Laurel Park 2025 Stakes Plays
Saturday’s (4-19-25) stakes pick from Laurel Park is the Federico Tesio Stakes (Race 11).
LRL 11 (Federico Tesio, 9f) – Post Time 5:12 PM ET
Primary – #9 PAY BILLY, #5 Kentucky Outlaw
Secondary – #7 Sacred Thunder, #1 Surfside Moon
Wagers: #9 to win, Exacta 5-9/5-7-9, Trifecta 1-5-9/1-5-9/7
Comments: This a win and you’re in for the Preakness. #9 Pay Billy (5-2) is in fine form. He chased from second and graduated by less than a length as a 15-1 longshot at 6f in December. He made the lead and cruised by 5 lengths in an optional-claimer at one mile Jan. 25, and battled on the pace and missed by a nose in the Miracle Wood Feb. 22. He stalked outside and cruised by 3 1/2 lengths in the Private Terms at a mile and sixteenth March 22. The sharp early-pressing Improbable colt is getting faster. #5 Kentucky Outlaw (8-1) was the favorite in his Parx sprint debut and he romped by 7 3/4 lengths, and the show finisher was a next-out winner. He was 40 cents on the dollar in a dirt route at that same venue second time out and he made the lead and won by 5 3/4 lengths. He drilled a half-mile bullet for this April 5 and should impact the pace. #7 Sacred Thunder (5-1) was part of the trifecta in 11 of 12 starts. He won the James F. Lewis at 6f in November and finished 2nd or 3rd in 4 of 5 starts since. He was the beaten favorite in the Miracle Wood at one mile Feb. 22, and stalked wide and landed the place in the Private Terms at 1 1/16 miles March 22. #1 Surfside Moon (3-1) returned to dirt and was clearly second best behind Captain Cook as a 33-1 longshot in the Withers at this distance Feb. 1. He drilled a 5f bullet for this at Fair Hill April 10 and a ground saving stalking trip is expected.
Laurel Park 2025 Free Pick Stakes Winners
Feb. 15 – Race 6 – Irish Maxima/Royal Spa Exacta ($4.80)
Feb. 15 – Race 7 – SPEEDYNESS ($7.00), Exacta ($29.40), Trifecta ($83.20)
Feb. 15 – Race 8 – Quint’s Brew/Celtic Contender Exacta ($13.00)
Feb. 22 – Race 8 – Barbadian Runner/Pay Billy/Sacred Thunder Trifecta ($62.20)
March 8 – Race 8 – CIRCLE P ($12.40)
March 22 – Race 8 – PAY BILLY ($5.40)
Please visit The Runaway Horse Shop to purchase my Santa Anita Park full cards.
