LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: JUNE 24, 2022
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:40 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $8,441 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
10-11-7-3 (DIRT: 10-4-6-1)
The final racing week of June begins with a 10-race card. There’s not much grass experience in this field. #10 Password Protected (5/1) has raced just once on the lawn, but it was a promising effort. He rated off the pace and closed for second at Indiana Grand (now Horseshoe Indianapolis) last July, with an impressive brisnet speed figure of 84. He’s shown speed and faded in his last few starts since getting claimed by Anthony Farrior, but getting back to grass and cutting back in distance should help the cause. #11 Always Misbehaving (4/1) drops in class and gets a weight break, as he’s in for a lower claiming tag than some of the others. He made what looked like a promising move first off the layoff last out, but flattened out late. Should improve with a race under his belt. #7 Billingsgate (5/1) also continues a class plunge. He ran in the mid-70s in his first two starts of the year, but declined sharply after getting caught on the pace last out.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
2-8-7-6
#2 Brother Conway (8/1) improved dramatically second time out, when he rated off the pace and kicked away impressively to win going away. He’s one of three in here who has never lost against winners, and has the best last-out figure of that group with a 78. #8 Howard’s Rock (5/1) was an impressive maiden winner two starts back, but showed little in his first start off the claim for Ferris Allen. This will be his first start at this level, and he returns to Laurel after the aforementioned recent try at Pimlico. #7 Winston’s Gold (8/1) has a similar profile as Howard’s Rock, and in fact exits the same race as him. He was flat in that start, but showed speed in his prior races and broke his maiden two back with a figure of 79.
- Witty pointed to Maryland Million Turf Sprint defenseDefending Maryland Million Turf Sprint champ Witty will seek to become the second repeat winner of that event Saturday, Ben’s Cat having been the first.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
2-6-10-7 (DIRT: 11-8-3-2)
Another race lacking in grass experience. #2 Callyourightback (8/1) has an unsightly 0-for-14 record, but showed speed going longer and ran a 62 in his lone grass start, which came here last September. Worth a shot at a decent price. #6 Gerrys Gem (9/2) got into some traffic trouble in his first grass race in late April, but held on for fifth with a 57. He has plenty of upside. #10 Believeinrocknroll (5/1) got bet on debut for Mike Trombetta, but showed little after getting bumped. He drops in class for a barn that does better with second-time starters.
RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES
7-6-2-3
#7 Krug (4/1) has won three of his last five, including a victory over slightly weaker in gate-to-wire style last out. He had a very easy setup that day, but ran an 86 in victory a few starts back without as easy of a trip. #6 Jasontakeslong (3/1) ships from Charles Town for Anthony Farrior and Arnaldo Bocachica. He’s run no worse than a 75 in his last four starts, and sat the trip en route to an easy win in West Virginia last out. He ran a big race around two turns here a few starts back. #2 Uncle Jerome (8/5) won at 1 1/8 miles two starts back, and went gate-to-wire in victory last out, earning an 87 in the process. He’ll be able to protect the front-end position on the rail.
RACE 5 MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS
5-2-7-9
#5 Quincannnon (4/1) battled through a three-way speed duel last out, and held on the best of everyone on the lead with a second-place effort. #2 Luv Ya Bye Bye (6/1) raced wide throughout last out and flattened out. He ran a 73 two starts back when he saved more ground. Should work out a better trip this time. #7 Eye’n a Deal (6/1) cuts back around one turn and turned in a bullet workout in anticipation for his second career start. He gets a rider switch to Johan Rosado.
RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)
5-1-10-3 (DIRT: 8-10-7-9)
#5 Sonic Speed (7/2) races second off the claim for Brittany Russell and makes his local debut after previously racing in New York for John Kimmel. He’s run a 90 in two of his last three grass starts. #1 American d’Oro (9/2) stretches back around two turns and drops from the n/w2x level. He had a tough trip last time out and as such ran a poor figure, but he usually runs in the mid/upper-80s. #10 Wicked Prankster (4/1) went gate-to-wire at this level last out and is the primary speed threat.
- 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: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
8-9-7-3
This looks like a two-horse race. #8 Bliss This (9/5) ran either a 74 or a 75 in three consecutive starts earlier in the year, including a nose defeat against better a few races back. He looks for improvement after a flat race last out. #9 Pop Pop Susi (8/5) ran far and away a career-best figure of 68 last out, when he dueled on the lead and battled until the last eighth. This is his second start off the claim for Claudio Gonzalez. #7 Mr. Mosley (8/1) has shown up-and-down form as of late, but will be a factor on the early pace.
RACE 8: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
5-8-7-3
Lots of familiar faces among this octet. #5 Mutakaamil (9/2) has begun to hit his stride since two dull races at Charles Town earlier in the year. He rated just off the pace and beat a solid field at Delaware Park last out. #8 Ellas My Love (7/2) races third off a brief layoff and has the best late pace figures in the race. He raced at five furlongs last time, which might have been a bit too short for him. A longer distance should do the trick. #7 Rock and Fellers (3/1) lasted on the lead at this level two starts back, but faded after encountering pace pressure last out. He’s almost certain to be on the lead again here; we’ll see how he handles the pressure.
RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
2-3-4-1
#2 Stroll Smokin (7/5) has been nearly invincible against these as of late. He’s won back-to-back races at this level, while never trailing in either one. Should break well and leave the rest of these in the dust. #3 Imperial King (4/1) went gate-to-wire at Tampa Bay Downs last out in a much-improved effort and will likely be near the pace. #4 Algebraic (5/1) won at this level earlier in the year and ran a big race to just miss at Pimlico last out. He was claimed out of that race by David Howard and will also show speed.
RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-3-11-5 (DIRT: 12-11-10-5)
#6 Hindenburg (5/1) ran back-to-back figures of 62 to begin his career and looks better suited to a sprint. His previous grass starts were around two turns. #3 E.P. Milton (6/1) makes his second start off the layoff and was improving with every grass race towards the end of the season last year. #11 Glastonbury (4/1) hopes to finally get on the grass after two tries were washed off. He set the pace and held on for third two back in a determined effort.
LATEST NEWS