• John Piassek
• June 18, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,129 Super High 5 — $656 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-2-3-4

Ten big ones on the program. #1 Here Wego (8/5) ran a big race second off the layoff in his last start. He set the pace early, lost the lead, re-rallied, and lost a photo finish for the win. He should show speed once again from the inside, and if he improves off that last race, will be tough on the lead. #2 Extra Medium (6/1) switches back to dirt after two grass attempts. He consistently runs in the low/mid-70s and will be running on late. #3 Degas (3/1) is the one to set the pace in the aforementioned Here Wego race. He was clear in the stretch but flattened out. He should sit just off the pace and will try to time his move a bit better.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-6-10-3

#1 Bardolino (5/2) has been competitive against better earlier in the year and now enjoys some class relief. He’s had trouble timing his move in his last few starts. #6 Bourbon on Ice (9/2) has closed strongly in his last two grass starts to lose by three lengths or less both times. Jean Alvelo gets back aboard after riding him earlier in the year. #10 Putin Online (6/1) was well-bet in his last start against these, but faded after stalking the pace. He has a win over this course and he’s going second off the layoff, so you’ll get the right price if you think he’ll bounce back.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-6-7

#2 Alittlesliceof Pie (5/2) has stepped up to run in the 70s in each of her last two dirt races. She got caught behind a slow pace against a much tougher field in her most recent start on this surface, but still closed well late. #5 Divine Victory (7/2) also ran on well and got third last out. She’s run in the 60s in each of her two dirt starts, certainly a figure good enough to contend. #6 Kisses for Hannah (8/1) stretches back out around two turns and will likely show early speed.

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

1-3-2-6

#1 Winter Princess (5/2) improved sharply with every start at Gulfstream Park over the winter, and made a strong middle move to beat a n/w2L field down there in her most recent grass start. As long as she avoids traffic, she’s poised to run another big race. #3 Funwhleitlasted (2/1) showed little over a soft course at Penn National last out but ran in the upper-70s and low-80s consistently last year. Brittany Russell and Jevian Toledo are always a dangerous combo. #2 Hot Choice (8/1) ran a career-best figure of 86 in her last start on the Laurel grass and has closed well in her two races this year.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-4-5-7

#2 Francis X. (3/1) broke awkwardly in his first start at the level last out and showed little. He’s getting a lot of class relief here and ran marks as high as an 81 over the winter. #4 Loaded Sniper (2/1) has been flat after rating near the pace in his last few starts, His figures are competitive and he’s also dropping in class, but he’ll need to show more stamina. #5 Dontforgettoblink (4/1) improved to a 70 in his last start and also had decent tactical speed.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-6-9-2

#4 Meliponini Bee (3/1) ran in the 70s in her first two grass starts of the year. She closed strongly and ran a 76 two starts back, then got into some traffic trouble and closed for third last out. #6 Cush Effect (5/2) was flat against better last out, but ran on well two races back and got up for a clear-cut third. Victor Carrasco gets in the saddle for the first time. #9 Bourbon Gypsy (12/1) showed speed and faded in her grass debut, but ran a career-best figure of 62 in the process. Will be tough on the lead if she moved forward.

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

4-3-1-6

#4 Swayin To and Fro (8/5) broke her maiden very impressively in her 3-year-old debut, then won a long battle to win at this level last out. She scratched out of a tougher spot last week and should be right at home against these. #3 Joe Mike Jim’s (2/1) two best figures have come in her last two starts, running a 78 and an 82 in those two races. She was visually unimpressive against better last out, but should find things easier in this spot. Jeiron Barbosa gets back aboard. #1 Pilantlea (4/1) makes her first Maryland start for Jamie Ness and cuts back around one turn for the first time in a while. Should run on late.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-9-10-13

#5 Trevise (9/2) has bounced around quite a bit in her career; this is her fifth start at five different tracks. She chased the pace against the boys at Keeneland last out and got up for third, matching her career-best figure of 78. She’s taking a drop in class here and has worked well at Saratoga since that race, including a drill on grass. Phil Antonacci has decided to ship her down for this race; don’t think he would send her the extra distance if she wasn’t ready to win this race. #9 Bourbon Swing (8/1) raced wide throughout in her grass debut and got up for third. She’s interesting at a price second time out. #10 Point Well Taken (9/2) races for the dangerous Shug McGaughey/Forest Boyce combo. It looks like she’s better at a route but I’ll give her one more chance sprinting.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-2-7-10

#6 Sweet Gracie (4/1) has stepped it up big-time in her last two races, winning two in a row with figures in the 80s both times. This will be her first start against older horses, but she shouldn’t have a problem as long as she maintains her current form. #2 Hitch a Ride (4/1) chased the pace and got up for second in her first start of the year last out. She consistently ran in the 80s last year. #7 Royal Whisper (2/1) stalked the pace and crushed the field in her debut. Her figure of 79 isn’t dominant compared to these, but she has room to improve second time out for Brittany Russell.

RACE 10: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES. 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-3-2-1

#6 Beckon (8/1) was pressed on the pace in her season debut last out and backed up. However, she ran much better on the lead on grass last year. She has a chance to improve at a price. #3 Fast Lani (2/1) finally gets back to grass after two dull dirt tries and will be a major factor on the early pace. #2 Awesome Jazz (9/2) made a huge closing rally to win against similar last fall and never ran worse than a 76 in eight grass starts last year. This will be her first start of the season.