• John Piassek
• May 8, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,057 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

5-6-1-2

We’ll wrap up the 2022 spring stand under cool, cloudy conditions. #5 I Am the Cash Man (5/2) takes a big drop in class after finishing a non-threatening fifth in his first try against winners last out. He ran a lifetime-best brisnet figure of 80, a six-point improvement from his sharp maiden win. #6 War Novel (4/1) ships from Penn National after an easy gate-to-wire win there last out, and hopes to work out the same cushy trip here. #1 Captain Cardo (5/1) was claimed for $5,000 by Jose Corrales out of his last start. Corrales will now try deeper waters with this gelding, but he’s run competitive figures for this level. He should get a good trip rating on the rail and will take advantage of War Novel backs up.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

10-4-11-3

Lots of rain over the past two days caused today’s racing to be moved off the grass. Alas. #10 Sing Along Suzy (6/1) won two in a row at Tampa Bay Downs with figures in the mid/upper-70s and now ships up here. She’s shown good tactical speed and a decent middle kick, but it’s possible 5 1/2 furlongs is too short for her. Worth a bet at her likely odds. #4 Shackaboom (8/5) will almost certainly be in front early on, but has gotten caught after showing speed in her last two starts. We’ll see how fast and how far she can go here. #11 Sunshineanrainbows (9/2) raced wide and tired against better last out, and should be more at home against these. Adds blinkers for the first time.

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

5-4-1-2

The rainbow pick 6, with a mandatory payout, starts here. #5 Centre Court Champ (5/2) has been in career-best form in her last two starts, with back-to-back figures in the low 80s. She set the pace and tired last out; will hope to last on the front end this time. #4 Honor Your Mother (7/2) was flat last out but enjoyed success at this level earlier in the meet. Will be tough if she gets the trip. #1 Strike Magic (9/2) had a bad break last time and was thrown out of her element. She’ll almost certainly be the controlling speed if she breaks cleanly.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-3-6-1

#7 Bear Force Won (8/5) has won three of his last five, including an impressive victory against Maryland-bred allowance horses last out. He towers over these on speed figures. #3 Stroll Smokin (9/5) will show speed from the inside and will try to hold off the challenge of Bear Force Won on the turn. Goes second off the claim for Brittany Russell, who is tied with Jamie Ness for the training lead going into today. #6 Algebraic (4/1) was an impressive gate-to-wire winner at Charles Town and will likely press Stroll Smokin on the outside. That could make things even better for Bear Force Won.

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

6-4-8-3

#6 Moonsafe (6/1) was on a very fast pace last out, but held on well to finish third. She’s had some time off since that last start and should be a pace factor at a decent price. #4 Hitch a Ride (5/2) hasn’t raced since last August but has been working very sharply for Gary Capuano. She went gate-to-wire twice at Delaware Park last year and is likely using this race as a springboard to a start at that meet. #8 Summer Odds (7/2) has won three of her last five starts with improving figures and will take advantage of a fast pace.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-7-5-3

#2 Likely Choice (8/1) chased the pace and finished a solid second in her first start off the layoff. She was claimed out of that race by Michael Gorham, who has been very sharp with his recent claims. #7 House Wrecker (10/1) races for the Charles Town dream team of Anthony Farrior and Arnaldo Bocachica. She improved dramatically in her second start for the Farrior barn with an impressive win last out. #5 A Girl Named Jac (4/1) showed some punch on dirt last year and will sit the trip in midpack.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-5-2-3

Jamie Ness is tied with Brittany Russell atop the trainer standings going into today. If he wins the training title, #6 You Must Chill (7/5) will likely be the horse who clinches it for him. He’s run back-to-back brisnet figures of 100, including an impressive 3 1/2-length win over this track last out against a tougher field than this one. Shouldn’t have much trouble with these. #5 Plot the Dots (5/2) came from off the pace to get third in the Native Dancer Stakes last out and should at least close for a piece here. #2 Money Ride (3/1), a stablemate of Plot the Dots, has lots of early speed and will try to ration it a bit better than he did last time, when he flattened to third.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-8-3-1

The get-out race of the meet. #6 Scintillo (3/1) hasn’t run worse than a 72 in five career starts and takes a drop in class from the $40,000 level. #8 Street Lamp (4/1) ships up from Tampa Bay Downs and recovered from a bad start to get second in his last start. He’ll likely be on the early pace. #3 Make the Way Clear (5/2) just missed going seven furlongs last out and should be at home going a one-turn mile.