• John Piassek
• June 11, 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 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

5-1-3-6

We’ll start on a hot Sunday with some older horses on the grass. #5 Cannon’s Roar (5-2) is a name that needs no introduction for Maryland racing fans. This 9-year-old gelding will head postward at Laurel for the 21st time in this spot. He’s faced much better horses in his first two starts of the Maryland season, but get some much-needed class relief here. His brisnet figures have declined a bit from last year, but they’re still good enough to beat these. #1 Strong Headed (4-1) closed well off a slow pace to lose by 1 1/2 lengths last out in his seasonal bow. He was claimed by Kieron Magee out of that race and should be in mid-pack towards the inside. #3 Jackie A (9-2) exits the same race as Strong Headed, and *did* close off a slow pace for his first grass victory. He raced well on dirt over the winter and early spring, but this may well be his preferred surface.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-4-7-5

#6 Espresso Lungo (9-2) finally broke through to get his first career win at 19th asking three starts back. In his most recent race, he was beaten by the early pacesetter and an odds-on choice who rated and was second, but he closed well late and secured third. #4 Hop and Scotch (4-1) exits the same race, where he was wide early and faded. He’s put in stronger late rallies in earlier races, and should rebound second off a brief break. #7 Ice Cold Frosty (2-1) plunges in class after finishing well-beaten in three straight tries against first-level allowance foes. It’s possible Brittany Russell’s just looking for a confidence-building spot, but still, this is a bit of a suspicious drop.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-4-2-1

#5 Mo Co Gold (8-5) has been on a tear this year, having not missed the exacta in seven starts on the season. She won at this level in late January, and went gate-to-wire to defeat slightly lesser foes easily in her most recent with an 80. She’s racing for her third trainer in her last three starts, having been taken by Jerry Robb out of her most recent effort. #4 And Whistle (9-2) has in-and-out form, but her mid-80s ceiling is good enough to win this race. She finished third behind Happy Clouds and Liquidator two starts back, who came back to finish 1-2 yesterday. #2 Our Liberty Belle (3-1) closed professionally to break her maiden second off the layoff last out. if Mo Co Gold ends up faltering on the lead, she’ll be in prime position to pick up the pieces.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-3-7-5

#2 Postnup (8-5) ships here for Cherie DeVaux in search of easy pickings. She made her first two starts off a long layoff last out at Fair Grounds and Indianapolis. While she wasn’t a factor against better allowance horses, she improved nicely second off the bench with an 81. She ran in the upper-80s in the early part of last year before going to the sidelines. A return to that type of form would crush these. #3 Naval Empire (7-2) closed well for second in her grass debut last out. The winner of that race, Downtown Katie, returned to finish second in a tough allowance on Black-Eyed Susan day. #7 She Is Wisky (3-1) has closed for pieces several times this year, including a neck defeat behind Naval Empire last out. That said, Naval Empire is lighter-raced and has more room for improvement, while She Is Wisky is an established plodder who doesn’t really have the kick to win a race like this.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-4-2

#6 Indian Lake (5-2) closed gamely for a 1 1/2-length defeat against a tougher third-level field last out. He lost to Borracho, a three-time winner on the year in upper-level allowance company, and stakes winner Witty. In the start before that, he blew away a second-level field with a 99. #7 Hello Hot Rod (8-5) was scratched out of a spot at a mile on Friday to run here. He ran a gutsy race to get second in the Frank Whiteley Stakes two starts back, and gets some class relief after a try in the Maryland Sprint. He’s been waiting for a spot like this for a while and finally finds it. However, he might be overbet. #4 John the Bear (10-1) showed little first off the claim by Ferris Allen, but had run some solid figures in his prior races, albeit with a tendency to lug out. He returns to a track where he’s hit the exacta ten times from 14 starts.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-10-5-7

#6 Whenigettoheaven (5-1) was taken out of his element first off the layoff when he tried to come from off the pace. He handled it well, closing to lose a place photo after a four-wide trip. He ran an 85 in his maiden-breaking effort on this course last year, and looks to have lots of upside. What do you make of #10 Johnyz From Albany (5-2) in this spot? Last year’s Maryland Million Nursery champion made his 3-year-old bow on Black-Eyed Susan day and ran a solid second after setting the pace. He would’ve fit in in a first-level spot on dirt yesterday, or even in the race immediately following this one, but instead Phil Capuano has decided to give him a shot on the lawn. His dam, Monster Sleeping, was a three-time stakes winner on grass, but has yet to produce a winner on this surface. If this one takes to the surface, he’ll probably win. #5 Putin Online (6-1) has won three times on this grass track from five starts, with figures as high as 86, but hasn’t competed since mid-January.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-3-4-1

I’ve been waiting a long time for #8 Left Hand Thread (6-1) to make his return, and now he’s back for the first time against winners. He destroyed a maiden claiming field first off a long layoff last out, winning by almost eight lengths with a gigantic figure of 96. He was scratched out of a first-level spot a month later, and has not been seen since that late February effort. This is definitely a class test, but he’s loaded with upside and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him run away with this one as well. #3 Military Hop (8-1) has run second four times in a row, albeit with improving form in his last few starts. He’s coughed up the lea late twice in his last three starts, but in this race, he looks more likely to rally on for a minor slice. #4 Cryo (3-1) stalked the pace and won going away against softer last out, running at least an 88 for the second time in as many starts this year. He was claimed out of that race by Brittany Russell, which might cause him to get overbet.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-5-6