• John Piassek
• May 7, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0 Super High 5 — $1,185 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-1-5

We’ve got an 8-race card to wrap up the spring meet at Laurel Park. #7 I Have Courage (4-1) did nothing in her first start off a ten-week layoff in mid-February, but rebounded nicely to get second in her last start, improving her brisnet figure sixteen points to a career-best 65. She’s the best alternative to likely heavy favorite #2 Watch Me Disappear (1-1), who ran figures better than those of the rest on grass last year but has not been seen since July 8. She’s making her dirt debut for her breeder, co-owner, and trainer, Tim Keefe. #1 Munnis Pretty (9-2) was well-beaten in her first five starts, but improved noticeably to finish sixth, beaten less than four lengths, after rating near the pace on the outside. That’s an encouraging performance.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

13-3-7-4

#13 Ballykeen (6-1) recovered from a bad start to rush up to the pace and hold third last out, in her first start in five months. This one has a lot of early speed and will be tough if she doesn’t get caught on the lead from the extreme outside. #3 Happy Tappy Tim (3-1) ships from Penn National, where she’s finished second in four of her last six starts. She’s rated off the pace and gotten outkicked in her last few, so she’ll hope for a fast pace to make her job easier. #7 Sapphire Beauty (6-1) led most of the way and got caught late her in her last start. She’s run at least a 68 in four of her last five starts and will be an early pace factor.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-6-3

There’s a mandatory payout in the rainbow pick 6 today. Even though there’s no carryover money, the entire pool (minus regular takeout, of course), will be paid off to the winners. That’s always nice. John Salzman Jr. won the first 2-year-old race of the Maryland season on Friday, and he’ll try it again with #1 Jumpingjaggerflash (3-1). This one has worked just three times, but they were all impressive drills, including a bullet workout on April 15. James Chapman sends out two in here, one of whom has already raced. #5 Incitatusway (4-1) got money in his debut at Parx last Monday, but checked not long after the start of the two-furlong dash and didn’t do much thereafter. With a cleaner break, he should improve. Stablemate #6 Swept (5-2) has some good three-furlong drills and gets Jeiron Barbosa aboard.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-2-1-6

The late pick 5 starts here. #5 Lord Uhtred (2-1) showed speed and tired going a bit longer in his prior few, but should enjoy cutting back to 5 1/2 furlongs. Many of his toughest rivals are coming off breaks, while he’s more recently-raced. #2 Grand Escape (3-1) chased the pace last out and held well until late, matching his career-best figure with a 76. He’s facing a bit of an easier field than the one he saw last time, and that number might be good enough to win it if he can repeat. #1 Flight of Bourbon (3-1) sat the trip and broke his maiden at Timonium second time out, and now races for the first time since then. He’s take advantage if Lord Uhtred tires.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-5-1-2

#6 Sweet Shugs (4-1) shipped to Charles Town and broke her maiden going away last out, rating off the pace early and earning a 75. Jeiron Barbosa went to West Virginia for the mount, and he returns here. #5 Naughty Nan (5-1) ran an 82 on debut last fall at Aqueduct, and has improved with every start since coming back in early February. She’s going first off the claim by Donald Barr. #1 Fancee Grace C (2-1) held second despite being pressed on the pace last out, and should show speed on the rail once again.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-3-7-8

This is the final grass race of the spring meet, and it’s also a mandatory payout in the jackpot super hi-5. #13 Lucci (5-1) has shown lots of promise on grass, finishing second in the Texas Glitter Stakes last year and never finishing worse than third. He hasn’t been quite the same horse on synthetic at Turfway Park, but has had some time off since getting claimed by Michael Moore in February and now returns to his preferred surface. I want to believe. #3 I Got a Rock (7-2) has won four of his last five on the grass, taking his last start on this track in gate-to-wire style. He might be using this race as a prep for the grass season at Penn National, where he’s based, but he’ll still be tough if he has any pop first off the bench. #7 Battlebus (4-1) fought gamely and just missed in his first start of the year last out. He should prompt the pace once again.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-3-5-1

#2 Free Square (5-2) got into a pitched battle for the lead last out, and while he dispatched of his dueling partner, he couldn’t withstand Spotted Bull (who is also in here). However, he held on to finish second, running his fourth straight figure of at least 85. #3 Oxide (10-1) won twice in front-running fashion earlier in the meet, and wheels back after being eased over an off track last Sunday. If you believe he’ll rebound, and he should seriously contend if he does, you’ll get a great price. #5 Military Hop (4-1) handled the return to one mile easily last out, holding second after battling for the lead and opening up. He’s finished no worse than second in four of his five starts at this distance.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-6-2