Switzerland breaks away in De Francis Memorial Dash

A few minutes after the Steve Asmussen-trained Midnight Bisou was placed first in the Cotillion Stakes at Parx Racing via disqualification, the Asmussen-trained Switzerland needed no such help in the Grade 3, $250,000 Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash at Laurel Park.

Holding his inside position after breaking from the rail, and dueling for the lead with Colonel Sharp, Switzerland opened daylight on the far turn and never looked back. Running alone through the homestretch, he belatedly switched leads and went on to a 2 3/4-length victory and a 103 Beyer Speed Figure.

“He was able to get up in there and I was able to get him to relax, save him, hope he could last on,” jockey Feargal Lynch said.

Lynch was riding Switzerland for the first time, but by the De Francis he had beaten a path into the Laurel winner’s circle Saturday. The featured De Francis was Lynch’s third stakes win on the card following Order and Law in the Laurel Futurity and Class and Cash in the Laurel Dash.

Switzerland never has been based in Maryland but apparently likes the state just fine. He won the first stakes of his career when he took the Maryland Sprint at Pimlico this past spring and his second in the De Francis.

Switzerland had come around nicely since joining the Asmussen barn this year and following the Maryland Sprint was kept fresh for a run at the Grade 1 Vanderbilt Stakes at Saratoga, but he drew the rail there, broke slowly and rushed into a torrid pace, fading to a well-beaten fifth.

Lynch said Asmussen told him Switzerland did not have the best gate habits and to be prepared to adjust tactics accordingly, but Switzerland got out of the gate well enough and had the speed to contest an opening quarter-mile in a moderate 22.83. The half went in 45.72 and, unlike at Saratoga, Switzerland was going along comfortably. That pleased a large swath of the betting public as Switzerland, timed in 1:09.11 for six furlongs on a fast track, paid $5 to win.

Laki finished second by 1 3/4 lengths over third-place Sweetontheladies. Always Sunshine, the 3-1 second choice, never got involved and checked in last. Mr. Crow was an early scratch.

Switzerland is a 4-year-old by Speightstown out of Czechers, by Indian Charlie. He ran his career mark to 13-5-2-3, a record that might shine even brighter if the colt spent more time in Maryland.

Monkey’s Uncle best in Selima

Monkey’s Uncle’s lone previous start before the six-furlong Selima Stakes on Saturday at Laurel Park had come in a two-turn Delaware Park turf race. The 2-year-old filly showed her stamina winning that start and put it to good use over an extremely tiring turf course in the Selima.

It took Monkey’s Uncle 1:16.11 to cover the six furlongs but that proved fast enough as she slogged home a half-length winner over Shoobiedoobydool, with Helen another half-length back in third. Even-money favorite Elsa appeared to be struggling with the soft going from the early stages and checked in a one-paced seventh.

Alex Cintron rode Monkey’s Uncle ($18.40) for trainer Arnaud Delacour, who trains her for the Lael Stable. A $300,000 yearling purchase, Monkey’s Uncle is by Uncle Mo out of Humor Section, by After Market.

Monkey's Uncle was given a 72 Beyer Speedd Figure.