• John Piassek
• August 18, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,810 Jackpot Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-9-11-3

We’ll kick off the final week of the summer season with the first of five grass races on today’s card. #12 Walks Like a Lady (2-1) got an idyllic setup last out at Colonial Downs, rating just off the pace. While she struck the front and fought hard late, she couldn’t outkick a rival who sat an even better trip towards the rail. While she’s once again drawn towards the outside, she’s facing an easier field than last time and should be able to overcome ground loss. #9 Princess Palmer (8-5) jumped up dramatically last out, drumming n/w2L foes with a career-best brisnet mark of 85. She won that race in gate-to-wire fashion, and while there is some speed drawn to her inside, she looks fast enough to get the trip that made her a winner last time. #11 Gogo Chanel (5-2) closed stoutly to win first off a seven-month layoff two starts ago, then showed little in a washed-off contest most recently. She looks like one of the main late threats.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-6-1

#4 Happy Union (8-5) has been no match against better in her last few starts at Delaware Park, and now ships down I-95 in search of easier waters. She just missed second in a merry-go-round contest last out where the early leader won by ten lengths. Her figures are some of the best in the field, having peaked at a 71 last out for her second straight improved number. #3 Ojitos Bellos (7-2) ran her two best figures in her last two starts, including a 66 when an interested-closing second last out at Delaware. It was the first time in a while she showed some real late punch and could be a good sign of things to come. #6 Chasing Artemis (2-1) improved to a 68 when third second off the layoff last out. She ran well around two turns last year and should handle the stretch-out from seven furlongs.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-2-6-12

#11 The King Cheek (4-1) was very sharp in victory last out at Delaware, coming from just off the pace to beat a similar field as this one. His figure of 92 is the best last-out mark in the race by ten points. #2 Uncle Curly (9-2) sliced his way through traffic to finish a hard-charging third in his 2023 debut at Monmouth Park two starts back. Last out, he raced behind a very slow pace and could not kick on. There’s enough speed in here that he should get a more favorable setup. #6 Bob Marco (8-1) ran on well for third in his most recent grass outing at Pimlico in June and should also make some late noise.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-2-3-4

The top three finishers from the opener on August 4 are back here. The winner of that race, #8 The Cairo Kid (3-1), entered that race off a ten-week layoff but didn’t show signs of rust, going to the front and holding on for victory. He ran in the 80s and low 90s consistently last year, but it looks like that time off did him some good. He should turn in another peak effort first off the claim by Daniel McKenzie. #2 Seanow (5-2) was a hard-charging second in that race and was taken by David Howard. This one has ascending figures but has come in second three straight times and has lost twelve races in a row. He’ll get the trip, but might not have the punch needed to get by. #3 Dialing Dixie (3-1) fended off Seanow to win two starts ago, and would be a winner of three straight if not for the fast-flying Charge to Victory, who is riding a four-race winning streak. This one should set the early pace from towards the inside.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-1-6-9

#4 Tall Order (2-1) broke a bit slowly last out against better and raced wide every step. He cruised on the lead to break his maiden two starts back, and in general is better when he sit closer to the pace. With a clean start, he should handle these rivals. #1 Pickin Sea Glass (7-2) has raced just once this year, but it was a solid effort. He battled wide on the pace at Pimlico in May and lost by less than two lengths in a blanket finish. He ran an 80 that day, near his career peak, and now faces as soft a field as he’s seen in a while. If he doesn’t win this one, he’ll likely be ready to win next out. #6 Flight of Bourbon (4-1) has also made only one start this year. He dueled through fast fractions last out, and while he outfinished his dueling partner, he was well-beaten third. He should improve with experience and will try to avoid getting too caught up in the early tempo.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-6-1-9

#3 Stage Call (3-1) dropped to this level for the first time last out in a race for amateur riders. She drafted far behind early and made a strong move on the far turn, but flattened out late and ended up no better than third. This lightly-raced filly gets a rider switch to Angel Cruz and earns the slight nod in a wide-open field. #6 Mizz Me (5-1) raced extremely wide in both of her starts at Belmont Park earlier this year, and showed little in the end. She ran a much-improved 67 last out, tying for the best last-out figure in this field, and has worked well in preparation for her debut for Keri Brion. You have to imagine she’ll get a better trip than the ones she’s been getting. #1 Time Goes Fast (20-1) finally gets some class relief after showing little against better in her last several starts. She’s run exactly a 67 three times in her last four races; that kind of mark gets the job done in this spot. Look for her to come from far out of it.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

2-1-4-3

#2 Neuschwanstein (9-2) got involved in a three-way pace duel on debut. While favored Code Name, who raced three-wide, was dueled into defeat, Neuschwanstein could not fend off Dats Mr. Mo and ended up a fairly close second. Dats Mr. Mo returned to win a first-level allowance contest last Friday. This one should be involved on the pace again and is a candidate to improve second time out. #1 Too Many Kisses (12-1) would’ve won last out if the race was about an inch longer. She gobbled up ground in the stretch and just missed in a much-improved effort from her debut. #4 Legendaire (5-1) recovered from a bad start to finish a game second at Parx last out. He hasn’t raced since June 14, but has turned in some good workouts since then for Ben Perkins Jr.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

5-7-12-14

#5 Hardspun Reason (3-1) has flown and just missed in his last two starts on this track, running in the mid-80s both times. He’s had paces to close into both times, but I wouldn’t hold that against him too much, as he’s had to face better rivals, and the pace scenario last time was not as favorable as it appears on paper. The addition of blinkers may help as well. #7 God is Love (12-1) has turned a corner in his last few starts. In his most recent grass start, at Pimlico in June, he set the pace and held on to win gate-to-wire. He’s in peak form and has enough early speed to possibly pull off another front-running upset. #12 Who’s Counting (8-1) beat Maryland-breds on this track earlier this year and was a solid-closing third last out at Colonial. He’s a consistent sort who has enough of a late kick to at least grab a share.