• John Piassek
• October 26, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,949
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,300
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

3-4-15-12

Eight races under dry skies with warm temperatures are on the menu for today. #3 Mystic Seaport (9-5) returned first off a voided claim last out at Delaware Park, and won by open lengths for the second consecutive race. She won going away on grass in the start prior, running an improved brisnet figure for the second consecutive grass start, and should work out another great trip. #4 Moving in Stereo (10-1) closed well against better in two grass starts at Monmouth Park over the summer, and should be able to pick up some pieces even if Mystic Seaport runs off with it. #15 Gift of Gab (4-1) drops from the $40,000 conditioned level and is likely to show speed from the outside.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-4-2-5

#3 Big Earn (8-1) made a nice move to the front after a slow break and led briefly in the stretch, but was inhaled by the oncoming rally of Feelin So Lucky. Nonetheless, this one managed to hold second with a 70, the best last-out figure in the race by six points. #4 Princess Blame (9-2) also ran well at first asking, contesting the pace while wide and holding gamely until late. While she was outfinished by one of her sparring partners, that one had experience going in, while Princess Blame did not. She could control the pace if she gets to the rail. #2 Tequila Tara (8-1) was well-bet on debut in a grass race, but she got knocked around at the start and was no factor from there. She should improve with a cleaner dispatch.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-13-7-9

Many of these exit the same race at this condition on October 6. #10 Harbor Moon (3-1) improved dramatically second off the layoff that day. He got a ground-saving trip in the middle of the pack, kicked on up the inside in the stretch, and battled in the lane with #7 Hurrying Home (2-1), who ended up out-nodding him by a neck. However, Pavoni swallowed them up on the outside and beat them both. While Hurrying Home turned in a professional effort that day first off a long break, stalking the pace and pouncing, he’s racing for an ice-cold Brittany Russell barn and is bound to be overbet. By contrast, Harbor Moon raced for Mike Trombetta last out when he was in the midst of a 1-for-45 meet-starting slump. However, Trombetta appears to have turned a corner, with five wins last week. #13 Heading Home (9-2) races for the first time since July 7, and ran a 79 and an 86 in his first two career starts in New York.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-5-6

After two sub-par efforts in a row, #4 Everett’s Song (8-5) bounced back in a big way last out, defeating a solid third-level field going away. He ran a 95 that day, right back in the range he was running this spring. His usual race makes him tough to beat. #1 Outlier (7-2) was second behind Everett’s Song that day, running his second straight figure in the 90s in the process. He looks for a rebound off a dismal effort at Aqueduct last out. #5 Armando R (8-1) always turns in an honest effort, but often finds himself with too much to do late. Still, he has the best late pace figures in the race, and is a must-use underneath.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

13-3-1-12

#13 Pounding Music (5-2) was beaten by just over three lengths in her bid to repeat in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap. However, she ran an 85 that day, the best last-out figure in the race, and is the only one in the race to run in the 80s in each of her last three starts. Most of these have struggled to race in the 80s at any point in their careers. If she can draw in, she should be able to swallow them up without much trouble. If she can’t, #3 Gennie Highway (4-1) would gain a substantial edge over her rivals. She’s run an 83 in each of her last two starts, and would have the best late pace figures in the field as well if Pounding Music doesn’t run. #1 Instinctive (7-2) dropped to this level last out and chased the pace for a solid second-place finish.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-1-4-6

#9 Bridge to Success (2-1) made his first start off a ten-month layoff last out, and although he couldn’t convert a stalking trip, he ran on well and got third, running not far from his lifetime-best with a 68. He’s taking another drop from the $30,000 level here, and has worked well since rejoining the worktab in late September. #1 Senator Kelly (9-5) ran a strong 74 first off a year-plus layoff last out, and has run in the 70s four times in five career starts. If he runs his usual race, he’s got a great shot to break the ice for the cold Russell barn. #4 Dowsing Rod (4-1) flattened out after applying pace pressure in his most recent, but still ran in the 70s for the first time in a while.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

10-4-9-3

#10 Hardspun Reason (2-1) got up in the last jump to win against open first-level foes last out, getting up after sitting in traffic to defeat next-out winner Curly Larry and Mo. As long as he doesn’t have to close into too slow a pace, he’ll be tough to hold off. #4 Great Idea (4-1) improved to a career-best 90 last out at Delaware, despite getting caught in traffic on two separate occasions in the stretch. He’s stretching out from 7 1/2 furlongs last out, after a win at 5 1/2 furlongs two races back, but has run solid figures going a route before. #9 Mission Man (7-2) closed well off slow fractions last out, but got outkicked by odds-on choice Toofareastiswest and settled for third.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-9-4-2

#3 Coringa (7-2) chased loose leader Full Proof on debut and couldn’t catch up, but finished a clear-cut second with an 82 despite a wide trip. He has a bullet workout since that race, and should be ready to fire a big one. #9 Sir Exton (5-1) has worked well since returning to the worktab in late September following a month-long break. His dam, Maryland-bred Somethinaboutbetty, was a four-time stakes winner and has produced three 2-year-old winners, including a first-out victor. #4 Regalo (9-5) ran a similar race to Coringa on debut, finishing second after going off favored, but will likely be a lower price.