Luna Belle heavily favored in Beyond the Wire

Hamilton Smith had some anxious moments as odds-on favorite Luna Belle steadied in traffic in last month’s Wide Country Stakes at Laurel Park.

“Quite a few,” Smith said. “She checked two or three times and actually was all the way back to last.”

Luna Belle finally got into the clear and uncorked an eye-catching rally to win by three lengths. She earned an 81 Beyer Speed Figure and looms the prohibitive favorite Saturday in the $100,000 Beyond the Wire for 3-year-old fillies at one mile.

The Beyond the Wire is one of five stakes on the 11-race program along with the Private Terms for 3-year-olds at 1 1/16 miles, the $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial for 4-year-olds and up at one mile, the $75,000 Not For Love for Maryland-sired older sprinters at six furlongs, and the $75,000 Conniver for older state-sired fillies and mares going seven furlongs.

Luna Belle has won three straight stakes. This will be her first route appearance.

“The way she ran her last several races, it looks like she wants to go a little farther,” Smith said.

Diamond Collector was a speedy maiden special weight winner Feb. 6 at Aqueduct. The Blame filly has a strong distance pedigree and might make the early running.

Ha’ Penny, fourth behind Kentucky Oaks prospect Nest in the Suncoast Stakes going a mile and 40 yards on Feb. 12 at Tampa Bay, ships up for trainer Joe Orseno.

“I think the one-turn mile is more suited to her,” Orseno said.

Stakes-placed She Is Wisky, Mama G’s Wish, Red Wine Time, Click to Confirm, and Candy Light complete the field.

Harrison E. Johnson Memorial

Galerio is feeling frisky heading into the $100,000 Harrison E. Johnson Memorial.

“He bit my wife the other day and I had to take her to the hospital,” trainer John Salzman Jr. said. “He bit me the week before and caught me in my forehead.”

Galerio sinks his teeth into the Harrison Johnson after winning the John B. Campbell on Feb. 19. Six-year-old Galerio earned a career-best 102 Beyer in the Campbell.

“It scares me anytime a horse runs a career high,” Salzman said. “To get them to come back to it is tough, but he’s peaked right now, dappled out, and training 100 percent.”

Gentleman Joe finished third in the Campbell.

“I thought he ran huge,” trainer Hamilton Smith said. “He was ding-donging it from flag fall to finish. He’ll likely be up close again.”

Galerio and Gentleman Joe face Torch of Truth, Whiskey and You, Workin On a Dream, Bobby G, and Dontmesawithme.

Not For Love

The NCAA basketball tournament emphasizes the need for a deep bench. With stable star Wondrwherecraigis in Dubai for next week’s Golden Shaheen, Brittany Russell sends out Whereshetoldmetogo in the $75,000 Not For Love.

Whereshetoldmetogo excels off layoffs. The Not For Love will be his first start since finishing fifth in the Dave’s Friend on Dec. 26.

“He stays in training when we back off of him,” Russell stated. “We have to take care of his feet and the winter training is hard on him. He’s big, strong, and healthy now.”

Big Engine ships in from New York after earning a 96 Beyer winning a third-level allowance with an $80,000 claiming option.

Trainer Rudy Rodriguez mentioned the state-sired conditions as one of the reasons to enter.

“We entered him in New York, but the race didn’t go,” Rodriguez said. “We’re taking a chance. He’s by Not For Love and tries hard in his races.”

Youngest of Five earned stakes placings in his last three starts, including a runner-up effort behind Wondrwherecraigis in the Fire Plug on Jan. 29.

“I don’t know if that’s a one-off or if it indicates he’s improving,” trainer Hugh McMahon said. “He’s been compromised in his last couple. He had a bad break two starts ago but ran well. I think he’s coming into his own.”

McMahon gave Youngest of Five time after the Fire Plug because “we’ve had issues with his feet. He’s doing good and well-prepared.”

Karan’s Notion, The Wolfman, Air Token, and Jaxon Traveler complete the quality field.

Conniver

Kiss the Girl seeks her third consecutive stakes victory in the $75,000 Conniver.

The Into Mischief mare captured the restricted Geisha going a mile Jan. 29 before overcoming traffic trouble to win the Nellie Morse at 1 1/16 miles on Feb. 19.

Kiss the Girl is 2 for 2 at seven furlongs.

Fille d’Esprit looms the main danger. After a horror trip in the What a Summer going six furlongs, Fille d’Esprit finished third, beaten a length, in the Barbara Fritchie at this distance Feb. 19.

“The race where she got left [What a Summer] was so impressive it made me try the Barbara Fritchie,” trainer John Robb said. “Then she got in a little trouble in the Fritchie.”

Combat Queen, Artful Splatter, Champagne Toast, and Coconut Cake also are entered.