• John Piassek
• December 1, 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 — $1,778
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-4-5-2

#3 Strong Finish (4-1) makes his first start on dirt in a while after spending his first three starts off the layoff on the grass. He broke his maiden going away on dirt in late March, lasting on the lead and drawing off impressively. He hasn’t shown much of a late kick near the pace in his last few starts, but at least he’s getting some class relief. #4 Tuna N Stamps (7-2) has run a brisnet figure in the 70s three times in his last four starts, and goes first off the claim by Phil Capuano. He’s been outkicked in his last few starts as well, but had the excuse of a wide trip last out, and has at least been slowly improving late in his last few tries against winners. #5 Sustenance (7-2) is the main early speed threat in the race, and almost took them coast-to-coast at Charles Town last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-1-2-5

#6 O T C Wiz (7-5) has been in much-improved form since arriving here from Texas earlier this year. He’s run back-to-back figures in the 70s in his last two starts, including a near-miss to Steele Money, who won next-out at Penn National. He was claimed from the Brittany Russell barn by Charles DeMario last out, but he’s still in the best form of all of them and will be tough to beat. #1 Prins Fire (2-1) checked out of contention last out and stopped badly. He ran in the 70s in each of his prior five starts. He could make things interesting for O T C Wiz early on. #2 Oboy (10-1) also faded and was well-beaten last out, but broke his maiden going away with a very impressive 78 in his prior outing.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-7-5-1

#6 Soulful Tara (2-1) was claimed out of her last start at Keeneland by Michael Pino. She battled on the lead and burned up her dueling partner, who lost by 22 lengths, but couldn’t hold of Insightful Miss, who sat a great trip off he duel and returned to win next out at Churchill Downs. #7 Golden Charm (5-1) closed well and just missed behind Bondiva, who has since returned to win. This one should get a nice trip and will take advantage if Soulful Tara falters. #5 Royal Seamstress (5-2) drops in for a tag for the first time, and ran a big race on the lead in her last dirt start, but is racing for the ice-cold Claudio Gonzalez barn.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-8-1

#6 Trepat (1-1) has won four of his last five in gate-to-wire style, with his only defeat coming in his first start off an eight-month break. He’s much faster than the rest of these early on, and should once again win without much drama. The aforementioned #3 Steele Money (5-1) is also riding a winning streak, having taken his last two races. He raced wide all the way last out at Penn National, but overcame the ground loss to win with a career-best 79. He should get a more ground-saving trip here, and could surprise if Trepat doesn’t fire. #8 Pride of Payton (6-1) closed to clear his none-winners of two condition in a blanket finish in his last dirt start, and has since faded after showing some speed twice on grass. He’ll try to work out a trip rating near the leaders.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-3-9

#4 Sansa Ariel (7-2) has had a second-itis streak, finishing as the runner-up in her last three stats. However, she’s in improving form, finishing a strong second at Delaware Park last out with a career-best 82. #7 Alas and Alack (9-2) drops in class and and adds blinker second off nearly a year-long layoff for Rudy Sanchez-Salomon. She ran a respectable 69 in that race, not far off from her lifetime- top of 74, and could take a big step forward second off the bench. #3 Ellie Victorina (15-1) was a solid third behind the impressive Cocktail Dreaming last out, and now drops to a softer field at this level.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-9-10

#2 Freeze the Fire (7-2) makes his first start off a two-month layoff. He was well-beaten in his last start, but had the misfortune to run into Seven’s Eleven that day, who had since come back to win twice. This one runs his best when he gets to the front, and looks fast enough to make the lead from towards the rail. #8 Remembering Wilbur (20-1) has the best late speed in the field, and was most recently a game-closing second at Penn National last out. He consistently runs in the mid-80s, which isn’t quite good enough to contend with the best in this field, but he should at least be able to shake up the exotics. #9 Take a Hint (9-5) has hit the board without a victory in five straight starts without a victory. He ran his best race in that streak last out, where he led almost all the way and got caught late. He’ll likely try to work out a stalking trip and try to time the move just right.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-1A-3-8

#5 Uncaptured Storm (10-1) improved sharply second off a two-month layoff last out, running a career-best 96 when getting up to win a starter optional claiming contest. He returns to the Anthony Farrior barn here, and should get a nice trip near the pace at a good price. #1A Bode’s Maker (9-5) won at this level two starts ago, albeit in an off-the-grass race. He came from further off the pace than he’s accustomed to last out and just missed behind Lookin at Roses, a five-time winner on the year. He hasn’t run worse than an 88 in his last three dirt starts, and will be a serious factor with even a somewhat honest pace in front of him. #3 Feeling Woozy (10-1) ran a big race on the lead at this level last out. He does his best running when he’s allowed to set the pace, and he looks fast enough to set up shop on the front end here.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-2-3

If #5 Quick Munny (7-5) goes off near her morning line, that might be an underlay. She crushed a second-level field at Pimlico in September, than ran another big race at Aqueduct when second despite a wide trip. The third-place finisher, Rachel’s Rock, and the fourth-place finisher, Lady Milagro, both came back to win next out, the latter in the Autumn Days Stakes. This one should take them gate-to-wire. #6 Prodigy Doll (5-2) lost a three-horse photo for place last out, in a dash at Pimlico on June 2. The horse who nosed her out for second, Response Time, has since won the Timonium Distaff and has been stakes-placed on three other occasions. This one has the back-class to contend, but might need a race first off the bench. #2 I’m Gittin There (7-2) was in a bit over her head going two turns in the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes last out. However, her recent one-turn figures fit with these.