick and Wentz in first start since throwing out the anchor in the G2 Remsen; should take another step forward and could get a break if track is “off” as best effort came in lone try going one mile 
3. #5 – Wentz (5-2): Only one of the seven entered who is not Triple Crown nominated in spite of having the pedigree to get the classic distance; trainer John Servis (27% with shippers into Lrl) adds blinkers to this Super Saver colt who was second best to Still Having Fun in latest     
4. #7 – He Hate Me (7-2): Sagamore star was a well beaten runner-up in the $125k Pasco Stakes at Tam last month when coming off a 7-month layoff which followed two impressive victories to start career which included the $150k Tremont Stakes at Bel; Lrl will be fourth venue in as many starts, gets an 8 lb. break from previous outing and gets NY-based jock M. Franco back in the irons

Bishop’s Pond. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Race 7 — MARYLAND RACING MEDIA STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 7 (3:30pm EST), $100,000 purse for fillies and mares 4yo and up, about 1 1/16 miles (dirt)

THE PICKS

1. #1 – Bishop’s Pond (5-2): Speed of the speed laid waste to her rivals in the Thirty Eight Go Go and prior form suggests two turns not an issue… Lone off-track try was a fifth in the G1 Beldame, but Elate, who won that race, romped by eight lengths and returned to be a good fourth in Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She’ll be the one to catch.
2. #6 – In the Navy Now (10-1): Has been in the exacta in seven straight and closed to take the Nellie Morse last out despite sluggish early pace. Has been third or better in 15 consecutive races, only missing the money in her first three starts. If it’s an off track – no problem, as the Midshipman mare has been second in two off tries.
3. #4 – Line of Best Fit (9-2): Claudio Gonzalez trainee just missed in the Nellie Morse after some minor trip troubles, drawn a bit more inside today at a distance where post position matters. Has stakes win at 7f but career-best effort was at two turns when third behind the great Songbird in G1 Delaware Handicap.
4. #7 – Sherini (8-1): Couldn’t get by last out when loose-on-the-lead Just Got Out held on to win modest version of the Ladies at AQU, but lightly raced kid half-sis to Shackleford still has some upside and makes just third start since September 2016 here. Feargal Lynch won on this Motion trainee two back over the strip, and the trainer-jock combo has a positive ROI.

2014 Wide Country winner Taris.  Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Race 8 — WIDE COUNTRY STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 8 (4:00pm EST), $100,000 guaranteed purse for 3-year-old fillies, 7 Furlongs (Dirt)

THE PICKS

1. 1. #1 – Frigid Sister (10-1): Price play due to the pace setup she’ll get as most of her six foes are quick from the gate and she’ll be content to break last, enjoy the scenery for the first half mile then kick it into gear for the stretch run as her leg weary rivals struggle to hold her off; considered to be the lesser of the uncoupled Flint Stites entry but jock J. Hernandez may have chosen the wrong mount in this rodeo              
   2. #4 – Fools Gold (5-2): Nicely bred and fetched $425k as a 2-year-old in training has developed nicely under the conditioning of C. Brown (7:2-4-0 at Lrl) while piloted by M. Franco to graduate in latest; cut back to shortest distance versus four career races going one mile plus sets up for a frantic late surge if issues exiting the gate persist    
   3. #3 – Enchanted Ghost (3-1): Game effort in stakes debut when third behind local multiple stakes winner and (#7) Last True Love #7; that followed a pair of wins as the lightbulb came on in fourth career outing; should be forwardly placed coming off sprint yet has stamina to continue to compete at this level
   4. #2 – Deep Red (6-1): Most experienced filly in this event has learned how to relax which will benefit her greatly versus these six rivals; beat a nice group of sprinters in 3-year-old debut following her runner-up finish to local monster (Limited View) in MD Juv. Fillies Championship while the third-place finisher (Vente to Go) easily defeated an OC$50kN1x group here a few weeks ago

Awesome Banner.  Photo by Dottie Miller.

Race 9 — GRADE 3 GENERAL GEORGE STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 9 (4:30pm EST), $250,000 guaranteed purse for 4-year-olds and upward, 7 Furlongs (Dirt)

THE PICKS

1. #9 – Great Stuff (7-2): Fresh off graded stakes win at Aqu in G3 Toboggan at this same distance which fits his running style like a glove; returns to Lrl where he rallied to be third in $100 Dave’s Friend going 6 furlongs two back; late blooming 6-year-old in best form of career        
2. #4 – It’s the Journey (6-1): Looks to turn the tables on Awesome Banner as his rally came up a half-length short in the $100k Fire Plug which was at 6 furlongs; traveling an extra furlong here could prove to be the difference; makes third start after layoff
3. #10 – Do Share (3-1): Finished 2017 with a pair of wins earning triple-digit BRIS#s in both; missed Fire Plug in Jan. due to quarantine of trainer L. Rice’s barn at Bel; blossomed after being claimed for $50k a year ago (10:7-2-1); will be prominent in the early stages
4. #7 – Fellowship (12-1): Two years ago was on the Derby Trail earning black type in FOY and FL Derby; has become a versatile runner winning sprints and routes but not in graded stakes; earned personal best 100 BRIS# in 6 furlong sprint here 3 weeks ago in OC$32kn3x

Ms. Locust Point.  Photo by Laurie Asseo.

Race 10 — G2 BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES

RACE PARTICULARS: Race 10 (5:00pm EST), $300,000 guaranteed purse for fillies & mares 4-year-olds and upward, 7 Furlongs (Dirt)

THE PICKS

1. #6 – Berned (6-1): Huge effort as upset (8-1) winner of $100k Safely Kept on local oval in Nov. to post career best BRIS# 100; appears trainer G. Motion discovered she’s at her best in middle distances after knocking heads with the best 3-year-old fillies last year; a six-pack of perfectly placed drills has her primed for a top effort
2. #11 – Highway Star (7-2): Has competed in graded stakes events in past 7 starts hitting the board in all except G1 BC F&M Sprint; has a win and near miss (by a head) in past two races coming off similar layoff
3. #9 – Ms Locust Point (4-1): Has toyed with competition in all three outings since returning to races from a nine- month layoff; only off the board finish came in lone graded stakes try but that ended her 3-year-old campaign in which something went amiss; hasn’t fully reached her potential but missed a work due to weather
4. #10 – Quezon (9-2): Destroyed NY-breds in LaVerdad after win in open minor stakes, both at Aqu; 3 for 4 at 7f as lone loss came when lost footing at the start; there’s plenty of early speed in here for her to catch late in third race after layoff