• John Piassek
• December 22, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,366
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,079
Late Pick 5 — $13,271

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

2-9-10-3

With no Aqueduct or Oaklawn Park and a late pick 5 carryover, the pools could be pretty juicy today. #2 Kapadokya (2-1) has a gigantic edge on the brisnet scale. She’s run at least a 58 in four of her last five starts; no one else in the field has run better than a 54 on dirt at any point in their careers. She’s never gone beyond six furlongs, but has shown good early speed, and if she’s allowed to set moderate fractions, she should be able to hang in there. #9 R B’s Big Moment (9-2) showed speed and held second in her first route start two races back. While one of the horses who was near the pace ended up winning by 12 1/2 lengths, her other two sparring partners lost by double-digit lengths. #10 Bacall (5-1) ran a respectable 53 on debut. She now drops from the $25,000 level and adds blinkers.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-2-10

#3 Sansa Ariel (7-2) has finished second in four consecutive tries at this level. She was outkicked in her last few starts, but now faces an easier field than she’s seen in a while, one in which she has the best late pace figures by a decent margin. #1 In Good Trouble (10-1) lasted through pace pressure from a 2-5 shot, then fended off a late challenge to win at Penn National last out. She’s improved sharply in her last few starts and should show speed from the rail. #2 Ice Cube Baby (5-2) broke slowly and flattened out after making a move in her last two starts. She’s dropping in class from the conditioned $25,000 level and has run in the 70s in all of her recent starts going six furlongs or shorter.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-10-6-8

#5 The Last Jumpstart (5-1) closed well for second two starts ago, then finished third while pace-compromised in his last start where the leaders ran 1-2 all the way around the track. He should once again close strongly and mow them down. #10 Band Camp (5-1) ran a sharp 71 second time out, then raced wide throughout last out and faded. He went to the sidelines after that May 18 race, and now resurfaces here after coming back to the worktab in late November. #6 Battle of Bostogne (4-1) switches back to dirt after some decent grass tries, and goes first out for the hot Carlos Mancilla barn. He closed and lost by 4 1/2 lengths last out despite a wide trip.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-8-7-6

#1 Disputed Claim (4-1) went gate-to-wire to win three in a row, including the Maryland Million Starter Handicap, earlier in the year, but faded after pace pressure in his last two races. He looks like the fastest one in the field based on early pace figures, so he should be able to make the front without much trouble and keep on going. #8 Uncaptured Storm (5-2), an eight-time winner on the year, has been in improving form and grabbed second at this level last out after racing a bit wider than the winner. If Disputed Claim fades on the lead, this one will take full advantage. #7 Swifty Devil (12-1) has in-and-out form, but at his best, he’s very tough. He made a five-wide bid and got up for second behind the speedy Perfect Day last out, running a career-best 94 in the process.

RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-8-1-3

The late pick 5, with a very nice carryover, starts here, and most tickets will go through #7 Ace Nine Nine (8-5) and/or #8 Paradise Pride (9-5). Paradise Pride was the “it” horse earlier this year, winning five times in six starts in front-running style, but faded after pace pressure last out and was beaten by Ace Nine Nine, who sat the trip and won with a career-best 96. Paradise Pride should get his usual front-end trip once again, and while there’s a chance he sneaks away on the lead, Ace Nine Nine will be right there stalking the pace and ready to pounce. If you want to try to beat those two favorites, #1 Galatians (9-2) has finished second behind Ace Nine Nine in his last two starts, and will be the main late threat if his biggest rival doesn’t fire.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-8-9

#5 Dancinonthebeach (7-2) drops in class first off the claim by Richard Sillaman. She sat the trip and broke her maiden going away on debut in late September, then faded after a duel last out. There’s some other speed in here, so she can back off the leaders and get another nice setup. #4 Honor the Truth (6-1) also makes her second start against winners. She was badly pace-compromised in her first start against non-winners of two types last out, She rallied to win two starts back over Vixsinzkeltkbanshe, who has since returned to win herself. #8 Ashlee’s Ring (3-1) makes her local debut after spending her career at Woodbine. She made a move and flattened out last out, running a 72 for the second straight race. She’s the only one in the field who has run in the 70s in each of her last two races.

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

3-2-1A-6

After a lull in the summer, #3 Supreme Law (10-1) has bounced back to his best self. He ran a very strong 95 last out, and got up to win at Delaware Park two starts back after finding his way through traffic. He ran a 90 in that race, but may well have earned a 95 or similar if he had gotten through. #2 Seven’s Eleven (5-2) was very impressive in victory in the seven-furlong Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes last out. He wouldn’t have been out of place in open stakes company next time out, but instead he’s dropping back into an allowance race. He was third at this level two starts back, and was twice well-beaten going a mile over the winter. He must be respected, but is by no means a lock. #1A Uncle Irish (5-1) beat softer going away at Parx last out, and has good tactical speed.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-8-5

#1 Mission Beach (1-1) broke his maiden impressively at Del Mar in August, then held on for fifth after dueling through a very hotly contested early pace in the Hopeful Stakes. He joined Brittany Russell’s barn a few weeks back following a dull race in the Bob Hope Stakes. While he’d likely go off favored in next Saturday’s Heft Stakes, Russell, perhaps wanting to spread her 2-year-olds out, has dropped him in here. No one has a higher ceiling than him, and his best race wins this without much drama. He’s a “single or spread” type in the late pick 5; that is, either you single him, or not use him at all and try to beat him. If you think he’s vulnerable, #3 I Know Map (6-1) might be your best alternative, having improved sharply to win second time out at Penn National last out. Lawyer John, who finished second that day, came back to break his maiden by six lengths at next asking. This one should sit the trip and pounce. #8 Force of Justice (6-1) has shown blazing early speed in two victories around bullring ovals and will try his hardest to make the front from his outside post.