Secretintelligence is legitimate favorite

Secretintelligence, who has been first or second in all nine of his races this season, is a legitimate short-priced favorite in the $75,000, 5 1/2-furlong Dave's Friend Stakes at Laurel Park.

A 4-year-old colt based at Delaware Park with trainer Tim Ritchey, Secretintelligence saw his five-race winning streak snapped last time out when he was beaten a head by the veteran Spooky Mulder in a six-furlong overnight stakes.

The only other speed horse who might be able to challenge Secretintelligence early is Outcashem, part of a three-horse coupled entry for owner Robert Cole. If he runs, the 6-year-old Outcashem would be coming back eight days after winning a 4 1/2-furlong restricted stakes at Charles Town in his first start after a year's absence.

Crafty Schemer won the 2006 Dave's Friend when he was in peak form, but at age 8 this season he hasn't come close to matching the 105 Beyer Speed Figure he earned for that win or the 105 he was awarded when he set the pace to deep stretch and was beaten less than three lengths in the Grade 1 De Francis Dash.

Special post time for Breeders' Cup Day is 11:15 a.m. Eastern.