• John Piassek
• July 8, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $24,511 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-5-1-3 (DIRT: 2-3-6-8)

Time to begin a new week at Laurel Park. #7 Watch Me Disappear (7-2) went off as the favorite at 4-1 (!) last out, and made what looked like a strong move before flattening out. In her two races this year, she hasn’t been able to sustain big moves, but showed a solid late kick in her two races last fall. Going third off the layoff should help her out. #5 Bella Betina (4-1) has an unsightly 0-for-17 lifetime mark, but ran one of her best-ever races last out. She set the pace going 7 1/2 furlong at Delaware Park and got caught in the last jump. She once again looks dangerous on the lead. #1 Ribaldry (5-2) drops for a tag for the Arnaud Delacour barn for the first time. She has lots of upside but has never run a brisnet figure better than 68. That’s a few points lower than the best figures of other contenders.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-4-5

#1 God is Love (5/2) makes his first local start after competing exclusively at Gulfstream Park beforehand. He’s never run worse than a 73 in five dirt starts and has great late pace figures. #3 Jardani (7-2) took advantage of a fast early tempo to win going away at this distance last out. He’s one of two in here who has never lost against winners. I don’t know if he’ll get another fast pace in here, but he certainly merits respect nonetheless. #4 Maximum Impact (7-2) has been facing better for most of the year and has improved sharply in his last few dirt starts.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-11-1-3 (DIRT: 8-2-4-3)

With the 8-race card, the rainbow pick 6 begins here. #4 Daddy’s Cozy (5-2) has been competing in steeplechase races for most of the prior year. He went back to the flats for a 1 3/8-mile at Delaware Park last out, and raced well enough to get third, hanging in evenly down the stretch. He’s dropping in class from the starter allowance level and fits right in with these. #11 Clever Fellow (9-2) has closed well in his last two starts, including a fast-closing third in his first start at the level last out. #1 Straight Up Guy (12-1) battled on the lead at Penn National last out, hanging on for third after dealing with steady pace pressure. He could wire this field at a big number.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-2-3

This race begins the late pick 5. #1 Degas (5-2) has fought hard at this level in his last two races, including an 83 earned in a third-place finish last out. That’s his best figure in months. He should set the pace from the inside. #4 Bernie’s on Fire (5-2) was in sharp form last summer but went to the sidelines in late July after being vanned off following a runner-up effort. He returned in a $12,500 claiming race last out, but raced disastrously. He’s dropping in class here and turned in a good recent workout, going four furlongs in 49 seconds on July 3. We’ll see if he can bounce back here. I think he has it in him, but I wouldn’t want to take low odds. #2 Deshackled (2-1) has won two in a row and has good tactical speed, but is getting a class test.

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

9-5-1-6 (DIRT: 9-3-7-4)

#9 A Girl Named Jac (7-2) was in the midst of possibly a winning rally last out against similar when she got into some traffic and ended up third. She hasn’t won in a while but has been rounding into her best form since some disappointing races over the winter. #5 Fast Lani (4-1) exits the same race as A Girl Named Jac. This one set the early pace that day and got run down late. As noted above, she likely would’ve been third if A Girl Names Jac didn’t get stuck. Here, Fast Lani is going second off a brief layoff and will be tough on the lead once again. #1 Miss is Zippy (4-1) was a strong-closing second after a wide trip last out. She only ran a 70 last out, but ran in the mid-70s and upper-80s in the midwest last year.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

8-6-5-4

All eight fillies in here are first-time starters. As such, this race is kind of a guessing game. Nonetheless, we press on. Any Brittany Russell firster has to be respected, and #8 Traininwithkristen (2-1) is her entry here. This Kentucky-bred daughter of Outwork gets Sheldon Russell aboard, who returned to the saddle last week, and has worked well here at Laurel. The board will tell the story. #6 Majesty’s Freedom (5-2) has a recent bullet workout for Jerry Robb under her belt. going five furlongs in 1:01 2/5 last Sunday. She looks primed for a big effort first time out. #5 Roaringlikethunder (6-1) ships from Presque Isle Downs for her debut and has worked well over in Erie. An interesting alternative to the top two.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

10-7-5-3 (DIRT: 3-6-8-5)

A fun field lines up for today’s featured event. #10 Audacious Quality (5-2) won against open company at this level two starts back, and was a strong-closing fourth in the Find Stakes against some very strong Maryland-breds last out. He has no early speed at all but will be rolling late. #7 B Determined (3-1) consistently runs in the 80s and also has great late pace figures. He hasn’t run worse than a 81 in his last four starts. He got up for third in the Find, outrunning Audacious Quality throughout. #5 Wicked Prankster (8-1) went gate-to-wire on this grass course two starts back and will almost certainly be loose on the lead against these. The only question that remains if he has enough late to hold off the closers.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-2-3-4

All three of my top picks exit the same race on June 17. #7 Lookin Spunky (7-2) showed speed for the first time in her career last out, and held on well to cross the wire fourth. She’s run in the 70s in her last two races. #2 Doomscroller (4-1) made her first start off the claim for Marilyn McMullen last out, and closed well to get second, matching her career-high figure with a 70. She doesn’t have much early speed and will hope for a fast pace in front of her. #3 Polish Cookie (5-2) battled on the lead with Lookin Spunky in her last start and ended up third, placed second after Doomscroller was disqualified. She’s hit the board in ten of her twenty career starts and will hang around late, even if she doesn’t quite get the job done.