In today’s nominal feature at Laurel, the day’s 7th race, a sprint for N2L claimers going seven-eighths, we had to use some imagination to come up with a trip that points the way.
The absolute best we could could do was RACE 9 on SEP 29, the latest start for Go Amanda (9-2). It wasn’t that compelling but was a possible table setter for today. Consider:
Go Amanda broke maiden by nearly five lengths three starts back, a lifetime best of epic proportions that rated to set her back big time–and that’s just what happened.
After that, she ran into a relatively strong optional claiming field, showing that expected regression, disappeared for two months and returned in a race in which she showed speed after veering out at the start and bumping another rival, was urged to keep going–until she no longer wasn’t.
Now, returning after a four month break, she reappears at a much reduced level, the lowest of her career, and stable rider Boyce returns for Dilodovico who is profitable lifetime with his claiming sprinters–and that’s from a sizable BRIS sample. The outside and shorter trip both can provide the wakeup up.
But you don’t want to accept lower than early line odds to win. We’re also making a saver win wager and exacta box with Shotdowninflames (15-1).
After a blowout maiden breaker at this trip came two turf races, following by an outrun by many lengths at a mile–all against better–then a not-very-energetic sprint return. Today gets significant class drop and switch to live apprentice for what appears a live price shot.