Two on the Turf, Low 12-Percent Takeout

LAUREL, MD – The Stronach 5, which continues to offer a strong return on investment, returns Friday with competitive races, including two scheduled on the turf, from Laurel Park, Santa Anita Park, Gulfstream Park and Golden Gate Fields

The popular wager, which also features a low 12-percent takeout, returned $5,642 on March 11 with three winners returning $8 or less and the largest payoff being $13.20.

The Stronach 5 begins Friday with Laurel’s ninth race and concludes with the third race at Golden Gate Fields.

Leg A: Laurel Race 9, 4:50 ET
6 furlongs, Maiden Claimer ($25,000), 3-year-old fillies

A field of nine go to post and Smart Eulee is one of two going out for trainer Timothy Keefe. In her debut Feb. 18, Smart Eulee rallied for the place against similar after racing last early and wide. Third-place finisher Heliacal Rising returned to win against lesser company. Keefe also sends out firster Cush Effect from the rail. Queen Cadence tired in last after breaking through gate prior to the race. Has a couple second place finishes in four starts for Claudio Gonzalez. First-time starters go out for Charles Frock (Barb the Boss) and Phil Schoenthal (Miss Chief). Michael Trombetta puts blinkers on Embrace the Whinny, seventh and beaten 10 in debut Feb. 18.

Leg B: Santa Anita Race 3, 5:06 ET
1 1/8-mile turf, Maiden Claimer ($50,000), 3-year-olds and up

Seven 3-year-olds on the turf with two, Flint Stroll and Barnfield, dropping out of maiden special weight. Hronis Racing, LLC’s Barnfield, a $200,000 son of Lookin At Lucky, was seventh in debut at a mile on the turf March 5. Trainer John Sadler puts blinkers on, a 20-percent move. Flint Stroll has two fourths and a third place finish out of five starts on the turf. Goes out for the first time since January for Philip D’Amato, who is 23-percent off 61–180 day layoffs. Tiz Tact Toe has had nine chances to find the winner’s circle and six since being claimed for $50,000 at Gulfstream last year. Makes his first start since October and gets Flavien Prat in the saddle. Hulk comes into the race off an eventful trip last out when he stumbled, and jockey lost his irons. This will be his third race off a short layoff for Jeff Mullins.

Leg C: Gulfstream Race 9, 4: 5:16 ET
5 furlongs turf, Claimer ($35,000), 3-year-olds and up

Pretty wide-open event with a field of nine including Law of the Land, who goes out second off a short layoff for Jane Cibelli and a third-place finish last out on the main track. The son of Constitution, who has four seconds on the turf, gets Jose Ortiz. Wora, a $510,000 son of Upstart, returns to the turf after running on all-weather in the fall and winter at Woodbine and Gulfstream. Irad Ortiz Jr. gets the mount on the 4-year-old, who finished second on the turf at this distance at Gulfstream last winter. Trainer Ron Spatz sends out Run lea Run, who broke his maiden on the turf at Gulfstream last summer. The 3-year-old hasn’t run since finishing third in December to Lucago, who has come back and won both his starts.

Leg D: Laurel Race 11, 5:51 ET
7 furlongs, Maiden Claimer ($25,000), 3-year-olds

Remembering Wilbur has finished second in both his starts for trainer Dale Capuano. Draws the rail and gets an extra furlong here. Howard’s Rock was beaten by Remembering Wilbur by seven lengths in his debut. But the son of Golden Lad brought $70,000 last year, trainer Brittany Russell is 28-percent in maiden second starts, and she and jockey Jevian Toledo are 31-percent. The Last Scip was fifth in his debut for Michael Merryman in January and brings a ‘bullet’ work into this one, and Michael Trombetta’s Class Wizard drops in company after finishing fourth in his debut Feb. 27 in a $40,000 waiver maiden.

Leg E: Golden Gate Race 3: 5:59 ET
5 ½ furlongs, Maiden claimer ($3,200), fillies and mares

What Up Now J T made it look relatively easy March 11 in a similar spot. Wheels right back for Reid France and jockey Armando Ayuso, a combination winning at 37 percent. Elgofrance takes a drop in class for new trainer Blaine Wright. The field of eight also includes Stand in Your Love, who missed by a nose last time out at this level, and Lovely Hussar, who looks for her second consecutive victory under apprentice Adrian Martinez.

Fans can watch and wager on the action at 1/ST.COM/BET as well as stream all the action in English and Spanish at LaurelPark.com, SantaAnita.com, GulfstreamPark.com, and GoldenGateFields.com.

The minimum wager on the multi-race, multi-track Stronach 5 is $1. If there are no tickets with five winners, the entire pool will be carried over to the next Friday.

If a change in racing surface is made after the wagering closes, each selection on any ticket will be considered a winning selection. If a betting interest is scratched, that selection will be substituted with the favorite in the win pool when wagering closes.

The Maryland Jockey Club serves as host of the Stronach 5.