Laki, Eastern Bay hook up again in Whiteley on stakes-filled Laurel card

The rematch is on.

Eastern Bay will attempt to turn the tables on Laki on Saturday, when the sprinters who finished a nose apart last out meet in the $100,000 Frank Whiteley at Laurel Park.

The six-furlong race is one of six stakes on the card. Each is worth $100,000.

Laki edged Eastern Bay in the Grade 3 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash on Oct. 3 at Pimlico. Eastern Bay closed from last, but could be closer to the pace on Saturday.

“He didn’t break that sharp and that’s why he came from behind, almost 10 lengths back,” said Claudio Gonzalez, who trains Eastern Bay. “You can’t give that away when you’re running in stakes.”

One start earlier, Eastern Bay stalked the pace and went on to a 1 1/4-length win over Laki in the $100,000 Polynesian in September at Laurel.

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Eastern Bay on Saturday will break from post 14 under jockey Alex Cintron.

“Now he’s here, where he’s won eight races,” said Gonzalez.

Eastern Bay is owned by Robert Bone.

Hillside Equestrian Meadows races Laki, who also is an eight-time winner on the main track at Laurel. He dominated last year’s Whiteley by 3 1/2 lengths and, covering six furlongs in 1:08.47 and earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 108.

For his effort in the De Francis Dash, Laki earned a Beyer of 95. It’s the co-highest last-race number in the Whiteley, shared with Eastern Bay. Laki rallied from next to last to win the De Francis.

“I thought we’d be a little bit closer, and as it worked out, we were in the exact right spot we should have been,” trainer Damon Dilodovico told publicity at Laurel. “But I did have anxieties early on, because he always seems to find a little bit of trouble when he races at Pimlico. I was a little bit concerned about that, but he stepped up and ran huge.

“He’s doing well. I was happy that we were able to give him a little time after the Dash. Most of his races off a layoff have been very competitive, so we’re looking forward to this weekend. Hopefully he gets a clean trip.”

Horacio Karamanos has the mount from post 11.

Dilodovico also has entered Taco Supream, while Gonzalez also has a second horse in the race in Completed Pass. Completed Pass was second in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint on Oct. 1 at Pimlico.

“There are no races on the grass, no turf, so we decided to run here in this race,” Gonzalez said. “He’s won five races on dirt.”

Gonzalez will be active in other stakes on the card, including the Richard W. Small, in which he starts Harpers First Ride. The horse is coming off a runner-up finish in the $150,000 Maryland Million Classic on Oct. 24 at Laurel.

“He came back good from the last race,” said Gonzalez. “He loves Laurel and that’s why we decided to stay here at Laurel and not go to the Claiming Crown. He’s training here every day.”

The Claiming Crown is next week at Gulfstream Park. Harpers First Ride would have targeted the $150,000 Jewel, said Gonzalez. The horse was a $30,000 claim in September 2019. He has since won two stakes, including the Grade 3 Pimlico Special in a performance that made him an odds-on favorite in the Maryland Million Classic.

“That last race, he didn’t break that sharp like before,” said Gonzalez.

He said it cost the horse position, and led to a wide trip.

“I believe that’s why he didn’t have that strong move at the end,” said Gonzalez.

Angel Cruz has the mount for MCA Racing Stable.

The Richard Small, for 3-year-olds and up at about 1 1/16 miles, drew a field of 10. Other top contenders include three-time stakes winner Bal Harbour. Trevor McCarthy has the mount from the rail for Red Oak Stable and trainer Gregg Sacco.

Gonzalez will be well represented in the Safely Kept for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs as he starts both Grade 3 winner Fly On Angel and the streaking Landing Zone.

Landing Zone is looking for her fifth straight win. Her victories have come by a combined margin of 21 1/2 lengths, in a streak that started in August at Laurel.

“She gets better and better every day,” Gonzalez said. “She’s matured more. She’s more focused in the morning, and when she’s run. She’s learned more. Before, she was nervous.”

Fly On Angel won back-to-back seven-furlong races wire to wire in August, at one turn at Parx and at two turns in the Grade 3 Charles Town Oaks.

“I know there’s a lot of speed, but we’ll try to take the lead,” Gonzalez said. “She’s a different filly when she takes the lead.”

The field of nine includes Hello Beautiful, who is coming off an 11 1/4-length win in the Maryland Million Distaff Handicap on Oct. 24 at Laurel. Others adding depth are the Grade 2-placed Reagan’s Edge; Grade 3 winner Project Whiskey; and Lady Rocket, who is 2 for 2.

The winner of last year’s Safely Kept, Needs Supervision, goes in the Primonetta.

Gonzalez will be active in the Concern with Lebda.

On the Town will be chasing after her third straight win when she starts in the Thirty Eight Go Go.