• John Piassek
• April 29, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-6-4

Nine and out today. My top two picks both exit the same race at this level on Apr. 7, in which #2 Auction Kingdom (6/1) finished second and defeated #3 Ridiculous (7/2) by a head. In his prior start, Ridiculous won against slightly lesser horses, with an impressive brisnet figure of 84. He’s run at least a 77 in three of his last four starts, and appears to have a higher ceiling than Auction Kingdom. Ridiculous’s stablemate, #6 Kozy’s Wildcat (3/1), showed little in his first start off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez, but impressively broke his maiden in the race prior. This’ll be his first start since New Year’s Day.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-9-10-5

#2 Lindros (7/2) consistently runs in the 70s on dirt and showed some speed and faded going long in his lone grass start, at Delaware Park last July. In a race without much established grass form, that one glimpse is enough for the nod. #9 Frightland (8/5) will attract money because he’s trained by Brittany Russell, but she is not great with horses racing on grass for the first time. Still, this one overcame some trouble to get fourth on debut and turned in a very sharp workout on Sunday. #10 Lunar Dash (9/2) goes first time out for Dale Capuano and put in an impressive grass workout last Sunday, going four furlongs in 52 seconds. That’s tied for the second-fastest workout at the distance that day.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

4-5-2-8

#4 Golden Account (3/1) has had many chances against these types and not succeeded, but she’s been rounding into form, with figures in the 70s in two of her last three starts. She made her mid-Atlantic bow at Charles Town last out and finished second after prompting the pace. #5 Martharita (4/1) has also been steadily improving in her last few and has lost just once against winners. She has a solid closing kick that should at least get her a piece of the exotics. #2 Moon Biz (7/2) got caught in a duel last time and stopped badly. The only one who can run with her is Writtentothestars, drawn on the extreme outside. If Moon Biz can outrun that rival, she’s got a great chance.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-5-6-7

The rainbow pick 6 was taken down yesterday by one ticket for more than $15,000. The cycle begins anew here. #4 Mamaigotthis (5/2) made strong rallies to win each of his last two at Parx and goes first off the claim for Michael Gorham. Should relish the long one-turn mile stretch. #5 Muchacho Macho (7/2) ran similar races in each of his last two on this track, and got up to win both. He sat just off the pace and battled in the stretch for the victory. He’s starting to find his best form after a slow start to the year. #6 Whirlin Curlin (6/1) stopped badly against better last out, but now gets a bit of class relief and should get a decent trip just off the pace on the outside.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-6-10-7

#3 Royne (2/1) did not draw into this spot yesterday, so he’s back in the box for today. He broke his maiden at Aqueduct last November on the lawn, and looks for a rebound after two dull starts on the Tapeta track at Turfway Park. This is an easier spot than the one he would’ve been in yesterday. #6 Neotropic (8/1) put in a game rally in his first start against winners last fall, but didn’t fire at all next out and went to the sidelines. Should pack a strong punch late. #7 Nordic Rhythm (6/1) also hasn’t raced since last fall, but did make decent ground off a horrendously slow pace last out.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-1-2

This contest is enlivened by the presence of #7 Whereshetoldmetogo (7/5), who has won stakes races in three of his last four starts. He came from the back of the pack to get up and win against a tough Maryland-bred field in the Not For Love Stakes last out. That was his first start of the year, and he should improve further here. #5 Amundson (7/2) has shown flashes of brilliance, including a come-from-behind win at Aqueduct last out with a figure of 95. Horacio De Paz has had him working well here over the past few weeks. #1 Pictor (6/1) has been running them off their feet at Penn National and will almost certainly be on the early lead in this spot.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-6-5

#1 Going to the Lead (3/1) took a step backwards last out, when he showed little at this level as the odds-on choice. He gets to face an easier field than he did last time, and had a steady string of figures in the 90s earlier in the meet. #2 Nottoway (5/2) has blazing early speed but hasn’t raced since May. Interestingly, he worked here for a while, was shipped to Keeneland worked there in preparation for a possible start there, but was shipped back here by Lacey Gaudet to race. If he’s ready to go he’s going to be very tough to beat. #6 D’Rapper (9/5) has flaunted his speed successfully going a mile in his last two races, but we’ll see if it’s just as effective going shorter. He did win at this distance at Parx in November, but his figure of 92 was a few points below his standard.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-4-3

#1 Bazinga C (5/2) has won two in a row against these types, including a gutsy win last out here with a career-best mark of 88. Stretches out from seven furlongs but does have a win around two turns. #2 She Is Wisky (2/1) has run at least an 85 in three of her last five starts and was put up via disqualification last out after a massive closing rally. #4 Click to Confirm (3/1) won around two turns against her elders two races back and a solid third in the Weber City Miss Stakes last out.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-8-4-6

#5 A Lot Like Xmas (4/1) showed some signs of life on grass at Colonial Downs last year and is working well for his return for Mike Trombetta. #8 Rip It (6/1) ran in the upper 60s pretty consistently last year, but ended his season on a sour note with a marginal figure of 59. We’ll see if he needs a race. #4 The Last Scip (5/2) has finished third twice on dirt in his two career starts, but his breeding indicated he might not like this surface. Treading cautiously.