LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: MAR. 6, 2022
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,705 Super High 5 — $2,740 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES
6-5-3-2
Nine races are on tap this Sunday. #6 Albertano (7/2) is rapidly moving through his conditions, having won two in a row with lifetime-top brisnet figures both times. He’s stretching out from a mile here, but the way he runs on late suggests the extra distance shouldn’t be a problem. #5 Cox’s Ledge (6/1) joins the Claudio Gonzalez barn and seeks to regain the early speed he showed for much of last year. He’s had tough trips in both of his local starts. #3 Dr. Ferber (8/5) races third off the layoff for Kieron Magee and ran a much-improved figure of 82 last out. Has lots of upside but doesn’t always put his best foot forward.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE
2-3-5-4
#2 Money Code (7/2) broke through last out with an impressive off-the-pace maiden score. He’ll try to sit a similar stalking trip again. #3 Five Star Phil (2/1) ran a game race on the lead at Penn National last out and is one of the main early speed threats here. The winner of that race, Lost in Newyork, won a n/w1x allowance next out. #5 Krug (4/1) stopped badly after a duel last out, but ran well on the lead two back when he wrestled control fairly early on. The blinkers come off here; Dale Capuano has enjoyed success with that angle.
- What we learned on Maryland Juvenile Stakes dayHere’s what we learned at Laurel Park for Saturday’s Maryland Juvenile and Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes.
RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
5-8-1-6
#5 Crownedcountcristo (3/1) has run at least an 84 in three of his last four starts and has good cruising speed. He handily defeated a field at this level last out as the slight favorite; we’ll see what kind of price you’ll get here. #8 Royal Thunder (9/5) has fought hard on the lead in his last two starts but hasn’t quite been able to convert. At least here, he’s far and away the fastest one early. #1 Tapping the Glass (6/1) has closed well over the Charles Town bullring in his last few and should appreciate the return to the big track.
RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE
2-6-4-1
#2 Bellswillberinging (3/5) has been slowly rounding into career-best form lately, with back-to-back marks of 76 and 69. The rest of the field would struggle to run a 69 even if they got to use a motorized scooter. Because someone has to fill out the exacta and trifecta, here’s some candidates for those spots. #6 Cinnamon Dragon (9/2) ships down from New York for Fausto Gutierrez and adds blinkers. She didn’t do much up in New York, but a New York shipper won a similar race as this one yesterday, so anything’s possible. #4 Tiktoknaway (6/1) races third off the layoff and has some early speed.
RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES
5-7-4-2
#5 Golden Grant (9/5) was claimed out of her last start by Bruno Tessore, in which she fought hard and got up for the win. She ran in the upper 70s and low 80s last fall, and it looks like she’s starting to round back into that form. #7 Breviary (3/1) lost a photo for second behind Sammie Sunshine last out, who came back to win a better race on Friday. Ran a gutsy race on the lead to win against similar two races back. #4 Tiz Michelle’s Way (9/2) goes second off the layoff and looks to keep moving forward off a professional effort at Charles Town last out.
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES
4-3-5-7
#4 Way More (7/2) was hung wide throughout last out, in his first start off a long layoff, but still ran on well late and just missed his lifetime-top figure. Should improve second off the break and he ran a career-best figure going a mile. #3 Captain Cardo (5/1) had to fight for the lead last out, but is one of the primary speed horses in the field and has the post advantage. #5 Uncle Jerome (3/1) last raced in New York but is locally based. He’s trying to recover from a rocky trip last out and drops to this level for the first time.
- Maryland Juvenile: A mystery solved, decades laterSaturday’s Maryland Juvenile Stakes should be a fun race, but it’s unlikely to launch the careers of two Classic winners, like the 1982 edition did.
RACE 7: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
7-4-6-1
#7 Deshackled (7/2) consistently runs in the 70s for Claudio Gonzalez and just missed in a photo for second last out despite a tough trip. #4 Francis X (8/1) has raced well at this level before and tries to rebound after a wide trip against better in his most recent. #6 Rad Paisley (3/1) has early speed and also enjoys class relief.
RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE
6-1-5-3
#6 Closer Look (3/1) gets class relief after a string of n/w2x tries. He struggled last out when he fell too far behind the early lead but generally has a good closing kick. #1 D’Rapper (2/1) was close at this level several times last fall and has good tactical speed. This’ll be his first start since New Year’s Eve. #5 Goodluckchuck (8/1) is the main speed threat of the race and will try to work out a more favorable pace scenario than in his last start.
RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
4-5-7-6
#4 Heidi T (5/1) has shown speed and faded in her last few starts, but is coming off a career-best late pace figure. She’s dropping to this level for the first time. #5 Good Story (2/1) showed speed for the first time last out first off the layoff in a big effort. Also taking a career-low drop. #7 Superiority (6/1) ran easily a career-best race last out while racing on the lead and should press the pace from the outside here.
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