Gabby Gaudet's betting tips and best bets for Sunday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 12:30 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 8 Bourbon and Beer, No. 1 Add Four, No. 6 Big Platinum
Bourbon and Beer's dam made $129K and was 1-12 on the turf. He should like the added distance he gets today for trainer Robbie Bailes. Add Four was a good third against better last out and should be able to get ground-saving trip today. Big Platinum has turned in some decent efforts in the past and will try to rebound from his most recent race.
Race 2, 1 p.m.
Selections: No. 6 Lockupthebourbon, No. 7 Kilt Chaser, No. 3 First Blush
Lockupthebourbon had a nice rally last out to be third at this level and should like today's stretch out to seven furlongs, a distance he has won at before for trainer Charles Frock. Kilt Chaser had a sharp win two back and was a decent third last out going three turns at Charles Town. First Blush didn't like the mud last out and should improve today if we have a fast track.
Race 3, 1:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 13 Giovanna Blues, No. 11 Hoosier Girl, No. 12 Anissa
Giovanna Blues has turned in two sharp efforts so far, including her last race when she rallied extremely wide to finish third at this level for trainer Michael Dickinson. Hoosier Girl is a well-bred filly by Uncle Mo who is stretching out on the turf for the first time today. Anissa comes into this race off of three straight seconds at this level.
Race 4, 2 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Hissy Fit, No. 6 She Rolls, No. 4 If I Was a Boy
Hissy Fit was an impressive winner two back and ran third last out first off the claim for trainer Hugh McMahon. She'll be forwardly placed early on with jockey Victor Carrasco. She Rolls was a beaten favorite last out at this level, but she is a three-time winner here at Laurel. If I Was a Boy rallied wide to finish second last out in her first start in four months.
Race 5, 2:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Lady of Moray, No. 8 Poochy, No. 1 Chesapeake Spring
Lady of Moray has a lot of early speed and she has won her last two races for trainer Holly Robinson. She won at this level last out and will have all challengers chasing her once again today. Poochy rallied from off the pace last out to win at the Meadowlands. Chesapeake Spring has talent but must navigate a trip from the rail today.
Race 6, 3 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Jiravit, No. 1a. Twisted Earl, 8. Lord Earl Grey
Jiravit had trouble against a big class dropper last out and meets slightly easier today. Twisted Earl almost stole the last race while being reunited with Lauralea Glaser – look for him to do the same stretching out to a distance where he's a two-time winner. Lord Early Grey will hope for pace with his usual late run.
Race 7, 3:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Montavista Crossing, No. 6 Seaside Schiller, No. 1 Awake the Day
Monavista Crossing has paired up two nice efforts on the turf in two different styles. Has the control from the outside post. Seaside Schiller is the horse to beat when looking at class but sits on two questionable efforts. Awake the Day was outclassed in the Oakley but her form came to life last out of when dropping to the right level.
Race 8, 4 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 Catching Fireflies, No. 11 Seeking Paradise, No. 7 Coastal Sea
Catching Fireflies had strange action in her first race off the layoff but willing to excuse considering that she's entering back against two-other-than allowance company. Seeking Paradise is the class but probably isn't the fastest early in this field and has a tough post. Coastal Sea will try to tackle elders today and will she get enough pace to do her best running?
Race 9, 4:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 4 Enough Is Enough, No. 3 Louis the Great, No. 1 Third Brigade
Enough Is Enough ran so well on the dirt to break his maiden that I was surprised he wasn't seen there before the drop. Interesting claim for a hot barn. Louis the Great steps up in class off of the claim and looks like the main speed. Taking a shot with Third Brigade that his races prior to the claim can resurface.
Race 10, 5 p.m.
Selections: No. 3 Candida H., No. 5 Pretty Perfection, No. 1 Elusive Joni
Candida H. held her own against proven turf sprinters the only time she tried this distance – that was off a seven-month layoff and over a good course. Pretty Perfection has room to improve in her second start this year and looks to be the fastest early. Elusive Joni was caught in a rainstorm last out at a distance she probably was a little vulnerable at. Like the turn back here.
Race 11, 5:30 p.m.
Selections: No. 4. Uncle Tito, No. 12 Joe Tess, No. 3 Silent Tale
Uncle Tito had to overcome trouble at the ½-mile pole last time out – not an easy thing to recover from when sprinting on the turf. Prior to that he was up against allowance-company. Gets the right field today. Joe Tess must be used early to get into position on or near the lead. If he can accomplish that, he'll be dangerous. Silent Tale is the main speed and draws a good, inside post. Can he handle turning back pressure to win?
Best bet: Race 7, No. 13 Giovanna Blues
Price play: Race 8, No. 8 Catching Fireflies