Laugh Out Loud Finds Easier Spot in De La Rose

Laugh Out Loud, a Group 2 winner in England who finished sixth in the Grade 1 Just a Game on June 8 at Belmont Park, returns to listed company on Saturday when she faces seven other fillies and mares as the 5-2 morning-line favorite in the $100,000 De La Rose at a mile on the inner turf.

"It seems like a logical spot to put her back in a listed race," said Chad Brown, who took over the 4-year-old filly's training following her North American debut for owner Martin Schwartz. "The Just a Game didn't work out for her at all. They ran her off the plane and I wasn't involved with the process. Coming out of the race, she's been training very well."

Javier Castellano will ride Laugh Out Loud from post position 3.

Ruthenia, most recently third in the Grade 3 Eatontown Handicap at Monmouth Park, is the 3-1 second choice in the De La Rose. Trained by Christophe Clement, the 5-year-old mare will tote co-high weight of 123 pounds, including Jose Lezcano, when she leaves from post position 6.

Expected to attract support as well are Baffle Me, second to Samitar in the Fairy Garden overnight stakes on July 4 last time out, and Sweet Little Lion, winner of the Hollywood Wildcat Stakes at Calder Race Course, who is making her debut for Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

Rounding out the field are Open Water, Assateague, Embarr, and Miss Montreal.