• John Piassek
• January 6, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$586
Jackpot Super High 5 — $491
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-5-2-6

We have a 9-race card set for what looks like a very sloppy Saturday. The first three races today are around two turns. #3 Imaginized (2-1) is the only one in this field with two-turn experience. He made his career debut going 1 1/16 miles in mid-October, and pressed the pace before faltering. Debuting going that long is never an easy task, and it was certainly a respectable showing given the circumstances. He’s run well in two starts going shorter since then, and a more matured version of him at this distance could be tough. While #5 Under the Overpass (6-5) has by fart he best brisnet figures in the race, running in the 70s twice, he’s also never been beyond six furlongs. He’s plunging in class after trying straight maidens on grass last out, and has burned up a lot of money on dirt, going off at no shorter than 13-10 in his four tries on this surface. Still, if he can stretch out, he might have them over a barrel. #2 Tizawinner (8-1) made decent ground after falling far behind last out on a wet track, which bodes well for today.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-4-9-7

#5 Cavalry Command (8-5) has plenty of early speed, and no one in here looks fast enough to run with him early. He could find himself very loose on the front end and leave them reeling. On the other side of the coin, #4 Appendage (2-1) has great late speed, and is the only one in this field who has run at least a 75 in his last three starts. He closed well for third last out and outfinished Cavalry Command, but also got a fast tempo to close into. He might not get that today. #9 Long Live Now (6-1) cleared his non-winners of two condition at this distance last out, and his two victories both came with long, grinding rallies. Trainer Carlos Mancilla ended the fall meet on a heater, finishing in seventh place while winning at a 29% clip.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/8 MILES

4-3-5-1

#4 Salty Girl (8-5) has taken steps forward in each of her recent starts. She ran huge last out, getting involved in a speed duel and outfinishing her sparring partner, who was a favored Jamie Ness trainee, by 18 1/2 lengths. She also fended off Go Sherry Go, who got a nice trip stalking the duel and is also in this race, but couldn’t hold off battling Time, who was last early on, and finished second. No one else here has shown as much early speed as her, so she should have an easier time of things on the front end. #3 Chaveta (6-1) just missed on debut, losing by a half-length after falling far behind early. She goes first off the claim for $12,500 by Joanne Shankle (who has enjoyed success with $12,500 claims before, in Kissedbyanangel) and gets a four-pound weight break due to being in for a slightly lower price. #5 Classy Chick (5-1) rated behind Salty Girl last out, but couldn’t convert and raced only evenly in the stretch. Her form is somewhat in-and-out, but her best makes her a serious contender.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

5-4-7-2

#5 Feelin So Lucky (7-2) broke awkwardly last out, but once she got going, she was rolling, closing lots of ground in the stretch and finishing a strong fourth. She’s never had this combination of distance and condition before, but it looks like a perfect storm. #4 Kapatude (3-1) ran well first time out against winners. She cleared to a short lead in the two-path from post position seven, and though she couldn’t keep up with the victorious Sharp Eyes, she hung in there well and finished third. She profiles as the main speed in her first start since Oct. 25. #7 Tina Tina Tina (8-5) held off Feelin So Lucky for third last out, and should show good tactical speed from the outside.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-7-8

It’s never easy winning first off a 14-month layoff, but that’s what #3 Mindtap (8-5) did in his last start. He rushed up to rate near a slow pace, then kicked away to win as much the best. While the 84 he earned that day isn’t fast enough to contend with the best of the others, if he moves forward off that race, and he looks more than eligible to do so, he’ll be tough. #2 Margie’s Fun Son (8-1) chased the pace first time out against winners and finished a solid second behind Martini Martin, who returned to win at Parx next out for his fourth consecutive victory. #7 Balantyne (7-5) makes his first start since his maiden-breaking victory at Aqueduct in April, where he won going away after rating off very slow fractions. He joined new trainer Jonathan Thomas’s string at Turfway Park in late October, and now comes here in search of, perhaps, easier waters. He has lots of back-class, but I’m almost suspicious first off such a long rest.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-4-8-10

#3 Noble Belief (5-2) makes her first dirt start since her maiden-breaking win on debut in July. She battled on the lead and outfinished her pace partner, Ginger Girl, by 3 1/2 lengths en route to victory. That one has since won twice. This one is one of the lighter-raced horses in the field and should benefit from class relief from the $25,000 non-winners of two condition. #4 Vixsinzkeltkbanshe (5-1) is the only one in the field who has not lost against winners, having most recently broken her maiden going away at fifth asking. Outside of a very dull race two starts back, she’s gotten better with each recent start, and will hope for another fast pace. #8 Kentucky Reign (7-2) has set the pace and faded in her last two starts, and will try to finish the job today.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-6-2-8

#1 Abidale (5-2) has gone gate-to-wire in her last two starts at Parx, running huge figures of 88 and 90 in those races. Everything is lining up for another splashtastic performance from her today. #6 Gun Runnin’ Gal (12-1) goes first off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez, who started the fall meet sluggish, but enjoyed some success towards the end. This one broke her maiden last out going away after a stalking trip with a solid 83. She’s run at least a 76 three times in her last four dirt starts, and the only time she didn’t was when she didn’t want to go in the gate. If she loads, she has a chance to pull the upset. #2 Northern Glow (7-2) had the race fall into her lap last out. She drafted well off the leaders, and when they all stopped, she rallied and prevailed, only receiving a serious challenge from fellow closer Red Wine Time. This one ran some huge numbers earlier in this year and is proven around two turns, but will have to keep moving forward to defeat Abidale.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-6-3-4

#5 Liquidator (5-2) was in a bit too deep in the Safely Kept Stakes last out and didn’t show much, but ran well against these types throughout last year and has the most early speed in the race. She could prove tough to catch. #6 Whatsyourbigidea (2-1) ran on well for second last out, but was outkicked by impressive winner Tritone Gal, who rated near the pace and was in front by four in the stretch. Even if Liquidator plays the role of front-running winner today, this one should be able to outkick the rest. #3 Chickahomniny (4-1) also has great late speed, and flew from last to miss by just a half-length last out. That race was her dirt debut, and it came on a wet surface, so we know she can handle it.