Stan Salter's analysis and betting tips for Friday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 3:40 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 6 Runaway Dude, No. 3 Beware the Fury, No. 5 Northern Justice
Runaway Dude has been the beaten favorite at this level in his last two races, however. The place horse two back and the winner of his most recent runner-up performance both came back to win, so I'll give this 4-year-old son of Awesome Again one more shot as the heavy favorite for trainer Jose Corrales. Kali Francois was on him for the sharp second last out and will ride him once today in his second start since a brief freshening. Beware the Fury was a game second last out at Delaware and is the main threat to upset the favorite in this spot. Northern Justice made an improvement last out & will try to make a run from far
back once again today.
Race 2, 4:09 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 La La Bamba, No. 9 Mischievous Star, No. 2 Dancing Rags
La La Bamba gets a beneficial outside post for her debut today for trainer Lacey Gaudet, who had a two-win weekend here last weekend and has also scored with a couple of first-out winners recently. This 2-year-old daughter of Paddy O'Prado is out of the Not For Love mare Bamba, who was multiple stakes-placed and earned $92K. She also has a couple of sibs who earned over $100K, and she gets Feargal Lynch aboard today. Mischievous Star is by a top sire, and has attracted Edgar Prado for her debut eff ort today. Dancing Rags is well-bred and makes her first start today for strong connections.
Race 3, 4:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Great Smoke, No. 2 To Dare, No. 1 Mr. Game Seven
Great Smoke is a four-time winner here at Laurel Park and drops down to a level today where he'll be very tough to beat for trainer Linda Albert. Horacio Karamanos has been aboard for two of his wins, so it's encouraging to see him in the saddle once again today. To Dare has been a bit off form since his sharp win against allowance company last November, but the class relief he gets today could wake him up real quick. Mr. Game Seven ran a game second two back for $15,000 claimers, and should be competitive in this spot today.
Race 4, 5:09 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Brockolini, No. 8 Cheverie, No. 10 Dancing Magician
Brockolini was the beaten favorite at this level last out and was claimed by trainer Kieron Magee, who wins at 24 percent first-off the claim. His effort two back was pretty good and he'll have a good chance to get back in top form today making his third start off a six-month layoff with top rider Trevor McCarthy in the irons. Cheverie had a sharp maiden win following a five-month break last April here at Laurel, and was a decent third last out for $20,000 never won two lifetime at Delaware. Dancing Magician broke her maiden going long on the turf at Laurel last November and is capable of improving her recent form in this spot today.
Race 5, 5:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 9 Shimmering Aspen, No. 7 Friesan Girl, No. 6 First On First
Shimmering Aspen is a well-bred 2-year-old daughter of Malibu Moon who cost $200K as a yearling purchase. Her dam Aspenglow was second in the 2011 Grade 2 Barbara Fritchie here at Laurel, and was a multiple stakes-winner who earned $465K. This filly has been
working well in the mornings here at Laurel for trainer Rodney Jenkins, who does well with young horses. Great to see his top jock Victor Carrasco to take the call on this filly today. Friesan Gal has some solid pedigree and had to face adversity in her debut on 7/1. She
should improve today for strong connections. First On First is by Medaglia d'Oro and is out of a mare by A.P. Indy. She has some nice works posted at Fair Hill for her debut today.
Race 6, 6:11 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Rock Eagle, No. 2 Dannhauser, No. 5 El Jefe Grande
Salty bunch of upper-level Allowance turf routers make up this co-feature of the day. Rock Eagle has been in top form recently, including a sharp win last out here at Laurel against first-level Allowance company, which looks even better now after the place horse came back to win. The Rudy Rodriguez-trainee must continue his progress, as he is facing tougher horses today with Julian Pimentel in the saddle. Dannhauser is a past stakes winner here at Laurel Park and gets reunited with Sheldon Russell today. El Jefe Grande was third in the Grade 2 Commonwealth Cup at Laurel last September, but is making his fi rst start since last
November today.
Race 7, 6:42 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Cerebral, No. 2 Unbridled Lion, No. 5 Flash McCaul
The Maryland-bred Cerebral had two sharp back-to-back wins last October here at Laurel Park, and he looks to be lone speed today for trainer Gary Capuano, who had a three-win weekend here last weekend. Daniel Centeno was on this guy for his last win and takes the call again today in what will be this 4-year-old's second start after a seven-month break.
Unbridled Lion had a sharp win last out at Delaware and is taking a step up in class today. Flash McCaul has two wins and four seconds from seven starts here at Laurel Park.
Race 8, 7:12 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Path Dependent, No. 5 Tigers Bop, No. 8 Eastside Cat
Path Dependent was a game second at this level last out for leading trainer Tim Keefe and jockey Feargal Lynch. They will be flying late once again today and look to improve on the already impressive 33 percent win clip this trainer and jockey combo have here at Laurel. Tigers Bop is very quick early and just missed on the front end last out in his fi rst start in a year. Eastside Cat was third to my top pick last out following a four-month break.
Best bet: Race 7, No. 7 Cerebral (5-2)
Day maker: Race 2, No. 10 La La Bamba (8-1)
Play of the day
Race 3: Rainbow Pick 6 starts here, today's carryover is $9,449
3rd: 2, 6
4th: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10
5th: 6, 7, 9
6th: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8
7th: 7
8th: 4, 5
Cost: $96