• John Piassek
• July 2, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $16,901 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $9,617

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-6-9-8 (DIRT: 2-1-10-7)

Ten big ones on today’s card, including a pair of stakes races. #1 Love Ran Red (5-1) drops in class after a solid-closing fourth in her grass debut last out. She’s shown glimpses of promise on both dirt and grass so far. #6 Zola B (3-1) stretched out around two turns last out after breaking her maiden at 5 1/2 furlongs, and battled gamely on the lead and just missed. She was much more forwardly placed than usual in that race; we’ll see which strategy Horacio Karamanos employs here. #9 Icy Reply (8-1) ran a respectable brisnet figure of 69 in her grass debut last out, where she chased the pace and held in there until the last eighth. She’s likely to set the pace and hang around for a piece of the exotics.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

4-6-5-3

#4 Back Seat Betty (2-1) has worked well at Charles Town, including a bullet drill last week, and ships in here for her debut. This is a very inexperienced field. Out of her five rivals, only one has raced before, and she showed little in that race. This one should be very tough as long as she shows a hint of the ability she’s shown in the morning. #6 Meat Sweats (7-2) was scratched out of a tougher spot two weeks ago and has decided to debut here instead. The last workout was uninspiring, but her drills were good before that, and she doesn’t have to be a world-beater to win this one. #5 Alas and Alack (3-1) is one of two first-time starters for Hamilton Smith in here, and has had her speed sharpened in preparation for a race like that.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-2-4-1

#3 Clubman (5-2) has had some time off since his last start, a determined race on April 28 where he overcame some traffic to get second. He’s stretching back out to a mile, a distance that should suit him better. #2 Fortune’s Fool (3-1) raced wide throughout in his last start and faded, but still improved to an 84. He’s been slowly rounding back into form and will be right near the pace. #4 Silent Malice (3-1) has won two of his last three starts, overcoming a modest tempo to wing going away last out. Regular rider Jevian Toledo is out of town to ride Whereshetoldmetogo in the Alapocas Run Stakes at Delaware Park, so Yomar Ortiz is subsituting.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-9-6-7 (DIRT: 2-7-8-3)

Three horses share the title of lightest-raced horse in this race, with two starts apiece. Of those three, #2 Imagine it All (3/1) has shown the most promise. He closed ground late and just missed in his grass debut last out, running a much-improved figure of 76. Interested to see how he handles the stretchout from 5 1/2 furlongs. His stablemate, #9 The Last Scip (9-2), made his first route start last out and was impressive, closing from well behind late to lose by 1 1/4 lengths. He’ll get a rider change to Jorge Ruiz. #6 Stimulus Maker (5-1) battled on to earn a 75 against similar runners in his last start and has good tactical speed.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-6-5

#1 Miss Foxann (5-2) has run in the 70s in her last two dirt starts and drops to the n/w2L level for the first time. Her late pace figures have improved dramatically in her last few races, which is definitely a positive sign. #4 Show’em Who’s Boss (9-2) was a promising second in her 3-year-old debut two starts back, but was dismal last out. She’s had some good workouts since then and is also dropping to this condition for the first time. #6 Fortes (2-1) ran an impressive 79 when second against much tougher two starts back, She doesn’t have much of a closing punch, but it’s possible this field is slow enough that she can beat them anyway.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-5-4-1

With the 10-race card, the late pick 5 begins here. #2 Wicked Hot (3-1) showed lots of promise at the Pimlico meet last year before going on the sidelines. She returned with a third-place performance against these last out, a fairly flat performance in her first race in almost a year. She should improve in her second start of the year for Graham Motion, who won two races yesterday. #5 Click to Confirm (5-2) has run in the 80s in her last three dirt starts and now returns to her preferred class level, surface, and distance. Everything is coming together for her to run a big race. #4 Canoodle (5-1) has won her last two dirt starts, including a win at this condition against Maryland-breds last out. Her two best dirt figures have come in those two wins.

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

4-1-5-7 (DIRT: 6-8-1-3)

#4 Stony Point (9-5) broke her maiden on debut at Tampa Bay Downs, then was second, with a figure of 87, next out at Aqueduct. She’s looking for a rebound off a disappointing effort at this level at Belmont Park last out. She’ll likely go for the front and try to slow things down. #1 Magical Luna (6-1) chased Golden Can and held on for second last out. Third-place finisher Whiteknuckleflyer came back to win at this level on dirt next out. #5 Royal Engagement (7-2) was stakes-placed on grass as a 2-year-old at Woodbine last year. This is her first start of the year and her first start with lasix. She has lots of back-class but might need a race first off the layoff.

RACE 8: CAESAR’S WISH STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-2-8-4

The first stakes race of the day is named for Caesar’s Wish, who won nine stakes races in her all-too-brief career, including the 1978 Mother Goose Stakes. #1 Edie Meeny Miny Mo (9-5) had a breakthrough performance at Monmouth Park last out. She was pressed on the pace but drew off to win a second-level allowance optional claiming race, just missing her career-top with a figure of 95. She’s shown hints of brilliance in her career, and ran a game second in the Monmouth Oaks the last time she tried to go this far. Note that she’s also entered in the Regret Stakes at Monmouth today. #2 Hybrid Eclipse (7-2) has won two times from three starts on a one-turn mile and was a game third in the Obeah Stakes last out. #8 The Grass is Blue (5-2) had a nice tune-up win going five panels last out, a race that set her up perfectly for this one. She won the Busanda Stakes last January but struggled to put it together against better for most of her 3-year-old campaign. She’ll be tough if she takes a step forward as a 4-year-old.

RACE 9: CONCERN STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

4-2-6-5

This race is named after the Maryland-bred winner of the 1994 Breeders’ Cup Classic. Concern is one of three Maryland-breds to win the Classic; the other two are Cigar and Knicks Go. #4 Defund (7-2) ran a gigantic race in his 3-year-old debut last out, lasting through a duel and drawing off easily with a 93. He’s getting a class test here but should nonetheless be tough on the pace. #2 Scaramouche (3-1) won the Rittenhouse Square Stakes at Parx earlier in the year, then was flat in the Bay Shore Stakes, but rebounded with an impressive allowance win last out. He’s also going to be on the pace and should be able to get rail position. #6 Nimitz Class (6-1) has won four in a row at Penn National, including an exciting come-from-behind win in the Danzig Stakes last out. He’ll rate off the pace and take advantage if the leaders falter.

RACE 10: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-1-9-7 (DIRT: 7-4-6-1)

#5 Silardi (5-2) makes his first start for the Jeff Runco barn after shipping from California. He ran in the mid-80s in his last two starts and has dangerous early speed. #1 Bardolino (6-1) chased the pace and held on for fourth last out. He’s a very consistent sort and looks like the value play of this race. #9 Rohrbacher (5-1) gets some class relief for his first start of the year. He consistently runs in the upper-80s at his best, but we’ll see if he’s ready to go first off the layoff.