• John Piassek
• August 20, 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 — $0

Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-2-1

We’ve got nine races on the getaway day slate. There’s mandatory payouts in everything. #6 Punkin (8-5) goes second off the layoff for Bob Klesaris and adds blinkers. In her debut in March, she chased the pace and ran on well to finish third behind Devil Pays in Gold, placed three times since then, and Ruthanne, who has returned to win twice. She was flat on grass next out, but should handle these. If she was able to keep a straight path, #4 Ginger Girl (2-1) may well have broken her maiden last out. She began well, dropped back on the turn, and moved to re-engage entering the stretch. It looked like she’d get by Kentucky Reign, but she kept weaving in and out of lanes and was beaten less than a length. Still, she’s run well in her last two starts after a string of poor races earlier this spring and summer and looks ready to show her best. #2 Abby’s Lucky Girl (7-2) adds lasix for her 3-year-old debut for Jamie Ness. She’s a half-sibling to five winners, including multiple stakes winner Introduced.

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

9-3-2-11

#9 Pico d’Oro (3-1) was pressed on the pace at Colonial Downs last out, but managed fend off the competition for a while until he was passed by My Boy Blue, who also returned to win next out and has hit the board in four straight. This one is making his first start for Brittany Russell, who will try to close her summer meet with a bang. #3 Star Shopping (9-2) dropped to this level last out from the $40,000 condition. He found it to his liking, as he rated off the pace and fought in the stretch while winning a show photo. He should sit another good trip near the pace and will try to convert this time. #2 Class Wizard (6-1) closed well last out and lost to Pico d’Oro by a neck. His only mediocre closing effort this year came going six furlongs against better two starts ago; this condition and distance should sit his closing punch well.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-7-6

#1 Disputed Claim (9-5) and #8 Bar Down Express (8-5) are the only two runners who have broken a 73 at any point in their careers, and Disputed Claim has done it in every one of his four dirt starts. He dropped to this level for the first time last out at Colonial on grass, and closed well after drafting well off the pace, in this spot, he should rate towards the leaders on the rail. Bar Down Express had a tough streak of second-itis earlier in the year, with four straight runner-up finishes by a length or less. He was well-beaten in his last two starts behind much better, though his figures declined a few points. That’s still good enough to beat everyone in here except Disputed Claim. #7 Sweet Syntax (7-2) improved sharply second time out last out, contesting the early pace before tiring badly late and bearing in. Still, it was a step forward from his debut, where he did not persevere after being interfered with early.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-12-3-1

#5 Heals the Soul (5-2) grinded his way to victory up the rail last out at Monmouth Park, improving to 2-for-2 on grass with a career-best 90. Anything close to a repeat of that race wins this handily. #12 Inside Stunt (9-2) was hounded throughout in his last start, but fended everyone off for the victory. He’s never run a bad race on grass and should have a much easier time on the lead, as he has by far the best early pace figures in the race. #3 Bourbon and Ice (12-1) was flat last out after an overland trip, but closed well in his prior two races. With the possible lack of speed, he may be a bit up against it. However, he’s still one of the most consistent members of the field.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-7-2

#5 Liberty Star (2-1), who generally prefers to sit just off the pace, got involved in destructive duel at Monmouth last out, and lost by sixteen lengths (his dueling partner lost by thirteen).When he’s allowed to sit off the pace, he generally runs much better. Look for Jaime Rodriguez to have him settle near the lead early on and strike on the turn. #1 Elusive Agent (7-2) showed some promise last fall, running back-to-back 88s. However, he lost his last two starts against first-level allowance foes by eighteen lengths before going to the sidelines in early January. He returns to the races in an easier spot for Tim Keefe, who is not great with horses off long breaks. He might be a better bet for next time out, but is still the best in pure ability in this field. #7 Switzer (5-2) switches back to dirt off a grass victory second off the claim by Anthony Farrior. He made a middle move and wore down the early leader last out, but couldn’t hold off the odds-on choice who sat a great trip.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

10-7-3-9

We’ll try another Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez runner here. #10 My Boy Colton (6-1) might’ve won by a slightly larger margin if he didn’t have to move through a relatively small space at Delaware Park last out. There was some bumping late, but he got clear to improve to 2-for-2 on grass this year. He cold find himself on the lead in a relatively paceless contest. #7 Stimulus Maker (2-1) was a game third behind much better in his last start around two turns. Last out, he closed for second behind Inside Stunt, who returns in today’s 4th race. If that one wins, it’ll boost Stimulus Maker’s stock. #3 Daredavite (4-1) won at this level two starts ago, and drops back in class after fading on a contested pace against better.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-2-1-3

#4 Can’t Pass It Up (9-2) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and showed his best late foot in a while, closing to lose a photo for second in a game effort. He hasn’t raced since May 12, but has a steady string of Hugh McMahon-signature one-mile workouts to get ready for this spot. #2 Military Hop (3-1) was a hard-charging second last out after a wide trip, and now stretches further from seven furlongs and drops from open rivals. #1 Unequivocal (15-1) ran his best figure in months last out, earning an 83 against better horses at this level. He has only a mild late kick, but is in improving form and should at least grab a share.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-4-3

#1 Indian Lake (5-2) pressed a hot early pace and got up to win at this level last out. He has good tactical speed in a race full of pace. #7 It’s Sizzling Time (8-1) should get a similar setup, albeit racing a few paths off the rail. He rallied to cross the wire first at Parx last out (though he was later disqualified), for his fourth straight figure of at least 86. #4 Going to the Lead (10-1) has had some time off since a dull race in early May, and now returns after a pair of solid workouts for Michael Gorham. In contrast to his name, he likes to come from off the pace, having rallied to run some big figures in the winter and spring.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-6-2-4