• John Piassek
• December 10, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $956

Jackpot Super High 5 — $783

Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-4-1-3

#2 Mystic Seaport (7-5) enters this race in search of her fifth win in a row. She’s worked trips just off the pace each time, pouncing and drawing off to impressive victories. With some other speed signed on, she should get another nice trip and splash to victory. #4 Isabella’s Glory (9-2) rallied well for third behind Mystic Seaport going six furlongs last out. She was flat going a mile two starts back against better, but did win going seven panels and a mile against softer rivals over the summer. #1 Royal Whisper (3-1) closed well for third last out with a brisnet figure of 84, her best mark in four starts. Her late pace figures are right there with Isabella’s Glory’s.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-4-5-2

#6 Irish Lace (15-1) got up in the last jump in the last jump to win going a mile at Delaware Park three starts back, running a very sharp 73. She faded after a wide trip in her last dirt start, but should improve on the slight cutback to 1 1/16 miles and the jockey switch to Jaime Rodriguez. Trainer Rudy Sanchez-Salomon has also been running hot this meet. #4 Thunder Buggy (6-1) is the main early speed in the field, and should be able to work out her own trip on the front end. With her rivals likely getting mud in their faces, she coast coast in relatively clear conditions and come back a lot less messy than the rest. #5 Viking Queen (9-5) just missed at this level two starts back, and looks for a rebound after a dull race against better last out. She doesn’t like winning much – her only win in 15 starts this year came when she was the 1-5 favorite at Timonium, and she should’ve won that race a lot easier than she did – but she should be able to at least get a share against these.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

4-5-6-3

#4 Victors Valiant (2-1) makes his first start for the Lacey Gaudet barn and adds blinkers. He already had plenty of early speed, but the addition of blinkers signals that he’ll likely be sent straight to the early lead by Jaime Rodriguez. No one else in here has much of a late punch, so he shouldn’t have to worry much about getting caught. #5 Agarramesipuedes (9-5) made decent ground two starts back, but raced only evenly last out. Still, he’s dropping from the $40,000 level, and is the only one in the race who has run in the 70s in each of his last three starts. #6 Storming Chrome (6-1) got burned up on the lead and faded last out, but ran big races in his prior starts, with back-to-back figures in the 80s. I don’t know if he’s fast enough to keep up with Victors Valiant early, but he should at least be forwardly-placed early on.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-6-7

With the 8-race card, the late pick 5 starts here. #3 Whatsyourbigidea (9-5) broke her maiden going away two starts back, then ran a career-best 82 against better last out. She made decent ground in the last eighth that day despite a wide trip. #4 Blome (8-1) goes second off a two-month layoff, and didn’t do much against open first-level foes in her last start. However, she ran in the mid-80s twice earlier this year, so there’s plenty of ability within, and it should shine further with a more recent race under her belt. #6 Tritone Gal (5-2) has an unappealing 1-for-23 career record, but she’s in improving form, with back-to-back figures in the 80s and competitive against efforts against similar in her last two starts.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-2-4

#1 Spicy Margarita (3-1) went off as the odds-on choice last out from the outside post. She couldn’t clear to the front and ended up beaten by a half-length. However, she has a better draw today, and should be able to get to her usual front-end spot this time. #8 Watch Your Tone (8-5) races for the first time since mid-March, where she lost by a neck after battling on the lead. She’s done well on this track and won her lone start on a wet track. She could make things interesting for Spicy Margarita on the front end; maybe not necessarily engage directly, but at least press near the lead. #2 I Have Courage (6-1) also has good tactical speed, and won going away on this track two starts back over next-out winner Cocktail Dreaming. She rallied well for third at Charles Town last out; Divine Fashion, who was second that day, is a nine-time winner on the year.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-7-1-5

#4 Oxide (2-1) improved sharply in his second dirt start off the layoff last out, running an 85 while losing at this level by less than two lengths. He’s beaten similar several times this year. #7 Virginia Fulla (12-1) has great late speed and should be in full flight down the long one-turn mile stretch. He hasn’t done well in two recent tries at this distance on this track, but both races came on either side of a five-month layoff, so he might not have been 100% for either effort. #1 Remembering Wilbur (9-2) saw a recent three-race streak of figures in the 80s snapped last out after a wide trip against better. This type of field looks like more his speed.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

2-1-6-5

#2 Martini Martin (2-1) has taken big steps forward in his last two starts, winning two in a row going away. There’s no speed in this race, but he’s at least been close to the pace in his last two tries. #1 Sagrada Ray (10-1) has also shown some early speed in some of his back lines, and was close to the pace while wide last out. He’s likely to control the pace from the rail, and could get away with moderate fractions. #6 Hay Chief (8-5) ran a credible race against much better in the Richard Small Stakes last out, but could find himself pace-compromised if the pace in front of him is too slow.

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

8-5-3-4