Laurel Park Stakes Spot Plays for April 23

A handful of black-type races will highlight an excellent Saturday card at Laurel Park.

Race 6 – King T. Leatherbury S.

This turf dash at 5 1/2 furlongs for the boys attracted a field of 10. #2 Grateful Bred (5-2) was a sharp winner the last time he ran off the long break, and I will tab the Great Notion gelding to do the same in this offering. The six-year-old is still lightly raced with room for improvement, and he can be very good when firing his best shot. The versatile sort has the speed to stay in touch throughout under Jevian Toledo.

Race 7 – Primonetta S.

Seven fillies and mares will dash six panels on the dirt in the second stakes race on the card. #7 Kaylasaurus (2-1) has turned out to be a superb claim for Tim Kreiser, especially after she captured a stakes race in her first start for these connections. The stout late runner loves the surface and will be tough to deny if she runs her best beneath Horacio Karamanos.

And I will also dabble with #3 Prodigy Doll (12-1) at a better number. The Shanghai Bobby four-year-old has run fairly well against two tough fields in succession, and the filly could peak in her third attempt of the shelf. Toledo will be in the stirrups.

Race 8 – Dahlia S.

Fillies and mares travel one-mile on the green in this affair. Shug McGaughey’s #6 In A Hurry (2-1) is the class of the field, and also figures to receive a healthy pace to rally into. The Blame five-year-old is one-for-one on the course and is a logical single under Forest Boyce.

Race 9 – Native Dancer S.

This nine-furlong dirt endeavor brought out seven and I like the Michael Pino-trained #5 Bird King (3-1). The five-year-old son of Tiznow broke through with a lifetime-best stakes victory at Parx in his seasonal debut, and I like the break in advance of this assignment. He could be poised for a big season with continued progression.

Race 10 – Henry Clark S.

A one mile grass test that features seven contenders, with a pair that could tower over the cast. I will tab #7 Chez Pierre (2-1) as the top play in his second run on U. S. soil. The unbeaten French import was game in an allowance venture at Tampa Bay Downs in his 2022 bow when showing pace and closing with good energy. The Mehmas gelding could be any kind with Daniel Centeno coming in to ride.