Who’re we watching? Let’s see what’s on tap in the mid-Atlantic this weekend:

[su_list icon=”icon: clock-o”]

Saturday, 4:04 p.m., Parx Racing’s Turning for Home Stakes 1 mile 70 yards on the main track for 3yo and up, $75,000 purse.  Modest purse, but a solid group of runners is expected.

  • 1. #2 Adirondack King (6-1 morning line) — Toss the turf tries, and this Parx lover’s form looks very competitive here; he’s fired fresh before.
  • 2. #3 Very Lucky (15-1) — It’s a heavy lift for this erstwhile claimer, but he has five wins at the distance and certainly didn’t embarrass himself last out (at 29-1) against a rugged group in the Mountainview.
  • 3. #1 Valid (3-1) — Tepid morning line choice almost never runs a bad one, was recently second in the Majestic Light at Monmouth — but breaking from the rail, with other speed signed up, may pose a challenge.
  • 4. #5 Jessica’s Star (10-1) — Arlington shipper won last year’s G3 Iowa Derby, enters off a minor stakes win at Prairie Meadows, has the class to compete — if he posts.

Saturday, 5:43 p.m., Monmouth Park’s G3 Eatontown Stakes 1 1/16 miles on the turf, fillies and mares, 3yo and up.  Saturday forecast is iffy for Oceanport, but we’ll assume they stay on the turf.

  • 1. #5 Kenzadargent (4-1) — French-bred, Chad Brown-trained runner has won three of four in North America, enters off a solid score over the strip, and figures to get a good trip.
  • 2. #2 Rusty Slipper (6-1) — May prefer a little more ground than this — she was fourth in this event last year — but Graham Motion trainee has two wins, including a G3 score, over the strip.
  • 3. #6 Stellar Path (7-2) — Clement trainee — another runner bred in France — failed as the favorite in G2 company last out, gets Jersey Joe Bravo in the irons.
  • 4. #7 Sistas Stroll (8-1) — G3 winner was a credible third in the G1 QE II Cup last fall at Keeneland, makes her third start back this season — a positive ROI angle for trainer Tom Proctor.  Trevor McCarthy’s up.

Sunday, 5:43 p.m., Monmouth Park’s Mr. Prospector Stakes 6 furlongs on the main track for 3yo and up.  A compact field of six, with a couple of standouts.

  • 1. #5 Salutos Amigos — If this multiple G3 winner comes back right from Dubai sojourn — and presence of rider Cornelio Velasquez suggests “yes” — he’ll be a handful in here.
  • 2. #6 Happy My Way — Speedster arrives with a six-race losing streak, most recently a grudging third in the G3 Maryland Sprint Handicap.  Outside post figures to help.
  • 3. #2 Rainbow Heir — Failed at odds-on for the second straight year in the Reilly for NJ-breds last out; Ben Perkins trainee improved nicely second off the layoff last year, keeps top jock Paco Lopez in the irons, and his best puts him in the mix.
  • 4. #3 Uptown Boy — Not inclined to be too critical of that last, as zipping 5/8 on the main track isn’t this guy’s game.  Return to three-quarters could net improved result.

Elsewhere…

  • PHBA LogoSecond and third against graded foes in his last two, popular Pennsylvania-bred Page McKenney — ranked second among older horses in the Mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred/The Racing Biz Top Midlantic-bred Poll and the only poll member in action this weekend — will try similar once again in the G3 Cornuhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows on Saturday.  The late runner would benefit from some pace up ahead, but it’s unclear if he’ll get it, with longshot Ecleto Red the only need-the-lead type.  Still, his normal effort would put him in the mix here.  Defending champ Carve is the lukewarm 7-2 favorite.
[/su_list]