• John Piassek
• December 2, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$2,566

Jackpot Super High 5 — $925

Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

7-5-3-4

My top three picks all come out of the same race at this condition on Nov. 11. #7 El de Larry (3-1) showed nothing at first asking, but improved sharply last out and closed well for third in his first two-turn start. Meanwhile, #5 Return Fire (9-5), in his fifth start, battled through fairly honest fractions and outfinished his dueling partner, #3 Volpe (5-1), by more than four lengths, but couldn’t hold off well-backed firster Paynter’s Prodigy, who ran him down late. He should have an easier time in here, but El de Larry has more room to improve third time out, and will likely be the better price. Regardless, both are strong contenders. As noted above, Volpe couldn’t last through an early tussle with Return Fire last out, but he still ran a game race, considering it was his first two-turn effort. It also represented a much-improved effort off three dull races since a runner-up finish on debut.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-5-6

Two of these have brisnet figures that tower over those of the others; we’ll focus on them fist. #7 Ratified (5-2) broke her maiden first off the claim by Jamie Ness a few starts back, but was flat in her last wo starts against races against better and on grass, respectively. She now switches back to dirt, and should get a great trip just off the early pace. #1 Devil Pays in Gold (2-1) also has good tactical speed, and ran at least a 77 in each of her last two dirt starts against better. She faded late after a stretch battle last out; we’ll see if she can keep up with Ratified late. #5 Fivecommatwo (7-2) faded after a very wide trip in her last dirt start, but if she can make the front, she should at least be able to hang on for a share.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-5-4-6

#3 Old Bay (7-2) broke awkwardly in the Maryland Million Lassie last out, and never got into serious contention. However, if you take that race out, she’s turned in several game efforts in a row, including a near-miss to the precocious Just Great in the Small Wonder allowance two starts back. She’s worked well since the Lassie and should be tough. #5 Corrin Peak (6-5) is the only first-time starter in the field, but she’s certainly a well-meant one, as she’s going out for Brittany Russell. Her recent workouts have been solid, but she’s been on the tab for a while without a race, which sometimes isn’t the best thing. She can’t be discounted, but is sure to get overbet. #4 Style and Profile (20-1) made some late ground at first asking, missing second by less than a length, and could make things interesting late at a price.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-7-2-6

#1 Roan Burgundy (5-2), my preferred half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry, cuts back around one turn for the first time since mid-September. He’s run in the 80s in each of his last five starts, the only one in the field who has done so, and has good tactical speed. #7 Saloon (7-2) scratched out of a $16,000 spot yesterday to run here. He ran great figures earlier int he year while showing early speed, but struggled when stepped up to first-level company last out. This field should be more to his liking. #2 Swifty Devil (5-1) has very in-and-out form, but did run a big race on the lead two starts back at Delaware Park.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-7-6

#1 Greeley and Ben (3-1) made his first start in almost a year last out, and although it was a flat effort, at least he got a race under his belt. He won last year’s Fall Highweight Handicap two starts ago with an impressive 98, and has worked well since his last race. if he runs back to his peak form, he’ll be tough to beat, and you should get a decent price with that last race obscuring his form somewhat. #2 Johnyz From Albany (5-2) is notoriously fast early on, and should be able to make it to the rail and the lead without much trouble. From there, he’ll have a target on bis back. #7 He’smyhoneybadger (9-5) just missed behind this year’s Fall Highweight Handicap winner, Bold Journey, in his last start. He’s run in the 90s in each of his last two starts and has good tactical speed, but David Jacobson shippers have not been doing well down here, and they always get overbet.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

11-8-5-9

#11 Fun Lovin Criminal (4-1) crossed the wire first against similar last out, but was disqualified for bumping in deep stretch. He’s the only one in here who has run in the 80s in each of his last two dirt starts. #8 Transfer the Funds (3-1) has improved steadily in his last few starts, peaking at a 79 when third against a much better field at this level last out. It’ll be interesting to see if Jorge Hernandez tries for the lead with him (he won gate-to-wire two starts back) or tries to pull off his usual mid-pack rally. #5 Souper Catch (5-2) takes a drop from the open $8,000 level for the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo. He stopped badly after racing near the pace last out, but should have an easier time against these.

RACE 7: MARYLAND JUVENILE FILLY STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 7 FURLONGS

6-7-8-4

I’ll take the only non-Maryland-bred in the field on top, although she is a full sister to Maryland-bred champion Crabcakes. That’s Virginia-bred #6 Binnie (7-2), who closed like a freight train to win on debut. She’s had two great workouts since then, including a bullet drill last Saturday, and looks read y wolf them down once again. #7 Kissedbyanangel (2-1) lasted through a multi-way duel and drew off late to beat a first-level field impressively last out, running a career-best 86. That victory was at a mile, making her the only one in this field who has won beyond six furlongs. #8 Sheilahs Warcloud (8-5) was a game second in the Maryland Million Lassie last out. It looked like she had eventual winner Miss Harriett put away at the top of the stretch, but that one dug in and denied Sheliahs Warcloud by a neck. They finished ahead of Kissedbyangel that day, who of course has since done well.

RACE 8: MARYLAND JUVENILE STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, MD-BRED/SIRED, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-1-9

After three straight dull races following his maiden-breaking score, #6 Speedyness (9-5) has bounced back in a big way in his last two starts, winning them by open lengths with big figures both times. He crushed a first-level field last out, in a race that featured many rivals he’ll see today, with a career-best 96. He has by far the most early speed of anyone in the field, and should be impossible to catch as long as he breaks well. #3 Catahoula Moon (7-2) was sharp in winning the Maryland Million Nursery two starts back, and looks for a rebound off a dull race in the James Lewis Stakes last out. He checked and lost a bit of ground on the turn that day, but never got himself back into contention when clear. Still, he ran a strong 83 that day, his second straight figure in the 80s and right in the mix with the other contenders. #1 King’s River (8-1) has run in the 80s three times in his last four starts, and has closed well for minor shares in his most recent races.