2025 Alma North Stakes – Race Preview & Analysis
Date: June 28, 2025
Track: Laurel Park
Race: Race 9
Distance: 6.5 Furlongs (Dirt)
Purse: $125,000
Eligibility: Fillies & Mares, 3-Year-Olds & Up
Post Time: 3:58 PM ET
Contenders Breakdown
1. St. Benedicts Prep
Pedigree: Flatter – Line (War Front)
Trainer: Linda Rice
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Form: 4212232247
Analysis: Veteran 5YO mare with 6 wins and 16 in-the-money finishes from 26 starts. Flatter adds durability, and she’s a consistent performer at this level. Could be a pace presence from the rail.
2. Alani
Pedigree: Competitive Edge – Tri Delt Girl (Sefapiano)
Trainer: Michael M. Moore
Jockey: Frankie Pennington
Form: x421312114
Analysis: Sharp 4YO filly with 4 wins and 10 top-three finishes from 12 starts. Competitive Edge adds speed, and Pennington is a strong fit. Dangerous if she gets a clean stalking trip.
3. Admiral Hopper
Pedigree: Field Commission – Flower Class (Stormy Atlantic)
Trainer: Justin J. Nixon
Jockey: Weston Hamilton
Form: x25121x730
Analysis: 7YO mare with 7 wins and a 44% win rate. Hasn’t shown much in recent starts, but her back class makes her a longshot exotics candidate.
4. Easy Red
Pedigree: Omaha Beach – Blessings Count (Pulpit)
Trainer: Eddie Kenneally
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez
Form: 89x8x1121x
Analysis: Lightly raced 4YO with 4 wins from 9 starts. Omaha Beach is producing high-class dirt sprinters. Comes off a layoff but has the talent to contend.
5. Jeanne Marie
Pedigree: Speightster – Bouquet of Gold (Medaglia d’Oro)
Trainer: Robert E. Reid Jr.
Jockey: Abner Adorno
Form: 27x4215x1x
Analysis: 4YO filly with 4 wins and 7 top-three finishes from 10 starts. Speightster adds speed and class. Could be a sneaky value play if she fires fresh.
6. Happy Clouds
Pedigree: Paynter – Two to One (Yesbyjimminy)
Trainer: Ryan A. Gillespie
Jockey: Denis Araujo
Form: 1357825×25
Analysis: 5YO mare with 6 wins and 18 top-three finishes from 27 starts. Honest type who could grab a minor share with a good trip.
7. Fiona’s Magic
Pedigree: St Patrick’s Day – Mollie’s Magic (Factum)
Trainer: Edward T. Allard
Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez
Form: 2x112180x
Analysis: 4YO filly with 3 wins from 7 starts. Lightly raced and improving. St Patrick’s Day is a full brother to American Pharoah, and this filly has upside.
8. Mystic Lake
Pedigree: Mo Town – Salty Soul (Itsmyluckyday)
Trainer: Saffie A. Joseph Jr.
Jockey: Jorge Ruiz
Form: 214x11x491
Analysis: 2024 Florida-bred Horse of the Year. 8 wins from 17 starts and a 105 rating make her the class of the field. Mo Town adds turf and dirt versatility. The one to beat.
Top Picks:
Win Contender: Mystic Lake – class edge, top connections
Main Rival: Easy Red – lightly raced, high ceiling
Value Play: Jeanne Marie – sharp form, sneaky pedigree
Exacta Box: Mystic Lake, Easy Red, Jeanne Marie
Trifecta Add-On: Alani – consistent and well-drawn
