• John Piassek
• October 28, 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 — $3,722

Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

13-9-8-6

Conditioned claimers kick off the action on a beautiful Saturday. As long as #13 Carloun (3-1) repeats any of his recent races, he’ll be tough to hold off. He rallied well to lose in a blanket finish against better last out, and ran a brisnet figure in the 80s for the third time in his last five starts. That’s territory that almost no one in here can reach. He also has by far the best late pace figures int he field, so he should be able to roll by them without much trouble. #9 Coronova (9-2) led most of the way in his last grass start at Delaware Park, but got nailed in the last few strides. He looks like the main pace presence in this field. #8 Awesome Strike (7-2) was very sharp in victory three races back, and looks for a rebound after a dull race following a wide trip last out.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-2-1

It’s hard to swallow a super-low morning line on anyone, but #4 Tirico (3-5) should bury this field as long as he shows anything at all. He faded in the last eighth on debut last out, but still ran a strong 86. He now finds himself in what looks like a super-soft maiden field. In fact, I’ve seen bottom-level maiden claiming races that looked better than this one. Anything close to his usual race crushes them. #6 Xcellent Men (8-1) faded after getting entangled in a speed duel first out at Colonial Downs, in what proved to b a productive maiden race. He’s worked well in recent weeks, and ships back to the mid-Atlantic from New York in his first start for the David Jacobson barn. #2 Napoleon’s War (5-1) has turned in three straight bullet workouts at Delaware in preparation for his first start. His only sibling to race won at second asking, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he also showed something early.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-14-3-8

#1 Cheers for Kitten (3-1) set the pace and held on to defeat many of these last out. He’s clearly the fastest one in here early, so he’ll have every chance to run them off their feet once again. #14 Eddie the Great (10-1) rallied from off a slow pace to win in his first start for the Claudio Gonzalez barn last out. He faced better for most of the year in New York, and would take advantage if the pace and ends up faster than expected. #3 Putin Online (7-2) has finished second in four consecutive grass tries, including a runner-up finish to Cheers for Kitten last out despite traffic trouble.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-6-4-8

#2 Super Accelerate (3-1) looked like a future star at the summer meet, with three straight wins, including a victory against a solid field in the Star de Naskra Stakes. He faded after chasing the pace while wide in the Robert Hilton Memorial Stakes at Charles Town last out, and now takes a drop back in class first off a two-month break. The distance is a bit of a question mark, as he’s never gone beyond seven furlongs, but there’s not much about his recent form to suggest he can’t handle it. #6 Hay Chief (9-2) has a tremendous closing kick and could prove tough to hold off late down the long one-turn mile stretch. #4 Thunderian (8-5) ran a gigantic race last Saturday at Aqueduct, battling on the pace, disposing of all early challengers, and holding off a rival who sat a great trip off the hot pace.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-1-11-5

#10 King Covee (3-1) turned in a much-improved effort last out at Colonial Downs, He raced towards the back of the pack early on and made a strong middle move to the lead, ultimately holding on for third. He’s lightly-raced and gets some class relief here. #1 Holey Moley (8-5) drops from straight maidens, and comes off a career-best 79. He should get a nice trip covered up off the pace. #11 Cripple Creek (7-2) made an overland move into a hot pace last out, and unsurprisingly faded. Jevian Toledo keeps the mount here, and will try to time the move a bit better despite another tough draw.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-9-1-10

#4 Forest Fuel (8-1) was incredibly impressive on debut at Delaware. She broke like a shot and drew off impressively to win by 5 1/2 lengths, with a very impressive 89. That race was on grass, but if her form transfers over, she’ll be tough to run down here, and could make her the favorite for the Maryland Juvenile Fillies Championship on December 2. #9 Chublin (6-1) has taken big steps forward with every start, including a sharp victory against winners at Delaware last out. I don’t know if she can run with Forest Fuel early, but she should at least stay close to the early tempo. #1 Belle’s Blue Bell (6-1) came from off the pace to win going away at first asking, and ran a strong late pace figure of 86 that day. If Forest Fuel regresses off her debut, it would play to this one’s advantage.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-11-3-2

#7 Massif (5-2) was a hard-charging second in the Laurel Futurity last out behind Breeders’ Cup-bound Air Recruit, narrowly missing his career-best mark with a 76. If he gets any kind of pace to run into, he’ll be dangerous. #11 Derbyness (9-2) ran a big race in defeat on debut at Delaware, then broke his maiden on this track last out even though he regressed off that race. He adds blinkers here and should be ready to pounce after stalking the pace. #3 Masterofhiscraft (5-1) broke through to win at the Meadowlands last out following two dull efforts, and might’ve won by more had he not gotten into traffic in the stretch.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-4-9

#1 Loving Cup (8-1) has closed determinedly to win two in a row against slightly softer rivals. Even though it’s a step up on paper, the conditioned claiming foes she beat in her last win were not that much worse than the ones she’ll see here. She could slide through the cracks in the betting and go off at a very good price. #6 Northern Glow (2-1) rallied well last out and briefly led, but was outkicked by 35-1 upset winner Bella Bettina (who is also back in here). This one hasn’t run a bad race in four career tries and should pack a strong late punch. #4 Nymph (4-1) ran two huge races to begin her career, but hasn’t raced in more than a year, since a flat effort at this level in late October. If she runs her race first off the bench, she’ll be tough, but that’s a big ask.