Nine Closely Matched Three-Year-Olds Meet In Private Terms Stakes

Nine Closely Matched Three-Year-Olds Meet In Private Terms Stakes

LAUREL, MD. 03-15-12--- Saturday feature, the $100,000 Private Terms Stakes, has come up a wide open affair as nine 3-year-olds are slated to race one mile over Laurel Park’s main track.

Dangerous Lad (5-2), a New York based son of Bob and John, is two for three lifetime with an impressive maiden victory at Woodbine and a strong win over optional claimers at Aqueduct in late January. Trainer John Terranova has named Abel Castellano to ride.

Todd Pletcher will counter with Raconteur (3-1), a two-time winner who scored in an optional claimer in New York before experiencing a troubled trip in the Gotham Stakes (G3). Chris DeCarlo will accompany the A.P. Indy colt from Belmont Park.

“He is very consistent and genuine,” Pletcher said. “Always tries hard.”

Cop a Tude (5-1) is undefeated after two starts at Laurel Park for trainer Graham Motion.  Leading rider Sheldon Russell has been aboard for both trips (January 4 and February 4) and retains the mount on the son of Officer.

“I have been impressed with him and know Graham thinks highly of him,” Russell said. “This will be his first time going a route of ground but he showed in the sprints that he is fine behind horses and gallops out fine after the race so distance should not be an issue.”

Mike Trombetta has won twice with Hakama (5-1), who is based at Fair Hill. The colt broke his maiden at Aqueduct, then won an optional claimer at Laurel on January 4but followed that with a sixth place finish in the G3 Withers.  Julian Pimentel continues as his pilot.

Yo Koffy (6-1) is a speedy son of Kafwain who ships from Parx Racing for trainer William Anderson. He has two wins in four starts and comes in off a victory at Laurel on February 23. Jose Flores has the mount.

“There is speed in the race,” added Russell. “Yo Koffy and the outside horse (Dangerous Lad) look like they’ll be out front but I like my horse. He got better second time out and that is encouraging. We’ll see if he can get the mile distance or is just a closing sprinter.”

Maiden winners Romp City and Street Life are 10-1 on the morning line. Both are also entered in the $75,000 Broad Brush Stakes at Aqueduct Saturday.

Brimstone Island, who finished second in the Miracle Wood Stakes last out, and maiden victor Charge are both 12-1.