• John Piassek
• May 5, 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 — $38,034 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

12-10-3-8

#12 Sir Terre (9-2) goes first off the claim by Anthony Farrior. He overcame a wide trip to finish a close second in his last grass start, which came on this track in November, but tailed off badly on dirt in his recent races. Since getting claimed by Farrior in mid-February, he’s had some time off, and has some good recent workouts under his belt. I’m looking for him to return to form. #10 Seville Row (5-1) packed some strong late punches towards the end of last year, but was unable to overcome slow paces in each of his final three starts of the season. He’ll hope for something to close into in his first start of the year. #3 Unorthodox (10-1) raced on grass earlier this year at Sam Houston Race Park, but didn’t do much that day. He hit his best stride on this track towards the end of the meet, and will also do his best running late.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-4-3

#6 Twice Gold (5-1) broke his maiden in impressive style second off the bench last out. After a rough break, he rushed up to rate near the pace, unlike his prior efforts where he tended to linger towards the back of the pack. From there, he kicked on to an impressive maiden win. #1 Amity Road (3-1) has run his two best brisnet figures in his two starts this year, running a 77 last out and an 84 two races ago. Parx-based Andy Hernandez rode him when he broke his maiden here two starts back, and now comes back to ride him here. #4 Kenner (4-5) looks like the dominant early speed in this race, but hasn’t been out to the races since last July. He’s had a sharp worktab at Parx this month for Jamie Ness. He has a high ceiling, but it’s a low price to take on a horse who hasn’t raced in so long.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

1-7-4-3

It’s time for the first 2-year-old race of the season in Maryland. It’s no secret John Salzman Jr. always has them ready to go early, and he’ll try to keep his reputation intact with #1 Low Mileage (9-2). This Virginia-bred filly has had only three workouts, but one of them was a bullet drill, and she gets Jevian Toledo aboard. While Mike Trombetta isn’t that great with debuters, #7 Call the Question (7-2) has had back-to-back bullet workouts and has gotten steadily faster in the morning since getting on the worktab at Fair Hill in late April. #4 Buckin’ Great (5-2), one of two in here for Jerry Robb, is a half-sister to nine winners, including stakes winner Unstoppable U.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

4-1A-5-8

#4 One Las Olas (5-1) has won twice in a row going a mile, both times coming from off the pace to win going away. She’s stepping up from the $12,500 level, but her figures are right in the mix with the rest of these, and a lot of these are also stepping up from that condition. #1A Queen Tapiture (4-1) finally got over the hump to break her maiden at 11th asking at Turfway Park two starts back, getting up with a flying rally. She was flat against much better in her local debut, but gets lasix for the first time and should enjoy the extra distance. #5 Don’t Tell Deren (3-1) handled the stretch-out to 1 1/16 miles with ease, as she prompted the pace and drew off to an easy win last out. She raced on the lead for the first time that day, and it’ll be interesting to see if she’s aggressively used once again.

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

3-7-6-5

#3 Speak Unity (6-1) already had a win on grass this meet, chasing down the tough veteran Battlebus to win at 38-1 back on April 16. There’s lots of speed in here, and he’d take advantage of a fast pace. #7 Strike Me Down (4-1) ran in the 90s twice last year on the grass in Kentucky, but has struggled in his last two starts on dirt at Parx. We’ll see if he perks up to his full potential with a return to his favorite surface. #6 Bourbon Currency (12-1) races for the first time since January 14. He showed promise on this grass course last year, including a game second-place finish against better in mid-August, and will be in the catbird seat off a potential duel.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-8-7-5

#6 Porch Swing (7-2) scratched out of an off-the-grass spot on Sunday to race here. He set the pace for the first time in his most recent start, which was his second off an eight-month break, and held gamely until the last eighth. He’s stretching out a bit here from seven furlongs. #8 Delegated (7-2) recovered from a bad start and gobbled up ground late to get third in his local debut most recently. This Repole homebred ran a career-best 76 that day and has lots of upside. #7 Vax a Nation (3-1) has a grinding style of closing that gets him plenty of checks, but has not gotten him in the winner’s circle so far in six career tries. He’s been well-bet in each of his last four starts, and has hit the board every time, but of course has not won. He must be respected for underneath spots, but will almost certainly be an underlay.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-1A-8-3

#7 Satchel de Riches (8-5) has been in excellent form at Parx, winning three straight races on the pace. In his last two starts, he ran in the 90s. Parx form doesn’t always translate to Laurel, but he’d have to regress significantly, or someone else would have to improve several points, for him to lose this one. #1A Flat Lucky (5-2) was a strong-closing third first off the bench at Parx last out, and should make his presence felt late. His peak performances last year would contend with Satchel de Riches; we’ll see if he can get there. #8 Rahmer (8-1) has run no worse than an 85 in his last five starts and should prompt the pace from the outside.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-2-14

#3 Who’s Counting (5-1) was named champion Maryland-bred steeplechaser last year, but he exhibited fine flat form as well. He ran a game second at 1 3/8 miles on this track last June, then came from far out of it to win at Colonial Downs next out. After a dull showing in the Carolina Cup in his first start of the year, he’s returning to the flat, and shouldn’t have much trouble with this bunch. #8 Mint Game (6-1) races for the first time this year for Jose Managa, after a very consistent 2022. He has solid closing speed but often leaves himself with too much to do late. If he can draft about five or six lengths off the early lead, he has a chance. #2 Crossland (8-1) finally broke his maiden at 12th asking two starts ago as the overwhelming favorite and looks like the main speed of this contest.