• John Piassek
• July 9, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $19,951 Jackpot Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-2-4

The form of #5 Island D’Lite (8-5) is inflated somewhat by a big brisnet figure two starts back. He sat a perfect trip off the pace in that race and kicked away to win with a 79. However, there’s not much speed in here, and she’s shown at least some early foot in the past. As such, it’s reasonable to believe he can get a fairly easy trip on the front end. #1 On the Engine (2-1) was a mild third first off the layoff last out. He has good closing speed and should make a move up the inside in the stretch. #2 Sir Smoak (3-1) sat the trip and converted to beat n/w2L types at Delaware Park last out. He has very in-and-out form but his best contends against these.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-5-13-11 (DIRT: 2-7-5-4)

#2 Hay Chief (5-2) improved dramatically second time on grass last out, coming from well off the pace to lose a photo to well-worn maiden Vax a Nation. Maryland Moon, third in that race, returned to finish third against better yesterday. This one looks to mow them down late. #5 Awesome Strike (3-1) also made a game rally in his last start, closing from last to miss by less than a length going a mile. Carol Cedeno makes a rare trip here for the mount. #13 Praline’s Cat (15-1) has hit the board in four of his last five starts, and in fact crossed the wire first over the winter, but was disqualified. He should be on or near the pace and will try to save as much ground as he can.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-2-3

#6 B West (2-1) prompted the pace against better going two turns last out and faded. He cuts back around one turn here, which should suit him better. He ran in the low 80s consistently around one turn earlier this year. Is #7 Street Hustle (3-1) as good as his last race? He exploded away from a n/w2L field last out and ran a 91, which is the best last-out figure in the race by 12 points. It’s also 24 points better than anything he ran in his prior four starts this season. He has early speed and is in improving form even without that gigantic figure, but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect a return to that race. #2 Carbonite (9-5) ran a similarly impressive race at Ellis Park two starts ago, then showed little first off the claim by Lynn Cash at Ellis Park. He’s backed up that big two-back race with impressive numbers last year, so a return to peak form is not out of the question.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

9-1-2-5 (DIRT: 1A-11-7-3)

#9 Gunslinger (4-1) has gone gate-to-wire to win six times in his last ten starts and doesn’t have a lot of speed to deal with here. There’s a great chance of him going all the way again. #1 Two by Two (8-5) looks like the more grass-proven half of the Jamie Ness entry. He got up to win at this level two starts ago, then made ground in the last eighth and finished a respectable fourth last out. #2 Super E (5-1) improved nicely second off the layoff and takes a slight drop from the $30,000 starter optional claiming level. He’ll hope for even a moderate pace to close into, but even if he doesn’t, he has enough ability to get up for a minor share late.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-1-2-6

#3 How Sweet She Is (5-2), one of two in here for Mike Trombetta, has hit the board in each of her four starts. She’s consistently run in the low/mid-70s, and now stretches out a bit while facing a fairly easy field. This looks like a now-or-never spot. #1 Connie’s Dance (9-5) was blocked in the stretch last out, but still rallied well and lost by 1 1/4 lengths, while improving nine points from her debut. #2 Haint Blue (6-1) exits the same race as Connie’s Dance. She was flat in the stretch in that race, but ran in the 70s in her two prior dirt races. She has great late pace figures and should take advantage of the long stretch run.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-14-2-3 (DIRT: 5-15-9-12)

#1 Carmel Sunrise (7-2) made her local debut last out, and chased odds–on winner Storm Chaser throughout. She managed to finish second by a neck, with a much-improved 77. #2 Krone (3-1) has shown good losing speed in her last two starts at this level and will try to work out a trip stalking the pace on the rail. #14 Queen of the Dance (3-1) was a solid second in her grass debut at Parx last out, in her second start overall. The winner of that race, Fancy Scepter, returned to beat n/w2L foes at Monmouth Park next out.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-1-4

#3 Indian Lake (2-1) crushed the field at this level three starts back, running a 99 in the process. He held his own against better in his last two starts, and now drops back to a condition that he should relish. #2 Pit Stop Man (5-2) scratched from a starter allowance spot two weeks ago, and now returns in deeper waters. He’s run in the 90s four times this year, including a 96 last out in an impressive front-running effort. Usually, when he gets to the early lead, and he looks fast enough to get there without much trouble, he’s in good shape. #1 Float On (4-1) makes his first start for David Jacobson, who ships him back to the mid-Atlantic for this spot. He closed well for second at Parx last out, but might be better-served being a bit closer to the pace than he was last time.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-10-9-4 (DIRT: 7-11-9-3)

Joe Sharp ships down here for the first time since November 7 with #3 Spycraft (5-2). This one won the Dark Star Turf Sprint Stakes at Canterbury Park and competed against better earlier this year, but is now plunging in class. It’s possible Sharp is merely trying to unload this one, but he has enough back-class that it shouldn’t matter. #9 Valiant Vinny (3-1) went gate-to-wire first off the layoff last out and will try to take them all the way again. He doesn’t have an ideal draw, but looks fast enough to clear them from towards the outside. #10 So Street (8-1) ran in the 80s consistently last year and now makes his seasonal bow. He ran a big race first off the layoff last year, so I’m not too worried about him off the bench here.