• John Piassek
• July 1, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $11,438 Jackpot Super High 5 — $10,438 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-2-3-6

We’re beginning a new racing month with a solid 10-race card that includes a trio of stakes races. But first, the bread and butter business. #5 Hot Lookin Royal (5-2) crossed the wire first against similar last out, but was disqualified for causing interference not long after the break. That race was the first time she’s been on the lead in a while. Usually, she comes from further off the pace. With some speed drawn to her inside, she’s likely to sit off them early and wait to make her move. #2 Cocktail Dreaming (4-1) won two in a row on this track earlier in the year, but has prompted the pace and faded in her last two starts. She’s going second off the claim by Anthony Farrior and looks to wake up in this spot. #3 Performanceanxiety (9-2) went off as the odds-on choice in her last start, based on a dominant win two starts back, but showed little in that race behind Hot Lookin Royal. She’s good enough to rally for a share, but she’ll have to find her form from earlier this year to be the main threat.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-10-4-1

#9 Cavalry Command (5-1) makes his first start on grass. He’s run brisnet figures in the 70s on dirt three straight times, and has plentiful early speed. He’s facing a field without much established grass form and may prove tough to catch if his form transfers. #10 Claudee Boy (3-1) went to the sidelines after a dull race towards the end of last year, but outside of that, he’s run in the low-70s in his last six starts on this surface. He has raced on grass this year, one of few in here who can say that, and showed tactical speed before tiring late. He should improve with the race under his belt. #4 War and Roses (5-1) drops to a career-low level on grass and should prompt the pace. Last July, he won impressively on this track following a wide trip.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

3-1-7-4

#3 Remember Me (3-1) is a homebred for No Guts No Glory Farm making her debut for Jerry Robb. She’s a daughter of stakes winner Outwithbigdaddy, who has produced two winners from as many foals to race, including top local sprinter Fuhgeddaboudit. #1 Super Fabulous (4-1) has worked well at Delaware Park for Richard Sillaman, going four furlongs in sub-49 seconds twice recently. #7 G’s Fireball (7-2) is the only one in the race with experience, having made a move and flattened out at Delaware last out. She’ll try to build on that race here.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-11-9-1

#6 Jackie A (9-2) made his first grass start in a while at this level two races back, and split horses to win in a 26-1 upset. He matched his figure of 81 next out when he ran a very similar-style race and lost a three-horse photo. He should once again make an impact on this one. #11 Bob Marco (8-1) ran on well after rating near the pace in his last grass start, and has run in the 80s two times in his last three races on this surface. He should sit near the pace a few paths off the rail and could surprise. #9 Cannon’s Roar (3-1) held off Jackie A for second last out, but he had his chance to go by Kendama as the favorite last out and couldn’t do it. While his figures still contend with these, he’s dropped a few points since last year, and is bound to be overbet based on name value.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-5-4

#1 Left Hand Thread (3-1) broke his maiden in very impressive style two starts back, coming from just off the pace to win first off the long layoff with a 96. He made his first start off a 3 1/2-month break in his most recent start, and prompted the pace wide before getting outkicked by Pit Stop Man and ultimately losing a photo for third. He ran an 87 that day, certainly not a bad mark, and should get a great trip near the pace on the rail, in contrast to his last start. #6 Freeze the Fire (8-5) made waves on debut when he set the pace and held on to win over odds-on choice Dillinger, running a 90. That form was validated on Sunday when Dillinger came back to win his next start. He looks fast enough to clear to the front, and from there, it’s a matter of how far he can go. #5 Frightland (7-2) ran some figures in the 90s earlier this year, but was flat going six furlongs last out and may be better suited for longer distances.

RACE 6: JAMEELA STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-9-8-5

The first stakes race of the day is named for the two-time Maryland-bred Horse of the Year, who was also the first runner foaled in Maryland to earn $1 million. Later, she became the dam of sprint champion Gulch. #6 Gift of Gab (15-1) stepped up to Maryland-bred allowance company second off the layoff last out, and handled the jump in class with ease. She set honest early fractions and held on to win, matching her career-best mark of 83 while defeating some of her rivals today. She’ll have to hold off tougher horses here, but it looks like she’s getting better quickly and cannot be dismissed at a price. I like both of the Larry Johnson homebreds here, but I’ll lean towards #9 Spun Glass (5-2) over #8 Hollywood Walk (6-1). The former won this race last year, splitting horses late in a dramatic stretch run, and followed that up with a victory in the Camptown Stakes at Colonial Downs. She wasn’t much of a factor against better in three starts this year, but got going late for third last out in The Very One Stakes and should put it all together here. The latter ran improving figures last year, peaking at an 87 in victory on this track, and got a race under her belt last out when finishing an even fourth at Pimlico.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-4-3

#1 Moody Woman (9-2) enjoyed a beautiful setup last out. She stalked a fast pace, blew by the early leaders and won emphatically. There’s lots of pace in here, so if there’s another destructive duel, this one will take full advantage. If anyone will wire them, it’ll probably be #5 Princess Kokachin (9-5). She led most of the way in the Skipat Stakes last out, but flattened out in the last eighth and ended up fourth. She’s blazing fast up front, but six furlongs might be a bit too far for her. We’ll see how long she lasts. #4 Centre Court Champ (6-1) has finished second five times in her last six starts, never easy to do. She has good stalking speed and can rally with Moody Woman for a share.

RACE 8: LAUREL DASH, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-5-9-4

#2 Mid Day Image (9-5) shipped down here for David Jacobson earlier this year and beat some of the top local sprinters with a five-wide bid. He has great middle speed and if he can stay within a few lengths of the early lead, this one will be over quickly. #5 Smokin’ Jay (5-2) was a game second at Churchill Downs last out behind Bad Beat Brian, who set a track record in victory. Both of them outfinished Bound for Nowhere, who won the Highlander Stakes last year. This one has run in the 90s twice in his three starts this year and should be heard from late. #9 Fore Harp (9-5) went gate-to-wire in his season debut at Parx last out and will surely be hard-sent to the lead by Frankie Pennington.