Proton did it easy. Parkes did it the hard way.

Both their connections will learn more about their horses in Saturday’s $125,000 Laurel Futurity at Laurel Park.

Proton, an impressive debut winner for trainer Graham Motion, has been installed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. Owned by Stone Farm and partners, Proton, by Astern, drew post four with Jorge Ruiz aboard.

Proton earned a field-best 68 Beyer speed figure in breaking his maiden in a Virginia-restricted race at Colonial Downs. His three-length win was flattered, at least a little, when runner-up Jigger graduated in his next start.

“The question is what was behind him,” Motion said in a Laurel Park release. “It was a restricted race. But he couldn’t have done it more impressively.”

After a final breeze alongside Kentucky Downs maiden winner Turf Star, Proton is ready for a tougher test.

“He’s done well,” Motion mentioned. “I had the dilemma of whether we could run back very quickly at Colonial or take our time and run him back here. We decided to take the conservative route.”

Joining him is Parkes, who turned heads with a storming rally in his Sept. 14 debut for trainer Suzanne Stettinius. Bought as part of a package deal for just $3,250 as a foal, the Paynter gelding overcame a poor start to unleash a powerful finish.

“That was one of my most exciting wins,” Stettinius said. “You’d have thought it was the Kentucky Derby. I did everything with him – broke him, trained him.”

Still last turning for home, Parkes was able to find a seam between horses and rally stoutly to win by over a length in 1:04.47 over the Laurel lawn.

“When he got left at the start, I just hoped he wouldn’t be last,” Stettinius said in a Laurel Park release. “Then, he started moving up. I thought maybe he could be third. Then, he just fired.”

Jeiron Barbosa rides from post seven. Parkes is 12-1 on the morning line.

Both Proton and Parkes step up in class as they tackle 1 1/16 miles on the turf. Others they will contend with include Jutland (7-2) and Kid Charlemagne (5-1), second and third, respectively, in the Kitten’s Joy at Colonial Downs; Saratoga maiden winner Sunrise (9-2); Colonial maiden winner Green Light Day (15-1); and Blue Suede Hooves (20-1), who scored at first asking for trainer Chuckie Lawrence.