• John Piassek
• February 19, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-5-4

Today’s the calm after the storm: eight races on a solid Sunday card the day after the Barbara Fritchie and the General George. #1 Uncaptured Storm (5-2) was sharp in his first start off the claim by Anthony Farrior last out. He rallied up the inside to win going away by 6 3/4 lengths, on the heels of a similar open-length victory in his prior start. He might want more distance but should be tough if he gets his expected trip on the rail. In contrast, #7 Chelonian (3-1) might benefit from a distance reduction. He’s shown speed and stopped going two turns in his last two races, but won his last two races around one turn, which came last fall both here and at Parx. #5 Bo’s Bourbon (3-1) drops back in for a tag and is another one of the main speed threats.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-2

#3 Goodafternoonoscar (2-1) has run two big races in his career without finding the winner’s circle. Last out, he dueled on the early lead and held on for third. Runner-up No Easy Days broke his maiden last Sunday. Irish War Cry has multiple connections to this race: his half-brother, #1 Irish Rill (5-1) makes his debut here, and is also the uncle of fellow first-time starter #2 Full Irish (6-1). Irish Rill has worked well for Cal Lynch, who had a strong year with first-time starters last year and was planning on sending out a well-meant one on Friday who was scratched. Full Irish has some recent bullet drills for Lacey Gaudet and is a half-brother to two winners from three starters for his dam.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

7-1-4-2

With the 8-race card, the rainbow pick 6 begins here. #7 Miss Fussy Pants (5-2) dueled on the lead and drew off to win two starts back, and fought hard for second last out after a wide trip. The horse who beat her, Mo Co Gold, is already a three-time winner. #1 Classy Nancy (3-1), half of a Jamie Ness-trained entry, drops in class after a flat try going a mile last out. She was a solid second going six furlongs at Parx two starts back, and has a better late kick than her entrymate. #4 Never Done (5-1) has improved her brisnet figure in each of her last three starts, peaking at a 77 with a strong-closing third in her most recent performance.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-1A-6-2

The late pick 5 starts in this race. #5 El Tolu (7-2) is one of two in here who has run at least a 66 in each of his last two starts. He showed no early speed going a mile last out, but closed well and got up for fourth. He showed early speed when he broke his maiden a few starts back and it would serve him well to find that speed. #1A Freddyness (8-5) has in-and-out form but has already run in the 70s three times in his career. He’s likely to be a factor on the early pace and the shorter distance helps. #6 Hope He’s Fast (6-1) makes his first start for the Anthony Farrior barn and should get a good trip near the pace. This is the first mainland American mount for his rider, Luis Rivera Jr, who is named on four horses today and four more tomorrow.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-5-8-4

#1 Titan’s Will (9-5) made his first start in six months last out, and showed little after getting into some traffic trouble. He hit the board in eight of twelve last year while running figures much better than those of anyone else in here. If he runs his usual race, he’ll be very tough. #5 Sassy King (3-1) runs in the low/mid-70s consistently and has solid late pace figures. If Titan’s Will doesn’t have it, this one is the most logical candidate for the upset. #8 Mamaigotthis (5-1) also has a good late kick and has enjoyed the most success at this distance.

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

1-6-8-2

#1 Doc Rock (8-1) goes second off the layoff and ships in from Turfway Park after showing speed and fading there. Even though that race was for a lower claiming tag, this is not much better than the field he saw in Kentucky. He showed some promise on grass last year and looks like an interesting value play. #6 Here and Nofurther (8-5) has slowly improved in each of his three starts since returning from a long layoff in late November, but wasn’t much of a threat in any of those starts against better while getting well-bet. He’s getting plenty of class relief here. #8 Notimelikepresent (5-2) has run well in both his starts at this level, setting the early tempo and lasting until late. He’s a must-use underneath if nothing else.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-1-6

#2 Mit Mazel (1-1) set her own fast pace last out, but it didn’t slow her down one bit, as she crushed the field by six lengths and matched her career-best figure with a 90. She’s had no problem with two turns in the past, so the stretch-out from a mile shouldn’t be a problem at all. #4 Gamestonks (3-1) has slowly improved with every recent race and sat the trip to win against similar two races ago. If Mit Mazel ends up faltering on the lead, this one will be the best-positioned to take advantage. #1 Dotada (10-1) showed a new dimension last out when she went to early lead and took them all the way around. Usually, she comes from off the pace. It might not be a great idea to run with Mit Mazel early on, but her last race was nonetheless an encouraging effort.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-3-1-4

A wide-open field greets us in the finale. #7 Badger Tooth (7-2) battled in the stretch and ran a career-best 85 at this level two starts back. Last out at this condition, he also went off favored, but acted up in the gate and got caught wide. From there, he showed little. If he behaves himself, he should show off his best form. #3 Never Change (9-5) tracked a slow pace last out and tired, but ran an 81 and a 77 in his prior races, both good enough to contend in here. He’s getting some class relief here after trying starter optional claiming foes most recently. #1 Mr. Mosley (6-1) has tired on the lead in his last few but should get an uncontested pace here.