BetOnline has a nice stakes day on Saturday with seven racecourses hosting at least one stakes race. The biggest is at Gulfstream Park on Pegasus Day in Hallandale Beach. The Pegasus World Cup includes the $3,000,000 Pegasus World Cup Invitational (Gr. 1). It’s a strong field that includes Knicks Go and Life Is Good.
We have three selections at Gulfstream Park, with the $3,000,000 race and $1,000,000 race on the turf. It’s certainly nice to see big-time stakes racing back on the calendar. We are firmly on the Road to the Kentucky Derby now.
Along with Gulfstream Park, we’re heading to Laurel Park in Maryland. Laurel Park has been one of my more profitable tracks over the years, so never oppose playing a card there. Laurel Park has six stakes races, the second-most next to Gulfstream.
Laurel has a total of ten races worth $647,200 in prize money. Head below for our best Laurel Park picks on January 29, 2022.
Race 3 – Jennings Stakes
Post Time: 1:10 p.m. EST
Distance:1 Mile
Purse:$75,000
Race 3 runs a mile for a $75,000 purse for the Jennings Stakes. The Jennings Stakes is a mile on the dirt. Look for Galerio and Cordmaker to put together a dangerous bid in the stretch.
Galerio is 9 for 31 in his career and has stakes experience. He’s finished 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 4th, 2nd in his previous five attempts.
In his most recent, Galerio placed 2nd behind Doubleoseven by a nose for a $68,120 purse. This was after going 4th on November 26 in the $75,000 Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial on November 26.
Cordmaker should be the top contender to get in at this level. He is 12 for 34 in his career and should handle this race well.
Cordmaker has gone 1st, 6th, 1st, 1st in his previous four. His last attempt was a good one in the $100,000 Robert T. Manfuso Stakes on December 26. Cordmaker had a 3 ½ length win there.
This was after he won the $100,000 Richard W. Small Stakes on November 27. With three stakes wins in his last four outings, Cordmaker looks ready to add another to the portfolio on Saturday.
Race 4 – Geisha Stakes
Post Time: 1:39 p.m. EST
Distance: 1 Mile
Purse:$75,000
Race 4 is the $75,000 Geisha Stakes at Laurel Park. Expect a solid race from Kiss the Girl and Artful Splatter. Don’t be surprised if we see a duel unfold in the stretch run.
Artful Splatter is 8 for 36 and should have a decent chance of getting close on Saturday. She has finished 7th, 4th, 2nd in her previous three entries.
There were signs of encouragement from Artful Splatter in her latest showing. She placed 2nd behind Miss Leslie by 3 ¾ lengths in the $100,000 Carousel Stakes. That was a nice attempt.
Down to the $75,000 level, Artful Splatter should be close if she runs in the same form. With that effort, she can compete with Kiss the Girl.
Kiss the Girl is 6 for 21 and will have a chance as well. Kiss the Girl most recently showed 3rd in the $100,000 Ladies Stakes on January 16.
Another type of race like that will put Kiss the Girl in contention in this one. He won three races back for a $61,880 purse by 4 ¾ lengths. Too easy, though $100,000 was a touch too hard.
At this level in the Geisha Stakes, Kiss the Girl should be a tough customer.
Race 9 – Fire Plug Stakes
Post Time: 4:09 p.m. EST
Distance:6 Furlongs
Purse:$100,000
The $100,000 Fire Plug Stakes is the feature event at Laurel Park on Saturday afternoon. This $100,000 event should leave Jaxon Traveler and Wondrwherecraigis in contention.
Jaxon Traveler will need a big push from the outside, but can do it with a good run. He is 5 for 12 in his career with a good chance of a sixth win.
In 12 races, Jaxon Traveler has been in the top-3. Four races back, he beat Alwaysinahurry by 3 lengths in the $75,000 Star De Naskra Stakes on August 21.
In his last attempt, Jaxon Traveler ran well to place 2nd behind Chateau by 3 ½ lengths in $100,00 Gravesend Stakes. It’s hard to count him out in this one.
Wondrwherecragis runs with a purpose and has stakes wins on his plate. He has finished 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st in his last four, with a win in a graded race in his last start.
It was a big effort from Wondrwherecraigis beating Continuation by 2 ¼ lengths in the $200,000 Bold Ruler Handicap (Gr. 3). This was after a solid performance on September 18, winning but dropped to 2nd after a DQ in the $200,000 Frank J. Francis Memorial.
The Fire Plug Stakes looks like another spot for the $210,000 gelding to find a way to the winner’s circle.
