Cordmaker seeks to extend stakes win streak to three in Jennings
Of all Cordmaker’s accomplishments, his victory in the Robert T. Manfuso on Dec. 26 was the sweetest. Not only did the 7-year-old earn a career-best 102 Beyer Speed Figure, but Cordmaker was bred in partnership by Manfuso, a longtime owner and breeder and former owner of both Laurel and Pimlico. Manfuso died in 2020.
Cordmaker will seek his third consecutive stakes victory when he goes favored in Saturday’s $75,000 Jennings for Maryland-bred or -sired older horses at a one-turn mile at Laurel. Trained by Rodney Jenkins, Cordmaker defeated open company in both the Manfuso and the Richard W. Small on Nov. 27. He has won 12 times from 34 starts for earnings of $794,640.
Hanalei’s Houdini, a well-beaten second behind graded winner Green Light Go in a third-level allowance with an $80,000 claiming option on Jan. 13 at Aqueduct, has an upset chance. The runner-up in the Claiming Crown Jewel on Dec. 4 at Gulfstream, Hanalei’s Houdini has been in good form since being claimed in October by Mike Maker for $50,000 at Keeneland.
Galerio is a questionable starter, according to trainer John Salzman Jr.
“I’m leaning on running Sunday in an allowance,” he said. “But with this weather coming, he loves the mud. If this scratches down, I will run.”
Bustoff looks like the speed. Doubleoseven nipped Galerio on Dec 30. The Poser and Ain’t Da Beer Cold also entered.
Fire Plug
Wondrwherecraigis looms the horse to catch and beat Saturday in Laurel’s $100,000 Fire Plug at six furlongs.
Trained by Brittany Russell, Wondrwherecraigis closed his 2021 campaign with a victory in the Grade 3 Bold Ruler on Halloween at Belmont. The Munnings gelding scratched from Aqueduct’s Gravesend on Dec. 19 due to a foot infection.
“From a fitness standpoint, I think we’re in a great spot,” Russell told Laurel publicity. “It’s time to get him back.”
Jaxon Traveler has hit the board in all 12 starts, including a runner-up effort in the Gravesend.
“This will be the toughest group he’s faced,” said Terry Finley, CEO of co-owner West Point Thoroughbreds. “He’s been an iron horse.”
Shackqueenking finished third in his last two races, both two-turn stakes at Laurel. He cuts back in distance but owns competitive Beyers.
Threes Over Deuces rallied from off the pace to win the Dave’s Friend on Dec. 26 at Laurel. A 7-year-old gelding with $518,587 in career earnings, Threes Over Deuces boasts a versatile running style.
Completing the field are Penguin Power, a winner in 14 of 23 starts; multiple stakes-placed Youngest of Five; and Studio B. Penguin Power also is entered for the Toboggan Stakes on Saturday at Aqueduct.
What a Summer
Hibiscus Punch, winner of last year’s Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie, returns from a long layoff in the $100,000 What a Summer for fillies and mares at six furlongs.
Trained by Justin Nixon, 7-year-old Hibiscus Punch last raced in the Grade 1 Derby City Distaff on May 1 at Churchill. She finished fifth behind four next-out winners. Two of them, Gamine and Bell’s the One, were considered among the division’s best. Hibiscus Punch pushed Gamine’s pace before tiring.
“We did a lot of heavy work,” Nixon said. “It wasn’t ideal.”
Nixon gave Hibiscus Punch needed rest after that tough race. Hibiscus Punch was entered three weeks ago, but racing was abandoned at Laurel due to track maintenance.
“The What a Summer and Barbara Fritchie have been on our radar, so we were content to not push it,” Nixon said.
:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures
Princess Kokachin appears to be the dominant speed breaking from the rail.
“That’s her game,” trainer John Robb said. “She’ll go to the lead.”
The 4-year-old Graydar filly had a five-race win streak snapped when second in the Willa On the Move on Dec. 26. Princess Kokachin was part of a blazing pace battle with favored Hello Beautiful.
“She went after Hello Beautiful, and they wound up killing each other,” Robb said.
Regal Retort exploded to win a three-other-than allowance on Nov. 25 at Churchill with a 96 Beyer.
“She was doing really well,” said Toby Sheets, trainer Steve Asmussen’s New York-based assistant. “She liked the slop.”
There is a good chance for a wet track Saturday at Laurel, and that enhances Regal Retort’s chances.
Kaylasaurus took advantage of the blazing pace to win the Willa On the Move in her first start off the Bush Racing Stable claim.
Stakes winner Prodigy Doll makes her first start against older horses. She comes off a seventh after a pace skirmish in the Safely Kept on Nov. 27.
Don’t Call Me Mary invades from New York for Todd Pletcher. She was the beaten favorite in the Mrs. Claus on Dec. 28 at Parx Racing.
Fille d’Esprit enters off a seven-length win in an allowance on Dec. 19 at Laurel. Our Sweet Girl, Whiskey and Rye, Phantom Shot, Time Limit, and Bunting also start.
Geisha
Kiss the Girl and Artful Splatter look like the two main contenders in the $75,000 Geisha for Maryland-bred or -sired fillies and mares at one mile.
Kiss the Girl returns to Maryland after finishing third, beaten three-quarters of a length, in the Ladies on Jan. 16 at Aqueduct.
Artful Splatter has won 6 of 10 starts on wet going. She finished ahead of Kiss the Girl in the Carousel on Dec. 26, and might make an easy lead.