• John Piassek
• April 30, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $9,333 Super High 5 — $35,717 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-5-6-2

Another round of rain for today’s 8-race program. #3 Distant Fire (5-2) turned in a game effort going seven furlongs two races back, but flattened out late when stretching out to a mile last out. He’s facing a soft field here and should benefit from a cutback in distance. #5 Da Beers On Ice (5-1) makes his 3-year-old debut and drops to this level for the first time. He ran a respectable brisnet figure of 62 on debut last August, then went to the sidelines after a dull race in December. His recent workouts have been very solid. #6 Neutral (3-1) makes his first start for Brittany Russell after doing nothing in his first start at Gulfstream Park. He faced much better horses in that race, so this is a bit of a shocking class drop, but as long as he has any ability at all, he should contend with these.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-7-2-3

There were two grass races scheduled for today, but both were moved to dirt. This is the first one. #8 O Shaughesey (10-1) got up after a wide trip to clear her n/w2L condition in sharp fashion last out. She’s run two of her three best figures in her last two races. #7 Bella Bettina (12-1) has a good closing punch, but it didn’t translate to a route last out when she stretched out to 1 1/16 miles. She closed for second in her last sprint start, finishing between two next-out winners. #2 She’ll Make Waves (8-1) goes first off the claim by David Howard and will show speed from the inside. She broke her maiden in impressive style on debut and held on gamely to win second time out.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-1-2-4

#7 Oxide (3-1) cruised to a gate-to-wire win last out, albeit over just three rivals, and has run no worse than an 84 in six starts on the year. If he can clear to the front from the outside post before the first turn, the rest might be in trouble. #1 Mystic Link (5-2) beat Oxide two starts back with a strong come-from-behind move, but was inexplicably dull in his last start. He did race wide a lot of the way in that spot, and he’ll at least save more ground here. #2 Crush It (3-1) has been very consistent all year, but his best is a few points below the peak of Oxide.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-2-1

#4 Tweet Away Robin (8-5) made her first start off the layoff a winning one last out. She closed gamely to chased down free-wheeling odds-on favorite Haleigh B in the last few jumps, running a career-best 89 in the process. She could be even more powerful second off the bench. #5 Tam Char (7-2) broke a bit slow in her last start, which threw her off her game. She’s run some big races this year when more forwardly-placed, and is likely to get a great trip just off the flank of #2 Rock Rose (5-1). That one has won two in a row for Anthony Farrior and Arnaldo Bocachica between here and Charles Town, and will try to take them as far as she can, as fast as she can.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

9-12-11-1

This one was also scheduled for the lawn. #9 Carvellian Quest (8-5) returned first off an eight-month layoff, and ran a solid race. The top two ran 1-2 throughout and turned the race into a virtual merry-go-round, However, this one finished clear of the others and earned a solid 75. He ran figures as high as 91 last year, and if he gets close to that figure here, he’ll be very tough. #12 Porch Swing (3-1) has run two big races since returning off a long break of his own in mid-March. He came from off the pace two starts back, then set the pace and held in until late in his next outing. He looks ready to put it all together here. #11 Curteis (8-1) has shown flashes of brilliance at this distance, and should run along for a slice late.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-8-4-1

If you’re wondering how to pronounce the name of #2, it’s “Vixen’s Celtic Banshee”. #5 Lil’ Late Luck (4-1) gobbled up ground late to finish third on debut, losing to two experienced rivals who sat perfect trips. She gets to stay at this level second time out. #8 Cora’s Choice (5-2) outfinished Lil’ Late Luck last out, in her dirt debut, her second start overall, and her first outing for Brittany Russell. She should work out another good trip near the pace on the outside, but is likely to go off at lower odds than Lil’ Late Luck. #4 Sugar Sin (7-2) spent the winter at Claudio Gonzalez’s Gulfstream Park base, and now makes her local debut for that outfit. She’s almost certainly going to be on the lead in the early stages.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-1-8

#4 Assume Nothing (3-1) made a strong late rally and got up to break his maiden last out, following a game third-place finish in his dirt debut two races back. He looks loaded with upside. #6 Parkerness (7-2) showed plenty of promise in his first two starts with back-to-back big figures, but lost early position last time and didn’t run his usual race. He’ll look for a rebound here for the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo. #1 Byk (5-2) ran a career-best 85 last out when he rated off the pace and kicked away to beat a first-level field. He was claimed out of that race by Penn National-based Tim Kreiser, who sends him back here for his next outing. He’s going to get another great trip, but he might not be able to withstand the kick of better rivals.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES,1 1/16 MILES

5-7-4-6