• John Piassek
• June 24, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,008 Jackpot Super High 5 — $5,349 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP,6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-3

#1 Zen Master (5-2) has been in search of a field he can beat for a while, and just might’ve found it here. He ran a brisnet figure of 75 when well-beaten in his last dirt start, which is the best last-out mark in the race by six points. He ran in the 80s with consistency against first-level allowance foes over the winter, marks that would blow away most of these. Look for him to draft towards the back of the pack and kick on with the winning move late. #2 Mocephus (4-1) has raced just once in the past eleven months, showing speed and fading last out at Pimlico. He won in impressive gate-to-wire fashion on this track last June, running an 87 in the process. While he should show some improvement, he won’t get the luxury of an easy early lead. One of his likely competitors up front is #4 Grand Escape (8-1). While that rival backed up badly last out, he held his own after showing speed in his prior two starts, with figures in the upper-70s both times.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

10-13-6-15 (DIRT: 5-11-4-15)

#10 Tiz Tact Toe (5-2) has had numerous chances against winners, but most of those races were against better n/w2L types than he’ll see here. He closed well in his local debut last out and take a slight dip in class. #13 Mentalist (6-1) ran a career-best 77 in his first start of the year last out, though it was a visually unimpressive race against better. He’s run in the 70s five times in his last six dirt starts. #6 Boffo Kid (15-1) is one of the lighter-raced horses in here, having lost against winners only three times. He didn’t do much over jumps earlier in the year, but ran a promising 73 in his last flat grass start last summer and could rally for a slice at a good number.

RACE 3: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-1-5-7

A flat effort going a mile in late February notwithstanding, #2 Dulce Kiara (7-2) has been extremely consistent in sprints all year. She’s the only one in the field who has run in the 80s in each of her last four dirt races, and drops in class after finishing second behind stakes-placed Sweet Gracie last out. after burying her dueling partner. She won at seven furlongs to begin her season, so I’m not too concerned about the extra distance. #1 Katy the Cat (10-1) matched her career-best figure last out at Penn National, earning an 83 when she closed for second. That’s the third straight race in which she improved her figure. Thought Jevian Toledo is in an 0-for-13 slump to begin the season, him getting in the saddle has to be considered an advantage. #5 Cartwheel (3-1) rallied to win her last one-turn start at Parx with a determined late move and should be heard from late once again.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-1-5-6 (DIRT: 9-2-8-7)

#9 Roan Burgundy (7-2) has shown flashes of promise in his 6-race career. He ran a respectable 78 in his grass debut, in which he prompted the pace and faded going 1 1/16 miles. His lone win to date came at six furlongs on dirt, and he should enjoy the cutback to one turn. #1 Bourbon Ready (2-1) ran a big race on the lead in his debut for the Arnaud Delacour barn last out, dueling throughout, outfinishing his dueling partner, and getting caught in the last jump by the favorite who sat a perfect trip. This one is loaded with upside. #5 Imagine It All (8-1) closed well in his grass starts last year and has been working sharply as he prepares for his 2023 debut, with three bullet workouts in his last four.

RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-1-6-9

#5 Pit Stop Man (9-5) won at this level earlier in the year and ran a gigantic race against first-level allowance foes last out. He was pressured on the pace but kicked away and won impressively with a career-best 96. He doesn’t have to run that well to win this, but it wouldn’t hurt. Take out his start at Charles Town and his wide trip at a mile four starts back, and the form of #1 Spotted Bull (6-1) looks a lot better. He’s run in the 80s in his last four starts minus those races, and kicked away sharply to win at Delaware Park last out. He should get a good stalking trip on the rail. #6 Hot N Spicy Love (8-1) also runs in the 80s with regularity and faded on the lead going longer against Maryland-bred allowance foes last out. One turn against these types is more in his wheelhouse.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-5-8-11 (DIRT: 2-12-7-10)

This class overflowed on Friday, so it was written back for today, and once again attracted a big field. #3 Tequilera (3-1) improved sharply second off the layoff last out, running an 86 on Preakness day after coming from off the pace and flattening out in the last eighth. Three horses who exited that race, Thegirlfromireland, Youens, and Downtown Katie finished 1-2-3 at this level yesterday. That bodes well. #5 Nicolar (9-2) was favored at this level second time out, but couldn’t produce a late kick and regressed to a 77. You’ll get a much better price here if you believe she’ll rebound. #8 Cecelita (15-1) showed little at Parx last out when she didn’t get a pace to close into, but as long as the tempo isn’t too slow here, she should rally late for a slice.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-7-5-6

#1 Brilliant Ice (5-2) got some time off after a dull race in late March, and has taken steps forward in two starts since his return, with a pair of second-place finishes. He’s stretching out from six furlongs but has raced well at this distance in the past. #7 Luigi’s Spirit (7-2) closed well off a slow pace last out and just missed running down favored Montauk Point, who got a much better trip closer to the pace. This one has looked promising for a while and will try to put it all together against winners. #5 Union Fleet (9-2) got caught wide in his last two starts at Belmont Park, and comes back here for the first time since late March. He likes to rate near the pace and hang around for a share.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-3-5-9 (DIRT: 8-7-9-6)

#2 Rock the Boat (2-1) blew the doors off a first-level field to begin Preakness day, rating near the pace and drawing off emphatically. He’s always shown glimpses of ability, but has had trouble staying on the track. A win here would make him the future book favorite for the Maryland Million Turf Sprint, if such a thing existed. #3 Doctor Jeff (5-2) has improved with every grass start, peaking at an 88 last out when he chased the pace and ended up third. He has a high ceiling but will likely be overbet due to the Brittany Russell factor. #5 Maya Prince (5-1) was flat at Monmouth Park last out, but has run in the triple digits recently and adds blinkers.