• John Piassek
• October 15, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $7,596

Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,046

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, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-4-9-5

There ain’t no rest for the wicked. The day after the Jim McKay Maryland Million, we’re right back at it with an 8-race card. We made it through yesterday on the grass, but some rain after the card last night moved everything today, including this race, to the dirt. #1 Punkin (6-1) improved sharply third off the layoff last out, closing for third against a field similar to today’s. She’s shown a solid late punch and should benefit from the stretch-out from five furlongs. #4 Divine Romance (8-1) crossed the wire first last out after a protracted duel, but was disqualified after the fact due to a positive test. She hasn’t raced since that effort almost a year ago, but at least finds a soft landing spot to return. #9 Lady Banker (2-1) has tons of early speed and has held on better late in each off her last few starts. She dueled with Bandonarun and held third last out; that rival came back to win an open first-level dash as the favorite next out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-2-1

If Punkin in fact wins the first race, it may boost the stock of #7 Dancinonthebeach (5-1), who won Punkin’s last race on debut last out. She rated off the pace and won going away with a five-wide brush. With lots of speed in this one, she could get another nice trip. #6 Miss Georgie (5-2) was much more forwardly-placed than usual last out, racing on the pace most of the way in her first start at this condition. She showed lots of promise last fall, breaking her maiden in style and then finishing third in the Smart Halo Stakes, and it looks like she’s starting to round back into her best form. #2 Tritone Gal (3-1) was a determined second on the lead in her last dirt start, losing to Sweet Shugs after dueling with that rival most of the way. Her 1-for-20 record in less than inspiring, but many of her recent races contend with these.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-9-4-12

#2 Vail of Honor (9-5) makes his Laurel Park debut after summering primarily at Charles Town. He came from way downtown to win at Penn National in his first start for Anthony Farrior in mid-August, then made similar rallies on the bullring to get third in each of his next three starts. The long stretch of the one-turn mile looks tailor-made for him. #9 Elusive Agent (8-1) has been no factor in his first two starts off 7 1/2-month layoff, but he has been facing better, and at least showed some mild punch in the lane last out. Last year, he ran brisnet figures in the 80s four times in a five-start stretch; a return to that kind of form wins this. We’ll see if he can put it all together third off the bench. #4 Running RIver (4-1) has loads of early speed, and makes his first start beyond seven furlongs.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-5-8-4

Many of these competed in a similar race at this condition on September 29. #3 Continentalcongres (4-1), who was fourth that day, was rank going into the first turn and checked a bit when eventual winner Opus Forty Two came in on her. She won by 11 lengths with a 101 a few starts back when she raced on the pace ,and has great early pace figures which should enable her to control the early tempo. #5 I Can Run (6-1) came from further off the pace that day, and was a solid-closing third behind the runaway top two. #8 Silver Currency (2-1) was a game second in the Dahlia Stakes in her last dirt start in Late April, and won impressively against a pair of next-out winners in the start before that.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

11-9-4-5

#11 Levisa (9-2) jumped up to a run a huge race in her last dirt start, breaking her maiden in gate-to-wire style with a 77. She returned to the races with a respectable closing effort on grass at Colonial Downs last out, and has worked very well since then. #9 Cynergy’s Electra (7-2) has been extraordinarily consistent this year. In her last six starts, she’s run a 73 twice, a 74 twice, and a 75 twice. She faded after a wide trip going longer last out, but should benefit from a shorter distance. #4 Yooou Know (9-2) was flat last out, but cruised to an impressive maiden-breaking win in her prior dirt race, running an impressive 82 in the process.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

13-11-10-1

If #13 Circle P (10-1) wasn’t drawn in the parking lot, I’d be more enthusiastic about him. Still, he ran well on debut at Penn National, chasing the pace and finishing second to an experienced rival who raced near the pace throughout. This one’s now dropping into a field comprised almost entirely of first-time starters, and will hope to break well and cross to a good stalking spot near the pace. The stock of #11 Never Grew Up (5-2) was boosted yesterday when Catahoula Moon, who he lost to last out at Timonium, returned to win the Maryland Million Nursery. This one has burned a lot of money in his four-race career, losing at 8-5 or less in each of his last three starts. He has solid tactical speed and should get a nice trip, but he’s in kind of a “now-or-never” spot. #10 Return Fire (15-1) goes first off the claim by Rudy Sanchez-Solomon. Bettors might be spooked by his poor last race, where he showed speed and tired, but he was a game second prior to that on debut at Timonium. A repeat of that race likely wins this, and at his likely odds, it might be worth a bet that he’ll repeat it.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-3-7-9

There’s not much dirt form to write home about in this off-the-grass field, but we’ll try our best. #1 Amazon Queen (30-1) was second in a similar field back in July behind I’m GIttin There, a three-time winner this year, and won on dirt after stalking the pace in the race prior. #3 Surya (20-1) closed furiously for second on grass at Colonial last out, and is eligible to rally for a share down this long stretch run. #7 In a Spin (15-1) has solid tactical speed, and hung around most of the way on Tapeta at Gulfstream Park this winter before fading.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-5-2