Gabby Gaudet's betting tips and best bets for Friday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 12:30 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 9 Shouk, No. 7 Mr. Spaceman, No. 4 My Team
Shouk comes back to a reasonable level after being outclassed last out but has speed and and outside post to control. Mr. Spaceman is the horse to beat but hard to trust on the drop. My Team might be in the catbird seat while others duel in front.
Race 2, 1 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Gimme Kimmy, No. 1 Mine for Keeps, No. 2 Dream Your Dreams
Gimme Kimmy was making a move mid-stretch last out when unfortunately clipping heels with another horse that came out on her. Worthy of another try. Mine for Keeps took interesting money first out for a barn that has only started 30 horses in maiden special weights over the past 5 years. Dream Your Dreams ran well last out but unlike Gimme Kimmy, she was unscathed during the stretch.
Race 3, 1:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Artic North, No. 4 Music Critik, No. 10 Sam's Sonic
Artic North keeps being entered for the tag and keeps running well. Closed into a slow pace last out and see no reason to go against today. Music Critik ran into a big class-dropper in his last turf start – think this surface is preferred. Sam's Sonic could take a step forward in his second start off the layoff.
Race 4, 2 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Mo Tramp, No. 7 Desert Frontier, No. 8 Barin
Mo Tramp faded against tougher last out but I like that he has a good bottom at two-turns for the turn back to the 7-furlongs today. May be the fittest of all. Desert Frontier debuts for a barn that is dangerous with first timers wherever they show up and showcases an impressive pedigree. Barin is out of a mare that earned a 90-Beyer Speed Figure when breaking her maiden, and has a favorable outside post.
Race 5, 2:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Bushrod, No. 7 Ruth Less Blue, No. 10 Kaitain
Bushrod experienced early trouble and had to check at the ½ mile pole and it cost him his early position last out. Must "go" today. Ruth Less Blue makes a lateral move here and is the proven commodity whereas Kaitain makes his turf debut and is out of a mare that was a two-time turf winner going long.
Race 6, 3 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Tapkee, No. 5 Open the Bank, No. 2 Intrepid Citizen
Tapkee dropped in for the $5,000-tag last out to make him eligible for this spot today. Savvy move by the barn and he's tactical enough to sit close to the pace. Open the Bank pulled a major upset in his last turf start – can lightning strike twice? Intrepid Citizen sometimes has the tendency to be pace dependent but an inside post might help him sit a bit closer today.
Race 7, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 La La Bamba, No. 9 Late Night Kiss, No. 8 Holiday Magician
La La Bamba cuts back slightly after showing speed and fading at six-furlongs. Can she take them all the way? Holiday Magician drops out of the same race and overall looks like a faster maiden race comparable to the rest of the field. Late Night Kiss drops significantly after facing a winner that went out to take the Grade 3 Matron next out.
Race 8, 4 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Capucine, No. 7 Cavort, No. 5 Beaches N Bourbon
Capucine showed a nice rating gear last out and ran too well to lose. Going back to her one more time, liking the versatility she's shown. Cavort hasn't been seen in almost a year and immediately comes back for the $25,000 claiming price. Respect but will take the wait-and-see approach. Beaches N Bourbon could improve getting to a firmer surface than last.
Race 9, 4:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Steel Sky, No. 1 Shan Dian Kia, No. 3 Storm Net
Steel Sky has enough positional speed to work out a trip on or near the lead. The last time in Maryland, he was second against two-other-than company – a much tougher condition than today. Shan Dian Kia hopes to bring his form back to life while coming back to his preferred surface. Storm Net needs an honest pace, but will he get it?
Race 10, 5 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Sea Raven, No. 2 Connemara Coast, No. 9 Name Changer
Sea Raven has done little wrong lately other than run poorly on an off track in August. Think he'll appreciate stretching out to the two-turns today. Connemara Coast must rebound off his performance last out – maybe it was a little too tough of a spot to come back off slight layoff. Name Changer took a break after having a poor start in the Smarty Jones. He'll have to defeat his elders today but that was not a problem before – note the July 2nd race.
Race 11, 5:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Triple Black Jack, No. 3 Speightshill, No. 1 No Knock Raid
Triple Black Jack faced two tough fields when sprinting on the turf and finds a more manageable field today. Speightshill is bred to love the lawn. Maybe give him a pass for his lone turf try as that was a two-turn race, not a one-turn sprint. No Knock Raid draws a tough post – can he work out a trip from the rail?
Best bet: Race 3, No. 3 Artic North
Price play: Race 5, No. 3 Bushrod