• John Piassek
• November 3, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $972
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-5-7

More sunny weather, and slightly warmer temperatures, greet us for today’s 9-race card. After a flat debut at Timonium, #3 Burningupthedough (6-1) improved sharply at second asking, showing speed and ending up second behind the very impressive War Master. That one came back to win impressively at Delaware Park on Wednesday. Third-place finisher Eyes Eleven has also won since. #2 Ascendance (3-1) was well-backed on debut at Colonial Downs, but faded after chasing the pace while wide. He’s making his first start for Anthony Farrior, and should take advantage of the drop from straight maidens. #5 All the Way (5-2) had a brutal trip while wide on the lead in his most recent, but held on for second behind Played Hard, who saved much more ground. Although his trainer, Phil Capuano, hasn’t won at the meet, he’s enjoyed success at other tracks, with two wins at Delaware and one at Charles Town on Wednesday.

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

15-12-5-9

After a few near-misses, #15 Summer Anthem (6-1) put it all together to get up and win at Delaware last out. He had a tendency to race evenly late in some of his previous starts, but has started to close better in his last few. #12 New York Panther (3-1) has fought hard on the pace in his last two grass starts. Last out, he rated off favored Covert Kat, then gradually wore down that rival for the victory. He’ll likely have to press from the outside again, but the speed in here is not especially dangerous, and he should be tough as long as he doesn’t get caught too wide. #5 Invective (5-1) has a strong closing kick, but often finds himself behind slow paces. He might need to be closer to the lead to be a win contender, but should at least close for a share.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-10-9-5

#2 Remembering Wilbur (9-2) cruised on the lead to win going away at Delaware last out, and should be able to control the pace in a race without much other early speed. #10 Oxide (7-2) was completely flat against better rivals last out, but won going away at this level in June. Although he’s tailed off from his peak earlier in the year, he still looks sharp enough to beat these. #9 Shoot Themessenger (4-1) exits the same race as Oxide, where he as a mild fifth, albeit with a solid brisnet figure of 83. He might want more distance, but his recent figures, which are consistently in the upper-70s and low-80s, are too good to ignore.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-13-6-4

#8 Mille Dreams (2-1) was well-bet against better in her stateside debut, but raced wide in a paceless race and didn’t show much. She adds blinkers and lasix for this spot, and should get more pace to close into. #13 Vanilla Bean (6-1) and #6 Determined Lilly (7-2) exit the same race at this condition on October 19. Vanilla Bean rallied well from off a slow pace and got third, running at least a 76 for the fourth consecutive race. Determined Lilly prompted the pace, and while she couldn’t catch front-running leader Lakeside Getaway, she held on over the others and secured second. She’s consistently run in the mid-70s all year and should be close to the pace.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

10-5-1-9

#10 Jolly Boss (4-1) showed potent early speed on debut, sending his dueling partner, another well-bet firster, into a 28 1/2 length defeat. Jolly Boss meanwhile, held on for second, beaten only by Circle P, who sat a good trip off the duel. #5 This is Good (6-1) exits the same race as Jolly Boss. He was bumped a bit at the start and broke last, but closed well when clear for third, even if he flattened out a bit late. He has room to improve second time out. #1 Medagooch (8-1) has some sharp recent workouts for Robert Bailes, including a bullet four-furlong drill in 48 seconds on October 19.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-4-5-12

#11 Lady Banker (2-1) ran a big second on the grass two starts back at Pimlico, finishing second to impressive next-out winner Bandonarun. This one got caught in a speed duel and faded on dirt last out, but should improve with the return to her preferred surface. #4 Abstract Moment (3-1) has similar speed figures and good early speed. She’s improved her figure with each start this year, peaking at a 75 last out when she finished third in a race-long speed duel. The winner rated right off the early battle, while the three duelers finished second, third, and fourth. #5 Irish Mirage (10-1) has good tactical speed and should enjoy the cutback from a mile.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-2-8

Take out the races where #7 Ms. Bucchero (6-1) wasn’t allowed to run on lasix, and her forms bowls over that of the rest. She’ll be allowed lasix here, and hopefully those poor recent lines will distract bettors and drive up her price. #5 Response Time (5-2) set the pace and finished second to budding star Intrepid Daydream in the Maryland Million Distaff last out. She declined a bit off her big win in the Timonium Distaff two starts ago, but gets a bit of class relief here, and should once again be forwardly-placed. #2 Deco Strong (10-1) likes to rally and shake up the exotics at big prices. Although she hasn’t won this year, she’s hit the board in four of her last six races, doing so at 15-1 or more on three occasions. She’s a must-use in any vertical bet.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-10-5-7

#1 American Unity (3-1) has slowly crept his way up the class ladder over the late summer and fall, with three straight victories on the lawn. He ran at least an 80 in each of them. With his rail post, he should get another nice trip off the pace and pounce. #10 Tom Hagen (6-1) faced a tough second-level field last out, and closed well to lose by less than two lengths in a blanket finish despite racing wide on both turns. #5 Uncle Curly (5-2) kicked on off a hot pace to win going away last out. If he gets that fast tempo, he’ll be dangerous, but there’s not as much speed here as there was last time.