• John Piassek
• February 10, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,995 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-3-2-8

You can draw a line through the last race of #5 Born for Victory (3-1). He unseated his rider in the post parade and ran off, rarely a good sign. He showed brief speed and faded, and has had some time off since that November 20 race. He’s worked well since then and is lightly-raced, having competed just five times without a loss at this level. #3 Superstitieux (7-2) is the only one in the field who has run a brisnet figure in the 70s in each of his last two starts. He chased a loose leader last out and held on for third. His best figures have all come at Delaware Park but he’s had consistently solid form on this surface. #2 Dr. Rags (4-1) stays at a preferred shorter distance and drops back down in class. His only bad recent race came when he raced wide going seven furlongs. One of those things he definitely won’t have to do here; the other he almost certainly won’t.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-7-1-6

#5 Lady Jean (5-1) has bid and tired in her last two starts going longer, but improved her figure sharply second off the layoff last out, and 5 1/2 furlongs might suit her better. She’s going first off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado. #7 Miss Casey (5-2) also goes first off the claim, in her case by Claudio Gonzalez. She was never headed at any point in her last two races, albeit against much softer competition than she’ll see here. Last out, she won at an overlaid price of 1-5 in a race where no one else could sniff a figure in the 80s, but there’s some in here who can hit that mark. She can’t be discounted, but these are deeper waters. Her stablemate, #1 Meraviglioso (6-1), won two in a row last fall and was game in a narrow defeat two starts back. She stepped up to this level last out and flattened after racing wide, but should have an easier time of it here.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-4-5

#7 Open the Books (2-1) was outrun in his first two starts off the layoff, but showed speed for the first time last out and lasted a long time on the lead before flattening out. It was an encouraging sign, and he’ll look to move forward against a softer field. #6 Lootah (9-2) closed well for third in his debut despite some mild traffic trouble, running a 63. He could jump up here at a decent price. #4 Moses Water (9-5) races for the Anthony Farrior/Arnaldo Bocachica combination, which started off strong but were blanked last weekend. This one lasted through a duel last out and held second while finishing well clear of his dueling partner, but will likely have to deal with more speed here from Open the Books.

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

2-5-3-1

#2 Shemademelucky (9-2) missed most of last year, but has gotten back on track lately with two consecutive victories. She improved dramatically last out, beating conditioned rivals at Penn National with a rail-skimming move. Tyler Conner is named to ride; it’s his only mount of the day. #5 Chalk Hill (4-1) ran no worse than a 73 in her final four starts of the Delaware season, but went to the sidelines after going sour in her next two races. She turned in a good workout at Pimlico last month and will be tough if she’s ready to go first off the bench. #3 Love is Strong (2-1) will be ridden by Jadiel Zambrana, who started his riding career in Puerto Rico earlier this year and makes his Maryland debut in the first race. This one has run in the 70s in her last three starts, the only entrant who has done so, and should save ground near the pace.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-4-5

#2 Collect Redemption (5-2) was well-bet against better last out, going off as the third choice off a promising debut. However, he was bumped at the start and didn’t show much after that. He hasn’t run worse than a 69 in his two starts; none of the horses with experience have run better than a 63 in their careers. As long as one of the four first-time starters doesn’t run a big race on debut, this one’s going to be tough to beat. #3 Dialer (4-1) looks like the most likely winner of those debuters. This Jamie Ness homebred has been getting faster with every workout at Parx, most recently going four furlongs in 48 4/5 seconds. He caught an easy field for his first start. #4 Inspired Irish (6-1) showed speed and faded last out but should benefit from the shorter distance.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-7-9-3

The running line of #4 Hot N Spicy Love (5-2) last out are a bit deceiving. He didn’t lose ground in the stretch so much as Oxide simply ran away from the others and left the field in his dust, making Hot N Spicy Love’s line look worse than it is. On his own merits, Hot N Spicy Love made a solid five-wide move and lost a photo for second, running at least an 84 for the third time in his last four starts. #7 Camp Pendleton (3-1) was fifth in that race, and held on to win against Oxide three starts back after opening up a long late lead. He’s had in-and-out form in his last few starts, but his best probably wins this. #9 Mr. Moseley (10-1) ran a career-best 81 last out after dueling for the front. For a horse with early speed like him, this is an especially tough draw, but he’s in improving form and could upset if he can sneak away.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-1-9-8

#5 Top Boss (4-1) sat off the pace and got up to win against similar last out, running a lifetime-top figure for the second consecutive race. With lots of speed in here, he should rate another good trip. #1 Royal Spy (6-1) came from well off the pace in that same race and lost by less than two lengths in a blanket finish. He’d also take advantage of a fast tempo and might want more distance; his last race was at 5 1/2 furlongs. #8 Glory Song (5-1) fought hard near the lead and held third at Parx last out. He’ll try to avoid getting caught up in the early pace for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

7-5-3-1

#7 Mavilus (7-2) hit the board twelve times from 13 starts last year, including the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap. She’s making her first start since a November 13 victory, and had a solid five-furlong workout on Tuesday. She ran at least an 85 in each of her last four starts of the season. #5 Golden Effect (4-1) ran a career-best 89 when she chased the pace and finished third at this level last out. She’s improved in her last few starts but might need to show more of a late punch to win a race like this. #4 Watch Your Tone (5-1) raced first off the layoff last out and lost to Golden Effect by a neck after a wide trip. She sat off the pace last out, but is usually faster early and may go for the front here in a race without much consistent speed.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

4-5-7-9

#4 Goldieness (9-2) ran a solid 65 in her first start since last August, and just her second start overall. Jamie Ness adds blinkers this time. #5 Gold Digging Broad (9-2) ran a solid 60 on debut going seven furlongs a few starts ago. She’s now cutting back in distance and dropping class after a dull try going two turns. #7 Bring the Magic (15-1) ran a career-best 61 in he first start for the Tim Woolley barn last out, even though she made only mild ground off the pace.