• John Piassek
• April 15, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $989 Jackpot Super High 5 — $20,996 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-7-1

There’s eleven big ones on the Tesio day card. #6 Honor the Fleet (9-5) has tailed off a bit in his last few starts, but his brisnet figures are still consistently better than those of the rest. He went off favored against slightly better last out and was third behind Antipoison, most recently third in starter allowance company, and Pepe and Heywood, who came back to win at this level next out. #3 Camp Pendleton (3-1) came off from the pace and just missed behind odds-on choice Hot N Spicy Love in his most recent start. After a string of starts at a mile, he’s cutting back to seven furlongs. We’ll see how that impacts his closing punch, if at all. #7 Jimmy the Kid (9-2) has improved with each start since getting claimed by Pedro Nazario. He’s rallied wide for a slice in his last few starts and is likely to do the same thing here.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-2-11-12 (DIRT: 8-9-14-10)

#6 Bath and Tennis (7-2) won her most recent start on this track last October, and started the Turfway Park season with back-to-back victories. However, she tailed off later in the season, and received some time off after being claimed by Jonathan Wong in early February. She’s worked well at Churchill Downs recently, and should enjoy the return to her home base. #2 Brushing (5-1) made good ground against better third off the layoff last November, in her most recent grass outing. She won first off a long break last September, so the three-month respite shouldn’t be a problem here. She’ll be a threat late if she avoids getting stuck in traffic. #11 Tiz Susan Ann (6-1) has hit the board in eight of fourteen on grass and ran some solid figures recently at Turfway. She backed up badly in her last start and looks for a rebound here.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-3-4

#1 Ballykeen (2-1) races for the first time since November 11 and goes first off the claim by Justin Nixon. She was well-backed against better n/w2L types in her last start, but broke through the gate before the race, was eased after showing speed, and hasn’t been seen since. She’s found a soft field to return to and will be dangerous if she runs back to the mid/upper-70s figures she was running last year. #7 O Shaughesey (7-2) rallied wide and got up for third last out behind next-out winner Cocktail Dreaming and Baylis Street, who has finished second three times in four starts this year. She showed a lot better late foot than she had in other recent starts, an encouraging sign. #3 Lovely Liza (4-1) is one of the lighest-raced horses in the field, having competed just five times. She closed gamely for second last out, matching her career-best figure with a 69.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-1-6

#5 Strong Finish (4-1) went off favored in his 3-year-old debut last out, which was also his first start for the Brittany Russell barn, and he powered away to win by seven lengths with a 74, a 15-point improvement from his first career race. He beat a pretty soft field that day, but he still pulled away impressively, and could get even better second off the bench. #2 Shackinthebox (3-1) has run in the 80s three times in his last four races, and runs first off the $12,500 claim by Anthony Farrior. In that race, he got a great trip off the pace and won going away. With lots of speed signed up here, he could get a favorable setup. #1 Lord Uthred (9-2) is one of those aforementioned speed horses, racing for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez. He faded after getting pressed on the lead in back-to-back starts, but did hold on for an exotics slice. At least he probably won’t be odds-on in this spot.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-6-1

#3 Parkerness (3-1) broke his maiden here impressively two starts ago, then battled hard on the lead and held second at Parx behind stakes-placed Daydreaming Boy last out. He hasn’t run worse than an 85 in his two-race career, a number most of these don’t hit with regularity. #5 Running River (10-1) improved drastically to break his maiden in gate-to-wire style last out. He’s facing tougher rivals here, but he’s got the most early speed of anyone and could take another big step forward here. It’s also encouraging that John Salzman Jr. stepped up him to a first-level allowance, rather than risk him for $20,000 again. #6 Lost Weekend (3-1) has hit the board three times in six starts at this condition, but has yet to break through. He tends to make a strong middle move for the lead and then flatten out. He can do that again here, but is a shaky proposition for a win bet.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-7-3-12 (DIRT: 6-4-7-8)

#10 Bassanio (5-2) is the only one in the field who has raced on grass this year, and has run some solid races at Tampa Bay Downs. He led most of the way and got caught in his seasonal bow, then flattened out going 1 3/8 miles last out, though he still ran a solid 77. This distance and field should be right in his wheelhouse. #7 Awesome Strike (10-1) ran no worse than a 75 in three starts at Woodbine last year and just missed after an overland trip at Tampa Bay in his most recent grass race. He’s had two dirt preps to get him ready for this spot. #3 Polsar (8-1) goes third off the layoff and should show some early speed. He hasn’t run worse than a 70 in five grass starts.

RACE 7: HEAVENLY CAUSE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-5-9-6

The first stakes race of the day is named for the Maryland-bred 1980 champion 2-year-old filly and 1981 Kentucky Oaks winner. #7 Pass the Champagne (5-2) was a solid fourth in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes, and fought hard for second around two turns in the Wayward Lass Stakes the start prior, her first race off a year layoff. She ran in the 90s in both of those starts, and if she gets even better third off the break, she’ll be especially tough. #5 Award Wanted (6-1) turned in a breakthrough performance three back when she won the Geisha Stakes going away. She’s run well since then, including a solid third-place finish, beaten less than a length, in the Conniver Stakes last out. She hasn’t gone a mile since her big win, and once again finds herself at a distance that should suit her well. #9 Beth’s Dream (2-1) blew the doors off an allowance field at Gulfstream Park last out, and could find herself loose on the lead if she can clear from the outside post.

RACE 8: FRANK WHITELEY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-3-7

This race is named for the Maryland native best known as the trainer of Ruffian. I was excited to bet #6 Al Loves Josie (6-1) in the Not For Love Stakes last time, as he was coming in off back-to-back impressive allowance wins. However, he was scratched that day, and now resurfaces here. He had a good workout last Saturday, which is always encouraging. He’ll go off at a bigger price than he would’ve in the Not For Love, and he’s just as capable of wiring this field. When Al Loves Josie scratched, #1 Eastern Bay (7-2) became the big favorite in the Not For Love, but ended up third after getting hemmed in. He might’ve won that race if not for that traffic trouble, but who’s to say he won’t encounter more of it here? If he gets clear, he’ll be tough. #3 Factor It In (5-2) loves Laurel Park, having won five of his last six starts here. He crushed a stakes-quality allowance field last out, running at least a 99 for the third time in his last four starts. He’ll also need to avoid trouble, but if he does, look out.