• John Piassek
• March 27, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $11,846 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-8-3-5

Today’s the final day of the winter meet, although it’s really just a checkpoint, considering the spring meet starts up on Friday. #4 Antipoision (3/1) takes a big drop in class from the starter optional claiming level and cuts back around one turn, both of which should help this speedster. #8 Musty Red (8/1) fought hard on the lead and broke his maiden gate-to-wire last fall at Belterra Park. He’s also cutting back in distance and will also be a pace factor. #3 Tiz Golden (3/1) looks for improvement second off a long layoff and consistently ran brisnet figures in the mid-60s last year at Delaware Park, which would be good enough to win this race.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-4-1-2

#5 One Two Kid (5/2) races for the ever-dangerous Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo and races second off a brief break. He chased the pace last out at Parx and faded late, but held on for third with a very respectable figure of 74. #4 Albertano (4/1) had a terrible trip in his first start at this level and has lots of room to improve here. He had won his prior two starts in dominating fashion. #1 Dr. Ferber (9/5) has just missed in his last two starts and will try to improve off his last race, where he made what looks like a winning move but couldn’t sustain it.

RACE 3: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-4-1-5

#7 Titan’s Will (8/5) has won at this condition twice in a row, with figures in the mid/upper 80s each time. He has lots of early speed, but a tough post. That shouldn’t be too much of an impediment; last out he raced wide throughout and still drew off. #4 Lost My Vowcher (5/2) has finished third and second behind Titan’s Will and may not have the early speed to catch him if that rival sneaks loose. Might be best used at the bottom of exactas and trifectas. #1 Union Leader (6/1) was wide throughout in his local debut after shipping from NoCal, where he consistently ran in the mid-80s. Those marks would be good enough to win this race.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-3-4-2

#1 Devilish Affair (3/1) won at this condition two starts back, but was flat despite sitting the trip. We’ll see if dropping back against these helps. #3 Maureenlovesfrank (5/1) goes first off the claim for Ferris Allen, after a string of races with good figures but a lack of a closing punch. A decent horse to use in exacta at possibly a good number. #4 Grace Isabella (6/1) goes third off the layoff and should be heard from late. She’s run great figures in her last two starts, although her start two back was more visually impressive.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-7-4-6

#5 Joe Mike Jim (7/2) has run in the 70s in two of her last three races and moved up nicely to contention last out after being sluggish early. #7 Sweet Talia (5/1) closed well for second at the $25,000 level last out, running a career-best race of 74 in the process. Look for her to roll late. #4 Bistrita (5/1) ships down from Aqueduct, where she raced wide last out and had no chance. She broke her maiden impressively two starts back, albeit while riding the rail on a track that was playing to horses racing on the inside.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-4-2-5

#6 Royal Thunder (8/5) set the pace and got caught late in his first two starts at this level this year. He couldn’t get to the lead and chased the pace last out, but shouldn’t have a problem getting to the lead this time. #4 Crownedcountcristo (3/1) won at this level two starts back and finished third behind Royal Thunder last out. He’s been uber-consistent lately, having run either an 84 or an 85 in each of his last three starts. #2 Rahmer (8/1) has been getting better with each start and should get a great trip sitting just off the leaders.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-6-7

#1 Nashvegas (3/1) split horses late and just missed against similar last out, running a career-best figure of 93 in the process. He stalked and impressively beat an open claiming field two back. Should get another great trip. #2 John the Bear (5/2) has won two of his last three starts, beating Royal Thunder, who’s racing earlier in the card, most recently. He’s going to be a factor on the early pace. #6 Magic Mule (9/2) bounced back nicely from a dull effort two back in his most recent start, setting the pace and getting caught late by Nashvegas and another rival. He can show speed or rate.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-5-2-1

Many of these, including my top two picks, are coming off maiden wins. #6 Goldenize (7/2) showed speed for the first time last out and went gate-to-wire with an impressive figure of 85. He was third in the very tough February 12 maiden race. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of tactics are employed here. #5 Mocephus (7/2) has improved in each of his last two starts and has good tactical speed, but doesn’t have as good of late pace figures as Goldenize. #2 Steinbeck (5/2) has also been improving in his last few starts and closed well for second against these last out.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-1-6

#5 Shanghai Candy (5/2) made a decent move in his first start against these, but flattened out in the stretch. He still matched his lifetime-top figure, with a 62. #2 Biscotto d’Oro (3/1) ran in the 70s twice earlier in the year and looks for a rebound off a dull effort last out. #1 Phra Phrom (8/1) ran a huge race on the lead two starts back, but flattened out last out. We’ll see which version of him shows up here.