Laurel Park Saturday: Six Straight Stakes Including Barbara Fritchie

Laurel Park will run 2 graded stakes to cap off 6 straight stakes on February 19

Laurel Park will host 6 consecutive stakes races on Saturday. The Barbara Fritchie and General George Stakes are both grade 3 events.

Graded Stakes Analysis

Laurel Park Race 8- Barbara Fritchie Stakes

Post: 4:14 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Barbara Fritchie S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

Glass Ceiling is the favorite for the Barbara Fritchie from Laurel Park
Glass Ceiling wins easily at Aqueduct
  • #2 GLASS CEILING (7-5) looks like a tough favorite in this spot. The horse comes into the race in top form and will have an advantageous position throughout the race. It is hard to argue with this one.
  • #7 JAKARTA (3-1) is the most likely upsetter. The case for this one is the company kept. The top two choices should both be applying plenty of pressure and it could make for a fun show to the finish.
  • #6 BOLD CONFECTION (15-1) has the top in the money finish percentage at this distance, but seems much more like an in the money prospect here.
  • #4 REGAL RETORT (10-1) is a great value if you believe the speed figures which make this one a viable option in this group.

Selections: 2-7-6-4

Laurel Park Race 9-General George Stakes

Post: 4:45 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 General George S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #2 CORDMAKER (7-5) looks to make it chalk city in the stakes races. This one appears dominant in this group and is by far the likeliest winner.
  • #3 SHACKQUEENKING (9-2) looks competitive on a lot of key metrics, but will have to overcome the favorite which may be just a bit too much to ask.
  • #7 AIR TOKEN (9-2) will probably find his way into the vertical exotics, but that feels like the ceiling for this runner.
  • #4 SIR ALFRED JAMES (3-1) has good connections and is a solid runner that should contend here.

Selections: 2-3-7-4 (#2 CORDMAKER)

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Laurel Park Race 1

Post: 12:25 PM ET; Purse: $26,400 Claiming, 6 1/2 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #7 MINNETONKA (2-1) could get the perfect setup to get the job done here.
  • #4 GIMME'S GOLDENGIRL (9-2) has been running really of late and has a shot here based on the current form.
  • #6 ESCAPE FUND (4-1) has speed and class numbers that should make you think twice before tossing this runner.
  • #5 FEARLESS LASSIE (7-2) goes out for a barn that knows how to play the claiming game.

Selections: 7-4-6-5

Laurel Park Race 2

Post: 12:57 PM ET; Purse: $25,200 Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #2 PASCAL CHANT (8-5) should get a perfect setup for a top barn.
  • #6 MY SACRED PLACE (3-1) has several speed figures that are good enough to win this race.
  • #3 SUBJECT TO CHANGE (6-1) will be on the engine early and just may be able to take them the distance.
  • #5 MYSTIC TIMES (20-1) is a longshot that should be looked at to round out the three and four holes on your trifecta and superfecta tickets.

Selections: 2-6-3-5

Laurel Park Race 3

Post: 1:32 PM ET; Purse: $37,800 Waiver Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 12

  • #10 RHUMJAR (5-2) is taking a step down in class and has run solid speed figures that should beat this group.
  • #2 HOWARD'S ROCK (7-2) goes out first time and may have the most upside of the runners in this race.
  • #9 DATHOSS (10-1) will likely try to carry speed from wire to wire and against maiden claimers, that can be a good spot to be.
  • #12 WINSTON'S GOLD (15-1) has a punter’s chance given the connections that will send this one out to the track.

Selections: 10-2-9-12

Laurel Park Race 4

Post: 2:05 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Wide Country S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • #1 LUNA BELLE (6-5) will kick off the stakes portion of the card as a solid favorite with top speed figures and a propensity to success at the 7 furlong distance.
  • #3 SANDY'S GARDEN (7-2) is a classy horse who should be well served by the field’s she run against to this point.
  • #5 BENEATH THE STARS (6-1) is an outsider, but not one without hope ranking well in several key metrics.
  • #8 BUFF MY BOOTS (6-1) will be forward early and try to stay on late to pull the upset.

Selections: 1-3-5-8

Laurel Park Race 5

Post: 2:38 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Miracle Wood S., 1 Mile on Dirt; Entries: 9

  • #5 MAJESTIC FRONTIER (6-1) is my best bet for an upset on the card. This one has speed figures that are on par with the fastest in the field and is the best price of them.
  • #9 CONCLUSIVE (7-2) has similar speed figures, but will be a shorter price because of the recent class.
  • #2 ALOTTAHOPE (4-1) is another with solid final times and worthy enough adversaries in the previous efforts to believe this one can get it done.
  • #4 COASTAL MISSION (6-1) feels like one that could take up the underneath spots on the tickets.

Selections: 5-9-2-4

Laurel Park Race 6

Post: 3:11 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 Nellie Morse S., About 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #6 MISS LESLIE (8-5) should have the stamina to carry speed over the distance.
  • #2 KISS THE GIRL (5-2) also looks solid on a lot of metrics and should definitely be considered a major contender.
  • #3 ARTFUL SPLATTER (9-2) has the top speed figures in the group and wouldn’t be a total surprise.
  • #7 FROST POINT (5-1) is a bit of distance specialist and comes in running well of late.

Selections: 6-2-3-7

Laurel Park Race 7

Post: 3:41 PM ET; Purse: $100,000 John B. Campbell S., About 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #6 TORCH OF TRUTH (5-1) has the top overall power rating in the group and is a fat 5-1 on the morning line.
  • #3 GENTLEMAN JOE (10-1) may get the perfect setup in this spot to pull the major upset.
  • #1 WORKIN ON A DREAM (9-5) will try run fast early and never look back. This is almost a guarantee with the draw of the 1 hole.
  • #5 TREASURE TROVE (6-1) has speed figures to suggest that a victory isn’t totally implausible.

Selections: 6-3-1-5

Laurel Park Race 8

Post: 4:14 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 Barbara Fritchie S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

  • Barbara Fritchie Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-7-6-4

Laurel Park Race 9

Post: 4:45 PM ET; Purse: $250,000 General George S., 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • General George Stakes analysis provided above.

Selections: 2-3-7-4

Laurel Park Race 10

Post: 5:16 PM ET; Purse: $20,400 Claiming, 7 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 7

  • #6 CONGRESS HALL (8-5) should be in good shape to carry his speed the 7 furlongs en route to a victory.
  • #5 DANNY DEEP CUTS (5-2) will make the top pick work for it with the top speed figures in the group.
  • #2 MY WAY OR ELSE (6-1) draws inside of the two likeliest winners which could force this one to go a little early. Maybe in the end that puts this one in a good spot.
  • #7 SUGGESTIVE HONOR (10-1) has faced the best runners of anyone in the group so far.

Selections: 6-5-2-7

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By Chris Adams

Chris first got introduced to horse racing in 2009 at Canterbury Park (Shakopee, MN). Along with handicapping and betting, Chris has worked as a teller at his local track and participated in ownership partnerships. He now enjoys sharing his passion with his wife and two young daughters who love going out to the track each and every summer.