• John Piassek
• May 1, 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 — $1,692 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-4-5-1

New month, ten-race card. #3 Lightfoot Miss (3/1) has been very consistent since returning from a long layoff and is rounding into career-best form. She just missed at this level last out with a game rally up the inside. #4 Dauntless Gal (9/2) exits the same race as Lightfoot Miss. This one set the pace and held on for fourth in that spot. She’s the main speed threat in the race and could hold on all the way with the right fractions. #5 Icy Harbor (9/2) has lost at this level only once and should get a good trip just off the leaders.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-4-1-12

#5 In a Spin (5/2) has a promising recent grass race under belt, having broken her maiden at Gulfstream Park two races back with a strong five-wide bid. Looks for a rebound off a disappointing performance on the Tapeta last out. #4 Mary Jane Chrome (6/1) ran in the 70s consistently on grass last year and was a solid third at this level on dirt last out. Her two races this year should help her out in this spot. #1 Ampilo Esquema (3/1) made some strong closing rallies towards the end of last year and now races first off the layoff. At least she’ll get some class relief here after facing Maryland Million foes and allowance horses in her last two starts of 2021.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

7-1-6-8

John Salzman Jr has a pair of interesting firsters in this one. I’ll give the slight edge to #7 Coffeewithchris (9/2), who has turned in three straight bullet drills and looks ready to run a big race on debut. #1 Riccio (7/2) makes his debut for the Jerry Robb/Xavier Perez combo, which is always dangerous. He turned in his first four-furlong drill on April 16 and went the distance in a solid 50 seconds. #6 Country Charlie (3/1) has been working steadily since mid-March for Anthony Farrior, who puts his go-to rider, Arnaldo Bocachica, in the saddle.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-7-4-5

#6 Elusive Amelia (2/1) made a sharp rally to win a starter handicap at Parx last out. She’s run at least an 82 in three of her last four races. A repeat of any of those figures should get it done here. #7 Dantastic (5/2) had up-and-down form last year and now makes her first start since November 12. She showed good tactical speed last year and will be a threat if she gets her trip. #4 Unrequited Love (5/1) opened up a long lead last out and managed to hold on for third. Looks like the main speed threat once again here. We’ll see if she can set a bit more of a moderate tempo this time.

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

9-13-5-4

#9 Watch Me Disappear (7/2) showed lots of promise in her first two career starts last fall, closing stoutly in two similar spots. She improved second time out to a figure of 71. We’ll see how she does first off the break. #13 Senson (5/2) loves to show speed and fade, and has burned a lot of money doing so. She’s hit the board four times on dirt this year, all of them at 9/2 or less, She showed some aptitude on grass last fall and gets some mild class relief. Should at least hang around for a piece. #5 Silver’s Girl (6/1) recovered from an awkward break last out and got second after a game stretch battle. This will be her grass debut.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-5-6-3

#7 Lady Zeta (7/2) drops in class from first-level allowance optional claiming company after a dull effort. She’s had a good workout since then, which is encouraging. She ran an 82 in back-to-back starts earlier in the year. #5 Mama G’s Wish (3/1) has been consistent all winter long and chased the pace for second last out. She’ll get a great trip just off the pace and can pounce on the turn. #6 She’s a Big Deal (8/1) fought gamely in the stretch to win her most recent starts, and improved her figure for the fourth consecutive race.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 1 MILE

6-1A-3-4

#6 Cobble Road (5/2) has won three in a row at Parx, with his last two coming in gate-to-wire fashion. Parx form doesn’t always translate over here, but he has a huge speed and pace figure advantage over his rivals. #1A Excellerator (2/1) made his first start off a long break a winning one last out, getting a great stalking trip and drawing off. He matched his career-best figure with an 89, and now drops into a Maryland-bred spot here. #3 Charming Way (10/1) hasn’t run worse than an 80 in four starts and ran a game race to just miss against fellow fillies last out. This’ll be her first try against the boys.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

11-2-1-6

#11 Jardani (5/2) showed some promise at Gulfstream over the winter, including a sharp second-place effort in his last start. Scheduled for his first start since February 19, and has had some grass workouts since then. #2 Ripken (9/2) returned from a year-plus layoff in early January, and has shown little in two races since then. However, he showed some promise on grass in the fall of 2020, running figures as high as 80. It’s likely that Mr. Sinatra and Damon Dilodovico have had a spot like this one in mind for a while. #1 Grand Manner (7/2) worked well for his debut but stopped after a wide trip. Hopefully the switch in surfaces wakes him up a bit.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-6-3

#7 Bandits Warrior (5/2) improved her figure a bit last out in her second start off a long layoff and will be a prominent factor on the early pace. I’m betting on her putting everything together third off the layoff. #5 Fuhgeddaboudit (9/2) made what looked like a promising move in her last start, but she tired late and was beaten for third by Bandits Warrior. She did run an 80, just one point off her lifetime top, so there’s promise there. #6 Misty Mauve (7/2) cuts back from a mile and goes first off a brief break for Graham Motion. She’s faced some tough horses so far in her career and hopes for some class relief.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-3-6

#4 Watch Your Tone (9/2) was a solid second on debut after pressing the pace and was in the midst of a sharp front-running effort last out when she blew the turn. She turned in a solid four-furlong drill last week, and hopefully any problems with her have been worked out. #1 Icy Reply (5/2) ran far and away a career-best figure last out when she earned a 65 in a second-place finish. She set the pace in that race, but usually tends to rate just off it. Has options from the rail. #3 Please Marry Me (4/1) showed speed and faded on debut, now adds blinkers first off the claim by Rodolfo Sanchez-Solomon.