• John Piassek
• April 14, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0 Jackpot Super High 5 — $18,054 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

4-5-1-3

This card was supposed to be run last Saturday, but was moved to today. #4 Mystic Link (2-1) has shown affinity for this track since arriving here earlier this month, with back-to-back wins against similar rivals as today. He only had to deal with two rivals two back, but got up in a more honest race flow last out. #5 Up Against It (5-2) has run a brisnet figure no worse than 84 in his last four starts, and takes a drop in class from his last start. He was fourth last out behind Clubman, a three-time winner this one. #1 Crush It (9-2) took a step backwards third off the layoff last out, but has had a bullet workout since then, and won on this track in October first off a ten-week playoff. He did little here three starts back, but had a very wide trip that day.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-3-8-2

#6 Free Admission (9-2) was a stewards scratch a few weeks ago from an easier spot, and will now make her 3-year-old debut here. She ran well over the summer here, hitting the board twice with figures as high as 71, before going on the sidelines after finishing up the track in Malibu Moonshine’s maiden-breaking win. She’s had a good worktab this year for John Salzman Jr. and gets lasix for the first time. #3 Cora’s Choice (5-1) showed little on grass in her debut at Gulfstream Park, and now gets a surface switch for her debut for Brittany Russell. Russell has had two well-bet maidens fall flat in the past few days, but if this one comes close to the 70 she ran first time, she’ll contend. #8 Mama’s Eyes (7-2) battled on the lead last out, and while she outfinished the other pacesetter, she couldn’t withstand a rival who sat a great stalking trip. Nonetheless, that race was a big step forward for her.

RACE 3: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-3-5

#2 Barista Vixen (7-5) has won her last two starts by a combined 17 3/4 lengths, and has run in the 80s in each of her last three starts. This Penn National shipper should have her way with these in her Maryland debut. #1 Cartwheel (3-1) closed well for third first off the claim by Jamie Ness, then won going away with a bold move last out. She comes from well off the pace, so she’ll hope Barista Vixen doesn’t sneak away too much on the front end. #3 Viking Queen (4-1) consistently runs in the mid-70s, and while I don’t think she has a strong enough late punch to compete with the aforementioned two, she should at least hang around for a minor share.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-6-4

#1 Happy Clouds (2-1) was second behind the much-the-best Lady Lowery in the Beyond the Wire Stakes last out. She ran very well at six furlongs and shorter earlier in the year and now cuts back to this distance. #2 Mayhem Miss (5-2) improved sharply second time out, fending off challenges on the lead to win at Aqueduct with an 87, representing a 25-point improvement from her debut. She’ll likely have to deal with pace pressure from her outside, but she’s shown she can withstand it. #6 Liquidator (7-2) held off Happy Clouds two starts ago, running easily a career-best figure of 87, then regressed a bit last out when second in the slop.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-5-4-2

#7 Salty Heir (8-1) is one of three in here coming off a maiden win, and of those three, he has the fewest losses (8) and the best last-out figure (71). He earned that in a gate-to-wire effort in the slop at Penn National. While it was an easy trip, he’s facing a field that clearly does not like to win, and looks fast enough to drop to the rail and the lead. #5 Love Machine (5-2) closed and lost by a nose at this level a few starts ago, and ran a respectable 68 last out while beaten less than two lengths. #4 Give It a Go (3-1) sat the trip last out at Penn National, but couldn’t convert and settled for third. He’s been consistently solid as of late, running at least a 68 in his last four races.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

10-6-8-5

#10 Box N Ben (5-2) made his first start off a 6 1/2-month layoff last out, and ran big, leading most of the way and getting second behind a well-bet Repole-owned maiden. There’s no one that tough in here and should move forward second off the layoff. #6 Ragtime Riches (9-2) has run no worse than a 79 in his two starts. On debut, he came from off the pace and was second behind the very impressive Left Hand Thread, last out he showed speed and held in there until the last sixteenth. #8 Disputed Claim (6-1) improved for solid second last out behind Parkerness, who returned to finish third in a first-level race at Parx two weeks ago.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 MILE

3-7-2-6

#3 Money’s Worth (8-5) made her first start off a year-long layoff last out at Tampa Bay Downs, She kicked away impressively after rating off the pace with a career-best 91. She’s going a mile for the first time, but based on that last race, the extra distance shouldn’t be an issue. #7 Saint Eros Girl (4-1) ships back here for Tom Morley. She ran a career-best 89 last out when outkicked for third after rating off the pace. She’s run in the 80s in her last four starts and should prompt the pace from the outside. #2 Fast Tracked (8-1) showed little in her return to Maryland after a brief detour to Florida, but is stakes-placed on this track and has some good recent workouts.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-3-5-2

#6 Zabracadabra (9-5) has run two recent figures in the 100s, and is coming off a second-place finish at a one-turn mile. He’s had some time off since that mid-February race, and has had some excellent recent workouts. He should be ready to once again turn in a peak effort. #3 American d’Oro (10-1) chased down Zabracadabra two races ago, then faded in the Harrison Johnson Stakes next out. He has inconsistent form, but at his best, he’ll be rolling late, and is worth a look at a good price. #5 Ournationonparade (5-2) has finished second or third in five stakes races in a row, and now goes in a stakes-quality allowance race. He’s sat near the pace and run on mildly for a slice in all those starts, and I’m expecting more of the same here.