• John Piassek
• February 4, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,382 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-8-6-3

We had accelerated post times yesterday due to the cold weather; I’d expect a similar story today. #5 If Then (2-1) has hit the board in all three of her starts at this condition, with rapidly ascendant brisnet figures. She ran a 75 in her most recent start, coming from well off the pace to get second. #8 Cause to Dream (7-2) comes in off a non-winners of two victory in her most recent start. She sat near the pace and kicked away to win with a 74, her second straight figure in the 70s. She’s the only one in the race without a loss at this level. #6 Mo Fire (5-1) was wide most of her way in her last try and closed to lose to If Then by a neck. She has up and down form in her last few dirt starts but her best race contends here.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

5-6-2-3

This is the first of five consecutive two-turn races on the program. #5 Wired In (2-1) took the spring and summer off after two poor starts to begin his career, but has slowly gotten better since coming back in early October. He made up ground late going a mile last out and shouldn’t have a problem with the extra distance. #6 Secret Sanctuary (5-2) has run in the 60s in each of his last five starts, including a career-best 68 last out, even though it wasn’t a visually impressive effort. #2 The Thinker (6-1) got some two-turn experience on grass last year, putting in some good late rallies at Colonial Downs in his starts there. He’s making his first start since September 18 here, but gets a soft field in his return effort.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-3-6

#5 Aristocrat (3-1) was well on his way to clearing this condition as the favorite last out when the race was stopped due to a malfunctioning starting gate. If he was able to finish the race, he probably would’ve won and been one of the favorites in a n/w3L race. As things stand now, he looms large for the dangerous Arnaldo Bocachica/Anthony Farrior duo. #1 Pudge Boy Palace (4-1) has battled for the lead in his last few starts and flattened out, although he’s held on to run in the upper-70s in three of his last four starts. He’ll likely get pace pressure from Aristocrat, but he’ll at least hang around for a slice of the exotics. #3 Mailman’s a Flyer (6-1) has closed into fast paces to hit the board in two of his last three starts. He’ll need the previously mentioned two to burn each other up to have a serious chance at victory.

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

4-1-6-7

#4 Abidale (7-2) got some time off after a dull race two starts back, and returned with a powerful victory after a wide trip last out. Interestingly, Jevian Toledo has picked up the mount on a Jamie Ness runner; you don’t see that too often. Ness’s usual main man, Jaime Rodriguez, will ride #1 R Tenderoni (5-2) instead. This one will make her first start for the Ness barn after flattening out following a premature move. Her recent workouts have been very sharp. #6 How Lucky (7-2) makes her second start off a six-month layoff and ran in the 80s twice over the summer. She didn’t do much in her return race, but she still ran a respectable 75; a bit of improvement makes her a contender.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-5-8-6

#3 Oxide (9-2) made a strong move to the front and bowled away the field last out, with a career-best figure of 95. He’s going first off the claim by David Howard and gets a big rider upgrade to Jeiron Barbosa. #5 Clubman (5-2) has gotten up to win two in a row, including a win at this level two starts back. He’d prefer a pace to close into, but he was closer to the front than usual last out at Penn National and managed to pull it off. #8 Forloveofcountry (2-1) got burned up on the lead last out, but he looks like the controlling speed in here and might be able to get a relatively easy lead despite the tough post.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-7-5-1

This race is going to be a class test for #8 Mose Perfect (9-2). He’s won three races in a row, winning at different conditions each time out. Last out, he fought hard in the stretch and defeated last-out winners Baton and Rustys Gifvefifty, matching a career-best figure with a 91. He should sit near the pace and get another good setup. Your eyes aren’t deceiving you: Brad Cox has shipped a horse to Maryland for a non-stakes. #7 Gulfstream Way (5-2) won a first-level race at Aqueduct last out, fending off pace pressure all the way for the victory. Assumedly, Cox couldn’t find a race in New York for Gulfstream Way, so Cox has decided to send him down here. He’ll get a lot of money because of his connections, but he has potent early speed and ran in the 90s regularly last summer. #5 Shaft’s Bullet (5-1) improved sharply at second asking to win a first-level race last out. He rated off a duel and held gamely in the stretch to run a career-best 94. He has loads of upside but also got a very advantageous setup that day.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-7-2-6

#3 Gagetown (5-2) has run back-to-back 92s since getting claimed by Lynn Cash in early December. He’s one of three in here who has run in the 90s in each of his last three starts. He loomed large in the stretch most recently but tired; cutting back from seven furlongs could help. #7 John the Bear (3-1) has gone gate-to-wire to win two of his last three starts, and is the other one in here to run in the 90s in his last three races. He’s drifted out in the stretch in his last few starts, but if he opens up a big enough lead late that may not matter. #2 Going to the Lead (4-1) dueled for the front last out and held third at 16-1, outdueling Karan’s Notion, who finished a length behind him in fifth. This one does his best work on this track, and though I don’t think he’s fast enough to outkick John the Bear early, he can still rate and hang around.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-2-4-6

This race marks the return of #2 Street Lute (3-1), a two-time Maryland-bred champion. She hasn’t raced since last July, but has been working like a beast over the last few weeks. She loves this track, having never missed the board in ten starts here. However, the likely low price despite the long breaks makes me more inclined to look elsewhere. #5 Response Time (2-1), another Maryland-bred sprinter, crushed the field two starts back in a second-level allowance optional claiming contest, then finished second behind stakes winner Prodigy Doll last out at this condition. She’s dealing with some classy rivals here, but I think her recent experience will carry the day. #4 Moody Woman (8-1) closed for third behind Response Time last out, and has some of the best late pace figures in the race. She can’t be overlooked at a price.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-5-6

#4 Sweet Factor (3-1) ran easily her best Laurel race last out, hanging in well in the stretch and holding on for second. It looks like she’s starting to put it all together after some dull races to begin her career. #7 Waverley (9-2) is better off going shorter, but her lines are obscured by some bad races at seven furlongs and a mile. She’s shown some good closing punch at this distance. #5 Cami Rachelle (5-2) has faded on the lead in her last few but at least gets to cut back from six furlongs.