• John Piassek
• December 23, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$5,483
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,269
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-7-2

On one hand, #4 Riley G (1-2) probably should’ve won her last start. She rated off 8-1 Pleasanton shipper Bangs at Santa Anita Park last out, and couldn’t get by despite bumping that rival in the stretch. On the other hand, she ran a brisnet figure of 87 that day, an eleven-point improvement second off a year-long layoff, and the best last-out figure in the field by 16 points. She’s making her first start for Brittany Russell today, and will be very tough to beat if she runs her usual race. #6 Flowerdew (5-1) closed well for third first off a six-month layoff in her most recent start. She ran a 71 that day, around the range she had been running at this time last year, but she’s eligible to improve second off the bench. #7 Conceptualize (6-1) finished fourth behind Flowerdew last out after showing early speed. If she flattened out going six furlongs, she might have a harder time at seven panels, but should still be able to get a minor share against these.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-11-7

#1 Mystic Seaport (9-5) will try to (assumedly) cap off 2023 with her sixth consecutive victory. She won going away against slightly softer last out, running a career-top of 96. Any of her recent races make her tough to beat. #3 My Flicker (6-1) looked menacing but flattened out first off a three-month layoff last out, losing to some of the rivals she’ll see today. However, she won at this level three starts back and consistently ran in the mid-80s over the summer, numbers that are competitive with even those of Mystic Seaport. #11 Royal Whisper (8-1) was a well-beaten second behind Mystic Seaport last out, but she’s been consistently solid all year, with steady figures in the low/mid-80s. She usually comes from off the pace, and will have something to say late as long as she doesn’t lose too much ground in the early stages.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

10-5-1-8

#10 Seeker (10-1) ran well in his first start going a mile at Delaware Park two starts back, showing speed and fighting on in the stretch to finish second by a neck to Hittheroadjak, who returned to win in gate-to-wire style next out. This one chased the pace and faded next out, but is eligible for a rebound in a soft bunch. Sometimes in soft bunches, horses without experience are sometimes worthy of a look. A few weeks back, T.J. Aguirre sent out Photo Hop in a maiden claiming race where he was the only first-time starter in the field, and he won at 32-1. A similar situation could unfold with #5 Notion in Motion (30-1), who goes out for Aguirre and is the lone debuter in the race. He’s had a steady worktab coming in here, and in a race where no one has shown much, he’s worth a look at a price. #1 El de Larry (7-2) narrowly missed in a game closing effort two starts back, and was third behind Photo Hop after a wide trip last out.

RACE 4: WILLA ON THE MOVE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

2-5-6-1

Robert Quinichett bred a pair of star Maryland-bred fillies named Willa On the Move 14 years apart. #2 Moody Woman (9-2) sat a little bit closer to the pace than usual last out in the Mahoning Valley Distaff, and it paid dividends as she won by a half-length. If she’s kept close to the leaders today, her late kick will be tough to hold off. #5 Headland (1-1) ships down here for George Weaver following a game third-place effort in the Garland of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct last out. She has lots of early speed, and no one else in here does, so she could get an easy front-running trip and kick away from there. #6 Apple Picker (7-5) closed well for Second in the Safely Kept Stakes last out behind heavily favored Howl even though Sheldon Russell lost the whip in the stretch. She’s shown flashes of brilliance in her career, and will try to put it all together here.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-5-1

#2 Discreet Ops (2-1) wouldn’t have been out of place in next Saturday’s Gin Talking Stakes, but Benny Feliciano has decided to give her a crack against a lighter field before trying her against stakes foes. She got a fast pace to run into on debut, as free-wheeling Duela Dent opened up by 5 1/2 lengths early on and stopped badly, but Discreet Ops still outkicked everyone to win as much the best with a strong 86. Third-place finisher C C Royal returned to break her maiden by 8 1/4 lengths next out. #8 Sky Victory (9-5) didn’t run as big a figure as Discreet Ops did in her maiden win, earning a 78 on debut at Delaware Park, but it was still a sharp effort. She lasted through consistent pace pressure and drew off in the stretch. She’ll have some speed to deal with from the inside, but if she can avoid getting caught in an excessively fast duel, she’ll be tough. #5 Mucho Tigger (12-1) flattened out going a mile behind Kissedbyanangel last out, but still ran a career-best mark of 80, and should be much more potent going six furlongs.

RACE 6: DAVE’S FRIEND STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

10-3-7-12

This race is named for the legendary Maryland-bred sprinter of the late 1970s and early 1980s. #10 Greeley and Ben (12-1) rallied in the lane to nail Johnyz From Albany on the wire and improve second off a long layoff in his last start. He has plenty of back-class and would be a great bet if he goes off near his morning line. #3 He’smyhoneybadger (12-1), the “other” David Jacobson in here (with Stage Left being his major player), has run at least a 93 in each of his last three starts, the only one in the field to have done so. He lost by a nose to Bold Journey two starts back; that one came back to win the Fall Highweight Handicap next out. #7 Sir Alfred James (7-2) led most of the way and faded in the Bet On Sunshine Stakes at Churchill Downs last out, but ran some big races in Maryland earlier in the fall. He usually rates off the pace and pounces; that might be the best strategy here.

RACE 7: CAROUSEL STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

1-5-3-2

#1 Saddle Up Jessie (8-5) is my preferred Brittany Russell trainee in this field. She’s won with three of her last four starts on dirt, with her only defeat coming when she was unable to reel in impressive front-runner Opus Forty Two. Without much speed in here, Jevian Toledo may elect to send her to the early lead. #5 Peyton Elizabeth (30-1) pressed the pace and held third behind Saddle Up Jessie last out, and won four times earlier this year, with figures in the 90s each time. She’s going first off the claim by Ferris Allen and is a good candidate for the underneath spots at a decent price. #3 Warrior’s Ransom (7-2) has the best late pace figures in the field, and will hope for at least somewhat honest fractions to close into.

RACE 8: ROBERT T. MANFUSO STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-6-8-5

The final stakes race of the day is named for the legendary Maryland breeder. #2 Offaly Cool (2-1) went gate-to-wire to win the M.P. Ballezzi Appreciation Mile two starts back, then struggled after a wide trip on a rail-favoring track in the Cigar Mile last out. He should have a much easier trip on a fairer track. #6 Kinetic Sky (3-1) bounced back first off a brief layoff with a going-away victory at Aqueduct last out, where he rated off the pace and kicked away to beat a third-level field as much the best. He hasn’t gone this far in a while, but has won twice at this distance, and will take advantage if Offaly Cool tires. #8 Magic Michael (5-1) has beaten some of the circuit’s best allowance runners in his last two starts, and looks to have rounded back into peak form since coming back from a year-long layoff in mid-September.