Laurel
Park’s SprintFest weekend features a pair of graded sprints and the
$125,000 John B. Campbell Handicap. Six older horses are entered in the
1-1/8 mile Campbell, the sixth race on Saturday’s card.
Claimed
for $25,000 in October 2011, Service for Ten (6-5) has won four of his
past five starts at Laurel, with an average Beyer speed figure of 95,
since a 10-month layoff for trainer Damon Dilodovico. The only off the
board finish was a fourth in the City of Laurel Stakes where the son of
Service Stripe finished behind a pair of runners (Brigand and Javerre)
who will be running in the General George Handicap (G3) Monday. Julian
Pimentel has the riding assignment.
“I
honestly believe if we got inside of Brigand that day he would not have
beaten us,” Dilodovico said. “We weren’t aggressive enough and wore
down in the lane. I am not sure this (1-1/8 mile) is his best distance. I
think he might be a little green running the longer distances. We toyed
with the idea of running in the General George Monday but this is a
good spot.”
Adirondack
King (3-1) was winless in 10 races a year ago but did finish second in
the Barbaro Stakes at Delaware Park and was third in the Southwest
Stakes at Oaklawn Park. The son of Lawyer Ron started this year with a
third in the Native Dancer at Laurel. Stewart Elliott rides for trainer
John Servis.
Norman
Asbjornson (7-2) hit the board in all five starts last year, including a
third place finish the Excelsior Stakes (G3) at Aqueduct. His 2013
debut was a disappointing ninth in the Native Dancer Stakes here on
January 21. The Chris Grove trainee will try to regroup under Junior
Alvarado.
Concealed
Identity (8-1) failed to finish in the money in any of his eight starts
during his 4-year-old campaign. The Smarty Jones horse kicked off 2013
with a solid third against optional allowance runners. Apprentice Trevor
McCarthy will be aboard the Linda Gaudet trainee.
Laurel Park-based conditioner Jose Corrales will saddle Peasant (10-1) and Avenida Paseo (20-1).
The $250,000 Barbara Fritchie Handicap (G2) tops Saturday’s card. Ten top sprinters are expected to face the starter.
BULLET CATCHER FINISHES THIRD IN FRIDAY FEATURE
Bullet
Catcher, who made local and national headlines last month after
escaping from the Laurel Park backside and taking a 1.6 mile journey,
ran a gusty third in Friday’s 8th race, a $40,000 allowance.
Five
weeks ago, the Jerry Robb trainee tossed jockey Jeremy Rose while
heading back to the barn after a workout and got loose. He made his way
out of the stable gate, made a left on Whiskey Bottom Road and another
left onto U.S. Route 1 before being caught, un-injured. Jockey Abel
Castellano captured part of the journey on his mobile phone, which
enabled the story to go viral.
Pass
You Bye Bye ($5.40) won the six-furlong race by 4-1/2 lengths. Hard
Line nipped Bullet Catcher, who set the early fractions, by a nose for
second.
Bullet Catcher is now 1-of-9 lifetime with six in the money finishes.