• John Piassek
• April 16, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,268 Super High 5 — $23,103 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-7-2

We’ve got ten races on the card to wrap up the racing week. #1 Heads Or Tails (7-5) started tailing off towards the end of last year, and received some time off after getting claimed by Bob Klesaris in December. He returned first off the layoff last out, and ran a solid second with a brisnet figure of 87. That’s the best last-out figure in the field by eight points, and is not far off from the marks he was running regularly last year. #4 Addy’s Laddy T N T (7-2) prompted the pace throughout in his most recent and held second. He’s rebounded nicely in his last two starts after a dull patch. #7 Young Turk (3-1) was thrown out of his element after a bad start last out, but overcame it to close well in the stretch. With a clean break, he should get his usual spot near the pace.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

6-2-3-4

#6 Sing Scat (8-5) makes her first start for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez and adds lasix for the first time. The 0-for-11 career mark isn’t inspiring, but her figures are much better than those of the others. #2 Auntie Rona (7-2) was one of three first-time starters last out, and raced the best of that group, finishing third and earning a 64 with a solid, wide bid. She’s stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs here. #3 Nami (9-2) also debuted in that race. She showed noting early on in that race, but got the picture late and closed well. She has lots of room to improve second time out.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-7-14-8

#2 Town of Gold (5-2) races for Colts Neck Stable and Jorge Duarte, who sent out a grass winner yesterday in Blame D Rule Maker. This one ran between a 76 and a 78 in his four grass starts last year. In his most recent grass race on this track, he faced better and made mild ground late. He’s had some steady workouts since arriving at Colts Neck from Florida, and should get right back into form here. #7 Battlebus (7-2) has a 6-for-13 record on this track and has some good recent workouts in preparation for his seasonal debut. Look for him to stalk the pace and pounce entering the stretch. #14 Funky Music (10-1) goes first off a brief layoff after spending some time at Turfway Park, and looks like one of the main speeds in here.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-6-4

#5 Best Choice Baby (8-5) has hit the board in his last five and has run no worse than a 63 in any of those races. He’s dropping from the $20,000 level into a spot where he has superior figures to the rest of these. This is a “now-or-never” moment for him. #1 Step Ahead (3-1) broke slowly on debut, but rallied well late and lost second by just a half-length. He ran a solid 61 in that race and will be an upset threat if he improves. #6 Bubba Chrome (5-2) held off Step Ahead for second last out in a race where he was well-beaten by an overwhelming odds-on choice. He’s cashed plenty of checks, but his figures haven’t improved in a while. He’ll have to hope some of the others regress.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-3-7

#4 Uncaptured Storm (8-5) was flat in his most recent start, which came on a wet track, but has a win around two turns and has run at least an 83 in his last three fast track outings. #5 Thtwasthenthisisnw (3-1) is one of three in here who last raced at this level on March 24. For the second race in a row, he battled on the lead and ultimately lost the war. There isn’t much speed to his inside, so he should be able to get less pressure on the lead this time. #3 Bonded (7-2) won two in a row in dramatic closing fashion, and came to get third last out in a similar manner. Look for him to do his best running late once again.

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

1-10-3-9

My top two picks are the only ones in here who have raced on grass this year. #1 Gypsy Queen (7-2) was one of two first-time starters last out at Fair Grounds, and while she was no match for the favored loose leader, she closed well while wide and got up for third. She has room to improve second time out for Mike Stidham. #10 Thegirlfromireland (9-2) regressed a bit in her last start at Tampa Bay Downs despite a ground-saving trip. That said, she hasn’t run worse than a 71 in five starts on the lawn, and this isn’t the world’s strongest field. #3 Lusty (5-1) has worked well since early February getting ready for her career debut. Brittany Russell has a solid record with debuters, but doesn’t do as well with horses doing so on grass. We’ll see what the board says.

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

6-2-1A-3

#6 Cocktail Dreaming (7-2) has won her last two starts at the $12,500 level, with figures of 77 and 79, both of which fit right in with these. She’s overcome wide trips to win those races, so there’s no reason the post should bother her. #2 Mo Co Gold (9-5) ran an 81 in each of her last two starts on this track, but regressed a bit in her most recent tries at Charles Town and Penn National. She should show speed on the rail for Anthony Farrior and Arnaldo Bocachica, who has an excellent winter meet together. #1A Divisibility (3-1), the better half of the Jamie Ness entry in my eyes, went gate-to-wire to win at Parx and looks fast enough to work out another trip like that.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-6-2