The Nellie Morse Stakes at Laurel Park is set to take place on February 15, 2025. This race offers a purse of $100,000 and covers a distance of one and one-sixteenth miles on dirt for fillies and mares, four years old and upward, which have not been permitted Lasix within 48 hours of post time. Here’s a detailed strategic preview of the race:
Race Details:
- Purse: $100,000 (plus $100,000 – TTA – TX Thoroughbred Assoc.)
- Distance: One And One Sixteenth Miles (Dirt)
- Eligibility: Fillies And Mares Four Years Old And Upward, which have not been permitted Lasix within 48 hours of Post Time
- Weight: 126 Lbs
- Entry Fees: $500 to pass the entry box, $500 additional to start, with $100,000 Guaranteed, of which 60% to the winner, 20% to second, 10% to third, 6% to fourth, 3% to fifth, and 1% to sixth. Supplemental nominations of $1,000 each will be accepted by the usual time of entry with all other fees due as noted.
- Weight Allowances: Non-winners of $60,000 twice at one mile or over in 2024-25, allowed 2 Lbs; one such race in 2024-25, 4 Lbs; non-winners of $40,000 once at a mile or over in 2024-25, 6 Lbs. (Maiden, Claiming and Starter races not considered in estimating allowances.)
- Trophy: Trophy to the owner of the winner.
- Closed: Saturday, February 1st, 2025 with 17 nominations.
Top Contenders:
- Sea Dancer (PP: 1, 7/5)
- Jockey: Sheldon Russell
- Trainer: Brittany T. Russell
- Pedigree: Mastery – Cuyathy (by Congrats)
- Recent Form: Sea Dancer has shown strong performances and is the favorite for this race.
- Headline Numbers (PP: 2, 6/5)
- Jockey: Angel Cruz
- Trainer: Chad C. Brown
- Pedigree: Gun Runner – Curlin’s Mistress (by Curlin)
- Recent Form: Headline Numbers has been consistent and is another strong contender.
- Bailintin (PP: 3, 10/1)
- Jockey: Tais Lyapustina
- Trainer: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon
- Pedigree: Girvin – Mandolin (by Midnight Lute)
- Recent Form: Bailintin has shown potential and could be competitive in this race.
- Peppermint Class (PP: 4, 12/1)
- Jockey: J.G. Torrealba
- Trainer: Diane D. Morici
- Pedigree: Hard Spun – Tacita (by Tapit)
- Recent Form: Peppermint Class has been in good form and is expected to perform well.
- Call Another Play (PP: 5, 9/2)
- Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez
- Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta
- Pedigree: Audible – Past as Prelude (by Bernardini)
- Recent Form: Call Another Play has shown potential and could be a contender with the right strategy.
- Sweet Heidelberg (PP: 6, 20/1)
- Jockey: Jose R. Betancourt
- Trainer: Jose Corrales
- Pedigree: Street Sense – Roo’s Valentine (by Vronsky)
- Recent Form: Sweet Heidelberg has shown consistent performance and could be a dark horse in this race.
Race Strategy:
- Early Pace: With Sea Dancer likely to set the early pace, jockeys will need to position their mounts well to avoid getting caught in traffic.
- Mid-Race Moves: Look for horses like Headline Numbers and Bailintin to make their moves around the far turn, looking to capitalize on the pace set by the leaders.
- Late Surge: Peppermint Class and Call Another Play could be the ones to watch for a late surge, potentially making a strong finish if they can navigate through the field effectively.
