• John Piassek
• December 30, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$966
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,947
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-5-8

#4 Tritone Gal (6-1) is the only one in the field who has run a brisnet figure in the 80s in each of her last three starts. She lasted through an early pace battle and drew off to finally clear her non-winners of two condition last out. She’s in improved form as of late, and should stalk an honest pace. #2 Ginger Girl (15-1) flattened out badly in her last start, but ran in the 80s in her three prior starts while in the Joanne Shankle barn. She was claimed back by Shankle out of that race, and may improve with a return to a familiar barn. #5 Genieinabridle (5-2) has faced better in her last two starts, and should make up good ground against these types.

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

9-7-10-1

if you look at just her Laurel Park starts, the form of #9 Happy Union (8-5) looks a lot better. She’s run at least a 75 in her last three starts on this track, and surged from behind to beat a similar field going 1 1/16 miles last out. Her usual race on this track beats these without much trouble. #7 Lucky Lorraine (8-1) lost early position following a slow break last out, and subsequently didn’t do much. She ran well in her previous starts going a mile, and should improve stretching back out from seven furlongs. #10 Hi Heeled Warrior (5-2) has stalked the pace and won going away in her last two starts at Penn National, running by far her best figures. She’ll rate off the pace on the outside and try to time her move down Laurel’s long one-mile stretch just right under Jaime Rodriguez.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-7-2

#4 Desvio (4-1) made a sharp four-wide move to get fourth on debut, as one of two first-time starters in the ten-horse field. He’s had a pair of good workouts since then, and if his form transfers from grass to dirt, he’ll be hard to handle. #6 Enzo (9-5) closed well for third on a speed and rail-biased track in his dirt debut last out. He’s also one who should be heard from late. #7 Work Hard (3-1) races for the first time since September 7, where he finished second at Delaware Park behind a loose-leading winner. He was the only one in that race who made up any ground.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-5-8

#3 Fast Breakin Cash (2-1) came from further off the pace than entrymate Southern District in his last start, and lost to his barn buddy by a neck. In his prior starts, he was forwardly-placed early on, and should be used more aggressively in a race where he looks like the main speed. #2 Mose Perfect (12-1) took another step forward third off the layoff last out, running an 84 while well-beaten by the super-speedy Bob Marco. I still believe there’s a very good horse in there somewhere, and he should run better with a more honest pace to close into. #5 Flat Out Flying (6-1) is one of two in here who have been laid off since September 24 by Cal Lynch. He declined sharply in a solid second-level field, but ran at least an 86 in every other start this year. He might need a race to get back to his best self, but he’s nonetheless a contender in here.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-6-2-4

#1 Cataleya Strike (7-2) raced wide every step behind a runaway train of a winner last out. He rallied to break his maiden against upper-level maiden claimers two starts ago, and should be more at home against these. #6 Ascendance (5-1) broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style at Mahoning Valley last out, and adds blinkers. The only sub-par figure in his career came when he was badly outrun early on. That shouldn’t happen here with the addition of blinkers. #2 Photo Hop (8-1) pulled a 32-1 upset on debut as the lone first-time starter in the field, not only winning but doing so as much the best. While he’s obviously facing a much tougher field today. the 73 he ran that day puts him in the mix with the other contenders.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-6-3

#1 Box of Rockets (20-1) fell way behind early on debut, but once he understood what he was supposed to be doing, he made solid ground late and finished fourth. He keeps blinkers on, has a good workout since then, and could surprise this lowly bunch. #7 Motivo (7-2) ships down here for Rick Dutrow off a second-place finish behind an odds-on gate-to-wire Chad Brown-trained winner. This one’s faced better in New York for most of the year, and has run in the 70s twice in his last four starts. #6 Super Bourbon (3-1) finished fourth despite traffic trouble in a much better field, improving sharply to a 74 at second asking.

RACE 7: GIN TALKING STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

4-2-6-7

The 2000 Maryland-bred Horse of h Year and 1999 champion 2-year-old filly is honored with today’s first stakes race. While I don’t show if she’s worth a bet at her morning line, #4 Cap Classique (6-5) certainly looks like the one to beat. She rallied strongly up the rail to win the Smart Halo Stakes last out, improving to 3-for-3 lifetime with a career-best 87. She should get another patient ride from Jevian Toledo, and will be tough to beat with a good trip. #2 Carmelina (7-2) won the Shamrock Rose Stakes in gate-to-wire style last out, and is sure to try and wire them again here. #6 Kissedbyanangel (8-1) is the most likely one to try and apply pace pressure here, having gone gate-to-wire in her last two starts, including the Maryland juvenile Filly Stakes. However, Carmelina has the rail advantage and a higher early pace figure ceiling.

RACE 8: HEFT STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

8-4-3-7

The other stakes race of the day is named for the longtime Maryland owners, best-known as the owners of Eighttofasttocatch. #8 Catahoula Moon (7-2), comes off a game second-place effort in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes last out. He dispatched early leader Speedyness and pulled clear of him late, but couldn’t hold off the late challenge of Circle P and finished second. He’s in improving form and looks like the better bet in this field. Brittany Russell will try to complete a sweep of the 2-year-old stakes with #4 Great Opportunity (8-5). He ran a big race on the lead in his debut, sending his dueling partner to a 12 1/2-length defeat and kicking on by by 7 1/4 lengths with an 83. He has to face tougher rivals today, but he likely won’t have to deal with as grueling an early pace. #3 Sweet Soddy J (3-1) has somewhat obscured form, as he’s been trying deep waters all over the country with less-than-stellar results. Still, he ran a game fourth on the lead in the James F. Lewis Stakes two starts back, and won the Timonium Juvenile Stakes going away after the traffic.