• John Piassek
• October 28, 2022

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

Post time: 12:15 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $13,254 Super High 5 — $650 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

13-10-4-1

#13 Reconvene (8-5) goes first off the claim by Kelly Breen after facing better competition over the summer at Monmouth Park. He ran brisnet figures in the 80s twice but was no match for n/w2x allowance types and open claimers. He’s racing for a higher tag than he did last time but drops in overall price. #10 Tiz a Prince (2-1) couldn’t make the lead last time but generally races on the front end. He went gate-to-wire to win at Monmouth a few starts ago and shouldn’t get much pace pressure here. #4 Maryland Pride (5-2) was beaten 2 1/2 lengths last out by some runners who came back to race well on Maryland Million day. This one is stretching out further in his fourth start of the year, but has great recent late pace figures and has turned in some of his best performances around two turns.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

8-1-4-7

#8 Dia del Sol (9-5) got into some traffic trouble after stalking the pace last out at Delaware Park and lost a photo for show. She’s run in the mi-70s very consistently all year and is one of just two in the eight-horse field who has raced fewer than ten times. #1 Bad Temper (5-2) ran a big race at this level going 1 1/8 miles last out and lost a tight photo. She just missed her career-best figure in that race with a 75. She showed a lot of speed in that race, which was a bit out of character; let’s see if she keeps that strategy here. #4 Lucky Lorraine (6-1) doesn’t have much early speed, but did close to win on this track two starts back and was a solid-closing fourth last out in her first start against winners. She should at least rally for a minor share.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-3-11-14

#13 Every Time (3-1) comes back here for Keri Brion after a game try at Aqueduct last out. She was pressed on the lead all the way in that spot, but got caught late and lost in a blanket finish. She cut back to six furlong sin that race after debuting at 1 1/16 miles at Colonial Downs, so staying at a shorter distance should help the cause. #3 Opus Forty Two (7-2) debuted against the boys at Pimlico last out, and closed well for second behind fellow Delacour trainee How Lovely. She’s worked well since then and should be ready to fire another big shot second time out. #11 Gold Star (8-1) has worked well recently for Dale Capuano, who is 3-for-16 with first-time starters this year, including Maryland Million Nursery winner Johnyz From Albany. She’s the first starter for her dam, Star Crush, who won on grass and is by the successful grass horse Paddy O’Prado.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-5-8-2

Considering he tired going six furlongs last out, it’s an open question if #6 Duke of Dooly (7-2) can go a mile. However, he chased a hot pace in that race, and should get a more moderate tempo to run into here. He ran a flat 55 in his debut at Colonial Downs but improved to a 65 in that most recent race. #5 Johnnyfrenchfri (3-1) cuts back around one turn and gets Jeiron Barbosa back in the saddle. He has early speed and could try to sneak away on the front end. #8 Bounded (7-2) has run in the mid-60s in his last two starts and adds blinkers for Linda Albert.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-8-10-9

#4 A Case of You (12-1) broke her maiden in impressive fashion at Penn National in July, then was beaten 3 3/4 lengths next out against Pennsylvania-bred allowance foes. She hasn’t raced since that August 3 outing, but she’s taking a slight drop in class and has room for improvement at a price. #8 Tritone Gal (9-2) is also dropping in class and has closed well in her last two races on this track. She’s also coming off a layoff, having not raced since July 23, but has a good recent workout on October 21. #10 In Vain (7-2) broke her maiden three starts back in sharp style on this track and has run no worse than a 76 in her last three races.

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

6-12-13-5

A big field of 13 maidens will square off here. #6 Billykus (6-1) goes first out for Jerry Robb, who’s won with 12 different 2-year-olds this year and has had this one working very well. Most recently, he went five furlongs on October 21 in 1:00 2/5, the fastest time at that distance that day. #12 Prince of Jericho (7-2) and #13 Landon Jack (3-1) finished third and second, respectively, last out behind the very impressive Post Time, who came back to win a first-level allowance optional claiming race yesterday in similarly strong style. Prince of Jericho overcame a wide trip to still close well in that race, and he’ll likely have to work out another one here. However, the fact that he’s done it before gives me reason to believe. Landon Jack has lost to some tough horses, including Post Time and Johnyz From Albany, but he’ll have to clear to the front from the extreme outside post position, which is no easy task.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-8-1-5

A similar bunch as in race 5, but they’re considered more “ready for prime time” by their connections, I suppose. #9 Eifs (5-1) has hit the board at this level in her last three starts, including a strong second last out in a race that she might’ve won if she wasn’t forced to switch paths late. She’s won three times on this track and should enjoy the long stretch run. #8 R B’s Star (7-2) makes her first start on grass after a sharp victory against Maryland-bred n/w1x types on dirt last out. She has lots of early speed and gets to face a fairly soft field for this level. #1 Queen Sheba (6-1) might have been in over her head a bit in the Floral Park Stakes at Aqueduct last out, but she won on this track two starts back despite a tough trip and will benefit from a class drop.

RACE 8: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-8-2-3

#6 Monyinthebanksey (3-1) sat off the pace and drew off to win at this condition in his most recent start. He struggled in his first start off the claim by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon but since then has been in improving form. #8 It’s Game Time (3-1) also saw his figure decline at Timonium but otherwise he has been running in the 80s consistently all year. He has early speed in a race that doesn’t have much of it, so he could find himself working out a great trip on the front end. The only one who could seriously challenge him on the lead is #2 Krachenwagen (5-2), who set the pace at this level and got caught late by Monyinthebanskey. He did go gate-to-wire on this track a few starts ago and would be especially dangerous should It’s Game Time not contest the pace for whatever reason.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-7-2-12

#4 Singalong (5-1) improved sharply over the summer for Bob Klesaris, including a near-miss at this level in her last start on grass. She didn’t do much in a washed-off affair at Aqueduct but should improve here. #7 Emerald Lace (6-1) ran a career-best 79 in her first start around two turns last out, although it was not a visually impressive race. She should enjoy the drop from the $45,000 level, which are usually pretty similar in quality to straight maidens. #2 Candlestick Maker (3-1) has raced against better maidens in New York and at 1 3/8 miles at Delaware last out, but this finally looks like a spot where she’ll fit in.