Joe streaks into Private Terms at Laurel

Joe has been anything but average in his three dirt races, winning them by a combined 7 1/2 lengths. The Maryland-bred seeks the top spot in the local 3-year-old male division Saturday when he faces seven others in Laurel’s $100,000 Private Terms at 1 1/16 miles.

A homebred owned by The Elkstone Group and trained by Michael Trombetta, Joe finished fifth in his debut on turf before embarking on his winning streak.

After a one-mile maiden victory Nov. 21, he grabbed the Maryland Juvenile Championship for state-sired runners at seven furlongs on Dec. 18.

In his seasonal debut Jan. 23, Joe successfully navigated two turns when a popular winner of a first-level allowance race with a $62,500 claiming option.

Trombetta was pleased with the effort.

“He didn’t have the smoothest of trips,” he said. “It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t ideal. I like the idea he’s had plenty of time from that race.”

Joe failed to switch leads in the recent victory.

“You’re always a little concerned with that,” Trombetta added. “It was his first two-turn race. Maybe that had something to do with it. He’s trained well.”

Local Motive, a three-time stakes winner for trainer John Salzman Jr., stretches out around two turns after capturing the Miracle Wood at a one-turn mile on Feb. 19.

“I don’t know how to feel about” stretching out, said Salzman. “I usually buy sprinters. He’s not a big, heavy horse, but is filling out and maturing. I train him two miles every day, and it doesn’t take anything out of him.”

Salzman believes Local Motive will be close to a pace likely set by Joe’s uncoupled stablemate, Conclusive.

The beaten favorite in the Miracle Wood, Conclusive is unbeaten from two starts around two turns.

“If he breaks well, he will be pushing things along pretty good,” Trombetta said.

Eagle in Love, a debut winner Feb. 3 at Aqueduct, ships down for trainer Rob Atras.

“It was a pleasant surprise,” Atras said. “I wasn’t sure if he was the kind of horse that would fire first time out.”

Atras mentioned he considered last week’s Gotham for Eagle in Love.

“I wanted to go in an allowance race, but they haven’t been filling in New York,” he said. “After looking at the nominations, we felt he could be a contender here.”

Majestic Frontier, second in the Miracle Wood, receives an equipment change.

“He was lugging in, so we’ll change the bit,” trainer Jerry Robb said.

Shake Em Loose, claimed for $16,000 out of a maiden win on Nov. 19, pulled off a 59-1 upset in the Heft Stakes at seven furlongs on Dec. 26.

According to trainer Rudy Sanchez-Salomon, Shake Em Loose “rapped himself” leaving the gate when seventh in the Spectacular Bid on Jan. 29.

Dropped in class, Shake Em Loose responded with a wide, sweeping victory when offered for the $62,500 claiming option on Feb. 27.

“I’m really confident about this race, but anything can happen,” Sanchez-Solomon said.

Maximum Impact and Micro Star also entered.