The Players Edge

The Player’s Edge with Trainer Anthony Farrior

Published

February 19, 2022

Charles Town and Laurel Park trainer Anthony Farrior joins the show to talk up his barn, fill us in on the secret to winning at Laurel Park and the chances for his two horses running on Laurel’s Saturday card packed with Stakes Races.

The Races include:

Laurel Park Race 4 – $100,000 WIDE COUNTRY STAKES
Laurel Park Race 7 – $100,000 JOHN S CAMPBELL STAKES
Laurel Park Race 8 – $250,000 BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES – GRADE III
Laurel Park Race 9 – $250,000 GENERAL GEORGE STAKES – GRADE III

You will not believe how this show ends!

Terry “Hollywood” Hay’s Handicapping

Laurel Park Race 4 – $100,000 WIDE COUNTRY STAKES

5 – Beneath the Stars has finished in the money four out of five races at Laurel, winning two. She has a high % winning trainer who wins 40% of races when using Lasix for the 2nd time.

7 – Moody Woman won two of her last three races. She has a high % winning Jockey who will have her closing to try and finish first.

1 – Luna Belle won her last race, received the highest last race speed rating and her best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters. She has a Trainer/Jockey combo who in the last 14 days has this record (6 2-1-2) and a good 4F workout on 12Feb at Laurel 4f ft :47.3 H 2/61.

6 – Qualy likes the track as she is only a neck from being perfect in her career at Laurel. She moves up in class from her last start, Lasix is added and she has a Sharp 5F workout on 12Feb Laurel 4f ft :47.2 H 2/61.
$3.00 exacta – 5/1-6-7

Laurel Park Race 7 – $100,000 JOHN S CAMPBELL STAKES

6 – Torch of Truth has increased his speed ratings in three races in a row including receiving his highest one to date a 102-speed rating number. Trainer/Jockey combo in the last 14 days has this record (4 2-2-0).

5 – Treasure Trove closed from deep to win his last race at Laurel with a High % winning Jockey Jevian Toledo in the irons who now returns to ride again. The trainer wins 31% of the races when bringing a horse who won their last race back to race again. His best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters.

1 – Workin On a Dream ran 2nd in his last race at Laurel at today’s distance. He has a good 6F workout on 09Feb at Laurel 6f ft 1:13.4 H 1/1 and a bullet workout on 28Jan Laurel 4f ft :47.1 B 1/38.

4 – Galerio loves being a bridesmaid finishing second seven out of eleven races last year. He has the highest speed figure at today’s distance.

Laurel Park Race 8 – $250,000 BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES – GRADE III

2- Glass Ceiling has won three out of the last four races. She has the highest last race speed rating, and her best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters. She has a bullet 5F workout on 12Feb Bel tr.t 5f ft 1:01 B 1/17.

7 – Jakarta finished 3rd in her last race at Gulfstream a Grade2 race. The trainer wins 18% of the Graded Stakes he enters a horse in. She has a Trainer/Jockey combo in the last 14 days has this record (4 2-2-0).

3 – Kaylasaurus ran 2nd after steading in her last race at Laurel and has a decent workout on 12Feb Pen 3f ft :36 B 4/16.

6 – Bold Confection finished in the money in her last five races, winning three of the races while increasing her race speed rating in each race.

Laurel Park Race 9 – $250,000 GENERAL GEORGE STAKES – GRADE III

2 – Cordmaker has won the last three races in row. He can either lead all the way or come from off the pace to win. He has the highest speed figure at today’s distance and his best dirt speed is fastest among today’s starters. He has a bullet 3F workout on 11Feb 35.2 B ¼

3 – Shackqueenking finished in the money in his last five races, winning two of the races. He has a bullet 5F workout on 12Feb 1:00 B 1/26.

7 – Air Token won his last race at laurel and earned the highest last race speed rating. He has a bullet 4F workout on 12Feb 47.1 H 1/61.

5 – Threes Over Deuces ran 4th in his last race after stumbling at the start, but finished in the money in the three races prior, winning one and has a bullet 4F workout on 12Feb 5f ft 1:00 B 1/26.

$.50 Pick 4 – Cost: $90.00
Race 7: 1, 4, 5, 6
Race 8: 2, 3, 7
Race 9: 2, 3, 7
Race 10: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7

Swiss Army Shawn’s Selections

Laurel Park Race 4 – $100,000 WIDE COUNTRY STAKES

PACE PROJECTION: This race should have a really fast pace as many as 5 horses going for the lead. Looks like 3-6 could try for it along with the #8 who has speed. The two main speed players #3 Sandy’s Garden and #5 Beneath the Stars.

#8 Buff My Boots- 3 for 5 on a fast dirt track and has never been out of the trifecta. May need to try a different tactic here and sit off the speed as there is plenty of that in here. This is her second start back after a couple month layoff. The trainer hits at 56% on the second start back after that kind of layoff.

#1 Luna Belle- Beat some of these same horses in her last start. Will get plenty of pace in front of her and could have the trip of the race again. This same jockey Dennis Araujo has been aboard twice the last two starts with were both wins.

#3 Sandy’s Garden- 2nd start back after a couple month layoff. She has a ton of talent won her debut in October by 20 lengths then caught a sloppy track and didn’t like it. Had the layoff came back with a nice 2nd place finish. If she catches a fast track here we will see what kind of talent she has against this field.

Plays:
$12 win #8 $
1 Exbox 1,3,8
$1tribox 1,3,8

Laurel Park Race 7 – $100,000 JOHN S CAMPBELL STAKES

PACE PROJECTION: Should be a pretty quick tempo as there are multiple horses with speed in here. I think the #1 Workin On a Dream might be the quickest out of the gate also I think he’s the one who needs the early lead the most. The other speed horses #3 Gentleman Joe and #4 Galerio.

#4 Galerio- Has speed to be forwardly placed but does not need the lead. Loves Laurel finishing in the exacta in 17 of his 22 races there. Has also finished in the exacta in 7 of 8 races at the distance. Has finished ahead of a couple of these horses already.

#6 Torch of Truth- Another that likes Laurel finishing in the trifecta in 15 of 18 starts there. Should sit about mid pack and with a bunch of speed in front could be the one closing and getting the trip of the race. Jockey Victor Carrasco is winning at 32% so far during this meet at Laurel.

#3 Gentlemen Joe- Likes Laurel as well but has finished behind my top 2 picks in previous races. His numbers are on the upward trend and with the right pace scenario here could maybe turn the tables.

Plays:
$20 win #4
$1 Exbox 3,4,6
$1 Tribox 3,4,6,

Laurel Park Race 8 – $250,000 BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES – GRADE III

PACE PROJECTION: Potential for a hot pace lead by the #7 Jakarta and the #6 Bold Confection. #8 Belle of the North is the one who needs the hot pace upfront the most so she can close.

#8 Belle of the North- There is a high percentage chance that there will be a speed duel and a fast pace up front. This horse always comes rolling late. This has already worked for her at Laurel winning 2 of 4 races with a second. Also, the distance winning two of three with a second. The seven furlong distance is where she found herself. She stretched out last race and ended up 5 wide to only get fourth. Now she returns to the distance she really likes.

#2 Glass Ceiling- Is in great form winning 3 of here last 4 races and being dominant in those 3 wins. Another horse that wouldn’t mind a speed duel up front. Likes the distance winning 3 of 8 with two seconds. Dylan Davis the jockey in her last five races comes to Laurel with her.

#4 Regal Retort- 2nd start back after a couple month layoff. Last race made a late bid but had to go 6 wide. That last race at 6 furlongs was not her preferred seven furlongs like this race. She has won 4 of 6 from this distance.

Plays:
$20 win #8
$1 exbox 2,4,8
$1 Tribox 2,4,8

Laurel Park Race 9 – $250,000 GENERAL GEORGE STAKES – GRADE III

PACE PROJECTION: There’s some speed in this race but who wants the lead and who will get it.

#2 Cordmaker- Towers over this field with his numbers, talent, and competition he’s faced. Has beaten CO 3rd ml choice #3 by over 4 lengths 2 and 3 starts ago. Has won 4 of his last 5 races and has won 10 of 26 at Laurel. Will go off at ⅘ or lower.

#7 Air Token- The only other horse in the field that i feel could upset the heavy favorite. Numbers keep getting better and he was really impressive last start by 5 lengths. Has normal jockey JD Acosta and is good at winning 6 of 18 starts.

#6 Timeless Beauty- Didn’t like any of the rest so went with a price. This horse would like to see a fast pace to close into and could get one here. Stood no chance last time out in the Grade 1 Malibu a race Flightline won. Has never ran at Laurel but does get Malcolm Franklin who has ridden him twice and won both times.

Plays:
$1 Exbox 2,6,7
$1 Tri box 2,6,7

22 to 1 Tom’s Tips

Laurel Park Race 4 – $100,000 WIDE COUNTRY STAKES

1 – Luna Belle
2 wins in a row and 1 at 7F both 100k stakes races
Came from behind, 3 wide and won going away
Last work shows condition of :47.2H on 2-12
Should be the favorite and will be flying at the end

4 – Money’s Worth
Won last out in a waiver maiden claimer and was move 3 wide to get up
Decent speed figure last out and will be joining my top choice closing late
Trainer change from last race to Graham Motion
New trainer was able to have 3 works before this race
I tossed the first career race at 7F because she didn’t get out of the gate
Step up here

5 – Beneath the Stars
Last 2 races were good efforts, showed speed keep on but no match for the winners
Dueled in the race 2 back to run 2nd
A winner at 7F vs OC65kNW2 sitting on the lead
If the top 2 don’t run their race, she has a chance but a better change to be in the money
Who’s riding?

Laurel Park Race 7 – $100,000 JOHN S CAMPBELL STAKES

4 – Galerio
Claimed at Laurel for $50k and has run well for new owners 4th, 2nd, & 3rd
Close, lost by a nose, at distance 2 back in OC35k race as the favorite, move up to miss on the rail
At Laurel, he has 22 starts 7 wins 10 seconds 1 third
At distance, he has 9 starts 3 wins 5 seconds
The last 3 races have been at distances of 7F, 1 1/16 and 1 mile and his best race was at 1 1/16. 2 of these races were in restricted overnight stakes races but not at 1 1/16
Should be up front with the leaders and close for the win

1 – Workin On a Dream
Last 2 races at 100k purses in overnight stakes races at Laurel and too fair trips running second.
Never won at the distance from 4 starts (has 2 seconds) and has won at Laurel 3 times from 14 starts with 4 seconds
In November, he wins a moved turf race in OC50k in the mud making all the running
Layoff and worked :47.1B before a 6F running 1:13.4H, appears to have form
I think with the rail, he will be sent to make all the running and at caught at the end

3 – Gentleman Joe
Missed last out in 1 1/8 race and ran big speed number after making most of the running in OC50k
Ran race before at distance in the mud, running 3rd beaten by half a length
In the last 2 races, he used different running styles of frontrunner and closer
1 win from 7 tries at the distance with 2 seconds 1 third
Likes Laurel track with 11 starts 3 wins 4 seconds 2 thirds
What to do this time in the running of the race? Best results seem to be closer to the pace

Laurel Park Race 8 – $250,000 BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES – GRADE III

8 – Belle of the North
Toss last race, she’s not a 2-turn distance horse and has proved it in 3 races, running 4th in all those races which is ok
Her runnings at 7F, she has 3 starts 2 wins 1 second at Laurel (she has a total of 4 starts at Laurel)
Last 2 races were in 100k type races, one was the Safety Kept at 7F
She’s a late runner and should has pace to catch the leaders and there will be plenty of pace for her to catch
She appears to be a sprinter with only 7 starts

2 – Glass Ceiling
Won last 2 races at AQU with excellent speed rating at 7F and 6F
3rd back, missed against by a head in 7F slop
Nice claim for 40k and running on the New York circuit with success
Loves the distance 8 starts 3 wins 2 seconds 1 third
Dylan Davis down for the ride
Now trying to get a graded stakes win or placing

7 – Jakarta
Speed horse that’s been running in the upper allowance and graded stakes races in the past on both turf and dirt (not fond on the all-weather)
Lately, a good run last out vs grade 2 company weakening to run 3rd
Went wire to wire in the race before at Parx at 7F
Faced top company including grade 1 winners with some success but more suited to the 100k type races
Chance to get graded stakes win here but there is speed in this race
Favorite? But my concerns are first start at Laurel and will the speed hold up?

Laurel Park Race 9 – $250,000 GENERAL GEORGE STAKES – GRADE III

2 – Cordmaker
A winner of last 3 races at distances and drops to 1 turn 7F today
In his past racing life, he has 8 starts at the distance with 2 wins and 1 second but his last 10 races have been at a distance of 1mile or more
His Laurel record is 26 starts 10 wins 4 seconds 4 thirds
Good work in Feb for this race, a blow out of :35.2B
Some speed but generally get position behind the leaders before making his move at the top of the stretch.
He was the overwhelming favorite last time but did have some issues with drifting out in the later stages of the race

7 – Air Token
Won last out in OC50k by 5L, he was challenged and very game run
Except for the graded stakes run, he’s been completive in all his races
Good work of :47.1H, so looking for speed
4 tries at 7F with 2 seconds and 1 third
If he runs to his last race, even with the extra furlong, he will place in the money

3 – Shackqueenking
Been running in the money last 5 races with 2 wins at distance
Like others in this race, running at the 100k purse level
At 7F, one race and placed 3rd (at Laurel)
Work of 1:00B on 2/12 shows fitness
I think he’s good enough to finish in the money but win at this distance?