Laurel: Rice's uncoupled entry potent in Friday feature
The Friday feature at Laurel Park is a first-level optional $50,000 claiming race at a mile for 3-year-olds that will match two Linda Rice shippers against trainer Tom Proctor’s first Mid-Atlantic starter since November and the promising Maryland-based runner Pizmo Time.
Rice has entered both Tipit and Tiz Long Gone, who could go off as the two betting favorites.
Tipit is coming off a one-mile maiden win at Parx over Machu Picchu Sky, who has since finished second in another maiden race. Tiz Long Gone won a six-furlong Aqueduct maiden race in his debut but weakened to sixth in his first try against winners.
Good Save won a Tampa Bay Downs maiden race in his debut for Proctor. He finished third, beaten six lengths by Outwork, in an optional-claiming race at Tampa in his second start. Outwork has since finished second in the Tampa Bay Derby and is expected to run in Saturday’s Grade 1 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct.
Pizmo Time, trained by Lawrence Murray, will not be easy to beat. He won his maiden by 5 1/2 lengths first time out and has since finished a hard-trying second in an optional-claiming race. A son of City Zip, Pizmo Time broke slowly that day but was moving well late. He should enjoy the stretch-out from six furlongs to a mile.
The first race of the day, a one-mile maiden race for 3-year-old fillies, will match three New York shippers. Rice has entered Tizsomethingroyal, Michelle Nevin has Genuine Happiness, and Kiaran McLaughlin sends in Wembley.