• Frank Vespe
• June 25, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $8,346Jackpot Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

3-1-6-12

Pretty useful return to racing last out for #3 Invective (6-1), who ran evenly in his first try in three months in a race with a slow early-fast late profile that didn’t work for his running style. Improvement probably puts him in the winners circle here… Curious to see #1 Class Wizard (6-1) in this spot; his connections are acting like they like what they’re seeing from him perhaps more than what the page shows. He’s a horse who’s run repeatedly for a tag, dropping as low as $16,000, but in his first try this year they protected him from claiming, and while they don’t do that here, they step him up a level off what seems to be a good-not-great return… #6 Star Shopping (7-2) arrives off a win while moving up in class and stretching out to two turns…

RACE 2

5-1-2-4

Solid debut for #5 Kellan (9-5) who rallied greenly but nicely for the place and looks to be in a good spot to graduate. You’d like to see her a bit closer to the pace in this 4 1/2-furlong sprint. Trainer Brittany Russell wins at a 37% clip with two-year-old maidens who were in the money in last… #1 Buckin’ Great (5-2) has shown speed and faltered in both starts to date and finished behind our top choice in last, but her early foot makes her a threat… #2 Wait for Tomorrow (8-1) is a half-sister to the stakes-placed Mr. Jefferson…

RACE 3

3-5-8-2

#3 Away to Return (8-1) got legweary last time out and why not? It was her first try in nearly a year. If she’s a bit tighter today, she’ll have an impact at a price. Trainer Damon Dilodovico wins at a 24% clip second time off the long layoff… #5 O Shaughesey (7-2) bested Away to Return (and three others in here) in winning versus similar last time out… #8 Lady Serenity (8-1) crushed lesser in last, disposing of a speed rival and going clear to win easily…

RACE 4

7-4-3-2

Top choice #7 Bright Moon (6-1) takes a two-level drop out of special weight company in her first start of the year while adding Lasix. Just so happens trainer Brittany Russell is 5-for-12 in similar circumstances… #4 Looking for Water (7-2) had a couple of decent tries versus similar last year, and while her last was nothing to write home about, it was her first outing in over a year and came on turf… First-time starter #3 Mollie Tapper (8-1) has some OK works in preparation, and trainer Sanchez-Salomon has a positive ROI with runners making their debuts in maiden claiming company…

RACE 5

13-2-6-12

Quite a debut from #13 Alla Breve (6-1), who ran past ’em all in a long rally to win. The top three to run back from that race all won their follow-ups. The only knock is that that race came back in October, but the Matz barn has had good success off the bench (19% with a positive ROI the last five years). Lasix on… The last effort for #2 Afandi (7-2) certainly was flattered when winner Bosserati came right back to win the Stormy Blues versus fellow sophs. Our one concern is that this one had a pretty perfect trip off the duel and never could go by. Still, a repeat might be good enough… We’re inclined to give #6 Skylar’s Sister (20-1) one last look. Her debut win on the turf was an absolute tour de force, even if the speed figs say otherwise. She had all kinds of traffic and came flying late to get the money. Her last wasn’t good, but trainer Phil Capuano brings her right back on the lawn, so let’s give her one more crack at a price…

RACE 6

3-8-5-7

Obviously #8 Dillinger (4-5) ought to win this contest, but he’s been beaten at 3-5 or less three times now, including last, so let’s look around and see if we can make a case elsewhere… #3 Israeli Army (12-1) showed a little talent in his juvenile debut when third behind Johnyzfromalbany, who was the second-best Maryland-bred two-year-old last year. This one faltered readily in last , but that was his first start in 10 months. Lasix added today… #5 Wind Event (12-1) is a half to minor stakes winner Breviary, and trainer Jerry Robb can get ’em ready to win first out of the box…

RACE 7

7-2-4-13

#7 Cush Effect (9-2) ran a decent race in his seasonal bow when running evenly going nine furlongs against better. All five to run back have finished in the money next out, including two winners, and this one can make it six against a tepid group… Blinkers off, added ground, and a drop to the easiest group she’s seen all should work to the advantage of the somewhat oddly handled #2 Palacsinta (9-2), who’ll make her first start in the Brittany Russell barn… #4 Bessie Blue (12-1) returns to her preferred surface and distance for her second start of the year…

RACE 8

1-3-2-5

#1 Biogenic Babe (4-1) got a vote of confidence when trainer Ness jumped her up a level first off the claim, now takes an appropriate drop off a bland outing versus better. Go-to rider Rodriguez a plus… #3 Spencerian (6-1) ran OK versus sophomore allowance foes in last… Blinkers on for #2 Sweet Beauty (5-2), who just missed versus similar last time…