Laurel Park 2025 Stakes Plays
Saturday’s (1-25-25) stakes picks from Laurel Park (Races 8, 9).
LR 8 (Xtra Heat, 3yo fil, 6f) – Post Time 3:54 PM ET
Primary – #3 MY CHARM, #2 Onyx Ten
Secondary – #6 Not Too Late
Wagers: #3 to win, Exacta 3-2, Trifecta 2-3/2-3-6/2-3-6
Double (races 8-9): 3-7, Double: 3/1-7, Double: 2-3-6/7
Comments: #3 My Charm (2-1) was part of the exacta in all five starts for Brittany Russell. She cut back a furlong and reunited with Sheldon Russell in the Gin Talking Dec. 28, and she sat behind a speed duel and was clearly second best behind winning favorite Caprice (20 cents on the dollar). She will try to get involved from off the pace. #2 Onyx Ten (3-1) is 1-for-8 with five minor awards. She hit the board in the Blue Hen and Maryland Juveniles Fillies, and exits a runner-up finish as the beaten favorite in a local optional-claiming affair at 1 1/16 miles. #6 Not Too Late (6-1) earned her diploma in an extended sprint at Parx, won an optional-claimer at this course/distance in September, and finished behind Caprice in her last three stakes starts including a show finish in the Gin Talking.
LR 9 (Spectacular Bid, 3yo, 7f) – Post Time 4:24 PM ET
Primary – #7 TONY ECLIPSE
Secondary – #1 Sacred Thunder
Wagers: #7 to win, Exacta 7-1, Trifecta 7/all/1
Comments: #7 Tony Eclipse (2-1) stalked and faded in his flat mile turf bow, and switched to dirt and easily went all the way at one mile second time out. He set the pace and was clearly second best behind It’s Hammertime in the Rocky Run Oct. 9, and set the pace and missed the place by a nose in the Nashua Nov. 2. He cut back a furlong in the Maryland Juvenile Dec. 7 and he pressed the pace and kicked clear by 3 3/4 lengths as the favorite. He was my top choice last time and should be all over the pace for Team Russell. #1 Sacred Thunder (5-2) stalked and scored in the James F. Lewis at six panels Nov. 9, and finished out of the top three for the first time when checking in fourth from the inside post in the Maryland Juvenile. He rallied for the place as the beaten favorite in the Heft Dec. 28. Gary Capuano’s colt fired a local half-mile move in 49.00 (1/60) Jan.10.
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