• John Piassek
• November 26, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,463

Jackpot Super High 5 — $449

Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-4-7-6

#3 Martini Martin (8-1) won going away first off a brief layoff at Delaware Park last out, coming from last while earning a career-best brisnet figure of 82. He’ll try to sabe ground off the pace and take full advantage of the long stretch run of the one-turn mile. #4 Midnight Renegade (9-2) drops in for a tag for the first time after being overmatched against allowance company in his last few starts. He showed a strong closing punch to break his maiden on debut in May, and it may be more effective against lesser. #7 Assume Nothing (1-1) has standout figures, having run no worse than an 84 in his last four starts, but he’s failed to convert at low odds in several of those races, including a loss at 2-5 in a similar field last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

9-6-2-3

#9 Candy Arcade (5-2) closed well to lose a place photo first off a 4 1/2-month layoff last out. She switches back to dirt here, but has run well on this surface in the past, including in a strong maiden-breaking win last November at Tampa Bay Downs. #6 Flitter (6-1) took advantage of a class plunge to win going away as the odds-on choice last out, showing good tactical speed in the process. She’ll be a major late threat with the right trip. #2 Gwynedd (8-1) has faced better fields in her last two starts, and ran a very strong 72 in her last start despite racing wide throughout.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

8-10-7-1

#8 Neuschwanstein (5-1) got involved in a tussle through very fast fractions last out and faded. He’s worked well since that Oct. 8 effort, and adds lasix for the first time. He looks like the main pace factor in this race. #10 Legendaire (3-1) rated off that duel, but couldn’t take full advantage and finished fourth. He’s also turned in some strong workouts since that race, including back-to-back bullet drills at Delaware Park, and has run in the 80s in each of his last three starts. #7 Full Irish (5-2) has only raced once, and it was in mid-February, but it was a big effort. He closed strongly after racing well off the pace and missed by a half-length to Leonids, who has won again since. He returned to the worktab in late October and has worked three times since then. He might not be in peak form fist off a nine-month break, but if runs anything like did at first asking, he’ll be tough to hold off.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-6-7

With the 8-race card, the late pick 5 begins here. #1 Foolish Ghost (5-2) gave a challenge to the speedy favorite Bob Marco in his last start, and though he couldn’t compete with that impressive winner, he held on for second. He has in-and-out form, but at his best, he’ll be a serious speed presence from the rail. #6 Indian Lake (6-1) lost a photo for second to Foolish Ghost in his last start, and ran a solid 86, representing a rounding-back into form following two straight dull races. #4 Chief Ron (5-1) obliged at 1-9 despite a wide trip in his last start for his first win of the year. He should sit the trip in mid-pack and at least convert it for a share.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-9-3

Take out a dull try around two turns last out, and the recent form of #6 He Hate Me (5-2) buries these. He’s improved with each recent sprint start, including a dramatic comeback win at Parx two starts back with a season’s-best mark of 95. This one should give Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez yet another winner. #1 Shoot Themessenger (15-1) overcame some traffic to get second last out behind impressive winner Dr. Doyle, and now gets a rider switch back to Jevian Toledo. This one has some early foot, and Toledo has been reading the track well as of late. #9 Musical Heart (8-1) just missed after a wide trip first off an 11-week layoff last out. That’s been a typical story for him this year: he likes to sit near the lead and hang around for a share, but has been unable to find the winner’s circle so far this season.

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

3-2-4-7

#3 Vixsinzkeltkbanshe (5-2) gets a much-needed addition of blinkers, and improved to a 70 second off 5 1/2-month layoff last out. If used aggressively enough by Angel Cruz, she can get to the rail, rate just off likely early leader Free Admission, and draw off late. #2 Forgotten Gift (6-1) got involved in a tussle last out and lasted until late, holding on for third. She ran a solid 73 two starts back and should also show tactical speed. #4 Spoils of War (6-1) rallied from well off the pace last out and led briefly, but was outkicked by favored Abstract Moment, who won going away. This one still matched her career-best figure with a 66, and looks as if she’s rounding back into her peak form.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-3-2-10

#9 My Flicker (2-1) goes out for the first time since August 18. She won at this level two starts back, and was narrowly beaten by Willful Desire, a five-time winner this year, last out. #3 Anonymously (7-2) is a perfect 4-for-4 in dirt sprints on fast tracks, and has slowly improved her form over the course of the year, with back-to-back figures in the mid-80s. #2 Royal Whisper (15-1) also runs in the 80s consistently and almost wired the field going a mile last out. She’s going from the Brittany Russell barn to David Howard’s, but keeps Jevian Toledo in the saddle.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-8-1-2