Laurel Park: Baratti, Kid Cruz ship in for Private Terms

A half-dozen colts whose connections thought they had enough potential to merit nomination to the 2014 Triple Crown series are among 10 largely unproven 3-year-olds in the lineup for Saturday’s $100,000 Private Terms Stakes at Laurel Park.

The two most intriguing members of the cast for the 1 1/8-mile Private Terms are New York shippers Baratti and Kid Cruz, both of whom are still eligible for a first-level allowance.

Baratti, from the high-profile connections of Darley Racing and trainer Kiaran McLaughlin, responded to the addition of Lasix and the stretch out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles by improving his Beyer Speed Figure 40 points to a 92 in a six-length romp over maidens at Aqueduct on Jan. 10. Notably, McLaughlin is 15 for 39 (38 percent) with last-out maiden winners returning in a dirt route following a break of 31 to 60 days.

“It is a blessing it took so long for him to get going. He is growing all the time," said Artie Magnuson, McLaughlin's assistant. "He was a little leggy four or five months ago but it is all coming together. We like him quite a bit but this is a big step up because he is so inexperienced.”

Kid Cruz, claimed out of a six-length victory running for a $50,000 tag in November by Linda Rice, ran well in his first start for his new connections, rallying from more than nine lengths behind after the first six furlongs of a 1 1/16-mile allowance to finish second, beaten three-quarters of a length. Rice shows an 11-for-37 (26 percent) record second time off the claim with runners returning after a break of 31 to 60 days.

From a pedigree standpoint, Kid Cruz is a half-brother to the 4-year-old filly Spellbound, who earlier this winter won the Grade 2 La Canada at Santa Anita.

The list of Triple Crown nominees in Saturday’s field also includes Roman Fire, who won his 3-year-old debut with a career-best 86 Beyer against first-level allowance runners at Parx Racing on Jan. 19. His trainer, Tony Dutrow, is 4 for 14 (29 percent) with 3-year-olds who won last time out returning in a dirt route after a short layoff.

The most accomplished runner in the Private Terms is locally based Joint Custody, whose 4 wins in 7 starts include a pair of seven-furlong stakes at Laurel late last year. He will be trying two turns for the first time after finishing second as the 2-1 choice in the one-mile Miracle Wood on Jan. 25.

Jockey Wesley Ho said he is confident Joint Custody will run well.

“He is fresh and being home plays to our advantage,” Ho said. “He has always done everything right and has learned from each start. I have confidence he will run well going two turns for the first time.”

Classic Giacnroll, scratched from last weekend’s Gotham in New York, gets class relief after a second in the Grade 2 Jerome and a fourth in the Grade 3 Withers. He gets a new rider in Victor Carrasco.

“He wasn’t training well so we decided to scratch and give him an extra week and an easier spot,” said Juan Carlos Guerrero, who serves as assistant to his wife, Lisa. “He has a very big heart and always gives us 100 percent. He is a May foal so he has a chance to be a good one as the year progresses. He has a chance at the [Kentucky] Derby but we want to take our time with him because there are so many good 3-year-old races out there.”

The Caesar’s Wish for 3-year-old fillies did not fill and will be brought back next Saturday.