There’s plenty of action in the mid-Atlantic this weekend (and on our site!). Here’s what’s on tap:
- Stakes action at Laurel Park.
- Laurel Park hosts three stakes on Saturday: the Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie, the John B. Campbell Handicap, and the Maryland Racing Media Stakes. All three races offer crowded fields and interesting wagering opportunities. For more: Sam’s Sister headlines Fritchie, Deep field in the John Campbell.
- Maryland Handicapping Series contest.
- On Saturday, The Racing Biz and the Maryland Horse Breeders Association will cohost — with an assist from our friends at the Maryland Jockey Club — the latest installment of our Maryland Handicapping Series FREE online handicapping contest. Go here to learn more and enter!
- Need help playing the tourney, or ‘capping the card? Check out our free In Focus report, featuring handicappers’ selections, horse-by-horse analysis, tips and trends, and much more!
- El Oh El (5-1), Parx Racing, R9 (4:07), Allowance N1X, 4yo and up, 6 furlongs
- Edward Auwarter trainee rides a four-race winning streak into this allowance event, three with top local jock Frankie Pennington in the irons, a condition which will also apply in this event. Intact Speightstown horse makes the move up from starter company — a step, but not necessarily an overwhelming one — off a head score agsinst starters; place horse Dan’s Gold returned to beat similar and then ran second against allowance runners. Potential race shape may also support this guy’s cause, as a handful of speed horses might create the right sort of pace scenario for a horse usually sitting mid-pack and looking to make a run. Trip issues haven’t hindered him against starters, but a clean trip here sure would aid the cause.
- One More Time (5-2 part of entry), Charles Town Races, R7 (9:55), Allowance N3L, 3yo, 7 furlongs
- Talk about class relief: John Casey trainee has been keeping fancy company of late, chasing his better stablemate, Hear the Chatter, four times to no avail (three seconds and a third). Most recently, he ran seventh, at 49-1, in the Frank Whiteley, Jr. Stakes at Laurel Park, a race won by the very good Majestic Affair. There’s nobody like either of those in here today, though favored Silver or Gold has impressed in winning his first two tries. Regular rider Erik Ramirez retains the mount, and an improved effort looks likely. The last time he faced allowance foes he coasted to a four-length score at Delaware. And so the question betters must confront: is Silver Or Gold all that? Or will this runner’s class and experience edges prove the difference?
