• John Piassek
• April 14, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,621 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-3-5-6

Happy Tesio week! There’s nine races on today’s card. #1 Dilly Dilly Philly (6/5) will likely start the day on a chalky note for Jamie Ness, as she looms as much the best. She almost always runs brisnet figures in the 80s, missing that mark two back when she was interfered with. She’s dropping in class and should accelerate away from them late. #3 Lucky Lizzie (12/1) makes her first local start after a midwestern campaign last year and will try to wire them at a price. #5 First Forever (5/2) went gate-to-wire against open claimers at Penn National last out and will likely press the pace from the outside.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-3-4

#1 Pepe and Haywood (5/2) makes his first start since February 25, when he opened up a big lead early on and crushed the field with a giant figure of 88. There’s a lot of speed in here, but he has the best early pace figures in the race and an advantageous draw. #2 Chambo (2/1) ran a game race in his first start off the claim for Damon Dilodovico, pressing the pace going a mile and fading. Cutting back in distance should help. #3 Charm City Band (5/1) gets some class relief and will get a good trip stalking the leaders.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-7-8-5

#2 Miss Foxann (3/1) broke her maiden last out in a game effort, withstanding pressure on the lead throughout. Her figure of 73 earned in victory was her best figure since her debut. #7 Redwhitentacos (3/1) has stopped badly going longer in her last few but broke her maiden in her last start at today’s distance. Getting back to a sprint should help her thrive. #8 No More Mask (5/2) was claimed out of her last start by David Howard, who wheels her back off six days’ rest. She’s won three of her last four, including a victory at this level, and has shown little problem coming off short breaks in the past.

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

7-3-2-8

#7 It’s Game Time (4/1) has been in good form since the claim by Jamie Ness, with back-to-back figures in the upper 80s. He showed speed and faded late going two turns at Parx; perhaps cutting back around one turn will help the cause. He’ll get a challenge on the lead from #3 Titan’s Will (7/2), who has won two races at this level recently and faded in the last eighth going long last out. He may also benefit from a cutback in distance; he’s finished in the exacta five times out of ten at this distance. #2 Whirlin Curlin (10/1) ran a huge race two back when closing of a slow pace and will likely grind along for a piece at a decent price.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS 1 MILE

1-9-5-10

This race was supposed to be the first grass race of the season, but it was pulled off the grass last night due to the chance of thunderstorms. At least they made the call early. #1 Pharaoh’s Triumph (8/1) improved dramatically in his first start off a long break last out, closing sharply after a slow start to earn a figure of 77. Will be a threat if he keeps moving forward. #9 Hachure (5/2) has also moved forward quite a bit in his last few started and closed well for third despite not changing leads in his last start. He hasn’t run worse than an 81 in three lifetime dirt races. #5 General’s Duty (4/1) closed well on grass at Gulfstream Park over the winter and had a wide trip in his lone dirt start.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-4-6

#8 Mama G’s Wish (5/2) found her best self at the winter meet, with three consecutive wins to start the meet, including some at this level. She got in a bit over her head in the Beyond the Wire Stakes last out, and faded badly. If that line didn’t distract bettors, she’d likely be odds-on. As things stand now, you should get an OK price. #1 Justhappy (3/1) finally broke through after some near-misses with an impressive maiden win at Parx last out. She’s run between a 74 and a 78 in each of her last five races. We’ll see if the lightbulb went on in that spot. #4 I’m Gittin There (9/2) made a sharp move to the front and won going away at this level last out. She’s run lifetime-best figures in each of her last two races.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-3-5-11

#2 Closertotheheart (6/1) has been very consistent in her last few races, making even moves at this level with figures in the upper 70s. She’ll face a softer field than usual and her standard figures should win this one. #3 Mary Jane Chrome (12/1) broke her maiden last out under confident handling after a great trip. She’s the only one in the race without a defeat against winners. #5 Hummin’ the Funk (9/2) ran a solid third in a tough field last out and ran a lifetime-top figure of 79.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-2-3

#4 Goldenize (2/1) ran a game race despite a wide trip at this level in his last start. He’s run in the 90s twice in his four-race career. If he wins this race, it wouldn’t be surprising if they took a shot in the Chick Lang Stakes next out. #6 Must Be Love (5/2) has great tactical speed and had a bullet workout a few days ago, going three furlongs in a sharp 36 seconds. #2 Yo Nessroundonkern (8/1) has made menacing moves in his last few starts but hasn’t been able to finish them. Still, he can finish underneath at a price.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-6-1

Fifteenth time was the charm for #4 Divine Proportion (9/5), who broke his maiden two starts back at Charles Town as the odds-on choice. He just missed at this level last out behind Just Pick One, who won a n/w3L claiming race at Penn National in his next start. #3 Tradition (8/1) doesn’t have much early speed but tends to close for a piece. The red-hot Jeiron Barbosa gets in the saddle for the first time. #6 That’s My Dude (5/2) broke his maiden on the lead at fourth asking last out at Turfway Park, and goes first off the claim for Kieron Magee.