Today’s Laurel feature if for optional claimers going a one-turn mile and on paper, most likely on the oval, too, it will be a battle of the dropdowns, both of which are early line favorites.
Boat Over the Hill (2-1) is a worthy favorite, coming from far back to finished second against over $25K claimers. In his prior, he beat similar at today’s price level. The prolific Jamie Ness tightens the girth and Trevor McCarthy and an outside slip makes him double tough.
But you know how we always talk about finishing on the correct lead? Well Five Star Perfect (5-2) didn’t do that last time, costing him the forward momentum needed to get the job done.
Also dropping with purpose, he has the needed conditioning for this trip and hails from Hamilton Smith’s shed, who on Friday saddled his 2,000th career winner. Smith gave the call to Sheldon Russell, ‘Five Star’ exits a key race that produced two next out winners from three starters.
Check out the Laurel Live Video on the HRI homepage, NOV 30, RACE 1. Note how he moved up on his left lead but failed to switch over. As a result, he finished one-paced late. He comes in 43 days fresh and is poised for his best effort this winter at a proper, reduced level.
Nothing fancy here. We’re back Five Star Perfect to win and boxing the exacta with Boat Over the Hill.
