• John Piassek
• July 30, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,185 Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,361 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-3-2

#1 B West (7-5) would have to take a significant step backwards to lose this race. He’s run a brisnet figure in the 80s four times in his last five starts, while the best of the field rarely reaches that stratosphere. He found the class drop to this level to his liking last out, as he kicked away after stalking the pace and won impressively. He’ll likely be a single on many early pick 5 tickets. #7 Luv Ya Bye Bye (8-1) goes first off the claim by Charles Frock and has won his last two starts on the front end. He’ll try to go as fast as he can for as far as he can. #3 Zen Master (3-1) was also claimed out of his last start, in his case by Anthony Farrior. He ran some figures in the mid-80s over the winter, but his form has tailed off a bit since then. Returning to the Laurel dirt and getting some class relief compared to his prior starts on this surface should help the cause.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-2-5-8 (DIRT: 1A-9-8-7)

With Parx on vacation for the next few weeks, we’ll see more Pennsylvania shippers than usual on the coming cards. One of those is #9 Instinctive (6-1), who recently got up to win on the Parx lawn for Michael Moore. She’s going third off the layoff here and should enjoy a good trip close to the pace on the rail. #2 Winter Princess (6-1) made her season debut a winning one last out at Delaware Park, as she took advantage of a strong early pace and won going away. While I don’t think a repeat of her career-best 86 is likely, given how favorable the circumstances were, she’s shown good tactical speed in prior races and has lured Jeremy Rose down from Delaware for the mount. #5 Princess Javoncia (3-1) is 2-for-2 on this course and has been working well for her first race in 2 1/2 months.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1A-4-6-3

#1A Lady Zeta (8-5) looks like the better half of a potent Jamie Ness entry. She didn’t do anything more than she had to last out, going gate-to-wire against an off-the-grass field with an 83. While that’s the best last-out number in the field, it’s modest compared to some of her prior races. She ran no worse than an 87 in her three races prior to that. Look for her to go to the lead and keep on going. Her most serious challenge to the early lead may come from #4 Rock Rose (7-2), who is one of three in here exiting the race at this condition on July 8. She’s won three of her last five races on the lead and has shown heart in the stretch even when pressed. Even if Lady Zeta outruns her late, she’ll fight on and secure a share. #6 Combat Queen (5-2) got up to win over Rock Rose last out and would take advantage once again if the top two can’t last.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-5-2-3 (DIRT: 5-2-6-1)

#6 Smithwick’s Spice (4-1) ran a huge race in the Irish War Cry Handicap at Monmouth Park last out. He engaged in a three-ply duel through sharp fractions, going the first quarter in 22.95 and the first half in 46.62. Both of his sparring partners lost by double-digit lengths, but Smithwick’s Spice held on and finished third, losing only to two rivals who sat great trips off the battle. That race was around two turns, but he’s a stakes winner at five furlongs and should love this distance. #5 Kadri (5-2) battled gamely in his first grass appearance in a while last out and finished second to Mid Day Image, who won his next start and has since been stakes-placed twice. This one hasn’t raced since that April 13 effort, but has had some good recent workouts for Lynn Cash. #2 Zyramid (7-2) is one of the main speeds in the race, along with Rock the Boat. This one is a pure speedster, while Rock the Boat has the option to go for it or rate. Zyramid has been tough on the lead in his last few races and should hang around for a share.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

2-5-7-6

#2 Austin From Boston (2-1) was no match for runaway winner Nick’s Little Boy last out, but closed well from mid-pack and secured a clear-cut second, improving from his debut to a 73. While he’s carrying at least four more pounds than any of his rivals, he has a decided figure edge over these and should contend as long as he doesn’t fall off a cliff. #5 Prins Fire (3-1) has run in the mid-60s in each of his two starts: solid numbers, but a touch below those of Austin From Boston. He’s faded after showing speed going shorter, but at least gets some class relief. #7 Distant Fire (7-2) has tailed off a bit in his last two starts, but was a respectable fourth behind Austin From Boston last out and ran some big figures earlier this year.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-3-1-6 (DIRT: 10-8-6-7)

It’s hard to avoid taking a Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez runner, and I won’t overthink things with #8 My Boy Colton (4-1). He’s won twice on grass at Delaware so far at the meet, including a win last out where he sat the trip and got up late despite some mild trouble, improving to a 79. He should rate off the lead a few paths off the rail and pounce from there. #3 Bee Major (5-1) made his first flat start in a while last out, and ran a respectable second after rating near a moderate pace. He could find himself in control of a largely paceless affair. #1 Neverfold (3-1) was a solid-closing fourth in his lone grass start two races ago, a contest that has produced a pair of next-out winners. The winner, Wish Me Home, won a first-level allowance affair here next out, while runner-up Chelonian returned to win an allowance race on dirt at Penn National.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-5-1

#2 Air Token (7-2) has turned in three good efforts in a row against starter optional claiming types, and now jumps back into allowance company. He made a bit of a premature move last out and faded, but should get an excellent setup near the pace here. #6 Full Authority (3-1) consistently runs in the upper-80s and takes a drop in class from the n/w3x level. He was caught wide throughout that day and faded, but while he’s drawn towards the outside once again, the softer field might mean he’ll be able to handle rougher going. #5 Cynergy’s Star (5-2) has gotten better with every start as a 4-year-old, most recently finishing a game second at this level. He looks like he’s on the verge of a breakthrough effort.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-5-9-8 (DIRT: 1-9-5-8)

The card is bookended by pick 5 singles. #2 Lady Ensign (7-5) has lost all three of her starts as the favorite, but her best race so far was in her lone grass effort. She led most of the way and held on to finish third by 1 1/4 lengths while running a 75. That’s much better than anyone in here has ever run on grass. #5 Chalice (10-1) ran a respectable 60 first time on grass at the Meadowlands last fall and has been working well for McLane Hendricks as she prepares for her 3-year-old debut. Outside of Lady Ensign, it’s an easy field to ease back into. After a few starts going seven furlongs or longer, #9 Kentucky Reign (7-2) cuts back and switches back to the grass. She looks fast enough to outrun Lady Ensign early on, although the post might be an impediment.