Dunleavy: How I'd play Laurel on Monday, Feb. 16

Updated to reflect scratches Monday at 10:15 a.m.

The Monday card at Laurel includes three consecutive stakes in races 7-9, which are linked by a 50-cent pick three. A 50-cent pick four begins on race 6.

I favor the pick three sequence, but I'm going to try to get a pick four started, and if I catch the first leg, there really isn't any reason to come back with a pick three. Laurel also offers rolling daily doubles. I'm going play doubles in races 6-7 using the same horses I use in the pick four.

The sixth race is a first-level allowance for 4-year-olds and up at a one-turn mile. The seventh is the $100,000 Wide Country stakes for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs.

The pick four concludes with the $100,000 Miracle Wood, a mile race for 3-year-olds, and the Grade 3, $250,000 General George, a seven-furlong handicap.

Don't underestimate the Maryland-based horses Monday. They are used to the winter racing surface. On Saturday, Pimlico-based Page McKenney won the $100,000 John B. Campbell, and the Laurel-based Lady Sabelia won the Grade 2 Barabara Fritchie.

Jerry Hollendorfer's two California shippers, Sam's Sister and Southern Freedom, finished fourth and seventh, respectively, Saturday. He has Outside Nashville in the General George on Monday.

Race 6

This eight-horse field is wide open. I'll use four: The Pulse (#1), Cusabo (#4), and Seagate (#8). I'm going to weight The Pulse and Seagate twice as heavily as Cusabo.

The Pulse, a 5 1/4-length debut maiden winner for Rudy Rodriguez at Laurel on Jan. 17, is listed as a first-time gelding.

Race 7-8

I'm going to single both of these races.

Lady Sebago (#5, race 7) and Golden Years (#2, race 8) have been impressive since starting their careers in September. Lake Sebago is 5-3-2-0 at Laurel and 1 for 1 at Delaware Park. Golden Years has made all of his starts at Laurel. He is 5-3-2-0.

The distances of Monday's races are perfect for each of them.

Lady Sebago, trained by Jerry Robb, finished second in her last start, the $100,000 Marshua at six furlongs. That race should set her up perfectly for the seven-furlong Wide Country. Lady Sebago had been off for almost eight weeks coming into the Marshua, and the six-furlong distance was too short for her.

She rallied from seventh and last to finish second, beaten 1 1/2 lengths by Lindisfarne, who is 2 for 2 since being sent to Rodriguez from Northern California. Lake Sebago was moving very well at the finish of that race.

Golden Years, trained by Rodney Jenkins, won the seven-furlong Marylander in the slop by 7 1/4 lengths Dec. 6 in a dominating performance. He has not raced since, but his work pattern indicates he will be ready.

It should be noted that Golden Years was entered for the Jan. 24 Frank Whiteley Jr. Stakes, but when that race was rescheduled for Jan. 29 due to winter weather, he was not re-entered as Jenkins chose to work him rather than race him.

Golden Years has looked like a distance horse from the beginning of his career. A mile should suit him well.

Race 9

Zee Bros and Bourbon Courage will be favored in the General George, but I have concerns about both. I think Smash and Grab can keep Zee Bros honest on the lead, and Bourbon Courage has drawn the rail post position, which is not ideal for his late-running style.

In addition, Bourbon Courage has been training at Tampa Bay Downs and Zee Bros at Oaklawn Park. They have come from warm weather climates into the coldest temperatures of the winter.

I am going to use Bourbon Courage (#1), Praetereo (#3), Smash and Grab (#4), Zee Bros (#5), Big Business (#6), Cutty Shark (#8), Outside Nashville (#10), and Javerre (#11).

I will double-weight Bourbon Courage, Praetereo, Smash and Grab, and Zee Bros.

Praetereo's recent seven-furlong no-conditions allowance win at Parx was very nice. Smash and Grab enters off an easy local optional-claiming score that should have him at his best.

The play: $26

All tickets are in 50-cent increments.

Race 6: The Pulse (1)-Cusabo (4)-Seagate (8)
Race 7: Lake Sebago (5)
Race 8: Golden Years (2)
Race 9: Bourbon Courage (1)-Praetereo (3)-Smash and Grab (4)-Zee Bros (5)-Big Business (6)-Cutty Shark (8)-Outside Nashville (10)-Javerre (11)

Ticket: 4x1x1x8= $12

Doubling up in race 6:

Race 6: The Pulse (1)-Seagate (8)
Race 7: Lake Sebago (5)
Race 8: Golden Years (2)
Race 9: Bourbon Courage (1)-Praetereo (3)-Smash and Grab (4)-Zee Bros (5)-Big Business (6)-Cutty Shark (8)-Outside Nashville (10)-Javerre (11)

Ticket: 2x1x1x8=$8

Doubling up in race 9:

Race 6: The Pulse (1)-Cusabo (4)-Seagate (8)
Race 7: Lake Sebago (5)
Race 8: Golden Years (2)
Race 9: Bourbon Courage (1)-Praetereo (3)-Smash and Grab (4)-Zee Bros

Ticket: 4x1x1x4=$6

Total: $26

As I often do, I may also add this ticket, which would raise the total cost to $30:

Race 6: The Pulse (1)-Seagate (8)
Race 7: Lake Sebago (5)
Race 8: Golden Years (2)
Race 9: Bourbon Courage (1)-Praetereo (3)-Smash and Grab (4)-Zee Bros

Ticket: 2x1x1x4=$4