Saturday will mark the end of an unforgettable era in Maryland racing. Dale Capuano (pictured above) will retire as the 22nd leading trainer of all time with more than 3,660 wins. He won eight, year-end titles in the state where he was based since 1981 and set the bar with 15 Maryland Million victories. Fittingly, Capuano will send out several contenders in the Late Pick 4 on the Saturday card that shapes up this way:

LRL 6th race (2:56 EST) -- My lasting impression of Capuano was of him taking meticulous notes almost every racing day as the horses made their way from the paddock to the track. With that in mind, make GIRLS LOVE ME – who rallied 5-wide to finish second when claimed in early December – as today’s solo play in the 50-cent Pick 4 sequence. Four of Capuano’s last five claims finished first or second on the barn switch.

LRL 7th race (3:27 EST) -- Capuano’s LOST WEEKEND is the only stakes-placed 2-year-old in the field of 11, but one of many contenders. JOHN HALL raced ‘well off the rail’ when he rallied past the dueling leaders in a debut scenario that could shape up in similar fashion. BYK figures to be part of a lively pace scenario off a pair of blazing workouts at Penn National, where he ran away from a suspect field at first asking for the A-plus barn of trainer Tim Kreiser. FEELING WOOZY, whose first four races produced nine next-out winners -- including his win at 7F – could work out an ideal stalking trip.

LRL 8th race (3:58 EST) -- DIXIE DRAWL rallied for a win, three seconds and three thirds in his last nine starts, but the Capuano trainee will need a good effort against nine entrants who, save for longshot BOBBY G, are a combined 23-for-86 since April of this year. Go deep in this leg of the Pick 4.

LRL 9th race (4:29 EST) – BELLA BETINA returns to 6F, where she finished behind a runaway winner and ahead of two next-out winners at this level two starts back. LADY CLAU takes the class plunge for a sharp barn in her return from a 14-month layoff. She appeared ready for a comeback this spring but showed no published workouts for the next six months. Trainer Jose Corrales sent out three winners at 7-1 odds or higher from his last 10 starters, so be sure to include MERGER OF EQUALS on the ticket. POLISH COOKIE got up to finish a distant third behind the winning favorite, now runs for the cheapest tag of her career. POET IN MY HEART showed improved speed with blinkers and broke her maiden at 7F last out.

Suggested 50-cent Ticket

LRL 6th Race: 4
LRL 7th Race: 2, 3, 6, 8
LRL 8th Race: 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7
LRL 9th Race: 2, 3, 6, 7, 12

COST: $60