Stan Stalter's analysis and betting tips for Saturday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 1:25 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 10 Call First, No. 5 Oak Bluffs, No. 1a Indian Bucks
Call First is a classy 8-year-old son of A. P. Indy who is in top form right now for trainer Gina Perry. He has six turf wins, including wins in his last two races. J. A. Hernandez was up for the last two wins and takes the call again today. Oak Bluffs has two wins over the Laurel Turf and is rounding back into top form. Indian Bucks has two wins and a third in last three starts at this level.
Race 2, 1:57 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Savage River, No. 3 Not for Fun, No. 4 Split
Savage River offers great value today at 10-1 odds in a wide-open contest. Trainer Gerald Brooks switches from apprentice jockey to journeyman Jevian Toledo, and this combo wins at a solid 24 percent. Not for Fun has rallied in his last two starts to finish second and should
be right there once again today. Split's last start on a fast main track wasn't that bad and he gets a class relief today.
Race 3, 2:29 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Church Monkey, No. 4 Nice Try, No. 3 Pitch 'n Putt
Church Monkey has fired two sharp efforts to finish second in his last two starts at this level for trainer Hugh McMahon. Jockey Jevian Toledo might find himself as the lone early speed and we can all say a prayer he goes all the way today. Nice Try's last two were okay and he should benefit today from a slight drop, blinkers on, and being a first-time gelding. Pitch
'n Putt is 0-27 in the win column, but likes to get a piece of the action.
Race 4, 3:02 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Vizi Girl, No. 4 Gem, No. 8 Galroyale
Vizi Girl's last two at Delaware have been solid and she is getting a slight class relief today for trainer Kelly Rubley, who has won four races from seven start this summer at Laurel Park. Jockey Daniel Centeno should benefit from getting a ground-saving trip breaking from
the rail. Gem's races two & three back were pretty good and she didn't embarrass herself last out against restricted stakes company. Galroyale is taking a drop today and runs for the fi rst time for new barn who wins at 25 percent with new horses in their barn.
Race 5, 3:35 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Jiravit, No. 4 Tom's Gift, No. 5 Theyallcomehome
Jiravit has two wins at Laurel and both of them were going the same distance as this race today. Trainer Thomas Clark gives him a class relief today and puts jockey Daniel Centeno up. Tom's Gift was in against open company last out and had a bad post. The drop he gets today should help him regain his better form. Theyallcomehome's race two back was good enough to win here and he encountered trouble in his last start.
Race 6, 4:08 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Lovely Elle, No. 4 Heavenly Perfect, No. 9 Synergist
Lovely Elle's two races back in March were both good enough to win this race today. Trainer Allen Iwinski comes to town winning at a 25 percent clip and gets top rider Trevor McCarthy to take the call. Heavenly Perfect was a game second last out at this level and runs today first off the claim for trainer Kieron Magee, who wins at 24 percent first off the claim. Synergist rallied to win her last start at this level and will be a factor late once again today.
Race 7, 4:41 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Tango Delta, No. 1 Mineralistic, No. 5 Security Check
Tango Delta swung five-wide last out to win going away by almost five lengths to break her maiden. Trainer Jerry Robb has her well spotted today to face winners for the first time. Jevian Toledo was aboard for the win last out and will ride again today. Mineralistic has been third in all three of her races this year and is one of the top contenders today, but must overcome inside post. Security Check is well-bred and finally put it all together last out to break her maiden.
Race 8, 5:16 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Grey Fox, No. 6 Miners Quest, No. 1 Joseph
Grey Fox has a win, two seconds and a third sprinting on the grass and he is the deserving favorite today for trainer Kelly Rubley. Jockey Daniel Centeno will hopefully have enough pace in front of him early to make a rally on this 3-year-old colt who likes to rally from off the pace. Miners Quest was a very sharp second last out at this level and beat my top pick. He'll be the main threat once again today. Joseph has turned in four consistently good efforts sprinting on the grass, but must overcome breaking from the rail today.
Race 9, 5:51 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Y'er Wan No. 10 Cherished Prize, No. 7 Snuck a Little Fun
Y'er Wan is by a good turf sire and has encountered two rough trips in her two starts on the grass so far. Trainer Carl Doran gets jockey Feargal Lynch to ride today and if they can get a better trip, then this 3-year-old daughter of Fairbanks has a chance to pull off the upset at 10-1. Cherished Prize has been close in her last two at this level and is the likely horse to beat in this spot today. Snuck a Little Fun was fourth two back against better and had traffic problems that day.
Best bet: Race 8, No. 7 Grey Fox, (8-5)
Day maker: Race 9, No. 4 Y'er Wan (10-1)
Play of the day:
Race 1: Early Pick 5 starts here (Mandatory payout with an industry low 12 percent takeout)
1st: 1, 2, 5, 10
2nd: 3, 4, 6, 7
3rd: 2, 4
4th: 1, 4
5th: 2, 4
Cost: $64