• John Piassek
• November 27, 2022

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

Post time: 12:15 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $7,745 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-7-4-2

We’ll wrap up the racing week with an 8-race card on a wet Sunday. #6 Duckpins (5-1) checked on the turn in his debut at Timonium, but recovered to finish second behind R B’s the Boss, who won his next start and was most recently third. This one gets Jeiron Barbosa aboard for the first time and should improve second time out. #7 Dangerous Mind (4-1) has two consecutive bullet workouts at Delaware Park in his lines and looms large first time out for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez. #4 Pride of Payton (8-1) was overmatched in the Maryland Million Nursery last out, but improved his brisnet figure from his debut, running a 72 for an 11-point gain. It was also his first start in three months, while the Nursery was five weeks ago. These types should be easier to deal with.

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

8-6-3-7

#8 Panna Mine (5-1) has run no worse than a 76 in his last three dirt starts. He got up to win and clear his n/w2L condition last out. This closer should enjoy the long one-turn mile stretch run. #6 Braces (4-1) fell too far behind to seriously contend last out but managed to make up ground late and lost by just 3 1/2 lengths. Usually, he’s closer to the pace, and will be a lot more potent if he can rate a few lengths off the lead. This will be the first start in his home state. #3 Jade’s Dream (5-2) struggled against better at Aqueduct earlier this year, but he’s improved since facing softer at Parx and Penn National in recent races. He crossed the line first at Penn National last out but was disqualified.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-4-6-1

With the 8-race card, the rainbow pick 6 begins here. Just about every ticket will feature #3 Collection Day (3-5), and deservingly so. He’s dropping for a tag for the first time, and ran a solid 71 in his lone dirt start, which came on debut at Delaware in September. He should have these at his mercy as long as he runs anywhere close to his usual race. #4 Hopperness (5-1) showed a little more speed second time out and rallied for second in a promising effort. He’s caught a wet track in both of his first two starts and will encounter another one here. #6 Hop and Scotch (5-2) showed promise going a mile last out, improving slightly to a 64. He’s going first off the claim for Ned Allard.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-3-7

The late pick 5 starts here. That dull last race will spook some bettors off #4 Assembly Point (3-1), but I’m willing to forgive the poor Charles Town effort. He’s proven over this track, with an official 4-for-7 mark here, plus a race where he crossed the wire first but was disqualified. He fought hard to win at this level in his last race on this track, defeating some of the rivals he’ll see here in the process. #5 Yes Sir Robert (3-1) stretched out to a mile last out but didn’t have much trouble with the distance. He set the pace and held on for second behind next-out winner Thorny Tale. Third-place finisher Sicilia Mike had won his prior start and also came back to win here on Friday. This one will once again control the early pace. #3 Mucho Macho Eddie (5-2) lost the battle to Assembly Point two starts back, then improved to an 89 in another game race at Delaware in his most recent start. He hasn’t won since January but is always involved late.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-9-2

Both halves of the Jamie Ness entry look formidable in their own right. I’ll take #1 Backatya (5-2) as the slightly stronger half. He ran a career-best figure of 90 last out, battling in the stretch with favored Kozy’s Wildcat. While he ultimately fell short by a length, it represented more improvement, as he continues to get back in the groove following two dull races over the summer. #6 Union Fleet (7-2) completely destroyed a softer field last out, running an 87 in the process, and now goes first off the claim for Anthony Farrior. He made a swooping, wide move to seize control and was geared down late. He’ll try to make a similar move here. #9 Bomboloni (5-1) broke his maiden going six furlongs on debut in July and flattened out against better going a mile last out. One of the horses he lost to that day, One Ten, won a Maryland-bred allowance in similarly impressive style next out and was second in the Bender Stakes on Friday.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-10-8-9

Both of the morning line favorites are listed at 9-5, but I’ll take a shot against both of them. #1 Maybe It’s Time (6-1) has been showing speed and fading going longer in his last few starts, but gets to cut back to one turn and has lots of early speed. Seven furlongs could be the perfect distance for him. #10 Right Quick (5-1) faced a relatively tough field in his debut and ran a solid 56, although it was not a visually impressive performance. He’ll have to show more early speed here but can contend with some improvement. #8 Love Machine (9-5), one of the aforementioned morning line favorites. faded after a wide trip last out but was competitive in two prior starts at Charles Town. He’s never run worse than a 60 in three dirt races.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1A-3-4-7

Once again, either half of the Jamie Ness entry would make for a legit contender. #1A He Hate Me (9-5) gets the edge for me, as he has more tactical speed than his stablemate, who is a straight-up speedster, not to mention, he he has a win over this track, having sat a great trip off a duel in August. With some speed signed on here, he could get a similar trip. #3 Savoy (6-1) comes off a career-best figure of 90, earned off a great trip against gems of a slightly lesser water. It was proof that he can win at shorter distances; he previously enjoyed success at routes earlier this year. #4 Wild Behavior (12-1) was claimed out of his last start at Keeneland by Lacey Gaudet and has run races earlier in the year that would win this one. He’s another one who would take advantage of a fast pace.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-2-1

#6 Rock Rose (2-1) crossed the wire first at this level in September, but was disqualified. Next out, she lost in a photo finish behind Senson, who was in the midst of a three-race winning streak, and outfinished next-out winner Dreaming of Audrey. She’ll have to deal with speed to her inside, but if she can withstand that challenge she’ll be tough to beat. #5 Fishers (7-2) rebounded from a very poor effort two starts back with a 69 last out, earned through battling for the pace and holding on for third. Look for her to rate near a potential early duel. This might be a bit too short for #2 Martharita (6-1), but she’s closed well in her last few starts and would also be a beneficiary of a fast pace.