• Joseph Aiello
• July 9, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $28,669 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN $52,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-4-2

Off the turf. Main-track only entrant #6 M’Lady Thatcher (7-2) won at the level two back but was DQed and should appreciate added ground today…

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-2-5-1

#3 Hummin’ the Funk (9-5) has done her best running at Laurel and at this distance, plus runs consistently in the money on dirt. She has been bet to favorite in three of her last four, and gets the edge over #2 Appalachianheights (8-5), who has yet to go past seven furlongs. In stretching out to a mile, this filly should be sitting mid-pack, since she has faded last when closer to the early lead. Has speed figures that are comparable or better than this field, with #5 Heidi T (6-1) getting figures slightly lower than the top two contenders. Heidi T still is worth a flier at a decent price to potentially hit the board as she has run well against this company at Laurel.

RACE 3: MAIDEN $52,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-2-1

#5 Ice Cold Frosty (2-1) put forth the best start of those who have raced by finishing second by two lengths just two weeks ago here. Any type of improvement this time out puts her above the rest as she was well respected by the betting public last time and should be here as well. #6 Freestanding (9-5) is a first timer by American Freedom that has been working well and gets a hot jockey trainer combo that is two for five together this meet. As the most highly-regarded of the first timers in this small field, she makes a bit more sense than some others who have been underwhelming in their starts. #2 Quincy Cafe (4-1), on the other hand, ran a solid third last time after a late start, only a length behind Ice Cold Frosty, so should be worth a play here especially if the value is good.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-2-3-4

Off the turf. #1 R B’s Star (5-2) drops into a more congenial spot after some tough outings against better…

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-6-3-4

Post-time favorite in four of his last five, #2 Crownedcountcristo (3-1) gets a little added distance and a much needed layoff after back to back losses. It looks like his recent best efforts are better than the others here, with good speed figures and a good percentage of hitting the board. #6 Lease (6-1) has shown some early speed but mostly on the turf and will need to get away early to have a chance here. It might take the right scenario to win, but worth a play at this price or better. #3 Knowhowiknow (4-1) hasn’t run well as of late, but already has a ridiculous thirteen races this year finishing in the money in more than half of those tries, most over this track. Looks like a nice play to round out trifectas and exotics.

RACE 6: MAIDEN $52,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-8-5-6

Off the turf. The one prior main-track try for #1 Winked (6-1) was plenty good enough to make her a graduate in this spot…

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-1-4-5

#6 Mr. Fibonacci (6-1) could be a stretch here, but others have struggled to show good efforts, and in his one start, he picked up three lengths after a bad start and could be better with a more forward break here. #1 Auspicious Lad (3-5) is the clear morning-line favorite, but has shown little to no speed in his eight starts, and outside a close second two back, is usually well behind the leaders. Still might be good enough to beat these. #4 Bukovel (15-1) gets a play for third purely because he hasn’t raced and may have more upside than this field.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING $62,500 (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-6-1

#3 Sugar Gray Leonard (3-1) has been favorite three straight times and has better speed figures than most here, and with a better trip sitting right off the leaders here, he can bounce back after a distant sixth last time and get his first non-maiden win. #5 Berks (7-2) controlled throughout last time versus lesser. #6 Mose Perfect (8-1) was compromised by a stumble in last and can make amends today.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-9-8-10

Off the turf. #5 Please Marry Me (3-1) just got passed in the late stretch last time, but with a slight cutback in distance and similar trip, she should be able to win here or at least show continued improvement which puts her among the top group. #9 Nibbles (4-1) took a step forward last time out, and might get a needed boost with the surface change here. A good trainer and aggressive ride put her with the leaders. #8 Raise Your Game (9-2) drops off a credible debut.