• The Biz
• July 21, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $$1,595 Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,981 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

4-7-1-2

The Serey barn has been chilly this meet (0-for-22), but it says here that ends today with #4 Cypres Station (5-1), who figures to head straight to the front on the stretch from six furlongs back to two turns two races after a two-turn maiden-breaker… Morning line favorite #7 Jones Falls (5-2) has kept better company than these and nearly beat similar three back… Very good effort two back by #1 Espresso Lungo (3-1) when rallying for place with a troubled trip, but the short odds feel a little daunting on a horse who’s 1-for-23…

RACE 2

10-8-6-11

OFF THE TURF. #10 Jane Street (5-1) just missed second versus similar well behind runaway even-money winner and shows a work in the interim… Salzman, Jr. barn sends out a pair here with MTO #8 Free Admission (2-1) preferred. The turf foray wasn’t good, but the dirt form certainly fits here, and go-to rider Rodriguez is a plus… Perhaps a good sign that #6 Lily Mor (20-1) rallied a little bit in last, the first time she hadn’t lost ground in the stretch…

RACE 3

5-2-4-6

Scratch of the Ness entry has a significant impact on this contest. #5 Shady Munni (3-1) ran big in last and could repeat that front-running score here… #2 Tate (5-2) drops back into the claiming ranks after getting throttled versus allowance foes at PEN in last. He was up close to a fast pace early in a race where the 10-1 winner came from last, but this guy finished worst of the early vanguard… #4 Up Against It (12-1) isn’t far removed from winning versus better, and if the pace heats up, he’ll have a chance to pick up the pieces…

RACE 4

6-5-10-1

OFF THE TURF. Weaver-trained New York shipper #6 Pay Zone (2-1) looks poised to graduate after good local effort in last… Curious to see #5 Calming Storm (6-1) on turf, as he’s out of ultra-fast turf sprinter Jazzy Idea, but that day’s not today; dirt efforts suit… MTO #10 Box N Ben (2-1) ran credibly against special weight foes on first off the McMahon claim, and the top pair both ran well in their follow-ups, including next-out graduate Dillinger…

RACE 5

3-6-1-4

The waters in the G2 Wood Memorial were way too deep for #3 Uncle Jake (8-5), but you can certainly make an argument that even taking the shot demonstrates high regard from connections who know what a good horse looks like. This one returns from a three-month break, and trainer Russell wins at a gaudy 33% clip in similar circumstances. This one should be a bit closer to the pace than his main rival early… #6 Goodafternoonoscar (3-1) has been gradually forging ahead in his career, and if that continues, he’ll be right in the mix today. Trainer Mancilla and jockey Lynch teamed up for a $19 winner in their only prior start in ’22-’23… #1 Eldest Son (9-5) does nothing but run good races, and trainer Ness is 10-for-21 at LRL in the last three weeks…

RACE 6

3-2-7-9

OFF THE TURF. First off the Farrior claim runner #3 Ramadhaan (7-2) finds a congenial landing spot in this off-the-turf claiming event. She just missed in last at CD, and Farrior wins at a 25% clip first off the buy… #2 Fashionista (10-1) graduated in last, and the runner-up graduated in her follow-up. That race may be a bit better than it looks… Good try in last by #7 Queen Tapiture (12-1) to be runner-up at long odds after a stumbling start….

RACE 7

6-2-3-1

Round up the usual suspects in this filly allowance in which four of these exit the same race. We’ll try door #2, though, with comebacking #6 Miss Georgie (5-2), who has been away since December. She seemed headed in the right direction as a juvenile for trainer Lacey Gaudet, winning at first asking and, after a messy try in the G2 Spinaway at the Spa, earning a local stakes placing in the Smart Halo. Her work tab looks fine.. Her last wasn’t great after a wide journey, but #2 Happy Clouds (9-5) has beaten similar… Fun fact about #3 Liquidator (8-5): the busy sophomore (15 starts to date) has five wins, and all five have come when leaving from the five-hole or farther outside and none with more than two horses to her outside. The short field here probably somewhat allays that concern, but there’s speed inside and out to challenge her early zip…

RACE 8

3-1-4-6

OFF THE TURF. #3 Wicked Mad (10-1) arrives off an improved effort on turf in his second off the bench, and his dirt form stacks up well enough versus this group. Trainer McMahon and rider Concepcion are winning at a 25% clip together with a gaudy $3.54 ROI… #1 Shofar (9-2) exits the same race as the top choice and finished ahead of that one. Oddly enough, the jockey-trainer combo of Merryman and Rodriguez is 0-for-14 despite each having solid records on their own. This one could snap that streak…It’s been almost 18 months since #4 Fermat (20-1) tried the main track, and he did win his only try on an off track…

RACE 9