• John Piassek
• October 7, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,870 Super High 5 — $649 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

9-1-7-11

We’re once again off the grass for today’s 9-race card. #9 Please Marry Me (10-1) went gate-to-wire on grass twice at the Laurel summer meet, but faded last out when she stepped up in class at Colonial Downs. She should find herself on a pretty lonesome lead. #1 Hot Choice (20-1) ran some decent brisnet figures on dirt earlier in the year, with a 68 and a 70 in two starts before embarking on a grass campaign for the rest of the year. #7 Surreal Fantasy (9-2) broke her maiden on dirt very impressively last year at Tampa Bay Downs and drops after trying better for most of this season.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-1-6-8

#3 Wildhunch (9-5) ran a big race on the lead last out at Delaware Park. He set the pace and lost by a nose to Midnight Trouble, who sat a great trip just off the pace. That rival came back to win next out and was third in the First State Dash Stakes. #1 Old Alliance (3-1) sold for $100,000 at last year’s Keeneland September sale and now makes his debut for Mike Stidham. His dam, Pinkie Pact, is a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Air Force Blue. This one’s been working five furlongs at Fair Hill for a while now, so he should be ready to run well on debut. #6 Parachute (6-1) goes first out for Lacey Gaudet and has an improving worktab. He’s a Texas-bred son of Street Boss and a half-brother to two winners.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

14-16-10-9

#14 Strong Embrace (7-2) broke her maiden on Tapeta in February at Gulfstream Park and might’ve won again on that surface if she didn’t get blocked in her next start. She’s making her first start since May 6 for Mike Maker but will contend if she bounces back right off the break. #16 Magnificent Pearl (15-1) broke her maiden going away second time out on dirt in July, and makes her first appearance on this surface since then. She faded at 1 1/16 miles last out but is proven at the one-turn mile. #10 Golden Effect (10-1) runs in the 70s on dirt pretty consistently and could find herself on the early lead.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-6-7

#5 Fashionatta (5-1) tried to make up ground a track favoring speed at Pimlico last out, and while she got up for second, she proved no match for front-running winner Betcha By Golly. In spite of that, she still ran a career-best figure of 79. She broke her maiden impressively two starts back and will be a factor on a fairer track. #4 She’sarollingstone (3-1) drops to this level on dirt for her third start off the layoff. This daughter of Bourbon Courage closed well in her first start in eight months back in mid-August, but was flat on grass last out. She’s shown promise on this surface and is looking for a breakthrough win. #6 My Flicker (7-2) raced wide and just missed at Timonium in her last start and should be a pace factor once again.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-4-2-1

#6 Startwithabang (2-1) won at this level in July, and ran a career-best figure of 81 last out when second against better. She’s closed well off slow paces in her last few races. #4 Along the Way (5-2) won on the front end going away at Monmouth Park a few starts back and will be very tough if she can get to the lead. Her biggest challenge on the lead will come from #2 Red Queen (6-1). Her form was obscured by bullrings and wet tracks in her last two races, However, she ran in the 70s in five of her prior six races. She’ll have a chance to run an honest race here.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-12-1-3

#9 Mission Man (5-1) is a half-brother to Pennsylvania-bred stakes winners Caravel and Witty. He closed well in his first start on grass last out, and based on his pedigree, he should have some aptitude on dirt. As a son of Holy Boss, this race could make a nice prep for the Maryland Million Nursery. #12 Reeled In (6-1) goes first out for Dale Capuano and has been working well since mid-July. #1 Barzini (6-1) dueled on the front end at Timonium last out and held on for third, improving his figure by twelve points. He outfinished his dueling partner by almost three lengths.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-4-3

#6 Herd Immunity (5-1) was claimed out of a win at Lone Star Park by George Bryant, but was later sent up here to Lacey Gaudet and has worked here since mid-September. He doesn’t have much speed to his inside, so he should be able to cross and clear. #5 Maythehorsebwithu (2-1) overcame some traffic to get up and win against better at Pimlico last out. He had been struggling for most of the year, but bounced back to earn an 86 in that race. #4 Askin For a Baskin (5-1) had a wide trip at Pimlico last out but still ran an improved figure of 82. He’ll try to work out a better trip here.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-1-2-9

#6 Nymph (9-5) ran a big race to break her maiden on debut at Delaware, then finished second behind Escape Fund, a five-time winner on the year. She hasn’t run worse than an 85 in her career and should have her way with these if she runs her race. #1 Swift Action (10-1) ran an 84 to break her maiden on this track in July. She showed little against allowance horses on grass at Saratoga, but should get some class relief here. #2 Bourbon Wildcat (8-1) has run in the 70s in three of her four career dirt starts. She was taken out of her element last out but still made good ground.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

8-7-2-1

A lot of these raced at this condition at Pimlico on September 17. #8 She’s a Tripp (3-1) lost that race by a nose, losing a photo to Caged Pixie, who returns earlier in the card. This one won going away at Timonium two starts back and was determined in the stretch last out. #7 Salagadoola (6-1) raced wide throughout in that September 17 race, but overcame the trouble and got up for third. She’s getting better with every dirt race, peaking at a 64 last out. #2 Heart Light (8-1) broke awfully in that race but came on for fourth. She pressed the pace on grass earlier in the year.