Hammersly: Laurel pick four play for Saturday, April 21, 2018

A top-class distaff turf miler looks like the linchpin for Saturday’s late pick four at Laurel (races 7-10).

Race 7

HAWKSMOOR (#4) dominates these on paper. She comes into this off three straight Grade 1 outings, finishing second in two of those. She doesn’t face anyone near that level of competition here. This is just her first step back as she starts her campaign and certainly has bigger fish to fry down the road, but she doesn’t need to be at full strength to beat these. The bad news: she’ll be an awfully, awfully short price. If you do wish to take a shot against her to try and catch a price, COMPELLED (#1) is a good candidate. The filly showed ample ability last year and she won the only other time she ran on this course.

A’s) 4
B’s) 1
C’s) None

Race 8

SHAMROCK ROSE (#4) showed talent in New York in March with two solid stakes efforts. Those were also her first races on dirt and it appears her preferred footing. INDY UNION (#7) whipped maidens at Belmont in the fall, earning a shot at the Grade 2 Demoiselle. That didn’t work out too well but she’s been off since and could get back on track. LAYLA NOOR (#8) was a respectable third in the Demoiselle so she’s got some quality. She’s been off since and has worked decently. BLUE UNION RAGS (#3) has won the two times she ran on this track.

A’s) 4, 7
B’s) 8
C’s) 3

Race 9

RING WEEKEND (#4) may be a 7-year-old but the ol’ boy still has gas in the tank as evidenced by a smart win at Gulfstream Feb. 11 and a fifth in a Grade 2 at the Fair Grounds March 24. The drop looks key, and he ran well for third in his only start here last summer. MURAD KHAN (#1) was sixth to the top pick in his U.S. debut Feb. 11, but he moved forward March 14 to win at Gulfstream, so he may be acclimated to his new surroundings after having campaigned in England.

A’s) 4
B’s) 1
C’s) None

Race 10

STILL HAVING FUN (#2) won three of his first four, all here, and can be forgiven for only finishing fourth in a stakes here last time March 17 as he had a miserable start. A better beginning can get him back on track, though this spot came up tough. AMERICAN LINCOLN (#8) laughed at maidens by 18 3/4 lengths at Aqueduct March 16, and it’s most encouraging his sharp trainer opted to ship him here instead of staying in New York for a first-level allowance spot. DIAMOND KING (#6) had some trouble in the Grade 3 Swale, a sprint, at Gulfstream Feb. 3, but kept to his task well to be third to an impressive winner. He returns to the site of his nice stakes win Dec. 30. HOLLAND PARK (#11) is bred to be any kind and may be getting things figured out. He’s worked well and it’s a good sign his connections feel good enough about him to try a stakes for his first try against winners. NOBLE COMMANDER (#4) won his first two starts smartly in Florida, and it’s a good sign sharp trainer Mark Casse ships him here for this.

A’s) 2, 8
B’s) 6, 11
C’s) 4