The Not for Love Stakes at Laurel Park this Saturday, March 8, features a competitive field of Maryland-restricted 4-year-olds and up, with Speedyness leading the way as the 8-5 morning line favorite. The $75,000 race will be contested over six furlongs.

Speedyness comes into the race off an impressive victory in the John B. Campbell Stakes, where he defeated open company foes. That win marked the second stakes triumph of his career.

However, the 4-year-old son of Great Notion is making a significant cutback in distance from 1 1/8 miles to six furlongs, a trip at which he is winless in two attempts. Despite this, Speedyness possesses plenty of early speed and could still prove to be the fastest in the field.

Trained by Jamie Ness for owners Morris Kernan, Jr. and Jagger Inc., Speedyness is a homebred for Ness and has compiled an impressive record of seven wins from 17 starts, with earnings surpassing $390,000.

Ness remains confident in his horse’s ability to handle the shorter distance, stating, “Listen, this horse can go 22, 44. The distance is not ideal, but it’s a Maryland-bred race, so we’ll cut him back. I think he’s a little better going long, but he can do both.”

Regular jockey Jaime Rodriguez retains the mount.

Speedyness’ top challenger is Hittheroadjak, the 5-2 second choice on the morning line. Trained by Rudy Sanchez-Salomon for his own racing stable, Hittheroadjak finished third in the Campbell, just 1 1/4 lengths behind Speedyness.

The 4-year-old Kobe’s Back gelding was claimed for $20,000 in November 2023, and since joining Sanchez-Salomon’s barn, he has won two allowance races and finished in the money in three stakes races. Xavier Perez will be aboard for Saturday’s contest.

The Not for Love Stakes is scheduled as the eighth race on a nine-race card at Laurel Park. With a strong field assembled, all eyes will be on Speedyness to see if he can transfer his winning form to the sprint distance, or if Hittheroadjak can turn the tables and claim the stakes victory.