Maiden turf sprint kicks off strong sequence on Laurel Friday card

The Friday card at Laurel includes a strong sequence of races that are part of both the late pick five, which has a 12 percent takeout, and the Rainbow 6, which has a carryover of $1,818.

There also is a carryover of $3,089 on the rolling Super Hi 5’s, which begin on race 1.

Races 6-9 on the 10-race card are a 2-year-old filly maiden turf sprint; a first-level optional claimer at a mile for 2-year-olds; a second-level optional-claiming turf sprint; and a third-level optional claimer at 5 1/2 furlongs on grass for fillies and mares.

The late pick five and Rainbow 6 conclude with a $7,500 claiming races at a mile on turf, which has a full field. The Rainbow 6 begins in race 5 with a $15,000 claiming turf sprint for fillies and mares, which also has a full field.

In the maiden race for 2-year-old fillies, trainer Lacey Gaudet will send out Flax Flower, her first starter for Calumet Farm. Flax Flower, who will be making her debut, is by Exchange Rate and is out of Cee’s Irish, a three-time stakes winner whose victories include the 2005 Sunland Park Oaks.

“She’s been training well,” Gaudet said. “We also have an Oxbow filly who is pretty nice that we want to run this weekend for Calumet. I’d love to get off to a good start with them.”

Gaudet is 2 for 4 this year with 2-year-old first-time starters and has an ROI of $9.70. Overall this season, she is 3 for 9 with 2-year-olds and has an ROI of $6.06.