• John Piassek
• May 7, 2022

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

Post time: 12:15 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,668.79 Super High 5 — $391.84 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

4-6-2-5

Hopefully the weather gets all the rain out of its system today, and we’ll have great weather in two weeks. In the meantime…#4 Steely Band (5/2) was visually unimpressive in her first start off the layoff last out, but had previously rushed through her conditions with two impressive wins in a row. She has very good late pace figures and looks for a bounce-back effort here. #6 Dial Emma Reilly (4/1) also made her first start off the layoff last out, and fought gamely in the stretch, ultimately losing by a nose. Her brisnet figure of 71 is a lifetime-top by three points. #2 Utterly Enchanting (6/1) has had some time off since a dull effort last out, and consistently runs figures in the mid/upper-60s. That should be good enough for at least a piece.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

6-7-1-2

#6 Please Marry Me (5/1) wheels back in six days off a much-improved performance last out. She ran a 66 in a fifth-place effort going six furlongs. Should be a threat if she can handle the distance. #7 Hudson Canyon (5/2) almost wired them in her first start going a mile but flattened out. She’s the main speed in here once again. #1 Harper’s Do (3/1) showed speed for the first time last out and stopped after getting caught up in a fast pace. Would be better served rating here and hoping that Hudson Canyon comes back to them.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-5-1-4

#3 Hummin’ the Funk (5/2) crossed the wire against a lower-class n/w2L field two starts back, but was disqualified for drifting. She took a big step up in class next out and closed for third despite a wide trip, with a career-best figure of 79. Should have little trouble with these. #5 Martharita (7/2) goes first off the claim for Kieron Magee and has shown good closing speed. She’s been slowly improving in her last few starts. #1 Dixieland Dancer (3/1) broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion last out and will flaunt early speed from the rail.

RACE 4: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-7-5

A very familiar face is back in here. #1 Beverly Park (1/1) has already raced twelve times this year, with five wins already to his credit. In his last start here, he set the pace and got caught in the last jump. He rated off the pace at Charles Town last out and drew off to win convincingly. It looks like he towers over these. #6 Rock and Fellers (6/1) is also a stalwart at this level locally. He showed heart last out but couldn’t get by and settled for second. He doesn’t look fast enough to outrun Beverly Park but he can easily round out the exacta. #7 The Wolfman (5/2) is in career-best form and will get the trip rating just off the pace.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-3-7-13

Thanks to all the rain, the scheduled grass races for today were moved to the dirt yesterday. #6 Reassured (9/2) came from way downtown to win at this level two races back, and ran a lifetime-best figure of 84 when finishing third last out against allowance company. Shouldn’t have much trouble with these. #3 Texas Basin (9/5) rallied for third despite some traffic in his first start off the claim for Jamie Ness. He also showed that two turns wasn’t a problem in that spot. #7 Jack Gave Back (15/1) has run in the 80s in each of his last four starts and should close for a piece of the exotics.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-6-3

#4 No Money Down (7/2) has run between a 73 and a 76 in each of his last four starts. He closed well for second at this level last out after making a strong, wide bid. #1 Knowhowiknow (3/1) almost wired them going two turns last out and now cuts back to a much more palatable seven furlongs. Looks well-suited to longer one-turn races. #6 Stronger Than Dex (6/1) goes second off the claim by Jerry Robb and has turned in two very sharp workouts since his last start on March 18. He’s shown promise thus far but needs to show a little more late pace.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-1-3

#5 Zorb (6/5) soundly beat a better field last out, running an impressive figure of 86. After three disappointing races to begin his 2022 campaign, it represented a return to form for this Anthony Farrior trainee. Shouldn’t have trouble with these as long as he runs his race. #2 Cooke Brothers (7/2) stepped up to starter allowance company last out but found it a bit too tough. Two back, he sat the trip and just missed against similar; will try to match that form here. #1 Degas (3/1) also drops back to friendlier waters and may challenge Zorb for the lead from the inside.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

11-7-12-1

#11 Glowsity (10/1) ran on well in her first start at a mile two races back, holding on to third with a decent figure of 74. Goes first off the claim by Rodolfo Sanchez-Solomon and gets Jevian Toledo aboard for the first time. #7 Charmed Way (3/1) ran some game races over the winter at Gulfstream Park, including a near-miss on Tapeta three races back. In her lone start on conventional dirt, which was her career debut, she raced wide throughout and didn’t do much. She’s matured since then and should handle this a bit better. #12 Divine Victory (12/1) came from way out of it for a half-length defeat on debut. She should pick up the pieces if the other contenders don’t fire.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-2-7

#4 Alottahope (5/2) was scratched out of a spot against 3-year-olds on Thursday to race against older Maryland-breds here. He showed lots of promise earlier in his career, including an impressive win over a sloppy track on New Year’s Day, but hasn’t been seen since a fourth-place finish in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on January 29. He hopes to use this race as a springboard to a big year. #6 Royal Thunder (3/1) has hit the board in all five starts this year and will be a major pace presence. He flattened out last out in his first try at this level; this race will determine if he can hang with these. #2 Commanding General (5/1) was dull after a wide trip last out, and tried to go too far two races back. Cutting back in distance and drawing towards the inside should work well for this speedy gelding.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-4-3-2

#5 Ice Rain (2/1) drops back to this level after two well-beaten tries against better n/w2L company. He ran a career-best figure the last time he competed at this condition. #4 Narmer (5/2) adds blinkers and drops to a n/w2L claiming race for the first time. He’ll need a somewhat honest pace to run into. #3 Greylover (9/2) has improved with every recent start and will be on or near the pace.