• John Piassek
• July 8, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $17,385 Jackpot Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-7-11-8

#10 Maryland Moon (5-1) has faced better at this level in his last few starts and overcame a wide trip to hang on for third last out. He’s once again drawn an unfavorable post, but if he runs back to his recent races, he’ll contend against these. #7 Pietrelcina (4-1) made a solid move to get third in his local debut last out and will try to build on that race following two disappointing efforts at Tampa Bay Downs. #11 Covert Kat (9-2) has run into some tough horses in his last few starts and closed well for third last out going shorter at this condition.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-6-7

#2 Ellie Victorina (9-5) is not taking a drop in class on a paper, but this is an easier field than the one she saw last out. She battled with well-bet second choice I Have Courage for the lead on the rail, then outfinished that rival while holding second. There’s speed to her direct inside in the form of Fashionatta, but that one should be easier to deal with than I Have Courage was. #4 Lady Cage Fighter (8-1) broke her maiden impressively at second asking two starts back, then went to the sidelines for almost a year. In her return to the races, she showed brief speed, then was forced to check sharply and dropped out of contention. With a race under her belt and a cleaner trip, she should improve. #6 Icestorming (4-1) got a bit too eager on the front end at Delaware Park last out and faded, but in the past has shown more tactical speed. That could be an asset in this race.

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

9-1-2-5

#9 Souper Tropical (9-5) is the only one in here who has run a brisnet figure in the 70s on grass this year, and she’s done so twice. She was visually unimpressive against better earlier in the year, but now faces a rather scattershot group and looks to have them beat easily if she runs her usual race. #1 New Rome (9-2) makes her grass debut and adds lasix for Jose Corrales. She led most of the way first off the layoff and tired; she should last longer on the lead here from the inside post. #2 Abstract Moment (2-1) ran in the upper 60s and low 70s consistently last year, then got outkicked as the favorite last out in her season debut. Last year, she was similarly flat in her first start of the year, then improved 11 points second time out. She’ll try to repeat that here.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-1-2

In her last start, #6 My Flicker (5-1) sat off the pace and got up to win. She’ll once again get a pace to run into, with lots of confirmed front-runners in this field. She ran in the upper 80s and low 90s last year but has declined a bit in her last few races. A rebound would make things even easier. #5 Combat Queen (3-1) has a similar running style as My Flicker. She was a bit too close to the pace last out against better and stopped, but her usual trip would set her up well. If anyone’s going to wire them, it will probably be #1 Shesasuperfreak (2-1), who has been in improving form since making her season debut in late March. She’ll likely be on the lead in the two-path and try to get by on the far turn.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-5-2-6

#4 Circling the Drain (7-5) wouldn’t have been out of place in next Saturday’s Kent Stakes, but Brittany Russell has decided to drop him back to allowance company before (likely) taking another try at stakes rivals. This one, who is well-bred for grass, made his debut on this surface in the James W. Murphy Stakes and was a solid-closing third behind Nagirroc, who returned to finish third in yesterday’s Manila Stakes. By far the most serious competition will come from #5 Crabs N Beer (5-2), who has had the misfortune to run into two strong Russell runners in his two starts this year. In his season debut last out, he worked out a beautiful ground-saving trip, but was unable to hold off The Addison Pour, who rallied wide to nail him in the last few jumps. He should run another great race second off the layoff. #2 Riccio (7-2) exits the same race as Crabs N Beer. He led most of the way before fading late and ending up third. He raced well despite honest fractions that day, so if he can slow things down on the lead even more, all the better.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-2-6-4

Whether he wins or loses, #1 He Hate Me (5-2) will certainly give you a thrill if you bet on him. He came from well off the pace to win at this level two starts ago on this track, then just missed at Parx last out. His figures are much the best in this field and he should get up just in time. #2 My Last Mission (4-1) will provide some pace for He Hate Me. He battled on the lead at Delaware last out and got up over the hard-knocking Aristocratic. He looks like the main speed in this one and will try to sneak away on the front end. #6 Askin for a Baskin (9-2) was outkicked by He Hate Me three starts back, but has run in the 80s in his last two starts on this track.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-6-8-11

#5 Wicked Secret (10-1) is in a bit of an unusual spot. This card was drawn on July 2, and he broke his maiden at Parx the next day! He closed gamely in that race and ran a much-improved 87 second time on the lawn. As he was eligible at time of entry, we’ll see if he remains in the race. #6 Faringdon (9-2) was well-bet on debut at Delaware last out, going off as the 3-1 third choice in a race where he was one of only two first-time starters in the field. He got jammed up in some traffic early on and never truly regained his footing. He’s worked well since then for Jimmy Toner and should improve second time out. #8 The Jackal (3-1) is in the same shoes that Faringdon was at Delaware. This $300,000 purchase has had a long, steady worktab at Shug McGaughey’s Fair Hill base getting ready for his debut. The board will tell the story with him.

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

3-4-6-2

#3 All Threes (5-2) struggled mightily in his last start when facing a tough sprint field. He won back-to-back starts going a mile in his prior races, and now stretches back out. Longer distance appear to be more in his wheelhouse, and as such I’m willing to discard that last race. If you do, he’ll be especially tough. #4 Yodel E.A. Who (7-2) was scratched out of a stakes-quality spot yesterday to run here, and should find the competition easier. He’s shown a great closing kick in sprints, but that doesn’t always translate to routes. Still, his recent figures put him in the mix with these. #6 Galerio (2-1) may have shown up in yesterday’s race, rather than be risked for $55,000 here, if he was not well-beaten in his last start. Prior to that, he finished second four straight times, with figures in the 90s each time. While he can’t be completely disregarded, you’ll have to take a low price on him to believe.