• John Piassek
• March 3, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,268 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, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-2

We’re in like a lion with today’s 9-race card to kick off March. Grass racing is getting closer by the day… #6 Jebster (4-1) stalked the pace and kicked away in the stretch last out, only to get run down late. Nonetheless, it was a strong effort compared to his first two starts of the year, where he rated off the pace and faded badly by the time they hit the stretch. He’s one of the lighter-raced horses in here, having lost just three times against winners. #4 Despite Odds (8-5), by contrast, has had plenty of chances against these types. That said, he’s run well in his last two starts at this condition, setting the pace and holding on for second both times. Without anyone to really press him in here, he’ll have every chance to finish the job on the front end. #5 Superstitieux (7-2) has been consistent as of late, running brisnet figures in the 70s in each of his last three starts. He came from way out of it to get second last out, outkicking Jebster in the process.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-3-6-8

#4 Tom Terrific (8-1) didn’t do much against a better $8,000 field two starts back, but stepped up last out to win a conditioned claiming event in last-to-first style, running an 86 in the process. That’s several points better than he had been running, but he was in consistently solid form prior to that race, isn’t taking much of a class jump here, and keeps Denis Araujo aboard, who rode him to victory. #3 Honor the Fleet (2-1) comes back here from Charles Town and cuts back from 1 1/16 miles. The last time he ran here, he beat Oxide, who has since won twice, and ran a strong 88. #6 Antipoison (7-2) has run in the 80s three times in his last four races and drops from a tough starter allowance field.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-6-7

#2 Awesome View (6-1) overcame a wide trip and got up to win over Miss Casey, who entered the race on a two-race winning streak. This one should sit a much better trip today, stalking the pace on or near the rail. #4 Spicy Margarita (9-5) ran well in her first start off the layoff last out and is the expected pace-setter in this group. #6 Tam Char (10-1) will also likely contend for the early lead. In her last start, she battled for the lead on the outside, but kicked away and won in sharp fashion, albeit against an easier field than what she’ll see here.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

5-7-4-1

None of the six in here with racing experience have exactly covered themselves in glory, so this looks like a prime opportunity for first-time starter #5 Crimson (2-1). A half-sister to three winners, she’s worked well as of late for Brittany Russell and will be a threat if she shows anything at all on debut. Russell hasn’t won with a first-time starter yet this year, but rarely has the opportunity been so appealing. #7 Six the Hard Way (5-2) goes first off the claim by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon. She ran in the 70s in her first three starts, the only one in the field who has crossed that barrier at any point in their career. #4 Sweet Shugs (3-1) was also claimed out of her last race, in her case by Lynn Cash, and showed speed for the first time last out and managed to hold third. This is her first start off less than a 30-day layoff, after a stop-and-start campaign in the midwest last summer.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-2-3-5

Lots of speed could set it up for #7 Happy Clouds (5-2). She rated off the pace two starts back and kicked away emphatically. Last out, she just missed after a wide trip to Tappin Josie, who is a very talented filly and who will run in the Society Hill Stakes at Parx the next day. #2 Unified Alliance (2-1) ships in from Parx after a pair of big performances on the lead there. In both her starts, she dueled throughout and has one win and one loss to her credit, with figures in the 80s both times. She looks fast enough to secure the lead on the rail and will have to call on her heart to win this one. #3 And Whistle (5-1) cruised on the front end to break her maiden on debut in impressive style, but might find things tougher on the lead here.

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

2-1-6-5

#2 Western Lane (5-2) has been in consistently sharp form as of late, with figures in the 80s in her last three starts. She closed well up the rail late to finish in a dead heat for third with Maryland Million champion Mavilus, in a race where the leaders didn’t stop. These looks like easier waters. #1 A Girl Named Jac (7-2) was flat last out, but now cuts back to her preferred distance and returns to the Hugh McMahon barn following a claim. #6 That’s Some Kiss (7-2) overcame a wide trip to get second last out with a career-best 82. She’s taken big steps forward in her last two one-turn starts after running in the 60s for most of last year.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-4-8

You can toss out the last start of #6 Naughty Nan (3-1), as she bumped the gate and was uninterested thereafter. I would’ve liked to have seen a workout between that Feb. 11 start and now, but she ran a promising 82 on debut last fall, and even a few points’ regression from that wins this handily. #3 Lady Lancer (8-1) broke awkwardly and was rushed up in her last start. Unsurprisingly, she backed up after that and was well-beaten. She has been running in the 60s for a while prior to that, and a return to that form would contend here. #4 Stephanie My Love (4-1) ships up from Gulfstream Park for Claudio Gonzalez, where she’s had to deal with a slew of wide trips. She hung in there for fourth last out and now gets Luis Rivera Jr. in the saddle, who has made a positive impression since arriving here two weeks ago.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-5-2-4

RACE 9: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-3-2-5

The top three finishers from the ninth race on Feb. 3 are back here. #1 Dart (5-2) led most of the way that day and set honest fractions, only to flatten out late and finish third. He was claimed out of that race by Claudio Gonzalez and returns in a race without much other speed. If he slows things down, he could be tough to catch. On the other hand, if he sets another fast pace, #3 Bonded (7-2) was also claimed from his last start, in his case by Kieron Magee. He rallied from the clouds to win with a 73, his third consecutive career-best figure. He’s a perfect 2-for-2 at a one-turn mile. #2 Orocovix (9-2) was visually unimpressive against better last out, but still ran a career-best 71. He’ll relish the class relief.