• John Piassek
• March 12, 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 $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-4-1-6

The Sunday card starts with a gimme. #5 Billykus (6-5) looked like an overwhelming favorite on paper last out and ran like it, crushing the field by ten lengths. He’s run a brisnet figure of at least 75 twice in four starts; only one his rivals has run that fast at any point in their career. #4 Bustinupishardtodo (5-1) made his debut for the Ollie Figgins barn a winning one last out, as he sat a great trip and kicked away to break his maiden at second asking. Although I don’t think he’ll be able to catch up to Billykus, he should rate near the pace and outkick his rivals. #1 Scootscoot (6-1) broke his maiden impressively two starts back and looks for redemption after being well-beaten here last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-7-4

#6 Mystic Seaport (5-1) showed abundant early speed and held on to break her maiden second time out last out. She looks fast enough to outrun these early on and get a similar pace setup as last time. #1 Majesty’s Freedom (3-1) has had the misfortune to run into Tappin Josie, who most recently won the Society Hill Stakes, twice in a row. Last out, she got hung very wide and faded. If Mystic Seaport can’t get away on the lead, the pace should be fast, which would set it up for Majesty’s Freedom. #7 Musicmansandy (3-1) didn’t shown as much early speed as usual last out against better and didn’t kick on. She sat a wide stalking trip against claimers two starts back and got up; she’ll look for a similar setup here.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-8-5-6

#7 Holy Delite (8-5) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and though she was outkicked by the eventual winner after dueling with her early, she held her own in the stretch and finished second. She’s lightly-raced compared to these, having made just five career starts. #8 Ginamaya (8-1) made her first start off a year-plus layoff last out, and showed speed before tiring. For her first start in so long, it was a promising effort, and I’m curious to see how she does second off the break. #5 M’Lady Thatcher (5-2) has run no worse than a 65 in her last three starts and goes first off the claim for Anthony Farrior, but has hit the board eight times from twelve starts without a win. That’s not encouraging.

RACE 4: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-7-1

#5 Divine Fashion (5-2) has run in the 70s in each of her last six starts. She’s the only one who has run in the 70s in each of their last three starts, let alone six. She’s been racing against Dulcimer Dame at Charles Town, who has been an absolute beast on that track, and as such she should find these waters easier. #4 Miss Casey (2-1) missed the break in her last start, lost her crucial early position, and wasn’t a factor thereafter. Her prior form was impressive relative to these, so with a clean break she should contend here. #7 Volnay (5-2) has also had to butt heads with Dulcimer Dame in her last two starts, and should get a good trip rating off the pace on the outside.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

10-2-1-5

#10 That’s My Business (9-2) stretched out to a mile for the first time last out and handled it well, showing speed and holding on for fourth with a career-best 76. He’s getting lasix for the first time in his Maryland debut. #2 Reckless Affair (5-2) fought hard after a wide trip in his local debut two starts back and got third. He matched that 69 figure next out at Charles Town, although it was not as visually impressive an effort as he was no match for the winner, who sat a great trip. #1 General J R (3-1) has closed well for a slice in his last few starts, but hasn’t shown enough early speed to get there and might be at a natural disadvantage with his running style.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-3-5

#4 Clubman (4-1) has won three of his last four, including a victory at this level last out where he closed well off a slow pace. #1 Ace Nine Nine (12-1) has raced well in routes lately, but he was out of his element at 5 1/2 furlongs last out. Stretching out to more suitable distance should help, and that dull line will increase his price. #3 Souper Catch (8-1) ships in from Penn National, where he’s been in a sharp form since returning from a layoff in mid-January. His lone start on this track, a conditioned claiming race going a mile in June 2020, resulted in a six-length victory.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-4-8

#2 Rustys Gifivefifty (5-2) checked early on last out and never regained his footing. He’s been competitive at this level lately and should be able to get to the rail and the lead. He’s one of two in here who has run at least an 85 in his last three starts, the other one is #5 Frightland (8-5). That one went off favored at this level in his most recent, led most of the way, and got caught late. Two starts ago, he came from off the pace and just missed. Both were big performances; we’ll see what Jevian Toledo decides to do here. #4 Mr. Jefferson (8-1) has plenty of back-class, having finished second in the Federico Tesio Stakes last year. He hasn’t found that form since then, but has had some time off and has some sharp recent workouts under his belt.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-3-2-6

#7 Fuhgeddaboutit (3-1) has run her three best figures in her last three starts, overcoming wide trips to win her last two races. She’s facing slightly better here than she’s used to, but she’s shown a good closing kick and will get a pace to run into. One of the rivals she beat two starts back was #3 Golden Effect (5-1), who returned to last through a duel and go gate-to-wire last out. She’s been in much-improved form lately after running mild figures on grass last summer. #2 Beneath the Stars (5-2) gave Luis Rivera Jr his first Maryland win last out, and now he’s back aboard her. She’s racing third off a long break and ran some big figures on this track as a much younger horse.