Laurel Park: De Francis Dash Day pick five play for June 27, 2026
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RACE 7: JODY’S PRIDE and GRAMMY GIRL were only 1 1/2 lengths apart on the wire when they met in the Grade 3 Distaff at Aqueduct on April 4, both earning figures that give them credibility in this Alma North Stakes. Jody’s Pride has the rail and the tactical speed to stay close from the outset, while Grammy Girl has won three straight and four of her last five, only a head short of a five-race win streak. BAM’S BLISS KISS was very sharp prior to the break, winning six straight, and she'll be tough if she comes back running for trainer Jorge Abreu. She is the one to catch, as usual. MAIDA will have something to say about that. She’s widest, but she’s very quick out of the gate and has been training very well for Brittany Russell. (4)
RACE 8: BARBADIAN RUNNER not only has some of the best Beyers in the field, but he also seems to hold a pace edge as there’s not much speed in this lineup and he should be forwardly placed from the start. He’s proven at this nine-furlong distance, in fact coming off a win at this track and distance, and though he meets better in the Deputed Testamony Stakes he can win this if he can run back to that last effort and figure. (1)
RACE 9: When last seen A BOURBON FOR TOBY just missed in the Dinner Party Stakes, and that was a big effort as he was forced to try to close behind slow fractions yet he nearly pulled it off and posted a career-best figure in the process. He should get a better setup in this Japan Racing Association Turf Cup and can make the last run, given a clean trip. BELOUNI comes off a similar effort as he also was caught behind tepid splits yet rallied with interest. He faces better here, of course, but he has room to improve off that last one. (2)
RACE 10: FAUST was no threat in the True North, but that was an exceptional group and he was game in defeat two back in the Maryland Sprint. He has the ability to lead or rate, a huge plus as he attempts to work out a trip in the DeFrancis. HAILEYSFIRSTNOTION has high speed and comes off a solid try in his latest. He was just a neck behind Faust in the Maryland Sprint two back in another good effort. PENTATHLON has steady Beyers and a proven late kick. He looks like the one to fear in the lane. HYMN steps back into stakes company in top form. He could prove good enough, given the right trip and setup. (4)
RACE 11: RED SEA lost his best chance when forced to check in the stretch in his latest, but he still earned a competitive Beyer. He is down in class for this and could fall into an ideal stalking trip behind a contested pace. TRANSQUAKING and MASTER NIBBLES are two of the primary pace candidates, and they were caught up in a pace battle in their latest but still posted decent figures. They are dangerous if able to avoid another duel. (3)
THE PLAY: 1, 5, 6, 9 / 6 / 5, 9 / 3, 4, 8, 10 / 1, 8, 9 = $48 ticket
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