Stan Salter's betting tips and analysis for Saturday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1: 1:25 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 9 Because He Can, No. 7 Racy, No. 6 Call First
There appears to be a ton of early speed in this race, which could set it up nicely for a closer like Because He Can, who is trying the turf for the first time today for trainer Kieron Magee. His dam was a multiple stakes winner who earned $381,000, and she did finish third going long in a stakes race on the turf once. This horse also has a younger half-sister who won a race sprinting on the turf. With the seven pounds off we're getting with the apprentice Ashley Castrenze, this closing sprinter offers great value at 8-1. Racy came back to the races in June after a layoff and won as the favorite, but faces tougher company today. Call First is in good form right now and is coming into today's race following a win last out at Penn National.
Race 2: 1:57 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 All Fired Up, No. 2 Ravenheart, No. 1 Jeezum Jim
All Fired Up has shown two strong efforts, including his strong win against MSW company here at Laurel Park on July 4. Since the maiden win, this 3-year-old son of Friesan Fire has turned in a bullet-work going five-furlongs here on July 22 for trainer Tim Keefe, who already has nine winners on the meet, good for a 36 percent win clip. Feargal Lynch has been aboard this guy so far, and takes the call again today. Ravenheart won the Maryland Juvenile Futurity last December here at Laurel Park, and makes his first start since then today. Jeezum Jim ran well last year as a 2-year-old, and runs second off the layoff today as a first-time gelding.
Race 3: 2:29 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 The Pulse, No. 4 I. E. Flash, No. 5 Fantod
The Pulse looks to be lone speed in here with Angel Cruz up for trainer Lacey Gaudet. He just missed at this level when going to the front in his turf debut last out, and will most likely be playing "catch me if you can" again today. I. E. Flash has rallied for two wins in a row in his last two races at this level. He'll be a factor late once again today, but I'm thinking my top pick will get the jump on him. Fantod had some traffic problems in the stretch last out, but is capable of better.
Race 4: 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Barter, No. 12 Slippery Slope, No. 11 Ruston Vow
Barter broke his maiden going long on the turf here at Laurel Park last October, and since then finished a good third facing winners for the first time last December in Tampa for trainer Arnaud Delacour. Today is his first race back since December, and the barn does well with bringing horses back off a layoff, currently winning at 30 percent with that move. Forest Boyce was up for the maiden win last year, so it's nice to see her back on this gelding today. Slippery Slope was forwardly placed and finished second at this level last out, which was his first race since last January. Ruston Vow rallied to get second last out at this level, and should be right there again today to get a piece of the action.
Race 5: 3:35 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Danish Pastry, No. 9 Sweet Honesty, No. 6 Koppnout
Danish Pastry has been facing tougher company and takes a drop in class today, which is her second start off an 11-month layoff for trainer Tim Keefe. Since the comeback race she has a bullet-work posted here at Laurel Park on July 16. Sheldon Russell rode her a couple of times last year, and will ride her again today for a barn he has had a lot of success with. Sweet Honesty ran a decent third at this level in her debut and drops back down to this level today. Koppnout didn't like the turf last out, but gets back to a surface today that he has run well on.
Race 6: 4:08 p.m.
Selections: No. 9 Eyeplayeveryday, No. 2 Souperfast, No. 8 Top of Mind
Eyeplayeveryday has been in top form since trainer Bill Komlo switched this Maryland-bred to the turf last summer. He had a strong third in the comeback Allowance Race in June and followed that up with a game win last out in The Find Stakes for Maryland-breds. Jockey Feargal Lynch should be able to get a nice trip stalking just off the early pace-setters. Souperfast is very fast early and had a nice coast-to-coast win over the Laurel Park Turf last October. In his most recent race earlier this month he went to the front and just missed at this level. Top of Mind is 2-for-2 so far on the turf and will benefit today if we have a fast early pace.
Race 7: 4:41 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Inchargeofme, No. 1 Good Roll, No. 8 Foreverinmyheart
Inchargeofme is well-bred for the turf and ran well in her debut earlier this month at Delaware. She is trained by the Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey and will be ridden today by Hall of Famer Edgar Prado. She also gets Lasix for the first time today, and the barn wins at 25 percent with their second-time starters. Good Roll has been right there at this level and should be able to get a ground-saving trip breaking from the rail today. Foreverinmyheart is well-bred and should be able to improve going longer today following her debut, where she didn't break very well.
Race 8: 5:16 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Jump Jive an Wail, No. 6 Doctor Mounty, No. 5 Red Hot Warrior
Jump Jive an Wail broke his maiden going long on the dirt against MSW company last April here at Laurel Park. His two races since then haven't been very good, but he runs today as a first-time gelding for trainer Mary Eppler. Victor Carrasco won on him in April and takes the call on him again today. Doctor Mounty will be the heavy favorite in this race for strong connections, but hasn't raced since getting beat at Belmont back on June 11. Red Hot Warrior broke his maiden on the dirt last summer, and gets back to that surface for the first time today since trying the turf in recent starts.
Race 9: 5:51 p.m.
Selections: No. 12 Arc de Nua, No. 9 Champagne Time, No. 6 Cherished Prize
Arc de Nua finished a good third at this level last out for trainer Michelle Nevin. Today is her third race back off a long layoff and she gets Victor Carrasco to ride, who wins at 40 percent here at Laurel when riding for this barn. Champagne Time ran a decent third against better in her most recent race, and should appreciate the slight drop in class today. Cherished Prize just missed at this level in her two most recent starts and figures to be one of the main threats once again today.
Best bet: Race 3, No. 3 The Pulse (5-2)
Day Maker: Race 9, No. 12 Arc de Nua (8-1)
Play of the Day:
Race 1: Early Pick 5 starts here (Mandatory pay-out with a 12 percent takeout)
1st: 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
2nd: 1, 2, 5
3rd: 3
4th: 8, 12
5th: 4, 9
Cost: $36