Laurel Park Stakes Spot Plays for Nov. 12

A trio of black-type races will highlight a fine card at Laurel Park on Saturday.

Race 7: Smart Halo S.

A total of eight juvenile fillies will vie in the six-furlong dash. The ultra-competitive heat features numerous good-looking prospects, and I will take my shot with Graham Motion’s #6 Diamondsifyoudo (9-2). A sharp runner-up at Keeneland on debut, the $300,000 Nyquist filly was well clear of her nearest foe in that initial try and seems poised to move forward second time out. The February foal was favored at first asking and seemingly has a bright future with expected progression going forward. Angel Suarez has the mount.

Race 8: James F. Lewis III S.

A total of seven juvenile males will trek six panels in this endeavor. #7 Honeyquist (6-1) will need to get a bit quicker in order to defeat this cast, but I like the chances of the colt to do just that for conditioner Anthony Farrior. By Nyquist, the $170,000 purchase romped on debut prior to finishing a stakes runner-up at Charles Town last time out. The chestnut fired a five-furlong bullet in preparation of his local bow, and the West Virginia-bred will benefit from drawing outside of the cast. Jevian Toledo retains the mount and will force the pace from the opening bell. 

Race 9: Thirty Eight Go Go S.

Fillies and mares will travel about 1 1/16 miles in the final black-type race of the afternoon. I am not sure that #2 Breviary (12-1) is the leading win threat in the field, but the one-run closer lands in a cast with a lot of pace signed on and could surely make some noise late at a price. The Mario Serey Jr. pupil is a seven-time winner on the surface and is much better than she showed in her most recent endeavor. If she can keep in touch and save ground early on, then I envision her rolling into top-three contention nearing the midstretch mark. Grant Whitacre has the assignment.