The Lead:
Inaugurated in 1990, the DeFrancis Dash remains one of Maryland's most important races and is a top regional dirt sprint for older horses. Elite sprinters like Housebuster, Cherokee Run, Smoke Glacken and Thor's Echo dot the early history of the DeFrancis Dash. Sunday's renewal will be Race 9 on a card that also features the Concern, Alma North and Deputed Testamony Stakes.

​Field Depth:
Grade 1 winner SIBELIUS owns the field's signature victory, while LITTLE VIC and DEAN DELIVERS are Grade 3 winners, the latter also Grade 1-placed. The lineup includes Grade 3-placed stakes winners PRINCE OF JERICHO and SEVEN'S ELEVEN.
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Pace:
With a strong field size and 6-furlong trip, you'd expect there to be plenty of early speed -- and there should be. SEVEN'S ELEVEN and TWISTED RIDE are drawn inside-outside and both should come out firing. SIBELIUS, LITTLE VIC, FIVE DREAMS and DEAN DELIVERS are all drawn next to one another and have early foot to apply pressure. This could come down to the best finisher.

Our Eyes:
Here are my horse-by-horse notes.

#1-GORDIAN KNOT: Since winning 3 straight during the 2023 summer, this Delaware Park-based gelding has lost 4 straight. Failed to keep up with DeFrancis Dash return rivals Dean Delivers and Prince of Jericho last out in a Delaware stakes over this same distance. First Laurel start for last year's Grade 2 Gallant Bob third-place finisher. Sire Social Inclusion's offspring have had little success on the Laurel main overall.

#2-ALWAYSINAHURRY: Late-running local allowance winner June 28 makes his third start since a 1-year layoff. Phillip Capuano trainee has 5 wins at Laurel, including last year's Frank Whiteley Stakes. Reunites with hot rider Jorge Ruiz, winning pilot from the Whiteley. Bullet workout July 21 indicates he's holding form. Dangerous late with pace to chase.

#3-SEVEN'S ELEVEN: Two-time local stakes winner in 2023 against Maryland-breds, this 4-year-old by Bandbox returns from a February layoff and makes a barn change. Fire a pair of rapid half-mile bullet drills at Delaware Park for trainer Nesvil Bailon. Speedster adds blinkers and should fire extremely fast while fresh under regular rider Angel Cruz. Nearly wired the Grade 3 General George when last seen and can't be disrespected.

#4-PRINCE OF JERICHO: Consistent Munnings colt has never run a bad one in 14 starts and a 10: 5-3-1 local dirt record underscores that. Brittany Russell trainee should get a strong pace to rally into, particularly at the 6-furlong distance in which he's raced farther off the pace than in longer starts.

#5-AWESOME AARON: Turfway-based raider has been modest in the Kentucky claiming ranks and will be a longshot against this quality stakes cast. Trainer Troy Green seeks his first victory of 2024.

#6-SIBELIUS: Winner of the $2 million Grade 1 Dubai Golden Shaheen in March 2023, he's been up-and-down against varying levels of competition since. Won Gulfstream's Grade 3 Mr. Prospector in December, but disappointed in his return try in Dubai and the Smile Sprint at Gulfstream since. Versatile running style could help Sunday with what looks to be a contentious pace.

#7-LITTLE VIC: Monmouth-based shipper for Juan Avila was beaten 10 lengths to DeFrancis rival Dean Delivers in the Mr. Prospector Stakes on May 24, the last time we saw this one. The 2023 Grade 3 Tom Fool winner at Aqueduct has had success up and down the coast and takes his track with him. In his only Laurel attempt, he won the 2022 City of Laurel Stakes. Regular rider Carlos Olivero continues to be his partner.

#8-FIVE DREAMS: Claimed 4 times already in 2024, this 6-year-old steps up in class while trying to snap a 6-race losing streak. Tall task for gelding who is just 2-for-20 in 2023-'24.

#9-DEAN DELIVERS (pictured above): Should vie for favoritism off back-to-back stakes wins at Monmouth and Delaware Park since moving the barn of Ned Allard. Florida-bred by Cajun Breeze makes his Laurel debut. Note sire Cajun Breeze's offspring are a weak 21: 2-2-2 record on the local main track, according to Betmix. Leading Laurel jockey Jaime Rodriguez rode him to victory in Delaware and returns.

#10-TWISTED RIDE: Speedy PA-bred from Parx is cross-entered in Saturday's Grade 1 Vanderbilt at Saratoga. Troubled runner-up to Sevens Eleven in last fall's Maryland Million Sprint, his only prior appearance at Laurel. Consistent form and speed figures appears short of the brilliance needed to best these.

Most Certain Exotics Contender:
PRINCE OF JERICHO is 9-9 in the trifecta at Laurel in 1-turn dirt races lifetime. He gets a strong pace to help his finishing move.

Best Longshot Exotics Contender:
ALWAYSINAHURRY could be overlooked on the class rise, but got a fantastic prep for this and fired a bullet since to underscore his strong spot in his form cycle.​

Sending it in ($100 bankroll):
$40 win ALWAYSINAHURRY. $10 exacta key-box ALWAYSINAHURRY with SEVEN'S ELEVEN, PRINCE OF JERICHO and DEAN DELIVERS ($60).