Horse Race Preview: Race 7 – Dahlia Stakes at Laurel Park

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Track: Laurel Park — Laurel, Maryland

Surface: Turf Distance: 1 Mile Purse: $100,000 Guaranteed Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3‑years‑old and up

Scheduled Post Time: 2:52 PM ET

Expected Weather Conditions (Inference)

No weather data was provided in the sourced material. Inference: Mid‑April in Maryland typically brings mild temperatures (55–70°F) with variable cloud cover. Turf conditions at Laurel Park this time of year often range from good to firm, depending on rainfall.

TRACK CONDITIONS

The entries list the race as One Mile (Turf), but no official going (firm/good/yielding) was provided.

FIELD & HORSE‑BY‑HORSE ANALYSIS

POST 1 — Calamity

Pedigree: Gun Runner – Mighty Moon

Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Filly

Weight: 122 lbs

Jockey: Angel Cruz

Trainer: Brendan P. Walsh

Owner: Calumet Farm

Breeder: Drumkenny Farm & American Equistock Inc.

Analysis: A well‑bred filly by Gun Runner with tactical speed. Walsh is excellent with turf milers, and Cruz fits front‑end types well. A major pace presence and win contender.

POST 2 — Sheila’s Lion

Pedigree: Persian King (IRE) – Last Kitten

Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Filly

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Sheldon Russell

Trainer: J. Keith Desormeaux

Owner: T Zach Racing LLC & Brad Allshouse

Breeder: SF Bloodstock LLC

Analysis: A lightly raced filly with strong European‑influenced pedigree. Russell is one of Maryland’s most reliable turf riders. A live upset candidate.

POST 3 — Princess Javoncia

Pedigree: Animal Kingdom – Dancinginthestreet

Age/Sex: 9‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Not listed

Trainer: Elizabeth M. Merryman

Owner: Greyledge Thoroughbreds & Elizabeth Merryman

Breeder: Blackstone Farm LLC

Analysis: A seasoned veteran with deep turf experience. Lacks recent top‑level form but brings consistency. More likely to hit the bottom of exotics.

POST 4 — Ribaltagaia

Pedigree: Blame – Silk Assassin

Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Jorge Ruiz

Trainer: H. Graham Motion

Owner: Frassetto Stables LLC

Breeder: Mr. Wilbert Tan

Analysis: Motion excels with turf mares, especially at Laurel. Ribaltagaia has a strong closing kick and should benefit from a contested pace. A major win threat.

POST 5 — Summerintahoe

Pedigree: Tapit – Tossup

Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Jaime A. Torres

Trainer: Michael Ann Ewing

Owner: Tier Racing LLC

Breeder: Fred W. Hertrich III & Tapit Syndicate

Analysis: Tapit mares often excel at middle distances. Summerintahoe has tactical speed and could sit a perfect stalking trip. A value play.

POST 6 — Curlin’s Angel

Pedigree: Curlin – Sabrina’s Angel

Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Paco Lopez

Trainer: Jorge R. Abreu

Owner: Parkland Thoroughbreds

Breeder: Parkland Thoroughbreds

Analysis: Lopez is aggressive and may send early. Curlin mares often improve with age. A dangerous pace‑pressing type.

POST 7 — Storm Miami (IRE)

Pedigree: Blue Point (IRE) – Cosmic Love (GB)

Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 124 lbs (Highweight)

Jockey: Victor R. Carrasco

Trainer: Amelia J. Green

Owner: EGL‑One Racing

Breeder: JC Bloodstock & Goodwill Bloodstock

Equipment Change: Blinkers Off

Analysis: The highweight and only horse with an equipment change. Blue Point progeny are fast and classy. A major contender if she relaxes without blinkers.

POST 8 — Mahra’s Love (IRE)

Pedigree: Dark Angel (IRE) – Rosadora (IRE)

Age/Sex: 4‑year‑old Filly

Weight: 120 lbs

Jockey: Vincent Cheminaud

Trainer: Michelle Nihei

Owner: Tropical Racing

Breeder: Grangemore Stud

Analysis: A European‑bred filly with strong turf credentials. Cheminaud is a world‑class turf rider. A live longshot with upside.

POST 9 — Amie’s Symphony

Pedigree: Mendelssohn – Amie’s Legend

Age/Sex: 5‑year‑old Mare

Weight: 122 lbs

Jockey: Horacio Karamanos

Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta

Owner: Country Life Farm

Breeder: Two Legends Farm & Sycamore Hall Thoroughbreds LLC

Analysis: Karamanos is lethal on the Laurel turf. Mendelssohn offspring often show strong late kicks. A major player in the stretch.

PACE & RACE SHAPE (Inference)

Likely front‑runners: Calamity, Curlin’s Angel

Pressers: Summerintahoe, Sheila’s Lion

Mid‑pack stalkers: Ribaltagaia, Storm Miami

Closers: Amie’s Symphony, Princess Javoncia

Expect a moderate early pace, with the race decided in the final furlong.