RT Report Dec. 10, 2020
Laurel Park 6-8-9 today. Beautiful, sunny day. Low 50’s
Race 6 - 3↑OC$25K NW3 6F
Four speed horses in this as #4 Pyser’s Orb (10/1) is first off the claim for Kelly Rubley. He’s been on the bench after transporting from Chicago and has been working smartly at Faisig. Prior to that, he had a solid campaign in Iowa going 3:2-1-0 for $32K. #9 Workin On A Dream (6/1) is another front runner who has put up solid numbers at Delaware, then moved to Laurel in its last, and wasn’t too appreciative of the sloppy going. Jamie Ness is just as successful at Laurel as Parx, hitting 28% winners and is 28% with Carol Cedeno. #5 Ziggy Mon (7/2) has been shelling the opposition and has yet to put on the full assault, going 5:0-4-1 for $27K this year. The connections changed from Hugh McMahon to Claudio, where he is 25% with firsters under his tutelage. This son of Verrazano has been working lights out, including his last in :47.4. Change of rider to Angel Cruz a positive as they’re 29% together. #6 No Fooling Dude (20/1) is another speed horse who is moving up the ladder. Carujo/McMullen 22% together and a small improvement from the 1:04 he scored in last race may be enough to get it done….at a price. #2 Escape (8/5) $150K son of Tapizar, this lightly raced four-year-old ships in from Aqueduct where he throttled a field of $50K allowance racers in March. Trainer George Weaver 11% winners with horses off 6+ months and his workouts at Belmont have been a study of progressive improvement. This looks like a false favorite and I’ll put him in my watch list for the next time. Normally, I would be all over #7 Inside Risk (8/1) given his recent numbers. However, after a stellar 2020 campaign, he is in for a tag and given his last two races, his form explains why. I’m going to take a chance on the $200K Keeneland September gelding #3 Tauber (8/1). Given the amount of speed today, he will lay near the lead, hit the stretch, and kick in the afterburners.
Race 8 - $62.5K Optional Claimer for 2yo fillies N1X going 6F
#2 Miss Leslie (3/1) and #5 Mit Mazel (6/1) are first time claimees for Claudio. Each appear to be solid, so we’ll see. #7 Adelaide Miss (2/1) August winner at Colonial has that lone race under her belt. This trainer has all the numbers going for her – 2yo’s 33%, turf to dirt 67%, off a win 27%, dirt races 33%, sprints 30%. However, a 15% record of horses off 2-6 months, along with the fact that big number on her only race was on grass, gives me a moment to pause. #1 Breeze Off The Bay (5/1) is my choice. There’s a passage in the book Seabiscuit that reads, “It was at Cincinnati they realized how fanatically competitive the horse was. Those unfamiliar with horses might scoff at the notion of equine pride as a silly anthropomorphism, but the behavior is unmistakable; those who make their lives among horses see it every day. Those who lose their riders during races almost try to win anyway charging to the lead and sometimes bucking with pleasure as they pass the last opponent.” My point being, in this case, is that this horse is the only entrant to run competitively against, and win, versus winners; this gives her the edge.
Race 9 - $25K Optional Claimers 3↑ NW2, 6F
#6 Moonachie (7/2) came off the bench last out to collar the leader around the turn, take command in the stretch, tired, and got passed by the winner who got a perfect stalking trip. Rounding into form, this horse is the one to beat. #3 Goodluckjohnathan (10/1) seven-year-old Maryland bred gelding is coming into this after two tries from the layoff. Both races were against similar with the first going in the slop and the most recent a vast improvement putting in a rally to hit the board. A late flyer, look for him to take advantage of the pace. #4 Sugar Daddy (6/1) ran along Moonachie in its last, going off at near odds as the aforementioned. In his speed style, he was bested by a fast pace and better horse – a lesson learned from Alex Cintron who may take a different approach today. I’m going to take a small flyer on the infamous #8 River Crosroad Rvf (12/1). Infamous because he has bolted twice racing to the gate at the turn while on a huge lead. That was enough to get him banned at Charles Town. Check it out - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAY8J9KZL0w.
The rest of the card:
Race 1 – Dandy Yankee
Race 2 – Trifecta/Exacta with Makin Out, Dancingwithpaynter, Bring me Answers
Race 3 – She’s All Courage
Race 4 – Beyond The Victory
Race 5 – Dare To Promise
Race 7 - Orbonthebayou