LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: january 22, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,486 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-3-1-4

It’s a step up on paper, but this is a similar field to what #6 Brzina (5-2) has been facing in her last few. She chased the pace wide and got up to finish third last out with a brisnet figure of 70, making her one of two horses in the field to run in the 70s in back-to-back starts. The distance is the biggest question, as she’s never gone beyond seven furlongs on dirt. #3 Blue Moon Bunny (7-2) was beaten a neck by Brzina in her most recent, which was her first start off a two-month layoff. She has good recent late pace figures, an encouraging sign with the extra distance. #1 Tara Dancer (8-1) ships down from Aqueduct for Horacio De Paz and looks like the main speed of the race.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-2-7-8

#3 Our Hoisted Mast (6-1) lasted through a duel and beat a slightly softer group going away two back, and improved a bit to an 83 against better last out, although it wasn’t as visually impressive a performance. His best-ever figure came around two turns last summer and he should get the front-running trip he wants. #2 Royal Crusader (8-1) races for the Anthony Farrior/Arnaldo Bocachica team, which has gotten off to a strong start at the meet. He ran a strong 85 in victory on this track two starts back and looks for improvement after a flat performance at Charles Town last out. #7 Hot N Spicy Love (10-1) didn’t do much in his local debut, but had some impressive prior lines at Penn National, including back-to-back figures of 84. He’s going first off the claim by David Howard.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

7-1-2-4

#7 Reckless Kelly (5-2) improved sharply to a 74 second time out, when she made decent ground in the stretch and lost a photo for second. She’s adding blinkers here for Michael Gorham. #1 Kilbrittain’s Red (5-1) returned to the worktab in mid-October and has been consistently working since then getting ready for her debut, which comes here. Lacey Gaudet is a respectable 13% with first-time starters in recent times. No one in here has shown much in their careers, so if this one shows anything in her debut, she’ll have a shot. #2 Marley’s Ghost (7-2) tired after wide trips in her first two starts in New York and should improve with a ground-saving journey here.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-4-1A-5

#6 Jones Falls (5-1) made a nice, sustained rally to break his maiden at 30-1 in his route debut last out. He could go overlooked yet again, but he’s proven around two turns and has to be respected. #4 Collection Day (8-5) cruised to victory as the odds-on favorite last out. He set a lonesome early pace and drew off to an impressive score. He’s adding lasix for the first time for Brittany Russell. #1A Chelonian (7-2) has won two straight at Parx for Jaime Ness, including a much-improved victory last out when he fought hard for the win in a stretch duel with a career-best figure of 74.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-5-9

#4 Thencomemorning (9-5) has finished second by a length or less in each of her last two starts, running a 56 both times. She’s making her first start for Phil Capuano, after being claimed by Phil’s uncle Dale on December 11. #3 Omikami (7-2) was third behind Thencomemorning in her most recent, which was her first race since late October at Presque Isle Downs. She improved slightly in that race, up to a 51, and showed more early speed, an encouraging sign. #5 Anath (10-1) has shown good closing speed in some of her recent races but is unproven around two turns. She nonetheless looks like a candidate to round out the exotics at a good price.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

11-8-3-1

#11 Hov Lane (7-2) dropped to this level for the first time last out, in her second start against winners, and led most of the way and held on for second. She’s cutting back from a mile; this distance should be more in her wheelhouse. #8 Lookin Spunky (8-1) broke her maiden going away last out with a career-best figure of 71. She’s shown good tactical speed in her last few starts and should sit another great trip. #3 Torre Branca (9-2) has closed well against better in her last two, and has run at least a 75 in each of her last two starts, and at least a 70 in her last four dirt races.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-1-6

#5 Watch Your Tone (9-2) lasted through a duel against starter allowance foes two starts back. Last out, she dispatched her dueling partner (who lost by 31 lengths), and was beaten by Maryland Million winner Mavilus, who sat a good trip. This one’s coming off a two-month break but is in ascending form. #3 Haleigh B (5-2) has turned a new leaf since joining the Brittany Russell contingent, with two straight wins with good stalking trips. She ran a career-best figure of 84 last out with an impressive-looking starter optional claiming score at Penn National. #1 Golden Effect (4-1) is usually forwardly placed, but in her last start, she came from behind and flattened out in the midst of her move. She’s run in the 80s three times in her last four races.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-2-7

Outside of a low figure on the TImonium bullring, #8 Sponsored (7-2) has gotten better with every start since starting his 4-year-old season in late May. He’s run career-best figures in his last three starts on this track, including an 89 last out in a third-place effort. The winner of that race, Gerry’s Gem, won at this level next out for his fourth consecutive victory. #4 Picasso (3-1) was in ascending form at the start of the summer before he went to the sidelines for Will Walden. He didn’t do much in his return to the races at Turfway Park, but this race, a dirt sprint in contrast to a synthetic route, That race was likely designed as a prep for a spot like this. #2 H P Moon (5-2) made waves in the summer of 2021 when he broke his maiden at Pimlico impressively. He’s raced just once since then, a dull effort in the Spectacular Bid Stakes almost a year ago. He’s shown a lot of promise in his career, but it’s still a tall task to win off such a long break.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

4-2-7-6

#4 Citi Creek (5-2) ran a career-best 68 in his first start off a 4 1/2-month layoff last out, coming from off the pace to get second, beaten by a heavy favorite who scampered away from the others. #2 Unknown Agenda (3-1) cuts back around one turn and goes second off the layoff. He was favored in his debut at Aqueduct in November, but didn’t like the kickback and showed little. He has room to improve cutting back around one turn. #7 Miss You Ajax (9-2) was well-bet on debut but finished a mild third behind Citi Creek. He’s going first off the claim by David Howard and keeps Jevian Toledo in the saddle.

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