Laurel Park

Illman: Laurel horses to watch for week of Jan. 13, 2020

Dan Illman|Jan 15, 2020

MIDNIGHT CRY

Trainer: Claudio Gonzalez

Last race: Jan. 12, 4th

Finish: 2nd by 1 1/2 lengths

Beyer: 62

Showed good speed in first start following 273-day layoff and dug in gamely when confronted by the sharp favorite in the stretch. Claimed by top barn and is a nice fit back in the $5,000 beaten ranks.

FRISKY WHISKEY

Trainer: Eli Betancourt, Jr.

Last race: Jan. 11, 4th

Finish: 3rd by 1 1/4

Beyer: 48

Got caught up chasing fast splits, opened up the lead turning into the stretch and understandably tired behind two closers in the final sixteenth. Seems very comfortable at the one-turn mile at Laurel in $5,000 beaten claimers.

JUSTIN FRONT

Trainer: Chris Englehart

Last race: Jan. 5, 5th

Finish: 2nd by 3 1/2

Beyer: 63

The rail looked very live and Justin Front was hung out wide after breaking from the outside in the field of eight. Made a bid at rail-skimming gate-to-wire winner D C Fireman, but had to settle for second best. Look for him sprinting in the starter-optional claiming ranks.