Laurel Park presents a quartet of Saturday stakes races in succession. The $100,000 Robert Manfuso caps the quartet with a rematch between local stars Post Time and Barbadian Runner. I’ll focus on the trio of lead-ins.

Race 5: Bender Memorial Stakes

Quality outweighs quantity in the $100,000 Howard Bender Memorial. #1 QUINT'S BREW will need his A-game off the layoff, but the recent works indicate readiness. Won off long layoff to start $260k season and ran second in a G-2 stakes at 7F. He just missed in the G-3 Carter at 1M after a stretch-long duel with four-time graded winner Bishop’s Bay. Bet to win and play a Pick 3 with numbers 1, 2 with 1, 2, 9, 11 with 3,5. Alternates here include #2 BOLD DIVERSION, #5 BLUE KINGDOM.


Race 6: Carousel Stakes

#1 SULTRY LASS gets a slight nod as the likely value play in the $100,000 Carousel. Not knowing if #9 LUTE WARM will carry over her turf form, or if INTREPID MO can overcome post 11, points a win and place bet on #1 SULTRY LASS and a 1-2-9-11 exacta box. #2 THE SKY IS FALLING rallied powerfully in WV-bred stakes at Charles Town to become lone winner at 1-1/8 miles. Her class will be tested like never before, but the price is right to use her in exotic wagers. #9 LUTE WARM won off year layoff after blockbuster 4-year-old season (4-8, $245k) on turf. Top barn excels with turf-to-dirt, second-off-the-layoff and repeat winner types.


Race 7: Politely Stakes

#3 TAKETHEMONEYHONEY has wins at three tracks and four distances in a near-perfect start to her career. She just missed after a stretch-long battle with Grammy Girl (5-18, $286k) on a muddy track last out. She shortens up to 6F in the $100,000 Politely in her second start after a six-month absence. Bet to win and place and play 3-2 and 3-5 exactas. #2 ONYX TEN is a model of consistency rallied to win 6F and 7F stakes early in year, but her recent three-peat bid failed at odds-on. Trainer Gary Capuano is on a 16-for-40 second-off-the-(45 day) layoff run. #5 GRAYSON’S GIRL pounced on dueling leaders to earn top speed figure of her career in winning the Safely Kept Stakes over the track. Will get speed to rally into on the cutback from a long to short sprint.