• John Piassek
• August 7, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-6-3

After a pair of stakes races yesterday, it’s back to the usual fare today. Eight races on the program. #5 Sponsored (8-5) sat the pace and drew off to a very impressive 7 1/4-length maiden win last out, with a career-top brisnet figure of 85. He’s one of two in here who has never lost against winners, and more recently raced of the two, and has a much-higher last-out figure. #2 Raise a Speights (2-1) got involved in a speed duel against tough n/w1x foes last out and backed up. Should enjoy the class relief here. #6 Showing Off (8-1) broke his maiden last out at Parx in mid-April, and has run a 76 two times in three career starts. He hasn’t raced in a while but has good recent workouts.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-6-4-2 (DIRT: 9-2-10-1)

Gerald Brooks and Carl Hess Jr. thought enough of #10 Anotherdaygoneby (3-1) to ship her to Saratoga for a grass race, after three increasingly promising races at Presque Isle Downs. However, the race was washed off to the dirt. She stayed in the race and finished fifth after a wide trip. That’s a clue that they think the grass is her best surface. We’ll find out here. #6 Skylar’s Sister (6-1) goes first-time out for Dale Capuano. She’s been working very well, including a bullet drill two works ago and a workout on the grass last Sunday. I’m interested to see what kind of action she takes. #4 Queen’s Garden (2-1) goes for the Shug McGaughey/Forest Boyce combo which always gets bet and often wins. Her dam, Queen’s Parade, was graded stakes-placed on grass.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-6-4

The rainbow pick 6 starts here. Someone took down the jackpot yesterday, which means the odds of a decent-sized pot for the mandatory payout on closing day have shrunk significantly. Alas. #5 Green Eyes (8-5) goes third off the layoff and switches back to dirt. In her last start on this surface, she went gate-to-wire and crushed a n/w2L field by seven lengths. In fact, both of her wins have come in her last two dirt starts. #2 Special Freedom (9-2) showed little over a muddy track last out but ran in the 70s in her two prior races. She’s shown flashes of good form in her past and will need her best stuff to win this one. #6 So Gracious (4-1) made decent ground to get third last out and should close for a piece.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-8-6-7

The late pick 5 begins in this race, which is for amateur jockeys. #4 See Out (4-1) showed real early speed for the first time in his last race, and although he faded late, he ran a lifetime-best figure of 78. He’s lightly-raced and races third off a long layoff. #8 Imagine It All (9-5), like See Out, has raced just three times. He’s closed well in sprints but has never gone around two turns before. He has a shot but I don’t know if he’s worth a win bet stretching out in distance so much. #6 Swallow Beach (12-1) takes a drop in class and improved to a 74 in his last start. He has no early speed but can close for a minor share at a good price.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-11-5-7

#9 Devious (2-1) was well-bet on grass in her first start for the Claudio Gonzalez barn last out, but showed little after opening up a clear early lead. She’s getting class relief and switching back to dirt, a surface she’s shown some aptitude on. #11 Illusion of Hope (9-2) has improved dramatically in each of her last few dirt starts. She wasn’t close to the pace in her last few and left herself with too much to do. It might behoove her to stay closer to the lead. #5 Speak Your Mind (12-1) was a promising fourth, with a career-best figure of 64, on grass at Colonial Downs last out, and keeps Jevian Toledo in the saddle.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-7-9-10 (DIRT: 7-5-11-9)

#5 Tauber (3-1) was impressive in his first start of the year last out. He closed well in the last eighth and lost by just a nose to front-running winner Premier Choice. He should improve second off the layoff. #7 Heir Port (4-1) is also racing second off the layoff. He consistently runs in the mid-80s on dirt and showed promise against better on the grass last year. He led most of the way last time out and got caught late. That was a bit out of character for him, so it remains to be seen what Jeiron Barbosa will do here. #9 Monster Mason (6-1) chased the pace and got third at 27-1 last out, in the same race that Tauber exits.

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

4-3-2-1

#4 Maximum Impact (6-1) has improved sharply in his last few dirt races, including a solid second from off the pace last out. He’s a bit pace-dependent but will be the right price. #3 Shofar (2-1) has won three of his last four starts. He went gate-to-wire going 1 1/2 miles in his most recent dirt race, and will certainly be close to the pace. #2 Awesome Man (3-1) showed heart on the lead tow in gate-to-wire, defeating Bad to the Bone, who won his next start and is also in this race. This one has early speed and the post advantage.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

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

#3 Never Satisfied (9-5) overcame a wide trip to finish a solid third against better in his last start on grass. In his most recent start on dirt, he made a big move but flattened out and held second. #6 Kamak (9-2) races for the first time since late May and first time for Jane Cibelli. He closed well last out and just missed getting second against similar at Monmouth Park. #8 Fomo (5-2) had a tough trip last out against tougher. He had clearer sailing two races back and closed for second.