Laurel Park Spot Plays for Feb. 18

A total of six stakes races, two of the graded variety, will highlight a big day of racing at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Race 4 – Miracle Wood S.

The one-mile test for sophomores attracted seven. #1 Feeling Woozy (6-1) showed marked improvement in his latest assignment with the addition of both Lasix and blinkers, and the Irish War Cry gelding can’t be taken lightly in this spot. The Hamilton Smith pupil passed his route debut with aplomb most recently, and he looks like the main danger to the favorite under regular pilot Angel Cruz.

Race 6 – John B. Campbell S.

A well-matched cast of 10 will vie in the 1 1/16-mile endeavor. #6 Shake Em Loose (10-1) has run some of his best races on this surface and gets the slight nod in the event. The dark bay son of Shakin It Up came off of an eight-month absence to finish a fine second in his return while recording a lifetime best Brisnet Speed figure in the process. The four-year-old bagged the Private Terms S. on the surface and at the distance last season, and he rates a big chance on Saturday with expected improvement under Jean Alvelo.

Race 8 – Barbara Fritchie S. (G3)

The seven-furlong dirt sprint boasts a nice field of eight with multiple betting options in the affair. John Terranova’s #6 Union Lake (3-1) capped her sophomore season with a facile allowance victory at Aqueduct and I will give her the nod while she makes her 2023 debut. The Speightster filly is Grade-2 placed and has run well in all but one career endeavor to date, and she has the early speed to be up close early in a field lacking a plethora of pace. Eric Cancel will ride.

Race 9 – General George S. (G3)

A deep field of eight will vie in the six-furlong dash, and I will look to the outside with #8 Factor It In (5-2) for the victory. The Carlos Mancilla trainee is something of a course specialist with eight wins in his 12 outings on the course, including two fine tallies in succession leading up to Saturday. The gray seven-year-old can run from on or off the pace with equal effectiveness, and the outside draw seems perfect for this tilt. Angel Cruz rides.