LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: JUNE 12, 2022
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:40 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,096 Super High 5 — $991 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
5-6-4-2 (DIRT: 5-3-8-6)
More than $5.3 million was wagered on the 10-race card yesterday. Love to see it. #5 Flirtatious Lass (3/1) cruised to a gate-to-wire victory on dirt against starter optional claiming types last out, and has a perfect 1-for-1 record on the lawn. She looks dangerous on the front end. #6 Whiteknuckleflyer (3/1) overcame a slow start to get third last out against tougher n/w1x foes. She hasn’t run a bad grass race in three starts. #4 Tiz Susan Ann (6/1) has hit the board in seven of eleven grass starts and ran in the 70s several times last summer. She makes her first start on the lawn for Anthony Farrior and will be near the pace.
RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 FURLONGS
3-4-6-2
#3 Country Charlie (9/5) showed little on debut despite getting plenty of action at the windows. Although it was a visually unimpressive race, his brisnet figure of 61 is the best last-out mark in the field. Adds blinkers for his second career start. #4 My Mamba (3/1) had an awkward break but recovered to get fourth. Would’ve liked to have seen another gate work but he should improve with experience. #6 Dreams Delivered (4/1) has been working well at Delaware Park for Anthony Pecoraro and will hopefully take action on debut.
- Delaware: Emotions high in White Clay Creek, Rocky RunCharles Blanford earned his first stakes win, and Julio Hernandez validated his decision to move his tack to Delaware in a pair of 2yo stakes.
RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES
4-6-5-3
#4 Armando R (2/1) ran a below-average race by his standards last out, but he had a valid excuse. He had a terrible trip on a track playing to inside speed, getting caught wide on both turns. With smoother sailing here, he should improve. #6 Caribbean (3/1) has led at every point of call in his last two starts and will certainly be hard-sent for the lead again by Jevian Toledo. #5 Boss Logic (4/1) goes first off the claim by Ned Allard and has been very consistent lately, running figures in the mid/upper-80s in each of his last few. I don’t know if he’s fast enough to beat Caribbean to the punch early but he should at least rate near the lead.
RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (N?W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-2-9-10 (DIRT: 2-1-8-10)
There’s not much recent grass experience in this field, which begins the late pick 5. #6 Zola B (3/1) is one of the few exceptions, having broken her maiden with a sharp closing rally five weeks ago. It took her thirteen starts to get that maiden-breaking win, but it was an impressive effort and she can build off of it. #2 Sweet Talia (6/1) makes her first appearance on grass here. She’s gotten better in her recent races and has shown decent closing speed. Worth a look at her likely price. #9 Orbit Mars (12/1) faced better at Delaware Park in her first start on grass last out, and ran a 64, which is competitive for this level. She’s lightly-raced and has shown good tactical speed.
RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
3-1-2-4
#3 She is Wisky (3/1) has finished second in three of her last four starts, including two runner-up finishes in her last two starts with back-to-back figures of 86. The only question is the distance. She’s gone a mile or longer in her last two starts and she might prefer more ground. #1 Bandits Warrior (5/1) gets back to dirt and has lots of speed from the inside post position. She hasn’t been able to last on the lead in her last few but has hung around for the exotics in her last few races. #2 Swayin To and Fro (6/1) ran a gutsy race to win against starter optional claiming horses last Sunday and comes back for a class test. She’ll press Bandit’s Warrior on the lead from the outside.
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)
7-5-6-10 (DIRT: 6-7-8-4)
#7 Luminist (5/1) made her first start in more than a year last out. She came from the clouds to get third with a lifetime-top figure of 79. If she keeps moving forward second off the layoff she’ll be tough. Not every day you get a 5/1 morning line on a Brittany Russel/Feargal Lynch horse. They teamed up to finish third in the race immediately following the Belmont Stakes yesterday. #5 Vodaktini (5/1) was no match for the winner last out but outkicked the others for second. This’ll be her second career grass start for Mike Stidham. #6 Golden Effect (4/1) makes her first start for the Mike Trombetta barn and ran decent races on the lawn at Gulfstream Park this winter.
- Jockey Wesley Ho notches 1,000th winBigdaddysboy closed with a rush to win Sunday at Laurel Park and give jockey Wesley Ho his 1,000th victory.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 1 MILE
8-5-9-3
I was ready to bet #8 The Addison Pour (9/2) in the Sir Barton Stakes last out, off a determined first-level allowance win last out. However, he was scratched that day, and resurfaces here. He has great speed and pace figures and top connections. Anything near his morning line would be a great value. #5 Royal Number (2/1) has been improving sharply in his last few dirt races and also has a strong closing kick. If he’s near the early pace, he could prove tough to hold off. #9 Super Love (5/1) is a perfect 2-for-2 in his career and races beyond six furlongs for the first time.
RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
9-8-10-3 (DIRT: 4-10-9-5)
#9 Made My Wish (4/5) battled on the lead against better in her first grass start and lost by just three lengths. Her recent grass workouts have been solid. #8 At the Gate (12/1) also drops in class second off the layoff and gets Toledo aboard. She ran a 66 on debut last July at Colonial Downs; a repeat of that race likely wins this one. #10 Tipsy Tourist (6/1) showed some promise on grass last year and has been consistently running in the upper-50s on dirt this year. That would at least be good enough for a piece of she can transfer the form back over.
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