• The Biz
• July 22, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,348 Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,981 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

1-4-10-2

OFF THE TURF. Second off the bench for top choice #1 Gogo Chanel, who has run six consecutive races with Beyer speed figs in the 60s, including one on dirt. Anye one of those races wins here…

RACE 2

3-5-2-1

A couple of these 2yo have run before and run pretty well, but we’re going to give the nod to a firster. #3 Viennese Waltz (3-1) was a pricey yearling for Mens Grille Racing and for good reason: she’s a half to stakes winners Cordmaker, a millionaire, Las Setas, and Corvus. The last of those won the Maryland Million Nursery at first asking, and trainer Jerry Robb can get them ready to win first out… Another well-bred firster is #5 First to Arrive (8-5), who has a lot of name to live up to; the Liam’s Map filly, out of a Scat Daddy mare, comes from the hard-hitting Brittany Russell barn, though it’s interesting to see her put Charles Town ace Arnaldo Bocachica up… The other Robb runner, #2 Remember Me (5-2), was a perfectly good second, albeit behind a runaway winner, on debut — but one person who seems not to remember her is her rider that first race, as Xavier Perez leaves for #3….

RACE 3

5-4-2-8

OFF THE TURF. Gotta respect the main-track-only entrants in off-the-turf races, and #5 Hashtag Lucky is the only one of those in this heat.

RACE 4

1-3-5-2

Speedy #1 Need a Marker (2-1) ran big in last after a stumbling start and might be able to double up. As in an earlier race, gotta respect a horse who’s already won a condition, as this one has… #3 Performanceanxiety (9-5) has speed figs that rank right at the top of this group, but her two tries in the never-won-three condition have been just so-so. She’ll be running late but may have a lot of ground to make up… #5 Victorian Riviera (5-1) lost the duel to Need a Marker in last but ran on willingly…

RACE 5

9-2-11-3

OFF THE TURF. The cutback in distance and the modest company ought to do the trick for #9 Pride of Payton, who was eased in last after a bad break in a race that’s produced a next-out winner…

RACE 6

6-2-4-7

It wasn’t a great debut, but #6 Doris’ Slaying It (8-1) showed good speed on debut and stuck with it into the final furlong. She’ll be fitter today and could go farther… #2 Too Many Kisses (3-1) didn’t show a ton on debut, backing out fairly readily but did hold fourth and the show horse returned to graduate. This miss, by Arrogate, is a half to G2 winner Still Having Fun and note that she was well bet in that first start… Solid works for first-timer #4 Noble Belief (7-2), and trainer Damon Dilodovico has had some success winning at first asking. Former MJC president Sal Sinatra is the owner…

RACE 7

5-3-6-1

OFF THE TURF. #5 Paper Mansion has mostly run on the main track, and her dirt form should be too much for these…

RACE 8

4-1-3-5

Prior to a yearlong break, #4 SIlent Malice (6-1) had thrashed similar rivals to these in three straight.. His return was just middling, but he has the right to improve second time off a break, and he owns six wins at the trip… The speedy #1 The King Cheek (5-2) keeps running good races without winning and should be on the engine again here… #3 Alpha Chi Rho (7-2) has been pretty formful and likes it at Laurel (four wins in eight starts) but will be stretching out to a mile for the first time…

RACE 9