• John Piassek
• June 17, 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 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-10-9-6

#8 Walks Like a Lady (3-1) set honest early fractions and had plenty left to hold on at Tampa Bay Downs last out. She once again looks like a serious speed threat, as the only ones who can run with her early are also unproven at two turns. #10 Hot Choice (5-1) closed well off moderate fractions to get third last out, in her first start of the season. She’s one of two in here along with Walks Like a Lady, to run a brisnet figure of at least 75 in each of her last two starts. If the sprinters make things difficult for Walks Like a Lady, it’ll play towards Hot Choice’s strengths even more. #9 True Blue Pearl (6-1) found herself on the lead through very slow fractions at Gulfstream Park last out, and managed to hold on for the victory. Usually, she rates off the pace and pounces for a slice, and that’s the most likely outcome in this spot.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-1-7

#4 Trophy Room (4-1) has been boom or bust so far this season. He’s won twice, with big figures both times, but has lost his other two starts by a combined 32 lengths. Those races came against better company and when he was caught wide, but he should work out a more ground-saving trip here, no more than one path off the rail. Look for him to sit near the early leaders. #6 Gilligan (2-1) drops back in class, but held his own at this level a few times earlier in the year, with a pair of runner-up finishes. #1 On the Engine (3-1) put in a very sharp recent workout to prepare his first effort since late February and has run no worse than a 74 in his last four starts.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-2-10-6

#8 Free Admission (5-1) showed promise last summer, but went to the sidelines in September after facing a tough maiden field in the mud. She returned to the races in April and led most of the way before flattening out, far from a disgraceful race for her first start in seven months. She’s making her grass debut in a pretty uneven bunch and should prove tough to catch on the lead. #2 Mashua (3-1) battled on the lead with a well-bet first-time starter last out, and held fourth while her dueling partner finished second. This one takes a drop in class second off the layoff, and if she improves off her career-best 72, could be a serious threat. #10 Stage Call (8-1) made mild late ground when overmatched against better on debut. She’s a half-sister to two grass winners, including a six-figure earner on the surface, and should enjoy the class relief.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-3-2

#4 Bar Down Express (1-1) was scratched out of a spot scheduled for grass yesterday to run here. He has figures vastly superior to these, but has faded late after setting the pace in each of his last three starts. There’s really not anyone who can pressure him in here, so it looks like a “now or never” spot for him. #1 He’s Pure Talent (7-2) has improved with every start, peaking at a 74 last out, and cuts back from a mile. #3 Bridge to Success (7-2) made some strong closing bids last year and now makes his first start since August 14. Trainer Emanuel Geralis has solid numbers first off the layoff and should have this one ready to run.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-3-1-8

#4 Crabs N Beer (3-1) makes his long-awaited (at least by me) return to the races here. He showed signs of life on the lawn last year, holding his own at this level against older horses before finishing third in the Maryland Million Turf. He went to the sidelines in December and now resurfaces with a new trainer, Keri Brion. This suggests that owner Charles Blanford thinks of him strictly as a grass horse, and with Brion’s numbers first off the layoff and this one’s recent worktab, I have little reason to doubt he’ll turn in a big race first off the layoff. #3 The Addison Pour (5-2) made an impression in his grass debut last out, coming from just off the pace to win going away with an 83. I’m not sure if his ceiling is has high as Crabs N Beer’s, but he has every right to improve and has the advantage of being recently raced. #1 Reel Well (12-1) made mild ground after wide trips in his first two starts of the year, and should get a better trip here. He broke his maiden on this track going away with a solid 83, so the promise is there somewhere.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-4-2-10

#11 Maryland Moon (5-1) was no match for odds-on favorite Tulchan in his last start, but rated near the pace and held on for second, making for a strong grass debut. He ran an 80 in that race, the best figure anyone in here has run on grass this year by eight points. #4 Giantsbane (9-2) was competitive against these types last year, running as high as an 82 last August. He hasn’t raced since October, but trainer Sarah Nagle is sharp first off the layoff. #2 Vax a Nation (4-1) was second in his grass debut last out, closing from well out of it to make up 7 1/2 lengths in the last eighth. However, it’s become his M.O. to always fall short while hitting the board, making his lines look just flashy enough to get action at the windows. He has to be respected for an underneath spot, but I have a feeling he’ll be overbet once again.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-3-1-10

#2 Saffa’s Day (3-1) has run no worse than an 89 in two starts since joining the David Jacobson barn earlier this spring. He came from well off the pace last out against better second-level foes at Belmont Park, and his late punch should play well on this track. #3 In Dreams (12-1) went to the sidelines after finishing well-beaten at Aqueduct last out. Take out that line, and he was in improving form over the fall and winter against second-level foes in New York, though none of his races were particularly visually impressive. He’s worked well recently for Horacio De Paz and is worth using at a price. #1 Seven on the Rocks (8-1) has run no worse than an 87 in his last three starts. That’s a cut below the best of Saffa’s Day, but he knows this track well.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-4-7-3

I’ve got the two Arnaud Delacour trainees in the field on top. #2 Doctor Davis (5-1) handled the return to two turns with ease last out. He led all the way and fended off stakes winner You Must Chill to take a second-level contest on Black-Eyed Susan day. Without much other speed to challenge him, he could find himself in a cozy spot on the front end. #4 Eons (5-2) goes third off the layoff here, following an effort last out where he kicked on late but could not rally past the victorious Sky’s Not Falling. He’s worked well since then, and this two-time stakes winner may be rounding into his best form. #7 Shadow Sphinx (4-1) closed for third behind Doctor Davis last out. He has great late pace figures but hasn’t gotten the job done on grass in a while. While he looks like a great underneath candidate, he’ll need a pace to close into to win this one.