• John Piassek
• October 14, 2022

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,223 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, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-2-1-8

Off the grass again after the Thursday rain. #7 Be Like Beth (9-5) broke her maiden impressively at Monmouth Park in July, and ran a brisnet figure no worse than 77 in three straight races at the meet. She’s going second off the claim for Jamie Ness and looks for a rebound after a flat race at Parx last out. #2 Shinelikeadiamond (10-1) has improved in each of her last few races, and ran well at this level last out at Pimlico where she set the pace and tired in the stretch. She’ll likely try to go gate-to-wire again. #1 Divine Fashion (10-1) goes first off the claim by Anthony Farrior and sat a great trip to break her maiden at Timonium last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-7-1-6

#4 Jardini (2-1) drops in class after chasing better rivals last out. Two starts back, he ran an 86 in a gate-to-wire win at Delaware Park, but he’s shown the ability to come off the pace and win as well. #7 Soros (3-1) is a more likely pacesetter than Jardini. He set very fast paces in his last two starts and flattened out, although he still ran in the 80s both times. With a more moderate pace, he’ll have a better shot. #1 Vasariano (3-1) raced wide throughout at Churchill Downs last out, and in fact has gotten hung wide in his last few starts. With a more ground-saving trip here, he should be able to close better.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

10-11-16-5

#10 Oh Mrs. Maisel (9-5) made her local debut last out after spending her entire career in New York previously. She dueled on the pace last out and lost the duel to Lady Whistledown, but held on for second. She’s one of the few in here with positive dirt experience. #11 Satisfied (6-1) ran in the upper 50s on dirt a few times earlier this year and put in her best closing rally on grass last out, when she came from second after sitting in last early on. #16 Queen of Class (15-1) drops for a tag on dirt for the first time. She wasn’t much of a factor against straight maidens on dirt earlier this year, but her figures from those races are competitive with these.

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

1-3-5-4

#1 No Fooling Dude (3-1) has speed on the inside and has a chance to control the pace from his pole position. His main challenge on the lead will come from #3 Yes Sir Robert (2-1), who had a gate-to-wire win at Churchill Downs a few races back, and now drops in class from the n/w1x level. If the pace proves to be fast, #5 Royal Thunder (6-1) has good tactical speed and should sit just off a potential duel. He got a little too involved in the pace last out but drew off to beat $12,500 horses on this track in June.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-7-5

#3 Amicalola Falls (7-2) has run lifetime-top figures in each of his last two races, including a 79 when he finished third in his first start at this level. He didn’t show as much early speed as usual last time; we’ll see if that changes here. #2 Rahmer (7-2) has run at least a 77 in his past four starts, but has raced just once since March 19. He led most of the way after getting a great stalking trip and got caught late. He turned in a good three-furlong workout last Saturday getting ready for this spot. #7 Ladneedsahandler (6-1) returned to Maryland last out after spending the year in Florida, and held on for second after setting a fast pace at Pimlico. Some of his best races have come on this track.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

9-3-1-4

#9 Federal Offense (6-1) was no match against better last out, but ran a career-best 80 two races back when he almost wired a n/w2L field on this track. He didn’t show any early speed in his last start but is usually forwardly-placed. #3 Invective (15-1) stretches out beyond six furlongs for the first time and comes off a maiden-breaking score last out, in his first start in almost a year. He ran an 80 in that win, so if he can stretch out, he’s going to be tough. #1 Cash Rocket (7-2) goes second off the layoff after breaking his maiden on grass last out. He hit the board against straight maidens in the south this winter and should get a good trip rating off the pace on the rail.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-9-1

#7 Order Ofthe Kettle (2-1) overcame a slow start to close for second against similar on debut. He was a debuter in a wide-open affair that day, but looks like he towers over these. #6 Shackinthebox (7-2) went off as the very slight 7-2 choice in that race. He raced wide throughout and was a flat fourth, although he improved quite a bit from his debut to run a 77. Hot-riding Jeiron Barbosa gets aboard. #9 Green Beans (12-1), from the same family as Cathryn Sophia Stakes winner Green Up, was fourth behind much better on debut and adds blinkers here. He had a good recent four-furlong workout at Middleburg, going the distance in 49 3/5 seconds.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-6-1-2

#5 R B’s the Boss (5-2), a son of Holy Boss, made a sweeping, wide move and drew off to break his maiden at Timonium. He closed well for third in his debut on this track in July and should enjoy his return to the surface. #6 Dreams Delivered (9-2) was an impressive winner at Delaware last out and races for the first time since July 6. #1 Grand Escape (3-1) was third in the Hickory Tree Stakes a few starts back at Colonial Downs and lost all chance after getting bumped around at the start last out. Should improve here with a cleaner trip.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-9-5-1

#4 Skipper Sue (9-5) sold for $400,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in 2020, and finally makes it to the races for Brittany Russell. She’s facing a field with hardly any dirt form, and if she can run at all the rest of these will be running for second. #9 Never (8-1) ran some decent races on the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park over the winter and makes her first start for Jose Delgado. #5 La Sobrina (3-1) has worked well recently at Fair Hill for Shug McGaughey and was entered as a main-track-only. This suggests that Shug thinks she has more dirt aptitude after two lackluster grass starts.