Laurel: Flame of Love dominates

There may have been an abundance of early speed signed on for the $85,000 Primonetta Stakes at Laurel Park. But when the race was run, instead of a crowd up front, Flame of Love was all alone.

Flame of Love's assignment became easier when five of the original field of 10 filly and mare sprinters scratched because of sloppy conditions, including probable favorite Trickle of Gold.

Ridden by Jozbin Santana for trainer Scott Lake, Flame of Love ($4) never gave anyone else a chance in the six-furlong Primonetta by immediately jumping out to a clear lead. She was comfortably in front, opening up a five-length lead through fractions of 22.67 and 45.81 seconds, and was eased up at the wire, finishing eight lengths in front of Jet Set Citi, the second choice at 6-5, in 1:11.36.

It was the fourth win in five starts since Lake claimed the now 6-year-old Flame of Love for $25,000 last November at Philadelphia Park.

Only three of the five horses finished the race. Malibu Moonshine, who was 3 for 3 since returning from a layoff of nearly two years, and Sun Sapphire both pulled up lame before running a half-mile.