• John Piassek
• July 16, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0 Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,981 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, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-3-2-5

#9 Hazelmoor Beach (8-1) broke her maiden at third asking last out and now tries winners for the first time. While the running line notes that she was erratic late, that’s mainly because she had an amateur rider aboard that day. She’s now getting the professional services of Victor Carrasco, and should move up as such. #3 Sing Scat (8-1) went gate-to-wire to win at Parx last out. Without much speed in here, she’ll try to do the same thing again for the white-hot Jamie Ness barn. #2 Singalong (5-2) was no match against better in her first start off the layoff last out, but broke her maiden impressively on this track last October.

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

8-4-7-6

#8 Never Grew Up (8-5) chased the appropriately-named Speedyness last out and grabbed second. He should improve second time out for the hot-running Brittany Russell barn. #4 Malinois (5-1) battled for the lead on debut at Delaware Park, and while he outfinished his dueling partner, he couldn’t hold off the hard-closing Surfboard. That one came back to finish third on Friday in a tough allowance field despite getting caught in traffic in the stretch. #7 Dance for Green (9-2) is one of two Jerry Robb first-timers in the field, and his works suggest he’s the more well-meant one of the pair.

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

10-7-2-5

#10 Starship Laoban (3-1) led most of the way at Belmont Park last out and got caught late by Whatlovelookslike, who returned to win the Port Washington Stakes in her next start. Two starts back, she broke badly, but recovered well and lost by just 1 1/2 lengths. If #7 Twirling Savi (7-2) will ever win a grass sprint, it’ll probably be on this long stretch run. She came from last to finish third last out at Delaware, and in prior races has shown a tendency to lag behind and make one late rush. If she can avoid traffic, she’ll be coming with a full head of steam. Despite her outside post, she should get to the front with a clean break. #2 Whiteknuckleflyer (8-1) improved sharply second off the layoff last out when fourth in the Jameela Stakes. She should sit near the pace and try to hang on for a share.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 FURLONGS

2-4-6-7

#2 Irish Bandit (3-1) went off favored on debut at Delaware, but was no match for the very impressive Give It a Whirl, who came back to win in similarly impressive style on this track on Friday. The competition here’s a bit easier. The other Jerry Robb trainee in here, #4 Catahoula Moon (6-1), has two solid five-furlong works at Delaware to get ready for his debut. Robb is always dangerous with debuters, and this one looks like the best of those without experience. #6 Tocayo (5-2) was the odds-on choice last out and lost by a neck despite getting bumped around late. He adds blinkers and will try to get smoother sailing.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-10-2-12

#3 Bella Bettina (10-1) ran in the upper-70s in each of her last two grass starts, putting her in the upper echelon of this field. She rated off the pace and didn’t do much at this level in her most recent start on the lawn, but now faces an easier field at this level than she did last time. #10 Summer Odds (7-2) got thrown out of her element in her last grass start following an awkward break, but recovered nicely to get third with an impressive 84. #2 Brushing (7-2) improved sharply second off the layoff in a game runner-up effort around two turns at Parx last out. While her best races have come on the Bensalem oval, she’s run some solid figures here as well and doesn’t necessarily need her peak effort to beat these.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-9-8-2

After finishing up the track with a Repole-owned favorite yesterday, Brittany Russell looks for a Repole rebound with #3 Delegated (7-2). This one drops from the $45,000 level following two straight figures in the mid-70s. While he wasn’t a factor in either race, those numbers fit right in with these. Unless he’s completely fallen apart, he should have enough in the tank to beat these. #9 Money Room (6-1) has an unsightly 0-for-13 record, but most of those victories were piled up against better opposition than what he’ll see here. He ran a solid 79 when a mild fourth against better last out, his best figure in more than a year. #8 Infinite Series (3-1) adds blinkers for the dangerous Anthony Farrior/Arnaldo Bocachica combo. He finished third behind O’Conner Sunset and Home School last out. Those two returned to win at Colonial Downs and Delaware, respectively.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-10-1-12

Graham Motion had a big day yesterday, and he’s back for more today with #2 Gizala (4-1). She worked out a great trip stalking the pace last out and Woodbine and kicked away to win going away with an impressive 94. However, she hasn’t raced since last August. Nonetheless, she’s been working for months at Fair Hill and looks well-primed for her return. #10 Broadway Boogie (2-1) had little punch after a wide trip going 1 1/2 miles last out, but ran figures of 93 and 102 in her two prior starts this year. While she has plenty of raw ability, it’s possible one mile is too short for her, and Jimmy Toner is thinking of this spot more as a reboot race for longer targets down the road. #1 Uncorked (7-2) came from off the pace to clear her first-level condition with ease at Monmouth Park last out. Two starts back, she led most of the way and held gamely with a strong 94. Any horse for the Brittany Russell/Sheldon Russell combo must automatically merits respect.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-10-8

#2 Parish Belle (2-1) has taken a big step forward from ages 3 to 4. She’s won both her starts this year in sharp gate-to-wire fashion, with figures of 91 and 89. If her form transfers from Parx to here, she should prove tough to catch on the lead. #6 Northern Glow (7-2) beat a fairly soft field of four other sin here debut, but did do so professionally, kicking away by almost five lengths after sitting off the early pace. She’ll hope for another good setup. #10 Freccia d’Argento (5-1) closed gamely and just missed on Black-Eyed Susan day in her most recent dirt start. She’s improved her figure in her last two starts on this surface and will also be heard from late.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)