Fresh off Copper Tax’s Richard W. Small Stakes victory at Laurel Park last weekend, trainer Gary Capuano looks to keep his barn’s momentum strong as Sacred Thunder and It’s Hammertime face a competitive field in Saturday’s $100,000 Maryland Juvenile for statebred or -sired 2-year-olds at seven furlongs. Sacred Thunder has won three of his last four races, including Laurel’s open James F. Lewis III on Nov. 9. “He’s a big horse,” Capuano said. “Every race has been better and better. He’s a professional that digs in and tries. He’s really moving forward, and I’m pleased with the way he’s coming around.” It’s Hammertime had a three-race undefeated streak snapped when fourth at odds-on in Aqueduct’s Nashua. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match + FREE All Access PPs! Join DRF Bets. “I was given the instructions to try to get him to relax and try to get him off the pace a little bit to see where we were going to be at with him down the road,” Capuano said. Jockey Jorge Ruiz “fought him a little bit trying to get him to relax down the backstretch. Whether that took a little out of him or not, I don’t give him a whole lot of excuse being he was right there turning for home and had the opportunity to go on.” Julio Hernandez, aboard for It’s Hammertime’s last two wins, reunites with the Vekoma colt. Capuano believes It’s Hammertime “is naturally quick” and expects him to be “pretty close” to the pace. Executive Order won his debut by 7 3/4 lengths for Phil Serpe in an auction maiden special weight Aug. 31 at Saratoga. The Unified gelding next finished seventh in the Grade 1 Champagne. “We thought he was going to run much better,” Serpe admitted to track publicity. “We’re still a little puzzled by his performance. We’re just going to move on from that race, cutting back in distance and [facing] a lighter group of horses.” Tony Eclipse finished second to It’s Hammertime in Delaware’s Rocky Run on Oct. 9, but turned the tables when third, beaten only a half-length, in the Nashua after failing to change leads. Maryland Juvenile Filly If not for a tough trip going two turns in Delaware’s White Clay Creek on Oct. 9, Caprice might be coming into the $100,000 Maryland Juvenile Fillies unbeaten from five starts. Trained by Cal Lynch, the Golden Lad filly put in a prolonged run to capture Laurel’s Smart Halo on Nov. 9. Gary Capuano’s son Phil Capuano sends out impressive debut winner Ms Notion. She took money for her debut and ran to her backing, scoring by four lengths with a competitive 76 Beyer. Ms Notion looks to give jockey Tais Lyapustina her first stakes victory. Malibu Hooch rebounded from a runner-up finish in the Maryland Million Lassie to win a first-level allowance and looms a strong contender for trainer Todd Beattie. Gary Capuano entered Onyx Ten and First Pearl, but the latter is a questionable starter Saturday. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.