• John Piassek
• January 7, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$1,270
Jackpot Super High 5 — $766
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

6-2-5-3

We’ll start the Sunday show with back-to-back routes. #6 Please Marry Me (4-1) almost wired the field last out, but got run down late and settled for second. No one in here has great late speed, so even if she flattens out late, she should have enough left to stagger home for the score. #2 Never Done (7-2) showed speed for the first time in a while last out, and managed to dig in and hold on for her second consecutive improved brisnet figure on dirt. She might try to make things interesting for Please Marry Me from that one’s inside. #5 Proper Storm (7-2) closed well for third behind Please Marry Me in her most recent, and should benefit from the stretch-out from 1 1/16 miles.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-3-5

After getting burned up on the lead two starts back, #6 Storming Chrome (9-5) rated a bit off the pace last out, and converted for a sharp victory against non-winners of two types. He should rate near the lead on the outside and strike at the ight moment. #1 Roan Burgundy (8-5) drops in class from starter optional claiming rivals at Parx. While he’s run some strong figures lately, and is the only one in the race who has run in the 80s in each of his last three starts, he’s also flattened out late every time. We’ll see if he can hang in there better against softer. #3 Gambling Tzar (9-2) fell far behind a loose-leading winner last out and never had a serious chance of winning, but managed to make good late ground and nab third. He had shown a little more early speed in prior races, so if he can stay somewhat close to the pace, he’s got a shot.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-2-7-9

#1 Wesley Thomas (6-1) checked at the start last out and was not seriously involved thereafter. His best race came three starts back at Delaware Park, where he lasted a long way on the lead and just missed. #2 Mister Agent (6-1) broke his maiden in sharp gate-to-wire two starts ago, but was outclassed in the Maryland Juvenile and proved no factor. This field looks more to his liking. #7 Paco the Taco Man (3-1) is the only one in the race who’s beaten winners, having done so two starts ago at Parx. He was flat against better last out, but looks prime for a rebound.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

5-1-3-4

#5 Floge (3-1) has never gone this far on dirt, but her two best figures on this surface came at seven furlongs, including her maiden-breaking win three starts ago. She didn’t do much against better winners last out, but should improve under these circumstances. #1 Fainor’s Filets (1-1) looked very sharp in her maiden-breaking win at Pimlico in September, but hasn’t done much in three tries against better. She’s taking a big drop in class and stretching out beyond six furlongs for the first time, so we’ll see if that wakes her up. You’ll have to take a low price to believe, however. #3 Made Birdie (7-2) chased the pace and finished second last out, for her second straight improved race.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-8-5

If Never Done wins the 1st race, it may boost the credentials of #1 Gilda’s Girl (3-1). She lost to that rival last out, just missing in a blanket finish after rating off the pace. It was her second consecutive figure of at least 76, a mark many of these have never hit going two turns on dirt. She should get another nice trip rating off the pace from the inside. After two consecutive odds-on defeats, #2 Two Minute Lick (7-2) sat the trip and prevailed as the 1-20 favorite at Parx. She’s one of two in here who hasn’t lost against winners, and the other one who fits that profile hasn’t won on dirt. She’ll also take advantage if those without two-turn experience back up. #8 Dry Humor (5-1), probably should’ve won last out at Penn National, and didn’t, but it was her first start off a 2 1/2-month break. Her races from the fall at least contend with these, so she has a big chance if she bounces back.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-2-1

#4 Breezy Connection (2-1) closed into a fast pace last out at this level and lost by a nose. It was the third straight race in which she rallied from last and finished in the top three. #6 Mattitude (5-1) struggled in her first two races off a year-plus layoff, but roared back third off the bench and lost by less than a length to Watch Your Tone, who won by a nose over better starter optional claiming foes next out. #1 Canoodle (8-1) has faced better for a while now, but drops from the $30,000 level and comes off a season’s-best figure of 81.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

4-2-3-1

#4 Glass of Courage (8-5) has run at least a 77 twice in his three career starts. He checked a bit last out, but got settled and closed well for third in his most recent outing. #2 Albert Finnigan (3-1) has improved with each start, most recently finishing second behind Great Opportunity, who was much the best that day, and returned to finish second in the Heft Stakes next out. #3 Goodbye Note (7-2) exits the same race, where he was eased. However, he ran in the 70s in his two prior dirt starts, and has worked well since his last effort.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-4-2-6

#1 Speedyness (7-5) turned in back-to-back gate-to-wire wins in his last two starts at this level, then faded to fourth after getting pressed on the lead in the Maryland Juvenile. He drops back to his preferred level and should be sent right to the front by the hot-riding Jaime Rodriguez. #4 Dune Road (5-1) ships down from New York for Carlos Martin off a gate-to-wire win on debut, and will likely be sent for speed once again, and could try to challenge Speedyness. #2 Maskado (6-1) closed well for third behind Speedyness two races ago, then showed speed and held second by a nose last out for his second straight figures in the 80s. He’s more likely to show tactical speed today, with the aforementioned high-quality speeds in front of him.