Gabby Gaudet's analysis and betting tips for Friday's race card at Laurel Park:
Race 1, 3:40 p.m. post time
Selections: No. 1 Billy the Bull, No. 4 Puturseatbelton, No. 7 Oak Bluffs
Billy the Bull is naturally very fast, and he looks like the controlling speed. I expect a similar sight to what we've seen in his four impressive victories so far this year. Puturseatbelton is in the form of his life right now. All considering the big move from A1X to two-other than company last out, I though he ran extremely well. Good spot for him today. I fear that Oak Bluffs has tailed off ever since the extreme drop in class to the $7,500 level last November. He may not be as good as he once was but he still should be a factor at this level.
Race 2, 4:09 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Cool Arrow, No. 2 The Great Ronaldo, No. 1. Mr. October
I hate to take a short price on Cool Arrow, but what other options do we have? The first-time starts are the intangibles and the rest of the field would have to improve significantly to beat this 2-year-old. I didn't find much of an excuse in his last as the beaten favorite but he draws a great post and finds a lighter field. The Great Ronaldo has quirky lead-changing action but does have experience and has the home-court advantage. Mr. October is out of a mare who was a nice dirt sprinter (~$115,000 earner). All of her foals that have run at 2-years-old have won.
Race 3, 4:38 p.m.
Selections: No. 10 The Pulse, No. 4 Thorny, No. 2. Pallum Prize
The Pulse makes his turf debut fresh off a victory on the dirt. He's bred to like the dirt, by Pulpit out of a mare who was competitive against maiden special weight company on the same surface. Looks to have outside speed. Thorny puts in winning efforts every time but just can't seem to find the winner's circle. He did catch a tough field last out as the winner went on to win an Allowance/Optional next out. Pallum Prize looks like he runs best when taken off the pace similar to his effort last out. He's one to respect, but also one that'll take money given the connections.
Race 4, 5:09 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Perfect Party Girl, No. 9 Clairvoyant Lady, No. 6 Inspired Blue
I liked Perfect Party Gal last out given her pedigree – out of a mare whose foals have been successful and versatile. Interested to see what she can do on a fast main track. Clairvoyant Lady was heavily sent from the inside last out and looked like she never was able to relax, and find her stride. Much better post position today where we may see a different side to her. Inspired Blue is out of a mare whose foals have been successful (i.e. Coaltown Legend, a $328k earner) but has not yet produced a 2-year-old winner.
Race 5, 5:40 p.m.
Selections: No. 8 D K's Brigantia, No. 12 Chanel Number One, No. 11 Justice for Sheena
There are three factors as to why I like D K's Brigantia today. One – I think she's a better horse at Laurel where the turf is more forgiving. Two – she finally drops to a more appropriate level. Three – the Keefe barn has been red hot during the Laurel summer meet thus far. I liked Chanel Number One last out but maybe the layoff was too much to ask of her. Despite that, she ran her race and I respect against these. Justice for Sheena has been knocking on the door and will have suspect speed to guide her closing kick.
Race 6, 6:11 p.m.
Selections: No. 5 Seize the Ring, No. 9 Girls Secret, No. 7 Dixie Spirit
Seize the Ring has every right to improve as a 3-year-old, similar to the favorite in here Girls Secret. Yes, I know that Girls Secret exits salty Maiden Special Weights last season, running against Grade 3 winner Pricedtoperfection but Seize the Ring has an inspiring pedigree being out of multiple stakes winning mare Catch the Ring. Her foals have also been runners, having amassed $1.1million in earnings. Dixie Spirit ran gamely off time last out and has the regency edge.
Race 7, 6:42 p.m.
Selections: No. 7 Jumpin Julian, No. 11 Heavenly Haze, No. 6 Split
Jumpin Julian isn't very fast but that could actually benefit him today. Several runners in here look like they do their best when running on the lead and the pace could potentially fall apart for it. Heavenly Haze has a versatile running style and the post to have options. Split will be tough on the drop but where does he do his best running? He could get caught in a battle on the lead.
Race 8, 7:12 p.m.
Selections: No. 2 Bashart, No. 6 Made in Detroit, No. 7 Bank Float
Bashart stumbled when breaking from the gate last time out but quickly recovered to be well-placed inside. Unfortunately he had no room to run the majority of the stretch but once he found a seam was very game – simply not seeing the winner in the middle of the track. Prefer him. Made in Detroit opened up on the field last out in a race where it looked like nobody wanted to go to the lead. We could see him be a little more versatile today and I like the cutback. Bank Float was up against some heavy hitters at the allowance level, but unfortunately this isn't the easiest field either.
Race 9, 7:41 p.m.
Selections: No. 11 Thunders Fury, No. 6 Tigers Bop, No. 8 Boss Magician
Thunders Fury ran very well considering the layoff and the rail post position last out. Pleasantly surprised by his closing kick cutting back to sprints and a similar effort would win here. Tigers Bop is coming off a year layoff but he was very precocious at 3-years-old. A good sign that he'll be OK off time away. It looked like Boss Magician was pointed all along for that restricted maiden special weight last out, thinking it would come up light. It did, and this is the right move for him. I like the blinkers on for, hopefully, improved early speed.
Best bet: Race 1, No. 1 Billy the Bull
Price play: Race 5, No. 8 D K's Brigantia