Proforma stretches out in Concern

The seven-furlong distance of the $75,000 Concern Stakes at Laurel Park on Saturday seems like a fair compromise: Two of the top contenders in the race for 3-year-olds will be stretching out from six furlongs, and two others will be shortening up from a mile or longer.

Proforma and Alex Again finished first and second in the six-furlong Jersey Shore at Monmouth on June 24. Proforma, trained by Mike Stidham, won that race comfortably by 1 3/4 lengths despite not getting away from the gate well. Proforma was not asked for his best through the final sixteenth, and he looks capable of going seven furlongs.

“We were very pleased with his race,” Stidham said. “It was professional.”

Proforma is now 3 for 5. He won the Sugar Bowl at Fair Grounds in December.

No Dozing will be making his first start since finishing second in the Grade 3 Pat Day Mile at Churchill Downs on May 6. Prior to that, he was third, beaten a neck, in the Lexington at Keeneland for trainer Arnaud Delacour.

The form of that race has held up well. Runner-up West Coast has won three straight, including the Easy Goer at Belmont Park and the Los Alamitos Derby. Lexington winner Senior Investment finished third in the Preakness and fifth of 11 in the Belmont Stakes in his next two starts.

Honor the Fleet, who races for Louis Albertrani, enters off a third-place finish to the undefeated Timeline going 1 1/16 miles in the Pegasus at Monmouth Park. He will get Lasix for the first time Saturday.

CONCERN, RACE 9 KEY CONTENDERS

Proforma, by Munnings Last 3 Beyers: 86-78-85

◗ He has rallied from off the pace in his two most recent starts, but there is not a lot of speed in this seven-horse field, and he should be forwardly placed throughout.

Alex Again, by Afleet Alex Last 3 Beyers: 81-78-74

◗ Trained by John Servis, he battled on the lead with a rival in the Jersey Shore. He could make an uncontested lead in this race at a nice price.

No Dozing, by Union Rags Last 3 Beyers: 91-88-87

◗ The expected favorite, he has made his last six starts in graded company.

◗ This will be his first race in 11 weeks, and the distance could be a little short for him. He must be careful not to drop too far back behind a slow pace.

Honor the Fleet, by To Honor and Serve Last 3 Beyers: 73-82-90

◗ He was impressive in winning a maiden race and an optional claimer in March and April and has faced tough company in two starts since then – the Sir Barton and the Pegasus. He seems well spotted here.