2022 Maryland Millions Spot Plays

A 12-pack of stakes races featuring locally based runners will highlight a huge day of racing at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Race 3 – Turf Sprint S.

An overflow field of 13 has been entered in the 5 1/2-furlong grassy dash. Defending champ #5 Grateful Bred (3-5) is winless since his tally in the contest last season, but the son of Great Notion has been running well this campaign and gets the nod to keep his crown on this occasion, albeit at small odds. The dark bay gelding will sit a good trip tracking the early pace from the outset with Jevian Toledo signed on. 

Race 4 – Nursery S.

Trainer Dale Capuano has two live ones for the dash, including #7 Johnnyz From Albany (7-2). By Blofeld, the gray impressed on debut prior to being outrun at Pimlico second time out, but the gelding finished a clear runner-up in a dash on the course most recently. The February foal has the gate presence to be involved early on, and I think that he might be of some value, with Jorge Ruiz taking the reins.

Race 8 – Lassie S.

The six-furlong dash for juvenile fillies attracted an overflow cast of 16 and looks like an intriguing betting affair. Brittany Russell’s #4 Bosserati (10-1) was a sharp debut winner, but the Holy Boss filly was dusted late in a subsequent allowance heat after dueling on the front end to the top of the stretch locally. The April foal put in a solid half-mile drill in the interim, and I expect her to be a major player while always in the mix on Saturday. Sheldon Russell will be in the stirrups.

Race 9 – Turf S.

A big field will go postward in the grassy endeavor, and #7 Midnight Hauler (7-2) is my top pick for Bernie Houghton. The Seville six-year-old gelding is in the best form of his career, and has been excellent in a pair of recent runs on the lawn. He can handle firm or yielding turf, and I feel that his stout late kick will be too much for this cast to handle inside the final furlong with David Cora in the silks.

Race 10 – Sprint S.

A full cast will travel six panels on the dirt in one of the most competitive races on the big afternoon. I’m not certain that #9 Goldenize (30-1) can run down the entire field and win, but I like the profile of the deep closer to make a big run and grab a share at a price. The Blofeld gelding has won or placed in seven-of-eight local tries, and he cuts back after a route attempt while making his third run since the short layoff. Regular jock Forest Boyce will be up.