• John Piassek
• August 11, 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 — $752 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-2-1

Of the three horses in here with experience, #6 Emm Ess Eh (6-5) looks like much the best. She was well-bet on debut for Brittany Russell, and while she made a strong move on the turn, she couldn’t get by Buckin’ Great, who had experience. She comes in here with a race under her belt, gets a rider switch to Sheldon Russell (naturally, the first-call rider in the barn, in contrast to Arnaldo Bocachica), and adds blinkers. An improved effort means victory. #3 Viennese Waltz (5-2) made good ground in the last eighth on debut and rallied to get third behind Remember Me, who was a hard-fought third in the Keswick Stakes at Colonial Downs last Saturday. This one should especially benefit from the stretch-out from 5 1/2 furlongs. #2 Buckin’ Lucky (3-1) was third behind Emm Ess Eh in her third career start last out and has shown more life with each race.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-3-8-10

#4 Mosely Natural (3-1) almost pulled off a gigantic wire job last out, but faltered late and ended up second. This one has had trouble settling, but if Reshawn Latchman manages to wrangle him in, he should be able to set a more normal early tempo and hold on from there. #3 Sorolla (4-1) is the opposite of Mosely Natural in that he likes to come from far back. He closed into Mosely Natural’s pace last out, but couldn’t catch up late and ended up losing third in a blanket finish. He adds blinkers here and makes his third grass start off the layoff. He’ll be good for at least an exotics spot, and if he gets the right pace, he’s a serious win factor. #8 Awesome Strike (7-2) finally broke his maiden at eleventh asking last out, exploding in the stretch one he wrangled free of trouble. The Robert Bailes barn has quietly had a tremendous summer season, hitting at 26%.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

4-5-1-2

After a disappointing 2023 debut, #4 Sustenance (5-2) improved dramatically second off the bench at Delaware Park last out. He led most of the way but was reeled in late by 11-10 favorite Home School, who we’ll see in race 2. This one looks primed to complete the wire job this time. #5 The Last Jumpstart (15-1) closed extremely wide in his last start and got up for a respectable fifth, improving to a career-best brisnet figure of 70. He should enjoy the stretch-out from six furlongs. #1 North Highland (7-2) switches back to dirt and should enjoy a good setup stalking the pace on the rail. He narrowly missed against similar in early June at Pimlico.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-4-6-7

#1 Stellar Lute (3-1) was up against Langlee Avenue last out, an odds-on SF/Starlight-owned Brittany Russell trainee who went gate-to-wire. It’s hard to overcome those circumstances, but Stellar Lute outkicked the rest and got up from last for second. He’s dropping to a spot against much easier rivals here, although he runs the risk of once again getting caught behind a slow pace. #4 Longworth (5-1) has run by far his best figures in his two grass starts, with a 67 and a 70. He adds blinkers here and should make noise late. #6 Wired In (15-1) ran on well in his grass debut to miss by 2 1/2 lengths. He ran a 69 that day, just one point off the best last-out figure in the race. He’s also getting a rider upgrade to Victor Carrasco.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-3-7

#4 Bold Honor (7-2) capped off the Belmont Park season in style last out, winning in a runaway effort to break his maiden at seventh asking with a career-best 88. That might be a fluke compared to his other recent races, but his other figures are in the mix with the other contenders, and he’s the only on in here without a loss against winners. #2 Judy’s Army (3-1) chased the pace against better first off a brief layoff last out and faded. He’s the only one in the field with figures in the 70s in each of his last three starts. #3 Irish Warlock (8-1) looked like a sure-fire winner last out, when he drew off in the stretch and opened up a big lead. However, he was run down late and settled for second. He once again looks like the main speed in this field.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-1-9-10

#5 Peach Tea (8-1) is probably glad she’ll likely never have to run 4 1/2 furlongs again. She debuted at that distance at Parx last out and closed with a rush, losing by a head. Her two other siblings to race, Double Fireball and Crabs N Beer, have both won on grass and placed in Maryland Million races on the lawn last year. #1 Tina Tina Tina (4-1) also has experience, most recently closing for second at Delaware with a career-best 70. She switches to grass for Brittany Russell, who, while always worthy of respect, hits at 7% when switching surfaces. #9 Determined Blue (8-1) has worked well for her debut for Phil Schoenthal, who won with a first-timer on grass at Colonial Downs a few weeks ago.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-10-2-8

#6 Destin’s Mission (9-5) tried his fortune at Saratoga last out, and flattened out after a wide trip. He ran in the 80s in his two prior starts at Monmouth Park after showing speed, and looks like a serious front-end threat once again. #10 Boss Man J J (9-2) comes back up here after a respectable try at Colonial last out. In his most recent start on this track, he hung around on a very fast pace and led late before being caught by favored B Determined. He should get a great setup near the pace on the outside, hopefully not losing too much ground. #2 Prince Pere (8-1) ran a respectable 78 in a solid bounce-back effort at this level last out and should get a similar trip to last time.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

7-4-5-2

#7 My Last Mission (2-1) has run his two best figures on this track and looks to be back in top form after getting some time off earlier this year. He’s going first off the claim by Damon Dilodovico; that $20,000 purchase may prove to be a bargain one day. There was no shame in the last race of #4 Frightland (5-2). He finished third behind the promising Maryland-bred 3-year-old Super Accelerate, who came back to win the Star de Naskra Stakes next out. This one hasn’t run worse than an 84 on dirt in almost a year, and while he’s been on the wrong end of some close finishes on this track, his figures make him a candidate. #5 Dixie’s Two Scent (7-2) returned first time back from a spill last out and showed no ill effects, drawing off to victory at Parx after stalking the pace. He has good tactical speed and will try to outkick Frightland on the turn.