• John Piassek
• February 3, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$448
Jackpot Super High 5 — $5,648
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

10-7-4-8

We’ve got sunny skies and a fast track for today’s 10-race program. #10 Candy Arcade (3-1) rallied well in her second dirt start off a 5 1/2-month layoff last out, surging on the rail off a loose leader to lose by a neck. The winner, Ashlee’s Ring, came back to win next out at Penn National. This one usually sits closer to the pace than she did last time, and should show some good kick from just off the leaders. #7 Honor the Truth (9-2) is a bona fide deep closer, and rallied furiously to just miss at this level two starts ago. She was no match against better after a wide trip last out, and should benefit from a drop-back in class. #4 Catch the Kitten (4-1) held second after engaging the leader last out, and might find herself on the lead in a race without much pace.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-5-4

#3 Fainor’s Filets (3-1) took a big drop from $40,000 company to the $12,500 level last out, and held on to win as the odds-on choice after getting pressed all the way. This one takes a slight jump in class today, but still fits in against these. #2 Kapatude (6-1) stopped badly after chasing the leaders while wide first off a 2 1/2-month layoff last out, but ran well when setting the pace in her two prior starts. She’s a serious threat to take them gate-to-wire. #5 Super Fabulous (9-2) was beaten double-digits against better in each of her last two starts, but ran well on the lead in de facto stakes company over the summer. She’s worked well for Richard Sillaman since her last race, and is prime for a rebound.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-4-3

#6 No Walk Inthe Park (8-5) was no match for odds-on winner Determined Blue in her last start, but ran well after a wide trip and finished second. There’s no one on Determined Blue’s level in here, so she shouldn’t have much trouble winning this one. Her most serious threat comes from #7 Harmonizing (7-5), who ran a big second after showing speed on debut at Timonium, but faded in her next two starts, and now makes her first appearance since Oct. 21. At least she has a soft landing for her return. #4 Sheherhers (4-1) has shown some mild late kick against slightly better in her last few starts, and should get up for a share even if the top two run to their morning line odds.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-2-3

#6 Class Actor (9-5) has superficially in-and-out form, but his recent poor races were under less-than-ideal circumstances. He ran a gutsy race on the lead to win two starts ago, then went over his head last out and stopped badly. This race looks to be more in his wheelhouse. #7 Unleveraged (6-1) didn’t have room for most of the stretch run last out, and when he got clear, he was brushed aside by freight train-closing Savoy. He didn’t show much going long on the grass last year, but this kind of race could fit him well. #2 Grand Manner (9-2) closed well following a slow break last out, running a brisnet figure of 79, the best last-out mark in the race. It was a nice rebound race from a dull effort two starts back, which snapped a streak of seven consecutive figures of at least 75.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-6-9-4

#7 My Endeavour (8-5) stretched out around two turns for the first time last out, and held on for third after a wide trip behind El De Larry, who returned to win yesterday. He earned a 69 that day, a career-best number the best last-out figure in the race by six points. #6 Sir Palace Prince (4-1) also stretched out to a mile for the first time in his most recent start. He rushed up to engage the leaders up the backstretch, and even though he couldn’t get by, he managed to hang on for second. Parx-based Bobbi Hawthorne has decided to ship him here, rather than find a spot at her home base. He’s a contender with a better-timed move. #9 Tizawinner (4-1) has run at least a 60 in each of his four starts, and has a grinding late style that could suit the long stretch of the one-turn mile.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-10-7-1

With the 10-race card, the late pick 5 starts here. #6 Austin From Boston (9-5) has run at least an 83 in three of his last four starts, a mark the others seldom, if ever, achieve. He hasn’t raced since Oct. 21, but if he finds his best form first off the break, and he’s worked well recently, he’ll be very tough to beat, and a likely single on many pick 5 tickets. #10 Disputed Notion (8-1) closed from well off the pace up the rail to grab second at this level last out. The winner of that race, No Easy Days, beat a starter optional claiming field yesterday. #7 Smooth Rico (4-1) exits the same race, and finished third after setting the pace. He’s easily the fastest one in this group, and will try to open up a clear lead and draw away in the stretch.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-5-3

Even thought it’s a maiden claiming race on paper, everyone in the field is a Maryland-bred, so no one is in for the tag. #6 Amie’s Symphony (9-2) has gotten knocked around at the start in her first two starts, but has recovered and closed well both times. Last out, she missed by less than a length with a wide stretch rally. She’ll add blinkers here and hopes for a cleaner getaway. #1 Destination (8-5) set the pace on debut and held second behind the impressive Heart. This one ran a 78 that day, by far the best figure anyone in here has earned. If she runs back to that race, she’ll be tough. #5 Countryclub Couple (2-1), a Sycamore Hall homebred, makes her career debut for Brittany Russell. She’s by Not This Time, the best first-time stallion in the race. The board will tell the story.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-5-2

This looks like a two-horse race on paper. I’ll give #7 Crownedcountcristo (7-2) the slight nod over #8 Musical Heart (1-1), as, based on their morning lines, the former will be the better value. However, they have similar figures. Crownedcountcristo ran in the 80s in three straight starts prior to his last outing, but was no match against better and struggled. He should benefit from the class drop. Musical Heart has abundant early speed and held his own against better in New York last year for David Jacobson. He’s making his first start for Jose Corrales and his first for anyone since mid-October. #5 Big Hambone (15-1) sat the trip and won at Charles Town two starts back, and should be close to the pace once again.