• John Piassek
• August 14, 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 $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-5-4-8

There’s eight races on the Sunday card, and it looks like more great weather is on tap. #7 Willow Drive (8-1) improved dramatically to a career-best brisnet figure of 77 last out, prompting the pace and holding on for fifth. She’s faced much better in her last two starts at Delaware Park and will benefit from a drop in class. #5 Awesome Lawson (4-1) couldn’t catch up to favored Zola B last out, but outkicked the rest of them and got up for second. That was her first start on grass; she should move forward second time on the surface. #4 La Familia (5-1) looked like a classic speed-and-fade type earlier in the year, but showed a lot of heart last time out and held on for second at 14-1. She’ll try to build on that performance.

RACE 2: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 MILE

1-5-3-4

#1 Dry Well (4-1) gets some class relief in here after finishing fourth in the Miss Disco Stakes last out. She’s run at least an 81 in her last three starts, making her the only one in the race to clear that mark in three straight efforts. #5 Quiet Imagination (7-2) was no match for loose leader Malibu Beauty in the Peach Blossom Stakes at Delaware last out, but nonetheless ran on well late and got second. She often puts in big late rallies but hasn’t crossed the line first in more than two years. Could be a better underneath horse. #3 Betcha By Golly (4-1) has run at least an 84 in her last two starts, but has flattened out late after making promising moves. She managed to complete a rally and win going away a few starts ago. She’ll hope to channel that form here.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-7-1-5

#2 Nibbles (3-1) made her first start on grass last out, and chased Flimsy, who set dawdling fractions and went on to win gate-to-wire. Despite having to close into that pace, Nibbles ran on well and lost by less than a length. Hopefully she’ll get a more honest pace here. #7 Self Assured (9-2) ran in the mid/upper-70s towards the end of last year, but hasn’t raced since November 7 last year. She’s found a spot where she’s the main speed and has a good chance of taking them gate-to-wire. #1 Morethanastorm (6-1) exits the same race as Nibbles, in which she was fifth. She’s improved in each of her three starts and has had tough pace setups in her first two route tries.

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

8-9-1-5

The late pick 5 begins here. #8 Claudee Boy (6-1) fought on in the stretch and broke his maiden by a neck two races back, with a figure of 77. He was flat after a wide trip against allowance company at Colonial Downs last out, but should improve getting back to this track. #9 Ghostlyprince (4-1) ran a 77 and a 79 in his two starts at Belmont Park earlier this year, his first starts in more than a year. He showed good closing speed earlier in his career and will back a punch late. #1 Cosmicality (5-1) gets a much-needed cutback around one turn and will show speed on the rail.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

12-5-4-8

#12 Bridge to Success (9-2) closed well for third and earned a 76 in debut on dirt three starts back, then overcame a bad start for a respectable fourth last out. He has the most upside of anyone in this race. #5 Believeinrocknroll (6-1) has shown speed and held on for a placing in his last two starts on grass. He’s a serious threat if he has a same aptitude on dirt that he does on the lawn. #4 Phra Phrom (8-1) has abandoned his early speed in his last few starts and has made decent late ground in his last wo starts. The 0-for-12 record make shim a tough sell for a win bet, but he can get into the exotics at a price.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-2-8-1

#4 Better Call Mama (9-2) set very fast fractions at Delaware last out, including a 22.04 second quarter, and got caught late by well-meant firster The Elle Train. She looks fast enough to set her own fractions here and hopefully will be able to temper things a bit on the lead. To get to the front, she’ll have to outrun #2 In Vain (8-5). She set the pace last out and was second by a length. She lost a stretch duel two races back to Utterly Courageous, who came back to win a n/w2L claiming race next out and was third in an allowance race on Friday. In Vain adds blinkers here and has been close at this rival, but I think she’ll be overbet compared to Better Call Mama. #8 Lady Mosler (4-1) has closed well behind In Vain in her last two starts, and will she’s fast enough late to rally for a piece, she’ll have to show a little more punch to win this one. Her best bet might be if the top two get in a pace tussle.

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

2-6-4-3

#2 Friar Tuck (3-1) has shown a lot of heart in his last three races, winning two of three of them. He’ll show speed from the inside; the big question is if he can hold off #6 Mo Money Mo Honey (2-1). He broke his maiden impressively on the lead last out, drawing off to win by six lengths with a figure of 86. Elusive Agent, whom he beat handily that day, came back to win a maiden special weight race on Friday. This’ll be a test for him, but if he runs like he did last time he’ll be tough to catch. #4 Magic Mule (7-2) likes to make consistent grinding rallies and runs in the 80s pretty consistently.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-2-1-3

#13 Hot Choice (6-1) has finished second in three of her five starts on this track, and closed well for second last out despite some traffic trouble. This will be her first start in a grass sprint. #2 A Girl Named Jac (5-2) ships back here after a try at Colonial Downs last out, where she got a great trip stalking the pace and led briefly late before getting caught. She should enjoy another idyllic trip rating near the lead on the rail. #1 Bullets Lady (10-1) has been rounding into form since returning from a brief layoff and was just a nose behind Hot Choice in her most recent outing.