• John Piassek
• February 20, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,225 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $10,341

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-5-2

There’s nine races on the President’s Day card, complete with a late pick 5 carryover. That starts in race 5; in the meantime, let’s deal with the opener. #1 Rock Rose (9-5) ran below-par races in her first two starts of the year, but she had valid excuses both times. In her seasonal bow, she set a fast pace while being chased by much better rivals, then get caught wide near the lead next out. She’s going first off the claim for Anthony Farrior and has drawn the inside, which should help her cause. #6 Offaly Fast (5-2) ran brisnet figures much better than those of the rest last year at Gulfstream Park, but has struggled since joining the Jamie Ness barn in the late fall. She had a good workout since her especially dull last race, suggesting improvement could be afoot. We’ll see. #5 Sweet Talia (9-2) has had her chances at this condition, but was a solid-closing third last out and can easily run into the exotics.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-7-4-1

#6 Up Against It (5-2) had some mild traffic trouble and raced wide throughout last out, but ran on well late and got second. He’s the only one in the field who has run at least an 86 in each of his last three dirt starts. #7 Clubman (6-1) chased a loose leader and got third after a solid stretch rally in his most recent. He might get caught wide, but should sit near the pace, and it should be a more honest one. #4 Forloveofcountry (9-2) held off Clubman for second last out in a much-improved effort. He usually races on or near the pace, and while he tired after getting challenged two starts back, he’s run early pace figures fast enough that he could sneak away.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-5-4

#1 Jimmy the Kid (5-2) dueled in the two-path last out, and while he couldn’t hold off the charge of closer Tom Terrific, he held well and lost to his dueling partner by a neck. He’s got the best last-out figure in the field by eleven points. #3 Spotted Bull (2-1) has finished second in his last three starts at this level, including a game second last out going a mile. Cutting back in distance should help this speedy gelding. #5 Wild Behavior (3-1) drops in class after a string of tries against better where he showed speed and faded. He should rate of the lead on the outside and will try to avoid getting burned up.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-4-6-3

#5 Circling the Drain (7-5) chased Feeling Woozy through a wide trip last out and finished second behind Feeling Woozy, who returned to finish third in the Miracle Wood Stakes on Saturday. This one ran an 86 that day, for his second consecutive improved figure, and as long as he doesn’t decline he’ll be tough to beat. #4 Lamarvelous (3-1) lasted through challenges on the early lead to draw off and break his maiden in impressive style last out, improving eleven points from his debut to an 83. He’s going around two turns for the first time, but didn’t have much trouble going a mile in that race. #6 Byk (3-1) held third after chasing Feeling Woozy on the pace last out, tiring in the last eighth. He’s run his best races going six furlongs, so we’ll see how he handles this distance.

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

3-10-9-12

The late pick 5, with a five-digit carryover, begins here. #3 Bubba Chrome (7-2) didn’t have much of a chance against the 1-9 favorite, Billykus, in his last start. That rival ran away from the others early and won by almost eleven lengths. If you take him out of the mix, Bubba Chrome was well-clear of the field most of the way and was a strong second. Against much easier rivals, he should be a major factor on the pace. #10 Cajun Fun (6-1) was fairly well-bet on debut against better and showed speed before fading. Looking for improvement in this soft field second time out. #9 Mister Ripster (5-1), one of three interesting first-time starters in here, returned to the worktab in early January and should be ready to go for his long-awaited debut for Claudio Gonzalez. He’s a half-brother to four winners, including stakes winner Mirai and $250,000+ eanrer Danebury.

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

4-5-6-1

#4 Vegas Wild Cat (8-1) showed promise in one-turn efforts last fall, but battled for the lead around two turns last out and stopped badly. She’s cutting back to a more ideal distance and adding lasix here. After two well-beaten efforts, #5 Laramore (2-1) rebounded nicely last out, setting the early pace and holding clear to finish second. There’s lots of speed in here but she looks fast enough to clear them. #6 Cocktail Dreaming (7-2) was also tough on the lead last out, and held second going a mile. She won at this level and distance in mid-November, rating off the pace and winning with a career-best 82.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-6-5-1

Lots of speed means I’ll look towards a horse who should sit just off the pace. #2 Brilliant Ice (5-2) closed well in the last eighth to lose by less than a length last out, and ran in the mid/upper-90s in his two prior races. If the pace is as fast as I think it’ll be, it’ll set up perfectly for him. #6 Rahmer (6-1) also sat the trip and drew off to victory last out, but is getting a class test here after facing n/w3L types in his last few. This is in contrast to Brilliant Ice, who has already raced well at this condition. #5 Flaming East (9-2) ran easily a career-best mark last out, when he lasted through early pressure and drew off to win with a 97. He looks like he’s getting better at the right time.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-2-

#1 My Flicker (3-1) hasn’t missed the board in seven starts since joining the Anthony Farrior barn last August. She sat a great trip and won going away last out, and should once again enjoy a good setup on the rail. #6 Combat Queen (5-2) has climbed the class ladder over her last few starts, with three consecutive victories. She’s raced just once since late October, but has three recent good workouts for Mike Trombetta. While she has promise, it can be a big gap between a Maryland-bred allowance and an open second-level allowance, as her stablemate Mose Perfect learned a few weeks ago. #2 Bourbon Wildcat (7-2) led most of the way in the Geisha Stakes last out and finished second to Award Wanted, who was second in the Nellie Morse Stakes on Saturday. This one’s going third off the layoff and can show speed or sit just off the lead.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-6-5