• John Piassek
• June 10, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,629 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

8-7-4-5

All the grass races scheduled for today were pulled off yesterday after some large thunderstorms on Wednesday. #8 Congress Hall (3/1) stepped up to run a brisnet figure of 83 last out, narrowly missing after a strong, wide rally. #7 Shackaboom (6/1) is the main early speed threat in the field, and will try to rate her speed a bit better than she did last time. #4 Bullets Lady (15/1) was in top form over the winter, winning two in a row between here and Charles Town with figures of 85 and 75. She’s had some time off and should be ready to run her best race.

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

4-2-5-6

#4 Dat Deres Gold (9/5) tends to sit the trip and fall flat in the stretch. She’s run brisnet figures of 76 in two of her last three starts, which give her a major edge over her rivals. This looks like a now-or-never spot. #2 Grace Isabella (5/1) consistently runs in the low 70s, which should be good enough for at least a piece. She’s rated near the pace and flattened out in her last few; perhaps a cutback in distance will help. #5 Torch Carrier (9/2) won against conditioned types three races back and will sit just off the early pace.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-3-6

#4 Royal Thunder (2/1) has been very consistent this year. He’s hit the board in all six starts, but has just one win to show for it. There’s lots of other speed to deal with, but on paper, he looks fast enough to outkick them all early and get his trip. #2 Fast Cash (6/1) made a game rally to lose by less than a length last out. He’ll take advantage of a pace meltdown if one occurs. #3 Air on Fire (5/1) races first off the claim by Kieron Magee and goes second off the layoff. He ran in the mid-80s steadily last year and will loom a threat if he improves a few points.

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

10-12-5-6

#10 Pickin Sea Glass (4/1) was well-bet in his first start off a long layoff last out, but was fractious before the race, raced wide, and showed little. He should improve in his second start off the break. #12 Glastonbury (6/1) improved sharply second time out, showing speed and almost wiring the field at 37/1. Looks like a threat to go gate-to-wire again. #5 Inside Stunt (6/1) also raced wide on debut, but came from off the pace for a solid-closing second. Odds-on choice Howard’s Rock outran them all that day; it doesn’t look like there’s anyone in here as tough as him.

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

5-2-3-1

#5 Sugar Gray Leonard (5/2) has improved dramatically with every start and impressively broke his maiden last out with an 88. Shouldn’t have much trouble with this group if he keeps moving forward. #2 Seven On the Rocks (9/2) just missed his career-best mark last out, running a 92 in a Maryland-bred race after battling in the stretch. It looks like he’s rounding back into form after missing some time over the winter. #3 Big Tall Dawg (6/1) handily beat weaker in his last two races with figures in the mid/upper-80s both times. He’ll hope to sit the trip off the leaders.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-7-8-10

#6 He Rolls (5/1) improved to a 76 in his last start, where he dueled with the leaders and just missed at 27/1. He’s taking a step up in class here but that last race fits with these. #7 Bourbon on the Bay (7/2) has hit the board in every start and has run at least a 76 in three of his four dirt starts, but has yet to find the winner’s circle. He’s dropping for a career-low tag and may have found a field he can beat. #8 Grand Manner (5/1) showed speed and faded on grass last out in an encouraging effort. The cutback in distance from a mile should help.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-3-1-10

#8 Whenigettoheaven (5/1) is also coming off a maiden-breaking effort, in which he stalked the pace and got up in the last few jumps. He gets back to dirt here after winning that race on grass, but he’s shown lots of aptitude on dirt as well. He’s getting better with every race and has plenty of upside. #3 He’s Orientate (6/1) stepped up to a 91 in an impressive starter optional claiming win last out under similar circumstances. He’s likely to rate just off Whenigettoheaven early. #1 Hard to be Humble (7/2) goes third off the layoff and gets back to dirt after a pair of grass tries. He’ll show speed from the inside and impressively won on the front end last December.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

5-6-1-8

A very interesting field of fillies lines up for today’s feature. #5 Baby Man (3/1) ran a 95 in an impressive gate-to-wire victory last out. She got caught up in the pace last out and faded, but now faces a field without much competitive speed. #6 Wet My Beak (12/1) is proven at longer distances, having broken her maiden in her second start last out while improving fourteen points from her debut. Looms as an interesting longshot possibility. #1 A Mo Reay (9/5) ships down here for Todd Pletcher. She went off as the favorite at this level at Keeneland last out, but stopped badly and was eased. Her recent workouts have been good and she ran some great figures last year, but she’s sure to be overbet.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

1-2-4-8

#1 Tiz a Giant (7/2) shipped to Presque Isle Downs last out and chased the pace to get second behind a next-out winner. He gets back to conventional dirt after two synthetic tries and looks to keep improving. #2 Awesome Man (5/1) improved dramatically in his second career start, and his first one around two turns. Should have no problem with the extra distance. #4 Bad to the Bone (7/2) will go a route of ground on dirt for the first time and should be running on late.