• Frank Vespe
• December 31, 2023

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: (All wagers are mandatory payout today)
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$2,094
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1

7-2-3-5

7. Grand Pick (4/1): With three here who won gate-to-wire in last, soph who already owns five wins could sit the trip; added ground plays to his strength

2. Victim of the Nite (9/2): Big effort in last when setting fast fractions and holding off late runners, including our top choice; presence of other speed complicates repeat effort

3. Hay Chief (3/1): Inclined to draw a line through last; switches to hot-riding Cruz (11-for-last-50)

RACE 2

8-7-4-1

8. Joya Del Sur (8/5): Speedy sort was no match for #4 in here in last but have to wonder if that runner can match that effort today

7. Red Wine Time (5/1): Consistent sort churns out good races from off the pace; trainer Sanchez-Salamon protects in this spot

4. True Blue Pearl (7/5): Huge effort in last at double-digit odds; a repeat makes her a handful; trainer McMahon 5/25 second off the claim following a win

RACE 3

6-10-4-2

6. Medagooch (9/2): First-time gelding finds easiest spot to date; show horse from last was runner-up in special weight contest 12/30

10. Kick Startness (8/1): Makes second start off three-month break after credible try in last

4. Point Dume (8/5): Found the waters a little too deep at Santa Anita despite $450k price tag; new trainer Russell 25% with barn switchers dropping from special weight to MCL company

RACE 4

3-4-5-11

3. Hidewright Away (7/2): First start in over four months following a messy turf try 8/13; most recent dirt outing produced four next-out winners

4. Stop the Cap (12/1): Easy maiden score at MNR for this SC-bred, which is a Smith family affair; curious to see if properly spotted today; Lasix on for the first time

5. Divine Romance (6/1): Drops into better spot after a pair of third-place outings vs. better; winner of last returned to be second in a $25k N3L next out

RACE 5

9-2-3-7

9. Rustys Gfivefifty (10/1): Poor try in last but certainly has better to run back to; trainer Magee 25% third off the bench

2. Clubman (2/1): 75-race veteran has a bankroll approaching $700,000 and likes this trip; a lively pace would play to his benefit

3. Bobby G (5/2): 9yo keeps on running good races; veteran trainer Gorham got off the duck 12/30 with $37 winner Touisset

RACE 6

11-6-1-5

11. Spoils of War (2/1): Stuck with it after trip trouble in last; drops to lowest level

6. Preakness Party (12/1): Hopefully named sophomore took a right leaving the starting gate in last and was a mile behind early before running on late; big step forward would be no surprise

1. She’s All Money (3/1): Showed early speed before fading in last versus better

RACE 7

11-4-2-10

11. Mama G’s Wish (7/2): Fits well with these if we forgive last versus N2X allowance foes; prior tries versus those types were credible; gets hot-riding bug girl Rojas in the irons (9-for-last-50, 0.52 wins above expectations)

4. Dulcimer Dame (4/1): Good recent form up the road at CT; regular pilot Bocachica passes on this one, but Toledo in the irons helps the cause

2. Watch Your Tone (5/2): Solid return to action after almost nine months away, takes small step up

RACE 8

1-5-7-3

1. Murray (7/2): Street Sense colt has won two of three since coming East, and breeding says stretchout to a mile should be no problem; show horse from last has won two straight including state-bred stake here

5. Market Maven (5/2): Was right there until final furlong in last, which marked second time in three starts he fell to King Kumbalay, who runs at AQU Sunday

7. Dats Mr. Mo (30/1): Inclined to give this one just one last crack; sophomore flashed early talent and ran big when dead-heating for win in Timonium N2X; second time back on Lasix a plus