Gabby Gaudet's betting tips and best bets for Friday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 1 :10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 3 Archie's Revenge, No. 6 Twist of Lime, No. 4 Haircut Bill
Archie's Revenge debuts for a barn that is 4-9 (44 percent, $7.17 ROI) with first time starters on the dirt, and picks up Hall of Fame rider Edgar Prado. Twist of Lime drops back down to the level where he was narrowly defeated but will be a short price. Haircut Bill will need to improve from his first start but there's opportunity to do so given the addition of Lasix and blinkers today.
Race 2, 1:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Full Quest, No. 2 Spiced Commander, No. 6 Conzee Hold
Other than Full Quest's very first start, his only effort on a fast main track was against multiple graded stakes placed Recruiting Ready. This seems like a better spot for him coming out of Allowance company at Charles Town. Spiced Commander checked significantly out of the gate in his dirt debut last out. He found himself too far back but made a nice, late bid. Looked for him to be closer to the pace today. Conzee Hold took quite a big leap after his maiden score – better placement today.
Race 3, 2:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 11 Intrepid Citizen, No. 10 Ocala Jim, No. 5 Artic North
Ocala Jim was squeezed of every ounce to get up at the wire last out. Although a fast race comparable to his foes today, visually it concerned me for his ability to repeat. I'll try to beat him with Intrepid Citizen how ran well against starter allowance company last out, in a race where the pace held together well and has been consistent against the level. Artic North looks to make it back-to-back but may be a bit vulnerable as the trainer is 0-14 with turf horses coming back to repeat.
Race 4, 2:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Capucine, No. 6 Beaches N' Bourbon, No. 9 Seeing'n'believing
Capucine was the beaten favorite last out to a long shot winner. Not necessarily a good position to be in while entering this spot, but she looks likes the fastest early here and should have tactical advantage. Beaches N' Bourbon lugged in slightly at the top of the stretch last out to an eventual DQ – but looked like she was going to win easily regardless. She could easily win here but my main concern is that she won't get the same kind of pace she did last out. Seeing'n'believing is protected first time trainer switch and has races competitive enough to be a factor.
Race 5, 3:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 La La Bamba, No. 8 Phantom Shot, No. 5 Beautiful Nite Sky
La La Bamba drops in class and tries the dirt for the first time. Her dam was stakes placed sprinting on the dirt and all of this filly's siblings have been more successful on dirt than turf. Like the surface change. Phantom Shot was on the engine from the get-go last out when drawing the rail post. Today has better options from the outside. Beautiful Nite Sky has a better dirt pedigree and looks like she's got enough speed to be on or near the lead.
Race 6, 3:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 My Sister Caro, No. 10 Lady Allegra, No. 5 Dare To Be
My Sister Caro may be slightly overlooked given her efforts out of town but her company was actually very good. The two horses that beat her in her two recent efforts both ran into the low 80-Beyer range and there aren't many that can do that in this spot. She and Summer Frock look to be the speed. Lady Allegra has had a lot of stops and starts in her short career but finds a comfortable spot off the April layoff – the one to beat. Dare To Be put in a great effort off time away and also looked like she was running against the bias that day.
Race 7, 4:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Blu Moon Ace, No. 11 Available, No. 12 Joseph
Blu Moon Ace was caught in a tough position while chasing a slow pace last out in the Mister Diz. I'm still undecided on if he's better on the turf or dirt but I do think he's sitting on a much better effort than his last showed. I briefly though Available was going to pull off the elusive win in the Punch Line last out but he reverted to his old ways of being resistant to get his win picture taken. Still respect this runner and tries hard every time. Joseph is the proven turf sprinter in here and may be best via default. The Jenkins barn does well with repeat winners.
Race 8, 4:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 If I Was a Boy, No. 6 Table Jumper, No. 4 Justoneofakind
If I Was a Boy runs fresh off of a 4-month layoff but continues to improve. In her last race at Pimlico, it looked like she wasn't liking being covered up and in tight down on the rail. Hoping she can get a cler trip today. Table Jumper sits atop a questionable perforamce last out. What do we chalk it up to – the turf or perhaps she's not the same this year? Her bullet drills in the A.M. since that race make me think she's not a lawn mower. Justoneofakind can't seem to seal the deal but must pay attention to any and every Rice shipper.
Race 9, 5:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Maryland Bird, No. 6 Participate, No. 4 Cherished Prize
Maryland Bird isn't really bred to like the turf but if she can duplicate her race in July, she could steal this. Participate takes a big drop in class and looks like she'll be forwardly placed. Cherished Prize has had several missed opportunities going this distance, on this surface against this company. She's capable but I had to look elsewhere at a short price.
Best bet: Race 8, No. 2 If I Was a Boy
Price play: Race 5, No. 4 La La Bamba