• John Piassek
• October 20, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $10,426
Jackpot Super High 5 — $6,000
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-8-7-3

Is today the day #2 Notion to Tapit (8-1) finally breaks through? He’s hit the board nine times this year in 16 starts, but has just one win to his credit. Still, he’s got great late pace figures, he’s been in consistent form all season, and a lot of the favorites in here have some question marks. While he has some baggage of his own, you’ll get a much better price on him. #8 Captain Cardo (6-1) has rounded back into his best form in his last two starts, with brisnet figures of 77 and 81. He closed well for fourth going a mile last out, but might want more distance than what he’s getting. #7 Pudge Boy Palace (9-5) has some speed from the outside, but faded after getting caught wide against better last out. He’ll have to clear some rivals to get to the lead today, but if he does, he could prove tough.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-4-1-12

Chad Brown has shipped four 2-year-old fillies down here today, in pursuit of a less-waterlogged grass course. Two of them are in this race, the other two are in the other division. Between this two debuters, I’ll give the slight edge to #10 Voter Registration (5-2) over #4 Fantasy Performer (7-2), as the former’s dam has produced a pair of grass winners, both of whom were stakes-placed in Germany. Voter Registration also has a s solid, but not overly long worktab, while Fantasy Performer has had to wait a while to debut. Nonetheless, both are serious contenders, and it may come down to whoever’s betting patterns you prefer. #1 Victory Badge (3-1) looks like the best of those with experience. While she’s closed well in each of her three starts, she was compromised off a slow pace last out, and runs the risk of that happening again.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-5-1-8

#7 Nottoway (8-5) got caught wide on the pace last out at Delaware Park and faded. He won his previous two starts easily after getting to the front, so while he doesn’t have a great draw here, if he gets that coveted front-end spot, he’ll be difficult to catch. After falling off a cliff earlier this year, #5 Savoy (4-1) looks like he’s starting to round back into his best form. He’s improved significantly in his last two starts, closing for second last out with a brisnet figure of 84. That’s his best mark in months. He has solid closing speed and should be involved late. #1 His Name is Sue (5-2) outkicked Savoy to win in gate-to-wire fashion last out. He’s run some big figures this year, but his form is pretty inconsistent.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-11-9-4

#7 Diva’s Ready (6-1) stretched back out to two turns for the first time in more than a year last out, and handled it well. While she couldn’t catch On the Shortlist, who enjoyed a nice trip pressing a longshot leader, this one rallied well from five lengths back to get second, just missing her career-best mark with an 85. #11 Olkovskha (5-2) has faced much better in her two American starts in New York and Kentucky, and now gets some class relief for Graham Motion. She’ll likely try to tuck in towards the back of the pack under Kevin Gomez, and just might have the class to mow them down. #9 Charmed Way (6-1) has some early speed in a race without much of it. She lasted a long way on the front end to win at Parx back in May.

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

6-8-1A-4

#6 Souper Royal Moon (8-1) ran a pair of big races to cap his Monmouth Park season. He came from off the pace and got up to win two starts ago with an 85, then ran an 81 last out when second after a duel with Fast Break, who was also coming off a win in his previous start. No one else in here has run at least an 81 in either of their last two starts, so as long as he repeats either of his recent efforts, he has a chance to spring a mild upset. #8 Galatians (5-2) gets some class relief after facing better in his last few starts. He just missed behind Shady Munni, a four-time winner on the year and second in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap, on this track in late July. Look for him to draft well off the pace early and try to rally. #1A Shane’s Jewel (9-5) has flattened out after showing speed in his last few, but at least he looks like the fastest one early in this spot.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-11-12-1

This Chad Brown runner at least has some experience. #8 Watchtower (9-5) was caught wide throughout after getting well-bet on debut at Kentucky Downs. She’s worked well with Brown’s Monmouth string since her last start and should turn in an improved effort against these types. #11 Way to be Marie (6-1) got going late on debut at Aqueduct, and should appreciate the added distance. #12 Landofhopeandreams (12-1) has run in the mid-70s in each of her two career starts, but she’s never been beyond 5 1/2 furlongs before. Nonetheless, those kinds of races would contend here if she can handle the extra ground.

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

2-5-8-1A

A borderline stakes-quality group of sprinters meets here, including the top two finishers from the 7th race on September 30, victorious #5 Sir Alfred James (6-1) and runner-up #2 Classier (10-1). While Sir Alfred James ran a game race that day, and is in improving form, he’s likely to have to deal with more high-quality speed than he did last time. Classier’s a three-time winner on this track this year, including a victory in the Henry Clark Stakes in late April, and has good tactical speed. He should run another big race at a better price than Sir Alfred James. #8 Sir Wellington (8-1) has run some big races on the lead against similar earlier this year, and should be a major factor on the front end. This will be his first start since a fourth-place finish in the DeFrancis Dash in late July.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-8-3-5

#7 Calming Storm (2-1) stalked the pace and pulled clear late, but got run down in the last few strides by John Hall. Still it was a strong effort, with a sharp 85, and he’s facing a similar field to the one he caught that day. #8 Smitten Enough (6-1) cuts back around one turn and will try to take them gate-to-wire. He held on for victory the last time he was here in mid-August despite, a second quarter split of 22.12. #3 Goodafternoonoscar (5-1) has hit the board eight times in ten starts this year, but has just one win to his credit in that stretch. Nonetheless, he’s run well in each of his last few and should sit a nice trip near the pace. The major X-factor is the surface; he’s never been run on grass before.