• John Piassek
• July 14, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $22,223 Jackpot Super High 5 — $422 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-8-5

#7 Spencerian (8-5) drops from the $25,000 n/w2L level and looks to have found a spot she can handle. She was little factor against tougher fields in her first two starts at Laurel this year, but has run brisnet figures in the 70s four times in her five career starts. Not many others in here can run that kind of race consistently. #2 Closertotheheart (8-1) also drops from that level. She broke awkwardly and showed little first off the layoff last out, but ran great figures on dirt for most of last year. She’s not as good on grass, and she spent a lot of last year on that surface, obscuring her form. #8 I Have Courage (6-1) led most of the way and faltered last out, but her other recent races beat these. Richard Monterrey should send her hard from the outside post.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-7-11-1 (DIRT: 9-10-5-4)

Christophe Clement will send Atomic Blonde down here tomorrow for the Big Dreyfus Stakes, but he’s also bringing #3 Ship the Goods (5-2) for a little barn preview. This one ran huge figures on grass over the winter at Gulfstream Park, earning a 91 two starts back and an 81 three races ago. Most recently, he faltered in the Woodstock Stakes at Woodbine while well-bet, but he’s had some time off since then and some solid recent workouts at Saratoga. He should handle these without a problem. #7 Star Shopping (10-1) closed gamely for third last out in his first start at this level. He’ll look to sit just off the pace and time his move right. He looks like a solid bet to round out the exacta at a good number. #11 Maya Prince (3-1) drops from the n/w2x level at Monmouth Park for Mike Trombetta, who is hitting at a strong 23% this meet. He was outkicked in his last few starts but will be in the hunt in this one with the right setup.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-6-3

#4 Step Ahead (8-5) led most of the way last out and got caught in the final sixteenth, holding on for second in a race where the other horses in the trifecta both came from well out of it. He’s run well going two turns in the past, so the stretch back out to a mile shouldn’t be an impediment. #1 Long Live Now (6-5) was the only first-timer in his debut last out at Delaware Park. He chased a loose leader and had to settle for second. Without enough pace pressure, the same scenario could unfold here. #6 Toast to Coast (8-1) drops from the $30,000 level and fought gamely in the stretch with next-out winner New York Panther a few starts back.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-6-7-8 (DIRT: 6-3-4-7)

#3 Poggibonsi (10-1) is an unknown on grass, but if she takes to the surface, she’ll be hard to handle. She’s improved dramatically in her last two starts, turning in back-to-back victories. Last out, she pressed the pace and kicked away to win with a very solid 80. She’ll look to break well and get a similar trip. #6 Patty Cakes (5-2) goes first off the layoff for Jamie Ness, who is also having a fantastic season. This one closed furiously and just missed in her last grass start here in late October. #7 Chromeplated Heart (8-5) chased the pace against better last out and was third. The winner, Afandi, was a three-time winner on grass last year and is back in against second-level horses on Sunday.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

9-6-2-3

None of the four horses in here with experience have particularly distinguished themselves, making this race ripe for a first-timer. #9 Emm Ess Eh (5-2) is a homebred for the Elkstone Group going first out for Brittany Russell. Remarkably, Russell has not had a 2-year-old miss the board this year from 13 starters, including a pair of wins with first-time starters. This is a daughter of Awesome Elle, who has produced three winners from as many starters. #6 Buckin’ Great (3-1) has been well-bet in all three of her starts, but has been no better than second. She has the by far the best figures of anyone in here, so if the first-timers don’t fire, the race could fall into her lap. #2 Classy Chick (10-1) ships down here from Claudio Gonzalez’s Monmouth Park base and has some solid workouts in her lines. I’ll watch the board with her.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-14-12-11 (DIRT: 7-8-11-15)

#6 Tequilera (7-2) set fast fractions at this level last out and held second. There’s no other serious speed in here, so I can’t imagine she’ll be forced to go 46.58 for the half once again. As long as she breaks well and Jaime Rodriguez does what he’s supposed to do, she should be gone. #14 Eidikos (9-5) has been keeping better company in Kentucky and makes her Maryland debut for Graham Motion. She raced wide throughout last time and faded. The winner of that race, Xigera, returned to win the Tepin Stakes at Ellis Park, while the second and third-place finishers both finished second in their next outing. This one has the back-class and tactical speed, but runs the risk of getting a similarly tough trip as last time. That won’t win you much no matter who you’re racing against. #12 Youens (9-2) came from way downtown to get second last out, beaten by Thegirlfromireland, who got a several-length jump start on her. This one will likely be far behind early, and with a possible slow pace, that’s not a great sign for success. However, she should at least be able to get up for a share.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 FURLONGS

1-5-6-2

This is the first 2-year-old race for winners at the meet, and, I’m pretty sure, anywhere in the mid-Atlantic. #1 Give It a Whirl (2-1) would’ve fit in in the Sanford Stakes tomorrow at Saratoga, but Cal Lynch has seized the opportunity to try him against lighter fare first. This one set the pace and crushed the field on debut at Delaware, winning by almost eight lengths while running an 88. Charlie Marquez never had to crack the whip (though he did show it to him) and geared his mount down in the last sixteenth. If he improves even a bit off that race, his team might want to block off some hotel rooms in Saratoga in mid-August and/or Labor Day weekend. #5 Frosty the Giant (9-5) has one impressive maiden win at Churchill Downs sandwiched in between two dull efforts to begin his career. He chased the pace in the Tremont Stakes last out and faded. I would’ve liked to have seen a workout since then, but the promise is there. #6 Speedyness (4-1) shook off pace pressure and broke his maiden impressively last out, finishing six lengths clear of his sparring partner. He should be a factor on the pace once again.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-3-10-1 (DIRT: 9-8-12-4)

Much like his stablemate Bosserati, #7 The Addison Pour (9-2) has been a new horse since switching to grass. He made a strong rally and beat a first-level Maryland-bred field last out, running a career-best grass mark of 88. Runner-up Crabs N Beer returned to finish third last Saturday behind stakes-placed Circling the Drain and Riccio. This one is loaded with upside and should handle the jump in class without much trouble. #3 Wicked Prankster (7-2), last year’s Maryland Million Turf champion, has led and faded in his first two starts of the year, but could be ready to put it all together third off the bench. If nothing else, he should get the front-running trip he wants. #10 You Must Chill (3-1) has been stakes-placed three times on grass, but hasn’t won on this surface since September 2021. He was a solid second behind the sharp Buy Land and See in his last grass start at Penn National and should get a good trip stalking Wicked Prankster near the pace. He’ll take first crack should that rival falter.