Gabby Gaudet's betting tips and best bets for Sunday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 1:10 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 4 Nicamore, No. 7 Cherokee Spirit, No. 6 Collateral Damage
Nicamore is by freshman sire Nicanor, who is Barbaro's brother, and out of a stakes-winning mare who won nine races good for $157K. Trainer Hugh McMahon is having a very good fall meet at Laurel Park and he gets leading rider Trevor McCarthy to take the call on this first-time starter. Cherokee Spirit ran a decent third last out at this level and should be able to get a nice trip stalking from the outside. Collateral Damage is a first-time starter for a barn who has won with a few debut runners so far this year.
Race 2, 1:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Tiz Showbiz, No. 7 Buck n' Ham Lane, No. 2 Photogenic
Tiz Showbiz runs today for the first time out of trainer Hugh McMahon's Barn, who is a solid 14 percent from a large sampling with new horses in his barn. His last race was against much better open $10,000 company at Penn National and it was his first race following a 10-month layoff. With the drop to this level today, this $100K plus earner should be able to make a big improvement with jockey Kevin Gomez in the saddle. Buck n' Ham Lane had a very nice win at 10-1 in his race two back and just got beat at this level last out at 23-1. Photogenic is always right there but hasn't been able to find the winner's circle recently.
Race 3, 2:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 Yes Its Factual, No. 5 Majestic Trick, No. 7 Princess Akila
Yes Its Factual just missed against slightly better company last out at Belmont Park and trainer Mike Trombetta has him well spotted to break his maiden today with Hall of Fame rider Edgar Prado aboard. Majestic Trick just missed last out at Monmouth and runs for a barn that is having a very nice meet. Princess Akila had some solid efforts last Winter at Gulfstream and hopes to regain that form today.
Race 4, 2:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Dancing Lucy, No. 10 Maggiesfreudianslip, No. 3 Pret Say Eye
Dancing Lucy has had a successful season but this is her toughest task to date – I like that she has shown the ability to stalk and still be a factor. Maggiesfreudianslip should be pressing from the outside but she will have to contend with other speed-types. Pret Say Eye gets the right setup but is she good enough?
Race 5, 3:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Classydame, No. 9 Riley's Choice, No. 6 Zuzanna
Classydame is a half to multiple graded stakes winner on the dirt Pretty N' Cool – intriguing surface change. Riley's Choice will be bet off her eye-catching pedigree out of a Breeders' Cup-winning dam but the mare has yet to produce anything of note. Zuzanna posts promising workouts for a top outfit and gets the leading rider.
Race 6, 3:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 1 Storm Net, No. 9 Cort'n Asong, No. 7 Awesome Bill
Storm Net has good, tactical speed and has been knocking on the door for the Hall of Fame trainer – the price is right. Cort'n Asong dangles the bait, now dropping in for the $16,000 tag after a score against $30,000-claimers. Luck (in trips) hasn't been on Awesome Bill's side as of late but the rider change to Carrasco may do the trick.
Race 7, 4:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 11 Queeb, No. 8. Kitty's Right, No. 7 Bold Embrace
Queeb had trouble while turning back in distance last out. Her previous turf sprints were against some heady allowance competition. Kitty's Right put it all together to surge late for the maiden score – can she go back-to-back? Bold Embrace looks to be closing late after trouble in last.
Race 8, 4:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Struth, No. 4 Blue Moon Ace, No. 1 Story to Tell
Struth finds a much better spot here on the turn back in distance. Last time sprinting, he lost to a legitimate foe who recently won a 3x Alw/Opt at Laurel. Blue Moon Ace clocks a snazzy workout to set him up nicely for this spot. Story to Tell ships in from New York where he met slightly tougher but has limited positional options from the rail.
Race 9, 5:10 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Bay Bridge, No. 9 Enough Is Enough, No. 8 Slippery Slope
Bay Bridge gets a major class relief from his previous distance turf races. Draws well to stalk the speed and save ground. Enough Is Enough is listed as a recent gelding and plummets to the $16,000 claiming price – but will that be enough? Slippery Slope has been narrowly defeated against similar in the past – he'll be right there.
Best bet: Race 5, No. 4 Classydame
Price play: Race 9, No. 2 Bay Bridge