Spot Plays for Laurel Park Stakes Dec. 30

A total of six black-type events helps comprise a fine 11-race card at Laurel Park on Friday.

Editor's note: Originally scheduled for Monday, the Christmastide Stakes program was pushed back four days due to adverse winter weather.

Race 5 – Gin Talkin S.

A cast of eight two-year-old fillies will travel seven panels on the main strip in the $100,000 affair. The Todd Pletcher-conditioned #4 Give Me Kisses (3-1) was game and professional in winning on debut at Aqueduct and looms large in this heat. The Street Sense filly shows a trio of maintenance morning moves in the interim, and I like her chances to move her mark to 2-for-2 under Jorge Vargas Jr.

Race 7 – Willa On The Move S.

Fillies and mares will jaunt 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt with nine set to go postward. #9 Fouette (7-2) has speed in a field without an abundance of pace, which makes her very dangerous for conditioner Linda Rice. By Nyquist, the four-year-old is not especially consistent but does do most of her best work when on the lead early. She is worth a play with Horacio Karamanos in the silks.

Race 8 – Dave’s Friend S.

A sizable field of 11 will dash six furlongs on the main surface. I’m not sure if #5 Savoy (15-1) can get up in time against this cast to pull off the upset, but I do expect the Honor Code gelding to run well and make some noise late at a big price. Trained by Mario Serey, the streaking four-year-old has really responded to the cutback in distance of late while posting a trio of wins in succession against lesser. The bay likes the course, he’s in fine form, and this field is loaded with early speed, as well. A bullet half-mile posted Dec. 21 adds to his appeal. Grant Whitacre will pilot the longshot.  

Race 9 – Carousel S.

A talented field of 11 fillies and mares will go 1 1/8 miles on the main oval in the $100,000 event. The good betting contest features multiple logical contenders, including #10 Berate (6-1) from the barn of Shug McGaughey. The Blame four-year-old has taken the turf-to-dirt transition well with sharp performances in two straight, including a runner-up finish while making her stakes debut on this strip last time out. She fired a swift half-mile bullet at Payson Park Dec. 20, and she will be dangerous from a stalking position if she runs to that breeze in this spot. Jevian Toledo will be in the stirrups.