Laurel Park picks and ponderings: October 22, 2023 * The Racing Biz

LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: october 22, 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 — $1,209
Late Pick 5 — $19,438

RACE 1

9-1-8-2

1	#9. City Leader (4/1)	Delacour 1st-timer is out of multiple graded stakes-winning mare who started career with two wins in three starts; barn can win first out
2	#1. Starlifter (6/1)	Willing effort in last when prevailing in a duel for the lead but unable to contain top pair
3	#8. Money in Motion (3/1)	Winner got away before this one could engage his late kick, but he ran on willingly once in gear to close gap

RACE 2

1-7-6-5

1	#1. Fashionatta (5/2)	Dueled 3-5 favorite into submission in last but couldn’t hold off trip-sitting rivals; could be speed of the speed
2	#7. Sistren (5/1)	Has been needing easier company, perhaps finds it here
3	#6. Thunder Boss (4/1)	Lost duel to top choice in last

Mid-Atlantic Three Stars: May 13
Your five-minute read to catch up on all the Mid-Atlantic racing action you may have missed over the weekend…

RACE 3

10-1-4-12

1	#10. Sir Lance (5/1)	Good try in last when facing winners for the first time; Sillaman barn 8-for-51 off similar layoffs
2	#1. Win No Joke (7/2)	Two next-out winners from last when a willing second behind 7-5 chalk; inside posts can be tricky at this trip (2-for-57)
3	#4. Casino Tricks (12/1)	Inched away once switching to right lead in the lane in race that’s produced two next-out winners; Ashby barn over 20% with last-out maiden winners

RACE 4

4-1-6-7

1	#4. Backatya (2/1)	Inclined to draw a line through last in first bullring try in 36-race career but wouldn’t want to see the odds go down much from here; Farrior barn 25% first off the claim
2	#1. Crownedcountcristo (9/2)	Bounced back nicely from messy Timonium affair to be third versus similar, switches to go-to rider Whitacre
3	#6. Inside Stunt (5/1)	Earlier dirt tries were just fine

RACE 5

2-10-4-9

1	#2. This Country (9/5)	Constitution filly makes bow for Toner barn (2-for-12 with 2yo debut special weight runners); half-sib is stakes-placed on the lawn
2	#10. Mayfly (8/1)	Should appreciate easier group here; declining Beyer fig pattern a concern but bounceback still available
3	#4. Normal (8/1)	Motion duo includes this Nyquist filly and Gun Runner filly #9 Something Wicked (2-1), a $1.1 million yearling purchase

RACE 6

2-6-5-9

1	#2. Lady On the Go (3/1)	Russell barn clicks at better than 25% with 2yo firsters in maiden claiming company
2	#6. Wait for Tomorrow (5/2)	Drops to better spot off a couple of credibe efforts
3	#5. Sippin’ Time (10/1)	Good news: beat all but one in dirt bow. Bad: lost to that one by 18 lengths

Big Big Star, the win, the layoff, and the race that wasn’t
Big Big Star broke his maiden Sunday at Laurel Park for trainer Keri Brion off officially a 27-month layoff, though it’s actually a bit more complicated.

RACE 7

11-8-6-7

1	#11. You Must Chill (4/1)	Beaten favorite in last was foiled by a troubled trip when left with no options in the lane; drawn better outside and has faced and beaten better this year
2	#8. Gunslinger (3/1)	Three straight runner-up efforts but speedy sort cuts back slightly to ideal one-mile trip, where he owns five wins in 12 outings
3	#6. Cannon’s Roar (7/2)	Beat similar two back and ran credibly a week ago when beaten three lengths in the Maryland Million Turf; penchant for coming in underneath argues against taking short odds

RACE 8

2-3-8-7

1	#2. Saloon (2/1)	Have a beer – don’t cost nothin’… Formful sort shifts into Magee barn (21% moving horses up first off the claim)
2	#3. Big Rowdy Dan (8/1)	Was a mile behind in last but ran on willingly while never a threat; like to see him a little more engaged in early going to rate a better shot
3	#8. Cajun Dream (3/1)	Has kept right company, now taking appropriate drop; three-back effort behind Dats Mr. Mo and Frightland very strong