LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: JULY 17, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,187 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, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-2-3-10

No post-DeFrancis Dash hangover for us. We’re right back at it going over an 8-race card. #7 Pursuing Pace (4-1) improved dramatically in his second career start, coming from well off the pace to finish a fast-closing third with an impressive brisnet figure of 77. The horse who finished second in that race, The Last Scip, came back to finish third against better yesterday. #2 Bushwick Bruiser (6-1) made a big middle move in his last start at Delaware Park, but was unable to finish what he started and lost by a nose. He also ran a lifetime-time best figure in that race, with a 73, and should get the jump on the other closers. #3 Curetis (9-2) gets some class relief and will be forwardly placed.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-5-6

#2 Dream Happy (5-2) has been a new horse as a 4-year-old. He’s a perfect 2-for-2 on the year, running far and away his best-ever figures. He cruised in gate-to-wire style last time and will try to work out a similar trip here. #1 Brawndo (7-2) has also won his last two starts, both of which came at Churchill Downs. He was claimed out of his last race, which occurred in late April, by Lacey Gaudet. He’s also likely to show speed from the inside. #5 Yo Nessroundonkern (4-1) crushed the field at Delaware two starts back and will likely get a great trip just off the leaders.

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

2-4-10-7

#2 Gennie Highway (5-2) has been competing against better all year between here and Tampa Bay Downs, but enjoys some class relief from the n/w1x level and cuts back around one turn. She had no room to run last out but exploded late when clear two races back. #4 Olive Kat (7-2) was a game third in a n/w2x race last out. She raced on the pace, alongside a heavily favored New York shipper, and held on well in the stretch behind Klaytons Kandy, who won this race and her next outing as well. #10 Mucha Mezquina (7-2) also finished behind Klaytons Kandy in her last start, which came around two turns at Penn National. This one ran a season’s-best figure of 80 there and will rate just off the pace while wide in this spot.

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

3-5-4-1

#3 Sick Pack Sara (9-5) has been around the block for a while, but now races for the Jamie Ness barn for the first time. She has blazing early speed and is a serious threat to wire them. #5 Dat Deres Gold (3-1) prevailed in a long stretch battle over R True Sensation last out, improving her figure for the second straight race. She’s hit the board against these types in three of her last four races. #4 Stay Out (6-1) showed little in her season debut at Delaware last out, but was in improving form towards the end of last year. If you still believe, she’ll have early speed and is a candidate for improvement second off the layoff.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-13-2-1

In a race without a lot of speed, #3 Power Back (8-1) looms large. He wired a softer field last out, and almost went gate-to-wire in his prior start on the lawn. While lots of horses in here have dangerous closing speed, if Power Back’s allowed to set an uncontested lead, he could prove very tough to catch. #13 Celtic Treasure (5-1) ships in from Delaware for Jamie Ness and will also be forwardly placed. He battled mildly and got fifth last out, his first grass start in a while. Like with Power Back, he’ll be a threat if the pace is slow enough. #2 Johng (5-1) is one of the best closers in the field. He’s going third off the layoff, and looks to rebound after a dull effort in the Find Stakes last out. He ran at least an 88 in his prior three grass starts.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

6-2-8-7

#6 Peachy Weachy (7-2) ships up from Gulfstream Park for the first time. She was very consistent earlier in the year, running between a 77 and an 83 in her first five starts of the year, before a disappointing start last out where she was well-beaten. She’s had a workout at Monmouth Park since then and should be ready for a rebound. #2 Princess Cupid (3-1) has improved dramatically in her last few starts and has speed from the inside. She battled on the lead and won at Parx two starts back, then worked out a similar trip and held on for second last out. #8 Joe Mike Jim (5-1) has been forwardly placed and hung on well in her last few starts and should battle on for a check.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-7-3-4

#8 I’m Blushing (5-2) was very impressive in her first two starts of the year, making sweeping moves to win going away both times. She was well-backed in the All Brandy Stakes last out, but was visually flat although she ran a career-best figure of 83. Facing a smaller, softer field here, she’ll be in prime position to roll by them all late. #7 Batyah (9-5) makes her 4-year-old debut in this spot for Graham Motion, who is very dangerous with horses off a long layoff. She’s raced just once in the past 22 months, getting fifth in the Winter Memories Stakes at Aqueduct last November. She’s shown glimmers of promise and should be ready to go in this race. #3 Gastown Babe (7-2) broke her maiden on debut last out in a 17-1 upset with a sharp late rally. It’ll be interesting to see how she handles two turns for the first time.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-7-3-5

#8 Caged Pixie (7-2) finished a solid second going six furlongs two races back, but was well-beaten going a mile last out. Should enjoy the cutback. #7 Glide (7-2) made decent ground in her first start last November. Adds lasix for her 3-year-old debut. #3 Mejoramiga (9-2) ran a career-best figure of 60 last out, closing for third at this level after a wide trip. It was a much-improved effort from her prior recent races, so we’ll see if she can duplicate it.

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