• John Piassek
• May 12, 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: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

3-1-4-5

Happy Pimlico opening day! Four of these exit the same race at Laurel on May 1, so it’s really a matter of which one you think will improve the most out of that spot. #3 Left Hand Thread (8/5) closed well after showing no early speed in that race, rallying for fourth with a respectable brisnet figure of 75. He may need to show more speed to win this race, but will be tough to beat if he does. #1 Gettin’downonit (9/2) has worked well over this track for Henry Walters and is easily the most interesting of the first-timers. #4 Coffeewithchris (9/5) went off as the favorite in that race, and languished well behind for the most of the race. He did close well late, although he had no hope of getting close to the winner. He’s another one who showed some signs of life but must improve second time out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

2-3-4-6

#2 Miss Moreno (2/1) has the most early speed of anyone in a largely paceless affair and will try to take them gate-to-wire. #3 Gold Time Vixen (9/5) has run in the low 70s in each of her last two starts but is a question mark around two turns. She should also be near the early pace. #4 Simmard Shenanigan (5/2) goes third off the layoff and improved sharply to a 71 last out despite an overland trip.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-5-6

#1 California Bella (1/1) crossed the wire first handily two starts back and was disqualified well after the fact. As such, she still fits a condition like this one. She raced against first-level allowance types last out and chased the pace to get fourth. She has standout figures and will be tough if she can handle the extra distance. #2 Foretell (6/1) drops for a tag for the first time and has a good recent workout in her lines since a debut where she made mild ground but proved no menace. She’s interesting at a decent price. #5 Daily Planet (9/2) has a grinding closing style that could suit her well if none of the others can handle the distance.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

7-8-9-1

#7 Ultimate Irony (2/1) raced on grass over the winter at Fair Grounds, and didn’t run a bad race with three solid near-misses. Should run a big race here for Mike Stidham. #8 Emphasize (6/1) also has some recent grass races under his belt, having spent the winter at Tampa Bay Downs. He ran competitive figures for this level but wasn’t very visually impressive. Looks like the value play of the race. #9 Mighty Meister (9/2) broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style at Aqueduct last out and is a threat to wire this group as well.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-7

#6 Fast Cash (2/1) got jostled around last out in his first start off the layoff but still made good ground late. Takes a slight drop in class and consistently runs in the mid-80s. #4 Cooke Brothers (5/1) cuts back from a mile and gets a rider change to Yan Aviles. He ran disastrously last out after a wide trip but had competitive figures with these before that effort. #5 Chrisatude (3/1) won at this level in his last start for Jamie Ness and now returns to his barn first off the claim.

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

3-4-7-9

#3 Mr. Mosley (8/5) has early speed and a great post, and should have no trouble getting to the rail and the lead. Jeiron Barbosa, who recently won the Laurel riding title, gets the mount for the first time. #4 What Say You (5/1) showed speed and faded on debut, but will get a good trip rating on the outside and should improve second time out. #7 Doublbarrelbourbon (6/1) has been rounding into form since returning from a long layoff in mid-February and should do his best running at this distance.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-3-4-7

#2 I’m Blushing (9/2) looked much the best on paper last out and raced like it, as she exploded entering the stretch to win by three lengths going away. Some improvement off that effort wins this one handily. #3 Expect Temptation (7/2) finally broke through to break her maiden in her 14th career start at Tampa Bay Downs last out. She goes second off a brief layoff and is in improving form. #4 Why Not Tonight (3/1) crushed an open n/w1x field at Tampa Bay last fall with a figure of 82. This’ll be her first start since late January, as she ships in from her Monmouth base to race here. Looks primed for a big one first off the bench.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-4-3

#2 Texas Tower (2/1) improved sharply in his local debut to break his maiden in style last out. He’ll likely work out another good stalking trip. #5 Rebel Victory (5/1) gets back to dirt after an errant grass try. He broke his maiden in front-running fashion in his last dirt start and will be forwardly placed again here. #4 Silent Service (4/1) has had bad luck at the start in his last few, which has hampered his style. Gets some class relief after facing starter optional claiming types in his last few.