• John Piassek
• October 19, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $8,900
Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,831
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

2-10-8-1

Eight on the slate to begin a new racing week. While #2 Vanilla Bean (9-2) hasn’t shown much closing kick in her last few starts, she’s been facing better, and her brisnet figures seriously contend with these, running in the 80s twice in her last three races. This is a friendly enough field that, as long as she can work out a trip, she should be able to go by them. #10 Lakeside Getaway (6-1) broke her maiden in style last out at Colonial Downs, stalking the pace and winning going away with an 81. She’ll likely sit right off of #8 Determined Lilly (5-1), who profiles as the most serious speed. She tired going a mile a few starts back after setting the pace, but is lightly-raced and in improving form.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-5-1-7

I’ll try to beat favored New York shipper #1 Kbcya Later (9-5), who has speed from the inside, but doesn’t have a figure edge to make him worth such a low price. #9 Tuna N Stamps (6-1) flattened out in the stretch last out at Delaware Park, but ran back-to-back figures in the mid-70s in his two prior starts. Since he’s had time to acclimate to the mid-Atlantic after arriving here from Florida in early spring, he’s slowly found his best self. He’ll be a contender if he can shake off that last race. #5 By Its Absence (8-1) also looks for a recovery off a dull last effort. He ran a career-best 81 two starts ago, and now gets some class relief from the $25,000 level.

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

12-10-9-2

#12 Bode’s Heritage (9-2) has faced much, much better in her last few starts and has by far the best late pace figures in the race. As long as she doesn’t lose too much ground from the far outside post, she’ll be tough to hold off late. #10 Water Witch (6-1) ran on well for third against similar last out despite getting caught in traffic at the top of the stretch. She’s consistently run in the mid/upper-70s all year. #9 Daily Planet (8-1) rallied to win with a well-timed move two starts back. The second and third-place finishes from that race have since returned to win. This one looks to improve second off a brief layoff.

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

5-6-2-1

If #5 It’s Viper (2-1) will ever find his best self again, it’ll probably be today. He looked like a beast in two impressive victories at the Pimlico spring meet, but hasn’t done much since, finishing no better than third in his last three starts. He was flat over a wet track last out, then didn’t do much in the seven-furlong Star de Naskra Stakes, which might’ve been too short for him. Three starts ago, he faced just three rivals in the Tale of the Cat Stakes at Monmouth Park, and didn’t get an honest pace dynamic to run into. He’s getting back on a fast track, with a fuller field, on a one-turn mile with a long stretch tailor-made for his closing kick. #6 Uncle Irish (3-1) stopped badly first off a long layoff last out, but at least got the race under his belt, and now finds himself as the lone speed. He could find himself with a very comfortable early advantage. #2 Mose Perfect (9-2) won three in a row on this track over the winter, but hasn’t raced since a well-beaten effort on February 4. He was entered a few weeks ago going six furlongs, but was scratched, and now resurfaces here, with two workouts in between. He should also be heard from late, and even if he can’t outkick It’s Viper, he should at least get up for a share.

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

6-2-8-1

Another grass race, another top choice taking a drop in class. #6 Alexis S (4-1) has faced stakes company in his last three tries on grass, and was a decent-closing fifth in the Turf Monster Stakes at Parx in his most recent effort. He’s won going short on grass before, and any of his recent figures win this, though his form is obscured by his impressive class lines. #2 Destin’s Mission (5-2) chased the pace while wide and flattened out. He’s drawn further to the inside here, and though his main early challenger, Deep Cover, is drawn to his direct inside, he’ll be able to control the pace if he can outrun that rival early. The early pace figures suggest that he’s got a shot. #8 Embolden (12-1) turned in a big race to win against first-level foes at Colonial in his last grass start. The runner-up, Vocalize, won on this track earlier in the year, while third-place finisher Whenigettoheaven was a strong third in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last Saturday.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

9-2-3-10

#9 Bondiva (4-1) ran a giant race second time out last out. She raced four-wide on the lead, but managed to run a strong second, losing only to a rival who sat a great trip off the battle. Her three rivals who were on the pace with her finished well-beaten. This one gets Lasix for the first time today. #2 Golden Charm (10-1) has run in the mid-70s in each of her two dirt starts, and closed sharply for second last out. She’s facing better than she ever has, but her usual performance at least gets her in the mix. #3 Conceptualize (5-2), a $195,000 purchase at last April’s OBS sale, was well-bet on debut at Fair Grounds in March, but showed little after a wide trip and has been laid off since then. She’s making her debut for the Todd Beattie barn, and has worked well in anticipation of her return. Note that, because she’s a Maryland-bred, she gets to waive the claiming tag. As such, there’s no need to be concerned about her being in a race like this after being purchase for so much.

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

6-4-2-10

Another nice allowance race serves as today’s co-feature. #6 There Are No Words (2-1) was a strong-closing second in the Oceanport Stakes two starts back behind Highestdistinction. That rival has returned to win his next two starts, including the Baltimore-Washington Turf Cup. This one returned to finish a solid third in the Red Bank Stakes with a 92, making him the only one in the race to run in the 90s twice in his last three starts. He has great tactical speed, and should leave them reeling in the stretch. #4 The Addison Pour (7-2) also rallied well last out, getting up for fourth in the Find Stakes. He hasn’t raced since that August 19 race, but he’s worked consistently since then, and has some of the best late pace figures in the race. The only question is if he’ll leave himself with too much to do. #2 Q F Seventy Five (5-1) makes his first start for the Arnaud Delacour barn. He’ll almost certainly try to take them gate-to-wire; he pulled it off going longer at Belmont Park earlier this year.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-5-3

#1 Food Foodie (8-5) crushed a non-winners of two field last out and has the best recent figures, but I’m not sure it’s a big enough edge to warrant such a short price. #2 Dream of Blessings (3-1), shipping up from Florida, is in improving form, and ran on well from far out of it to get third in his most recent start. He should benefit from the stretch-out from a mile. #5 Transfer the Funds (10-1) has found his best self in his last two starts, with a pair of come-from-behind runner-up efforts at Charles Town.