Laurel Play #1
Laurel’s “noble experiment” begins Friday: For the track’s 10-day summer mini-meet, takeout is 11.4%* on all wagers. No exceptions, no catches. It’s a beautiful, horseplayer- friendly gesture, and I’ve resolved to do my bit to make it a success with a Laurel play of the day. The first: Race 8. A field of 11, 1 1/8 miles on the turf. I’ll go with Gust, one of two lightly raced maiden winners stepping up into allowance company entered here. A three-year-old colt trained by Graham Motion, Gust starts off a debut win at Colonial on July 3 in which he came from well off the pace to split horses in the stretch. He’s 5-1 on the morning line, trainer and jockey are 47% for 2006-07, and he’s had three fine works at Fair Hill since that first start. Play: $20 to win.
*I should have written, takeout averages 11.4% on all wagers, since takeout actually varies from 10.75% to 12% depending on the bet.
