Until Thunderello ran a gritty second in the Breeders' Cup Sprint less than three weeks ago, the De Francis Dash wasn't even on trainer Scott Lake's mind.

Now, Lake has in his barn the overnight favorite for the Grade I, $300,000 De Francis Dash on Saturday at Laurel Park.

Thunderello was made a slight 9-to-5 choice yesterday over California speedster Avanzado in a field of eight that does not include the popular local filly, Xtra Heat.

"I love it," Lake said of being the favorite. "He ran a tremendous race in the Breeders' Cup [beaten by a half length by now-retired Orientate]. I wasn't even thinking about the De Francis until that happened. And he is training very good right now."

Lake, who leads the nation in races won, was pleased with drawing the seventh post because Thunderello is versatile enough to charge to the lead or be rated kindly. Avanzado will break just inside of him.

"Boston Common [listed at 9-to-2 odds] is another solid contender," Lake said. "We beat him at Philadelphia Park in a stake but he spotted us a lot of weight [seven pounds] and had had a hard campaign."

Xtra Heat was nominated to the De Francis, but lost 10 training days when she went through the sales ring at Keeneland early this month. She resumed training only late last week.

"Once she went to the sale we decided not to run," said trainer John Salzman Sr. "She just lost too much time and is not fit enough to run in that race [De Francis] against males. We'll run next in New York against fillies."

Xtra Heat, who was third in last year's De Francis, will start next on Dec. 14 in the $75,000 Garland of Roses Handicap at Aqueduct.

As usual, speed abounds in the De Francis field, with Avanzado, Boston Common and local runner Rusty Spur all horses who like to go to the lead quickly. D'Wildcat, Outstander, Deer Run and Sassy Hound usually stalk or come from off the pace.

Avanzado is unbeaten in three races in America since arriving from Argentina, and Rusty Spur was second to 2000 Preakness winner Red Bullet in a Delaware Park stakes Nov. 2.

Boston Common is dropping two furlongs and returning to dirt from turf after trying the Breeders' Cup Mile and fading from the lead to finish 13th.

Six stakes races will be conducted Saturday, including the Grade II, $100,000 Laurel Futurity, one of the first major tests for the 2003 Triple Crown series.