McGee: Laurel pick three play for Saturday, Nov. 14

Trainer Linda Rice is a key element to this pick three play on Saturday at Laurel Park, which ends with the Grade 1 De Francis Dash. Rice must win the Safely Kept (R9) with likely favorite Hot City Girl and not win the De Francis (R10) with likely favorite Palace.

Let’s start the ticket with what appear to be the four best 2-year-olds in the James Lewis Stakes (R8), then rely on HOT CITY GIRL to take full advantage of being the dominant pace player in the Safely Kept (a circumstance that seems a little surprising, given that a seven-furlong race of this type typically has far more speed signed on).

PALACE, as a multiple Grade 1 winner and an earner of nearly $1.5 million, is the obvious obstacle to completing the ticket, but there are questions about him: Why didn’t he wheel back in the Breeders’ Cup after winning on Empire Showcase Day (as did La Verdad for Rice), and why would a seasoned veteran like him need to add blinkers for this race? I'm taking a calculated risk that Palace is vulnerable and opting to go instead with the two outside horses, GENTLEMEN’S BET and 3-year-old TROUBLE KID, both of whom should be in position to make their best run, and STALLWALKIN’ DUDE, who exits the BC Sprint and is a threat at any level given enough pace.

Here’s the ticket:
R8 – 1, 3, 5, 8
R9 – 5
R10 – 2, 8, 9
$2 ticket = $24