With injured local favorite Ah Day on the sidelines, a flock of New Yorkers will be at Laurel Park today to seek the winner's share of the purse in the Grade II, $300,000 General George Handicap.
The field of eight has only one home entry, John Alecci-trained Ryan's for Real, and one other not stabled in New York, Marvel Wood, who campaigns primarily at Philadelphia Park and Delaware Park. And both are decided long shots in the morning line.
They face a daunting task in trying to get on the board against shippers from New York who stand in the barns of Todd Pletcher, Kiaran McLaughlin, Rick and Tony Dutrow and Bruce Levine.
Bustin Stones, trained by Levine, figures to attract bettors off his undefeated record in four starts. He has never trailed and returned from a seven-month layoff after knee surgery to score another front-running victory.
"He is fast," Levine said. "I am going to try to make the lead."
Ramon Dominguez, on Bustin Stones, might be challenged on the front by Throng, who won the Native Dancer Stakes last month at Laurel and will have Edgar Prado aboard.
"We are excited to bring him back down there," said Seth Benzel, one of Pletcher's assistant trainers. "We are fairly enthusiastic about his chances."
Divine Park, a McLaughlin charge, is another who should be a factor. He was on the Triple Crown trail last spring, winning the Withers Stakes in April, but did not start again until December.
The only graded victor in the field is "training better than ever," said Artie Magnuson, McLaughlin's assistant trainer. "What we like about him is his versatility. We wouldn't trade places with anybody in the race."
Stormin Normandy has early speed and is on a four-race winning streak.
"I have been pointing to this race all year, and when Ah Day wasn't able to go, we decided to bypass New York," trainer Rick Dutrow said.
Lord Snowden, from Tony Dutrow's barn, has Jeremy Rose in the irons and a strong charge through the stretch.
"The absence of Ah Day created an opportunity for others, and I wanted to be in position to take advantage of that situation," Tony Dutrow said. "It looks like a lively pace, and Lord Snowden is in the best form of his career. I think he will relish seven furlongs."