• John Piassek
• July 15, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $24,652 Jackpot Super High 5 — $800 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

3-8-4-1

There’s nine races to dive into on this stakes Saturday. #3 Marvelette (3-1) was well-beaten in her first two starts on dirt, but handled the switch to the grass well last out at Parx. She did most of the early running and had the lead turning for home before tiring late. She’ll look to improve second time on this surface. Her only serious competition for the early lead comes from #8 Palacsinta (5-2). She stalked the pace last out, but proved no match for the early leaders, who waltzed around the track 1-2 throughout. Joe Rocco may see that race and decide not to let it happen again. It wouldn’t be surprising to see him hustle his mount to the front and try to clear Marvelette early. #4 Cush Effect (9-2) exits the same race as Palacsinta. She came from far off the early lead but rallied to finish a respectable fourth in her second start off the layoff. If Marvelette and Palacsinta end up battling with each other, that would set this one up perfectly.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-3-7

#5 Morethanreadyeddie (8-5) made his first start for the Brittany Russell contingent going two turns in what proved an exceptionally tough first-level allowance contest. The top three finishers all came back to win next out, while the fourth-place finisher was second in his next effort. This one checked early then raced wide in that spot, and ended up fading late. He now gets a sharp drop in class and a cutback around one turn. #1 Midnight Cat (7-2) improved dramatically in his east coast debut last out, breaking his maiden at Parx at second asking following a long stretch duel. However, I’m taking it with a bit of a grain of salt. The horse he dueled with, Marvelousmoondance, is a notorious chronic maiden. He’s hit the board 18 times from 27 starts but has yet to find the winner’s circle. Outlasting him in a battle is no great shakes; these will be tougher waters. Still, this one could improve further and he’ll be a good price. #3 Violent Rock (6-1) goes second off the layoff for Lynn Cash and was a solid fourth last out on return at Charles Town behind Juba’s Notion, a three-time winner on the year. This one should get a good trip stalking the pace towards the rail.

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

12-6-2-7

Considering the roll Mike Trombetta’s been on this meet, it’s hard to overlook a horse of his at 15-1 on the morning line. That’s the case with #12 Opposites Attract (15-1), who showed improving form on grass towards the end of last year at Colonial Downs and Woodbine. He was little factor against better at Woodbine earlier this year, but now goes third off the layoff and will contend with improvement from last year. #6 Wish Me Home (5-2) goes first off the claim by Brittany Russell. This one was put up to victory last out after getting bumped in the stretch. He’s got early foot and held his own at this level last year. #2 Wicked Finn (3-1) came from mid-pack to overhaul next-out winner Bode’s Maker and get up over Royal Luck in a stretch battle at Delaware Park last out. While he’s come from off the pace in his last two starts, he showed early speed towards the end of last year. Will he be sent by Jaime Rodriguez, who gets aboard for the first time?

RACE 4: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-1-7

#6 Wild Behavior (9-5) has become a new horse since joining the Kieron Magee barn in late February. He’s won three of his last four starts in gate-to-wire style. His only recent defeat came to Strugar, who is on a heater of his own, having hit the exacta in his last seven races. This one has by far the best early pace figures in the field, so if he breaks well, it’s over. #4 Spotted Bull (4-1) has won two of his last three starts, with his only dull race coming two starts back on this track. He often packs a solid middle punch and should be able to outkick the others even if he can’t catch Wild Behavior. #1 His Name is Sue (9-2) ran a huge race on the lead two starts back to beat better at Pimlico. He returns to the big track following a disappointing try over the Charles Town bullring. While I don’t think he can catch Wild Behavior early on, worst-case scenario is he can sit off him and hold off the others; best case is Wild Behavior doesn’t break and this one becomes the main speed.

RACE 5: BIG DREYFUS STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-6-2

We’ll start the stakes action with fillies and mares going long on the lawn. #3 Sparkle Blue (2-1) comes in here with the class edge, having won the Valley View Stakes at Keeneland last year. She was most recently third in the Keertana Stakes at Churchill Downs, where she ran a career-best brisnet figure of 102 despite an overland trip. Any horse trained by Graham Motion around these parts is likely to be overbet, but this one deserves the action. #8 Coconut Cake (15-1) looms as an intriguing longshot possibility. Thanks to a great ride from Sheldon Russell, she rode the rail to an impressive last-to-first victory in the Jameela Stakes last out with a career-best 90. She won the Maryland Million Ladies in a determined performance last year, so we know she can go two turns. I have to figure she’ll be heard from late once again, and at the least, could get into the exotics at a good price. Sheldon’s at Delaware Park today, so Will Humphrey picks up the mount. #6 Atomic Blonde (9-5) has run some big figures in her three American starts, but has been forced to close off very slow paces. While there isn’t a lot of speed in here, the paces in grass races here are rarely as slow as they are in New York, so I doubt she’ll be forced to close into a 51.24 half again.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-10-2-3

The way Jamie Ness is going at the meet, how can you not take 6-1 on a horse first off the claim by him? #6 Genieinabridle (6-1) has run figures compatible with this level, but has been in over her head in recent races. Cutting back from a mile and dropping for a tag on dirt for the first time in a while should help the cause. #10 Alliallioxenfree (9-2) flattened out on grass while racing wide last out, but broke her maiden in her last dirt start back in December. While her post does her no favors, she has good enough early pace figures that she could clear if sent. #2 Tritone Gal (5-1) ran in the upper-70s and low-80s on dirt last year, but hasn’t raced on this surface in more than a year, and has raced just once since late October. Still, she’s shown promise on the surface, so if she can call on her previous form, she’s a contender.

RACE 7: PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

2-8-4-1

#2 Royal Patronage (2-1) ran a huge 101 in his first start off a long layoff at Keeneland two starts back. He showed little against much tougher in the Arlington Stakes last out, but now gets some class relief. The top two finishers came back to finish second and third in the Wise Dan Stakes a few weeks later at Ellis Park. #8 Pao Alto (3-1), a stablemate of Royal Patronage, ran a game second in his stateside debut last September in the Baltimore-Washington International Turf Cup and has been refreshed since late January. He’s worked well at Fair Hill since late May and should be ready for a big return race. #4 Beacon Hill (9-2) led most of the way and tired in last year’s Prince George’s County. He’s making his first start since he was outclassed in the Red Smith Stakes last fall and could find himself on the lead in a largely paceless contest.

RACE 8: CAESAR’S WISH STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

5-4-2-6

The final stakes race of the day is named for Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Famer who won nine stakes races, including the 1978 Mother Goose Stakes. If #5 Deco Strong (12-1) can handle the increase from six furlongs, she looks like a live longshot. She’s improved her figure in each of her last three starts, and ran a strong 90 when third behind free-wheeling Princess Kokachin last out. That’s the best last-out mark in the race. I don’t know if she’s the most likely winner, but she’s certainly the best value of the bunch. #4 Award Wanted (8-5) is already stakes-placed five times this year, and turned in a gutsy effort to win the Obeah Stakes by a nose in her last start. The horse she defeated in that photo, Morning Matcha, came back to finish third in the Delaware Handicap. She sat off the pace to win the Geisha Stakes going the one-turn mile in January and might be well-served trying to work out a similar trip. #2 Intrepid Daydream (9-5) made her season debut last out and chased the pace to finish second. She showed a lot of promise at Delaware earlier her career, winning her first two starts of last year by a combined 15 1/2 lengths, but hasn’t found the winner’s circle since then. She has plenty of upside, but she might get overbet.