Stonebriar looks to win maiden in Maryland Juvenile Futurity

When considering Stonebriar’s chances in the $125,000 Maryland Juvenile Futurity at Laurel Park on Saturday, the positives outweigh the negatives. He has tactical speed, which should come in handy in this 12-horse field of Maryland-bred 2-year-olds. He also has been facing relatively stiff company, which okays him from a class perspective.

On the negative side of the slate, Stonebriar is still a maiden after five starts.

Stonebriar finished fourth twice for trainer Al Stall in Kentucky before being sent east to Tim Keefe. In his first start at Laurel, he was second in a two-turn maiden race to Bodhisattva, who recently won a first-level optional-claiming race.

In his next race, Stonebriar was third in the Maryland Million Nursery to Golden Years, who is Maryland-sired but West Virginia-bred, meaning he is not eligible for this futurity. Golden Years came back to romp in the $100,000 Marylander for open company.

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Stonebriar, in his most recent start, missed by a head in the Christopher Elser Memorial at Parx. The Elser is a South Carolina residency stakes, and though restricted, is open to a wide range of horses. The winner, Duff, has won 3 of 6, including a Pennsylvania-bred stakes at Presque Isle.

The Elser’s third-place finisher, Nasa, came back to win the Pennsylvania Nursery. The fourth-place finisher, Mini Cosmo, won an open first-level allowance at Parx.

KEY CONTENDERS

Stonebriar (Last 3 Beyers: 80-68-53)

◗ The 80 Beyer Speed Figure that Stonebriar was given in the Elser is 14 points higher than the next best in this field.

◗ This seven-furlong race lacks much early speed, and Stonebriar should be in contention from the start.

Sunrise Sunset (Beyer: 54)

◗ Trainer George Weaver shipped him to Laurel from New York to win his debut Oct. 30. He got the job done but received a nice setup, chasing a front-runner who tired. He also raced greenly in the stretch, drifting in and out.

Ghost Bay (Beyers: 66-50)

◗ Has closed from far back to finish third in his first two starts, both at six furlongs. Fast fractions may have helped set up his run each time.

Daystrike (Last 3 Beyers: 54-40-57)

◗ Raced four wide in the Elser Memorial before tiring to finish seventh. May be better than that effort.

Silver Bop (Last 3 Beyers: 48-0-45)

◗ Even though he has been tiring, Silver Bop has good speed, which makes him dangerous here.

Take Achance On Me (Beyers: 55-60)

◗ Closed from well back to win a six-furlong maiden race last out. Should appreciate the extra furlong here.