24th De Francis Highlight $850,000 Program Saturday, Nov. 14

LAUREL, MD - Grade 1 winners Private Zone, Palace and Vosburgh runner-up Salutos Amigos lead a group of 27 nominated for the $350,000 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash to be run Saturday, Nov. 14 at Laurel Park.

The 24th running of the six-furlong De Francis highlights a program of six stakes worth $850,000. First race post is 12:05 p.m.

David Jacobson and Southern Equine Stable's Salutos Amigos was beaten just a neck in the Sept. 26 Vosburgh at Belmont Park before finishing a troubled fifth Oct. 31 in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. A 5-year-old gelding, Salutos Amigos, winner of the Bold Ruler (G3), Tom Fool (G3) and Fall Highweight (G3), has earned $1.1 million and is six for 15 at the distance.

Palace, a 6-year-old son of City Zip, has earned $1.4 million for trainer Linda Rice. Winner of the Forego (G1), Vanderbilt (G1) and True North (G2) in 2014, Palace would come into the De Francis off a victory in the Hudson Handicap Oct. 24.

Private Zone finished second to Runhappy by less than a length in the Breeders' Cup Sprint. A winner of $2.8 million, Private Zone is a multiple Grade I winner for trainer Jorge Navarro.

Others nominated for the De Francis include popular gelding Ben's Cat and Maryland Sprint winner Jack's in the Deck.

The $100,000 City of Laurel, to be contested over seven furlongs, drew 30 nominations including Zayat Stable's El Kabeir, winner of the Gotham (G3) and Jerome (G3) and third in the Wood (G1), as well as Gallant Bob (G3) winner Trouble Kid.

Those nominated for the $100,000 Safely Kept, for 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs, include Lady Sheila Stable's Charles Town Oaks (G3) winner Hot City Girl and runner-up Temper Mint Patty, and Wonder Gal, third in the Acorn (G1) and third last year in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).