Aussie import More Than Faith spices up Monday card

The feature race on the Monday holiday card at Laurel Park is a wide-open 12-horse optional claimer at a mile on turf, which has been carded as the eighth of 10 races. It will be followed by an optional-claiming sprint for 2-year-old fillies.

Because Laurel is racing Monday this week, there will be no racing Wednesday. First post is 12:35 p.m. Eastern.

The chief contenders in the eighth race, a second-level optional claimer for fillies and mares, are More Than Faith, an Australian who will be making her second U.S. start and is trained by Graham Motion, and Means Well, who was second at this level last out for trainer Alan Goldberg.

Two improving fillies also to consider are Pearl Bay, who has made strides since being transferred to Parx-based Cal Lynch, and Tribal Party, who has won two sprints in a row, both for Jonathan Sheppard over the synthetic surface at Presque Isle.

Race 8

Key contenders

More Than Faith (Last Beyer: 79)

She made her U.S. debut in a six-furlong turf sprint at Belmont Park.

She was never able to get off the rail that day and raced in traffic throughout the stretch while finishing fifth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths. Very likely has more to give.

Means Well (Last 3 Beyers: 79-70-78)

She had a two-race winning streak ended when second at this level in her last start.

The winner that day, Nellie Cashman, had finished third in the Grade 2 Ballston Spa at Saratoga in her prior start.

Pearl Bay (Last 3 Beyers: 79-69-57)

She is 3 for 22, but her Beyer Speed Figures are on the rise since being transferred to high-percentage trainer Cal Lynch three starts back.

She has won her last two starts.

She has not raced since recording a career-high Beyer on Aug. 26.

Has speed and may show the way, which would allow her to avoid traffic in this large field.

Tribal Party (Last 3 Beyers: 65-70-50)

She has closed from off the pace to win synthetic sprints in her last two starts and looks ready to stretch out in distance.

Race 9

The high Beyer in this six-furlong sprint for 2-year-old fillies, a 69, belongs to Awesome Quick, a Frank Stronach homebred by Awesome Again, who is trained by Jose Corrales.

Also worth keeping an eye on here is Lake Sebago, who won her maiden in the slop here by 11 3/4 lengths for trainer John Robb on Sept. 25, earning a 63 Beyer.

Key Contenders

Awesome Quick (Last 2 Beyers: 69-46)

Went wire to wire Sept. 6 at Laurel while making her second start, leaving the competition spread out far behind her.

Her dam, Bettarun Fast, won a pair of Grade 3 sprint stakes in California at age 3, the Santa Paula and the Railbird.