• John Piassek
• April 21, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,957 Jackpot Super High 5 — $26,333 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-5-2-3

#6 I Am the Mike (4-1) came from well off the pace to get second in his first start off a two-month layoff last out, outkicked by Fowl Nation, who got a big jump start on him. This one hasn’t been off the board in three two-turn starts and shouldn’t have a problem stretching back out from a mile. #5 Mister Ripster (3-1) was third behind I Am the Mike that day, and ran a brisnet figure of 66, representing a six-point improvement from his debut. He’s closed well in his last two starts, an encouraging sign for his two-turn bow. #2 Ask Him Oakley (5-2) lasted a long way near the pace last out, holding fourth at 90-1 after showing nothing in his first two starts. You won’t get that kind of price on him here, though.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-2-7

While #3 Branco Maria (5-2) has had his chances at this level, but he has great closing speed and is proven around two turns, unlike many of his rivals. He couldn’t catch front-running Shady Munni last out, but puled clear of the others for second. #5 Gilligan (3-1) makes a quick return off a six-day break. He made good ground late last out and lost to odds-on choice Heads or Tails. While he’s performed well since joining the Jose Corrales barn earlier this year, he hasn’t run around two turns since last February, where he showed speed and tired at Gulfstream Park. #2 Lookin for Justice (4-1) was third behind Shady Munni and Branco Maria in his most recent. He has tactical speed and could sit a great trip near the rail.

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

2-7-9-6

Shug McGaughey has them surrounded in here. After winning the Tesio Stakes last Saturday, he’s sending out two of the favorites in here, including #2 High Stick (1-1). She most recently finished a game second on the grass at Indianapolis last August. Six horses from that race have since won, including third-place finisher Joyful Applause, who was second in the Mrs. Revere Stakes. This one has worked well at Gulfstream and Keeneland, and must be coming in here in pursuit of an easy condition clearance, which she should get. Notably, Forest Boyce, Shug’s usual rider down here, has the mount on his other horse, #7 Starters Orders (6-1), while Feargal Lynch rides High Stick. Starters Orders was knocked around early on last out and backed up, but should improve second time out with smoother sailing. She’s a half-sister to Nathan Detroit, who has won high-level allowances on this grass course, along with graded stakes winner Mrs. Danvers. #9 Creole (4-1) just missed third last out behind next-out winner Cynergy’s Electra, and adds lasix for her 3-year-old debut with Brittany Russell. Russell sent out a second-place finisher in a maiden on grass on Sunday.

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

5-3-2-6

#5 Voodoo Priestess (2-1) was well-beaten in her first two starts, but improved second off the layoff last out and held third after a wide trip. She has the best last-out figure in the race by nine points, having run a 63 in her most recent. #3 River City Rocker (7-2) was up on a contested pace first off the layoff last out and stopped. She’s dropping from the $45,000 level and should hang in there better second off the bench. #2 Winds of Fortune (9-2) showed some punch very late in the game when favored on debut last out. She should also take a step forward in this spot.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-6-10-2

#3 Badger Tooth (5-1) has improved his figure in each of his last three starts, peaking at an 81 last out when he was third behind much better. He won going away despite a wide trip three races back, and should work one out here with his draw close to the rail. #6 Ghostlighter (5-2) also recently beat a n/w3L field, in his case two starts back, and was no match for better rivals in his last start. That was the first time his figure dropped below 79 in a while; a return to form will make him tough to beat. #10 Erawan (9-2) goes first off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado. He raced wide and held third against similar last time, and he’s looking at similar circumstances here.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-1-12-6

#2 Now Yus Can’t Leave (7-2) made her first start off a ten-month layoff last out at Fair Grounds. She raced wide throughout, and although she was outkicked by stakes-placed Heartyconstitution, she ended up a strong second with a career-best 84. She’s dealt with overland trips in her last few starts, but should work out a more ground-saving journey second time out. #1 Frivole (3-1) competed in her native France last year, and now makes her stateside debut for Graham Motion. While Motion is always dangerous with European shippers, this one developed a bit of a second-itis streak over there, losing each of her final four starts of the season by no more than 1 1/2 lengths. She’s a contender, but is likely to be overbet. #12 Nicolar (6-1) came from way off the pace to beat Maryland-bred allowance runners in her season finale last year. Ferris Allen runners generally need a race off the bench, but this one should nonetheless close for an exotics spot.

RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-6-5

#4 Spotted Bull (7-2) won going away against one of his rivals today, #2 Free Square (4-1) and next-out winner No More Talk, going seven furlongs two starts back. He faded after a wide trip at a mile last out, but cutting back in distance should help the cause. Free Square has run no worse than an 85 in his last four starts. He packs a good middle punch, but has trouble sustaining his rallies until the end. He looks like a better horse for the underneath spots. #6 Wild Behavior (9-2) dominated the field in gate-to-wire style last out and will try to go as fast as he can once again.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

8-7-1-5

#8 Goldieness (4-1) has rapidly improved with every start. Jamie Ness shipped her up to Aqueduct last out, and she blew the doors off the field, stalking the pace and drawing off with a career-best 84. This is her first start going a mile, but she kicked away impressively at seven furlongs in that race. #7 Devil Pays in Gold (7-2) just missed in her first start against winners last out, and has shown a strong closing kick in her first two starts. She was beaten by #1 Six the Hard Way (7-2), who ran on well to get third in the Weber City Miss Stakes last Saturday and now returns here. Given how slow the pace was, coming from last to hit the board is pretty impressive. She’s previously run well off short rest and is in career-best form.