Coffeewithchris’s rags-to-riches story continues at Laurel on Saturday as the 124-pound highweight in the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs. The Spectacular Bid is one of six stakes on the program along with the $100,000 Xtra Heat for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs, the $100,000 Fire Plug for 4-year-olds and up at 6 1/2 furlongs, the $100,000 What a Summer for fillies and mares at six furlongs, the $75,000 Jennings for Maryland-sired 4-year-olds and up at one mile, and the $75,000 Geisha for Maryland-sired fillies and mares at one mile. Purchased for $2,000 as a yearling, Maryland-bred Coffeewithchris was placed first via disqualification in his second start, a $40,000 maiden claimer on May 12 at Pimlico. Following three consecutive losses, trainer John Salzman gave Coffeewithchris blinkers, and the Ride On Curlin gelding responded with a fourth against unbeaten Recruiter in the James F. Lewis on Nov. 12 and a third-place effort against undefeated Post Time in the Maryland Juvenile on Dec. 3. :: Bet the races with a $200 First Deposit Match and FREE Formulator PPs! Join DRF Bets. In the Heft on Dec. 30 at Laurel, Coffeewithchris didn’t face Recruiter or Post Time, arguably the best 2-year-olds in the region, and he gave a breakthrough performance. Ridden for the first time by Jaime Rodriguez, Coffeewithchris pressed the pace, won by 2 1/2 lengths, and received a career-best 88 Beyer Speed Figure. He is expected to be forwardly placed in the Spectacular Bid. Prince of Jericho, second at odds-on in the Heft, adds Lasix for the rematch. Trained by Brittany Russell, the Munnings colt has never been off the board. Jockey Sheldon Russell “came back and said he probably should have jumped on [Coffeewithchris] on the turn,” Russell said. “He probably idled him out a little. He thought he had the winner measured and he didn’t. We might take a more aggressive approach.” Heldish finished one placing ahead of Coffeewithchris when third against next-out winners Recruiter and Honeyquist in the Lewis. Subsequently sold for $160,000 at Fasig-Tipton Timonium in December, Heldish now races for trainer Mike Maker. We Dont Need Roads won a two-life allowance going a mile on Nov. 4 at Delaware, then sold for $100,000 at Fasig-Tipton Timonium. Now with trainer Mark Salvaggio, he scratched from the Heft. “He stepped on a frozen clod,” Salvaggio said. “He was fine, but I didn’t want to take a chance. I like the way he’s doing, but I don’t know if the distance suits.” Trainer Jerry Robb lost a shake at the claim box when B West graduated by 12 lengths for a $45,000 tag on Nov. 21. Undaunted, Robb got his colt for $62,500 on Dec. 17 after a two-length victory over good going. “He was very impressive the way he broke his maiden,” Robb said. “I’d rather be going long, but this is the only opportunity there.” Tiz No Clown, On the Mark, and My Blue Eyes also entered. Xtra Heat Stakes Chickieness had a productive 2022 campaign, winning 3 of 8, including the Maryland Million Lassie on Oct. 22. She adds Lasix and blinkers for the Xtra Heat after capturing a first-level allowance Dec. 17. “She hit the lead easy,” trainer Jamie Ness said, “but she almost tried to prop. She got up there by herself and did some wandering. We trained her in blinkers, popped her from the gate, and she needs them.” Chickieness breaks from the rail with speed. “I think she can do anything she wants,” Ness said about her running style. Russell counters with two maiden winners. L Street Lady finished third on turf on Oct. 28 in her debut, then rebounded with a 7 1/2-length triumph on dirt Dec. 4. “It was a good education,” Russell said about the turf run. “We didn’t have the option to run back on the grass, so we said let’s take a swing on the dirt. The race didn’t come up tough, either, and she ran like I thought she should. Hopefully, she steps forward.” Grace and Charm graduated in her fourth start, her first run with Lasix. “We’ve always loved her,” Russell said. “She disappointed us the first couple of runs. They helped her and probably the Lasix helped too.” We’ll See, Filtered Light, and Ojitos Bellos complete the lineup. What a Summer Stakes Swayin to and Fro, claimed for $16,000 by trainer Mario Serey Jr. out of a maiden victory May 26 at Pimlico, gradually emerged as one of Maryland’s best 3-year-old fillies in 2022. The winner of two consecutive stakes, Swayin to and Fro spots from two to four pounds to her five rivals in the What a Summer. Thirteen-time winner Fille d’Esprit finished fourth as the favorite in the Willa On the Move on Dec. 30, beaten 10 3/4 lengths by Swayin to and Fro. “It was very puzzling to me,” Robb said. “She didn’t fire, but that day everything that went to the lead stayed there. Hopefully, it was just the track bias.” Dontletsweetfoolya and Disco Ebo provide pace on Saturday. Snicket and Fouette also entered. Geisha Stakes Trainer Gary Capuano sends out two live chances in the Geisha – Malibu Beauty and Intrepid Dream. Malibu Beauty won three stakes in 2022, including the Carousel at nine furlongs on Dec. 30. Capuano noted that Malibu Beauty failed to settle to satisfaction when contesting a strong pace as the favorite in the Thirty Eight Go Go on Nov. 12, a race where she faded to fourth. “Last time, we let her go,” Capuano said about the Carousel. “She got a good trip and it worked out.” Intrepid Dream, a physically imposing 5-year-old, won both her starts last year in impressive fashion after returning from a 422-day layoff. “We didn’t expect it to be that long,” Capuano said. “She got loose at Delaware over the summer, skinned herself up a bit, and it took a long time to heal.” :: DRF Bets players have exclusive access to FREE DRF Past Performances - Classic or Formulator! Join today.  Capuano entered Intrepid Dream in the Carousel, but “she backed off her feed a little bit and wasn’t quite herself.” He feels the long stretch of Laurel’s one-turn mile will suit the long-striding mare. Fool Yourself, Award Wanted, Sweet Gracie, Bourbon Wildcat, Startwithabang, and Sweet Surprise also are expected to run. ◗ Hard-knocking Maryland-breds square off in the Jennings, with 2022 Maryland Million Classic hero Ournationonparade facing stakes winners Monday Morning Qb, Galerio, and Exculpatory. Ain’t Da Beer Cold earned a 97 Beyer wearing bar shoes when second in last month’s Robert T. Manfuso. Stakes-placed One Ten and Plot the Dots join Whiskey and You in the gate. ◗ Razor-sharp sprinters Factor It In and Alwaysinahurry challenge nine-time winner Beren in the Fire Plug. Speedy Pirate Rick, Five Dreams, and Yodel E. A. Who are among the other worthy challengers. :: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.