• John Piassek
• May 13, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,794 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-5-8-12 (DIRT: 8-4-1-13)

#6 Zip Line to Heaven (9/2) broke his maiden in impressive style on the grass at Colonial Downs last fall and narrowly missed in his next start against competition similar to today’s rivals. He turned in some decent efforts on the lawn over the winter at Gulfstream Park and should be primed for a big race here. #5 H R H Jellybean (9/2) ended his 2021 on a steady run of brisnet figures, including a slid closing bid against better to cap off his season on October 15. His recent workouts have been very good, including two bullet drills, and I’m expecting him to fire first off the bench. #8 Law of the Land (4/1) is a recent Florida invader for Jane Cibelli and will be gobbling up ground late.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-2-4

#5 Lightfoot Miss (5/2) comes in here off an impressive win against n/w2L horses last out, with a career-best brisnet figure of 77. She’s been sharp all year and shouldn’t have much trouble with the jump in class. #1 R Tenderoni (2/1) ships up from Tampa Bay Downs and will be close to the early pace. She’s improved her figure in each of her last two dirt starts. #2 Cairo Queen (4/1) stepped up to earn a 76 after some traffic last out, and now goes first off a brief layoff.

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

2-3-7-1

#2 Contented Now (9/2) is lightly-raced and has run in the 80s in his last two races. He had some traffic in his first start at this level but will be tough here if he can steer clear of trouble. #3 Tate (8/5) has standout figures but has burned a lot of money in other spots where he’s looked much the best on paper. He’s finished second in each of his last five starts, including the last four times as the favorite. He’s the perfect type of horse to fade. #7 Savoy (5/2) goes first off the claim for Anthony Farrior and has never run worse than a 75 in seven career dirt starts.

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

1-8-11-10 (DIRT: 9-4-6-2)

#1 Tankerville (5/1) got a prep race in at Middleburg last out, finishing sixth in a marathon contest. He won on grass three times last year and should benefit from that prep. #8 Bode’s Maker (3/1) goes third off the layoff and first off the claim by Jamie Ness. He hasn’t run on grass in a while but has shown promise on the surface, winning on it twice with a peak figure of 87. #11 Uncle Andrew (4/1) ran in the 80s in his last three starts of 2021 and is one of the best closers in the race.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-8-7

#4 Francis X (7/2) drops to this level for the first time and finished a solid second with an 81 two starts back. This’ll be his first start after a three-month freshening. #5 Loaded Sniper (9/2) gets a rider switch to Yan Aviles for the first time after back-to-back third-place efforts. Should rate off the pace and hang around for a piece. #8 Deshackled (3/1) goes for the Jeiron Barbosa-Claudio Gonzalez combo, which was dangerous during the Laurel spring meet. This one has an unsightly 1-for-32 record but consistently runs in the 70s and adds blinkers.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-1-2

#6 M’Lady Thatcher (4/1) was a sharp-closing second on debut and wheels back in six days for her second career outing. She faces a field of mostly firsters and should benefit from the experience. #5 Royal Whisper (9/5) has been working like a good thing for Brittany Russell, with three recent bullet drills. She looked ready to debut last fall, but went to the sidelines and has been working out since late February. Watching the board on her. #1 Happy Tappy Sue (3/1) ships from her Delaware Park base to debut for Ben Perkins Jr. This suggests that she might be ready to go a bit sooner than expected, which is a good sign.

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

6-12-2-1 (DIRT: 3-9-12-11)

#6 Cosmicality (3/1) almost wired the field in his first grass start of the year last out, but was collared in the last eighth. Should be tough to catch once again here. #12 Call Me Plucky (7/2) spent her winter racing at Fair Grounds, and just missed last out with a strong seven-wide bid. A Fair Grounds shipper won on the grass yesterday. #2 Nordic Rhythm (12/1) ran a solid 74 in his first start off the layoff last out, a figure not far away from what he had been running towards the end of last year. Could upset the exotics at a decent price.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-5-6

#2 Howard’s Rock (7/2) goes first off the claim by Ferris Allen and broke his maiden in impressive gate-to-wire style last out. #4 Boss Man J J (5/2) made his first start at the level last out. He prompted the pace and held on for second. Looks like a pace factor again here. #5 On the Engine (3/1) broke his maiden in impressive style in his first start off the layoff and will take advantage if the pace melts down.