Check out my Saturday (12-21-24) Laurel Park Races 7-8 analysis below.
LRL 7 (Carousel, fillies and mares, 1 1/8 miles dirt) – Post Time 3:25 PM ET
Primary – #3 EVIDENCIAS, #9 Saddle Up Jessie
Secondary – #4 Malibu Beauty, #6 Movie Moxy
Horse Comments:
#3 Evidencias (5-2) earned quality late pace ratings in back-to-back dirt route stakes wins in the Obeah (1 1/16 miles) and Turnback the Alarm (1 1/8 miles). She could easily wear these down.
#9 Saddle Up Jessie (8-1) was part of the exacta in all four local starts and was right there in both starts at this trip including a sharp local win in this race last year. She removes blinkers for her new trainer Graham Motion.
#4 Malibu Beauty (6-1) stalked the pace and was best of the rest in third as the beaten favorite in the Willa On the Move at 6f in the mud Nov. 29. The early-pressing mare is 4-for-9 this year and she stretches back out and might be the one to catch under her winning rider Torrealba.
#6 Movie Moxy (2-1) set the pace and finished a half-length behind Evidencias in the Obeah. She came back to score in the slop Nov. 22, and rallied to miss by a half-length in the Go for Wand (G3) Dec. 7. Linda Rice’s relatively consistent mare landed the place in both starts at this distance and was off the board in both starts at Laurel.
Wagers:
#3 to win
Exacta box 3-9
Trifecta 3-9/3-4-6-9/3-4-6-9
Double (races 7-8): 3-4
Double (races 7-8): 3/1-2-4-5
Double (races 7-8): 3-4-6-9/4
LRL 8 (Robert T. Manfuso, 3&up, 1 1/6 miles dirt) – Post Time 3:53 PM ET
Primary – #4 SPEEDYNESS, #5 Copper Tax
Secondary – #2 Cataleya Strike, #1 Film Star
Horse Comments:
#4 Speedyness (5-2) is 6-for-12 at Laurel Park and he might get brave if able to shake loose early. He wired the field in his first start in 5+ months in a local allowance dirt route Nov. 15, and he turned back, dueled on the lead, and missed the place by a nose in the City of Laurel at seven panels Nov. 30. He is back in a route in his third start after a layoff and should make his presence felt throughout.
#5 Copper Tax (7-5) won 3 of his last 5 stakes starts and completed the trifecta in the other two. He is 4-for-4 at Laurel and exits a nice win as the favorite in the local Richard Small Stakes.
#2 Cataleya Strike (10-1) captured back-to-back local dirt routes on Sept. 27 and Oct. 13, and stalked the pace and landed the show in the Richard Small last time. The 3-time local winner likes this distance and can spice up the exotics from off the pace.
#1 Film Star (3-1) should be forwardly placed from the inside post under Jose Lezcano. He looked good winning the Lure Stakes in the mud at Saratoga Aug. 3, and he tailed off in his last two stakes outings.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta 4-5/2-4-5
Trifecta 1-4-5/1-4-5/2
Recent 2024 Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Dec. 1 – Scotland ($12.92), Exacta ($78.94)
Dec. 6 – Kale’s Angel ($9.20), Exacta ($17.00)
Dec. 7 – Tony Eclipse ($6.20)
Dec. 10 – Lansdowne/Meant for Me Exacta ($14.20)
Dec. 11 – Ejtimaa ($5.20)
Dec. 12 – Ashima ($9.00), Exacta ($15.20)
Dec. 13 – Flashy Lass ($2.20)
Dec. 14 – Corningstone ($6.80), Exacta ($15.60)
Dec. 18 – Pass the Baton/Shot of Courage/Trusty Rusty Trifecta ($146.60)
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Santa Anita Park full cards.
