Spot Plays for Laurel Park's Sprintfest Winter Carnival

A total of five stakes events highlight the nine-race card at Laurel Park on Saturday. The big day of racing is led by a pair of Grade 3 tussles, and my focus will be on the black-type events.

General George (G3)

Lucrative dash attracted an excellent field of nine talented sprinters. #6 Firenze Fire (4-5) is the obvious one to beat for Jason Servis. Son of Poseidon's Warrior is all class and comes in fresh with go-to pilot Irad Ortiz Jr. on board.

But, I also have a lot of interest in #2 Wonderful Light (10-1) as an upset threat. Michelle Nevin charge might inherit the lead early on in a field with numerous late runners. The price will be right as well.

Barbara Fritchie (G3)

A compact field of fillies and mares will go postward in the seven furlong graded affair. #5 Victim of Love (8-1) posted an upset in the What a Summer S. on the course last time out and gets the nod to do so again for Beattie. Speightstown filly has shown improvement since being put into the race early on as of late, and the 4-year-old will get first run in the stretch in a field lacking an abundance of pace.

John B. Campbell S.

Seven will go postward in the competitive 1 1/16 miles contest. #3 Alwaysmining (3-1) snapped a five-race losing streak with a tally in the Jennings S. most recently, and I look for him to make it two straight tallies on Saturday. Stay Thirsty gelding dons a superb 11-8-1-0 local line and he looks to be coming back into top form.

Wide Country S.

A field of nine 3-year-old fillies will vie in the seven-furlong dash. Michael Trombetta's #1 Bella Aurora (3-1) is perfect in two starts since moving to the dirt and draws inside in the cast. Carpe Diem lass possesses a big late kick, and the filly has posted four consecutive bullet morning drills in preparation of the affair. Chestnut will be tough to deny late after saving ground throughout.

Miracle Wood S.

The one-mile event for sophomores attracted a few nice prospects, and I will side with Godolphin's homebred #5 Albert Park (7-2). Street Sense colt scratched from a more demanding spot at Tampa Bay Downs last weekend and seems well-suited to thrive against this cast. He could roll in his second attempt with blinkers.