• John Piassek
• April 7, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,763 Super High 5 — $8,247 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-3-1-6

We’ve got eight races on the Good Friday card. #4 Voodoo Mama Juju (5-1) was no factor against better in the Beyond the Wire Stakes last out and gets some much-needed class relief. She handled 1 1/16 miles without much trouble to break her maiden second time out, and now races at this level for the first time. #3 Ladro di Fichi (9-5) has brisnet figures that are superior to these, having run in the 70s in eight of her last ten starts. However, she doesn’t like to win, with ten in-the-money finishes from thirteen starts. She’s got a shot, but you’ll have to take a low price. #1 Performanceanxiety (8-1) is a South Carolina-bred going first off the claim by Mario Serey, who of course enjoyed success with a South Carolina-bred claim in Swayin to and Fro. This one broke her maiden on the pace three starts ago and will look to show speed from the rail here.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-3-4

#1 Putthepastbehind (7-5) broke his maiden on this track last May, defeating a bevy of future stakes horses, and closed for second in his most recent start here despite losing the whip. He got burned up in a duel at Hawthorne last out and faded, but should have an easier time of things on the lead here. #2 Indybound (3-1) was no factor in his first two starts of the season, but now goes third off the layoff and first off the claim by Jamie Ness. #3 Mighty Minion (12-1) sat the trip and kicked away to break his maiden last out at Penn National, with a career-best figure of 75, the best last-out mark in the race. He’s in improving form and could pull the upset with the right trip.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-7-2-1

This race begins the rainbow pick 6. #3 Cici Unified (6-1) ships in from Parx, where she’s faded on the front end in her last two starts. However, there isn’t much speed in this race, so if she’s ever going to wire them, it’s going to be in a race like this. #7 Malibu Marlee (7-2) was not persevered with in her most recent start at Charles Town, which was her first race since early October. She ran in the 70s with regularity last year, and those kind of numbers will win this race. However, she’s a mystery off that last performance. #2 Miss Moreno (6-1) just missed in her first start off the layoff, but disappointed in her most recent. She’s also an enigma, but if she bounces back, she’ll be in contention late.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-6-5-1

The late pick 5 starts here. #3 Angelofcanterbury (8-5) cruised to win gate-to-wire at Parx last out with an 83, the best last-out figure in the field by twelve points. She’s run at least a 75 in three straight races. #6 Ice Cube Baby (9-2) was dismal at 1 1/16 miles last out, but now cuts back around one turn, where her figures have been much better. She likes to come from well off the pace, and as such runs the risk of being outkicked by Angelofcanterbury, but should manage to outfinish the others. #5 Majesty’s Freedom (7-2) showed little when beaten by Ice Cube Baby in her most recent, but ran a 75 and an 83 in her prior starts against better.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-3-2-5

#1 I Can Do It (2-1) already crossed the wire first at this level two starts ago, but was disqualified after the fact. Nonetheless, she’ll show speed from the rail and will be tough to catch if she gets away with the right trip. #3 Peachesweetnotion (7-2) has flattened out after a mid-pack trip in both of her starts, but has run no worse than a 61 and has some room for improvement in just her third start. #2 Italian War Cry (5-1) showed some speed and faded first off an eight-month layoff, and should improve with a race under her belt.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-2-5-7

#6 Classier (3-1) showed no signs of rust in his last start, his first local effort and just his second race in the past 13 months. He made a strong move to the front and kicked away with an impressive 96. The 2021 Los Alamitos Derby winner was claimed out of that race by Kieron Magee, and if he improves further, he’s going to be very tough. #2 O’Trouble (5-2) raced wide throughout last out and led late before getting caught, snapping his three-race winning streak. However, this David Jacobson trainee has run no worse than a 92 in his last five starts and has good tactical speed. #5 Holy Synchronicity (7-2) lost by a nose in a blanket finish at this level last out after breaking from the outside post and racing wide throughout. He came from off the pace in that race, but is usually forwardly-placed and should show more speed with a better draw.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-4-6

#1 Iywaan (1-1) races for the first time since January 14, when he raced wide throughout and missed by a length against better, including stakes winner Vance Scholars. He’s getting a pretty easy field for this level and should get a much better trip here. #2 Nostalgic Run (5-2) opened up a big lead last out, as is his custom, and finally held on after fading in his previous five tries. He’ll try to take them a long away once again and should at least hang on for an exotics spot. #4 Dixie Drawl (6-1) just missed at this level two starts back, but was flat last out. Which version of him shows up here?

RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-7-5