• John Piassek
• March 20, 2022

In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,341 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-4-6

It was a great day of racing at Laurel yesterday, with handle of more than $4 million on a stakes-packed card. Back to the grind today. #1 Souper Emperor (3/1) goes third off the claim by Mike Trombetta and drops to this level for the first time. He’s looking for a rebound off his last start, where he lost all chance after a poor break. #3 Muchacho Macho (5/1) has had his chances at this level, but runs brisnet figures in the 70s consistently and has good cruising speed. He’s struggled in the stretch of his last two starts. We’ll see if he can keep it together here. #4 Straight Up Guy (4/1) has closed to pick up the pieces in his last few starts and will try to do the same thing here.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-1-5

#3 All For Love (2/1) got up to win at this level last out with a good closing rally and a lifetime-top figure of 81. Looks for a repeat for the Jerry Robb/Xavier Perez duo. #2 Shady Munni (9/5) closed for second behind Joe two starts back, who finished second in the Private Terms Stakes yesterday. This will be his first try at this condition. #1 Free Square (3/1), a stablemate of All For Love, gets a much-needed cutback in distance from a mile and has lots of early speed.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-1-7

#3 Triple Titos (2/1) drops from the starter optional claiming level and cuts back from 1 1/16 miles. He broke his maiden on debut going six furlongs a while back but hasn’t won since. His early speed should be more of a weapon here. #2 Ice Rain (3/1) ran a career-best figure of 84 last out when he opened up a big lead going a mile, but couldn’t get the last eighth and flattened out. Should pack a big punch on the turn. #1 Dominant Factor (6/1) improved sharply in his second start against winners at Penn National last out and should get up for a piece here.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-7-1

#4 Silver’s Girl (5/2) has improved with every recent start and will almost certainly set the early pace. We’ll see how far her early speed can take her. #3 Utterly Courageous (6/1) races third off the layoff and made a good move on the turn before flattening out in her last race. We’ll see if she can sustain it this time. #7 Killy Start (7/2) improved five points to a 67 last out and will likely rate off the pace once again.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-2-4-7

#6 She’s All Courage (5/2) ran a big race first off the layoff last out, setting the pace and holding on until late. She ran a career-best figure of 77 in that effort. #2 Incontrovertible (7/2) also has early speed and ships down from New York, where she was flat in her first start against winners after getting pace pressure. She’ll hope to get a more moderate tempo here. #9 Icy Harbor (9/2) finished third, albeit by a distant margin, behind She’s All Courage in her first start against winners. She prompted the leaders and drew off impressively to break her maiden two races back.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-8-1-2

#6 Shiny Penny (7/2) comes here for the first time after some mixed performances at Charles Town. She was very impressive in her maiden-breaking score two races back. #8 Stormin’ Cougar (5/2) returns to Maryland following a brief sojourn at Gulfstream Park. She’s faded after rating near the pace in her last few, we’ll see if the return home helps her keep it together. #1 Heidi T (6/1) has improved in her last few starts and is one of two in here without a loss against winners.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

2-5-6-1

#2 Mailman’s a Flyer’s (8/5) most recent line is a bit distracting, as he was pulled up with a broken rein. If you take that race out, he’s run consistently well against these types as of late, although he’s burned plenty of money in the process. Today might be a now-or-never moment. #5 Hachure (7/2) has run an 81 and a 82 in his two dirt races and ran well when coming off a long layoff last out. #6 Heaven’s Got Fire (2/1) has some big figures in his lines but has shown himself unable to hold on to the lead after showing speed.

RACE 8: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-6-2-5

#3 Mavilus (9/2) has hit the board behind Sammie Sunshine in her last two starts, now finds an easier field. Can show speed or rate just off the pace. #6 Blue Sky Venezuela (5/2) easily beat an open claiming field last out with an impressive mark of 78, and beat similar at Penn National last November. #2 Joyful Noise (4/1) finally broke through with an impressive conditioned claiming win last out after several near-misses, and has consistently run in the 70s as of late.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-6-1-4

#5 Moonsafe (3/1) impressively beat an open first-level field at Penn National two races back, and was third against a tougher field at this condition last out. #6 Magical Luna (7/5) has set the pace and gotten caught late in her last few starts at this level, and looks fast enough to clear to the lead from the outside. #1 Mattitude (7/2) got caught wide on the lead last out and finished behind Moonsafe and Magical Luna, but should have an easier time of things with a better draw.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-2-7

#5 Dixieland Dancer (5/2) recovered well from a poor break second time out to improve her figure thirteen points from her debut. She also raced wide throughout in that spot. #1 Some is Nine (8/1) goes third off the layoff and will show speed from the inside. #2 Colorofacloud (4/5) has the best figures in the race but an 0-for-27 career mark makes low odds hard to swallow.