• John Piassek
• February 10, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$3,200
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,053
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-1-5-7

The lightbulb has certainly turned on for #4 Maryland Moon (4-1) in his last few starts. After an 0-for-11 start to his career, he’s won his last two races, getting up to beat a non-winners of two field last out in the last few jumps. He has the best late pace figures in the field by a mile, and should pick up another win for the white-hot Lacey Gaudet operation with another well-timed Andres Chavez ride. #1 Baron’s Legacy (7-2) will be tough to beat if he can duplicate his last effort. He lasted through pace pressure to beat a non-winners of two group last out, with an impressive brisnet figure of 86. He’ll be able to protect position on the lead with a clean break. #5 Edge of Glory (9-5) has rejoined Jamie Ness’s mid-Atlantic string after a well-beaten finish at Tampa Bay Downs last out. He got caught up in an early duel and flattened out. While he might have to deal with some speed here, if Jaime Rodriguez, fresh back from a suspension, is aggressive enough, he can clear the others and try to bottom them out.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-6-2

Half of these come out of the same race at this condition on Dec. 31, including the second and third-place finishers. #1 Spoils of War (3-1) stalked an early duel and ended up second, behind the fast-closing Gaudet trainee Cookie Bank. This one should once again should show good tactical speed, and will be in prime position when early leader Free Admission inevitably stops. Though her figures haven’t gone straight upward, #5 Job’s Not Finished (10-1) has but in better closing rallies with each start. She was done in by a slow break in that Dec. 31 contest, but made up tons of ground late and secured third. With a slightly better break, she’ll be in prime position to pack a winning punch. #6 Peachessweetnotion (2-1) has faded on the pace in her last few starts, but t least gets some class relief from the $30,000 level. She’d be well-advised to not engage with Free Admission early on. Rather, she can let that one burn out and move with Spoils of War in the stretch..

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-4-6

#1 Sun Streaming (7-2) makes her first start against winners for Antonio Machado, who has quietly had a phenomenal winter meet (5-for-8). She came up from off the pace up the rail and won going away, and will try to execute a similar move today. #5 Honey B B (4-1) ran a game race on the lead last out, and has the most early speed by a longshot. She might end up playing a game of “catch me if you can” with these. #4 Floge (9-2) was outkicked by the sharp Lisa’s Palace last out, but ran on well late and secured second with a career-best 74. She should hang around for a share once again.

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

8-4-6-5

#8 Hot Dance (7-2) makes her first start outside her home province of Ontario. She ran on well going 1 1/16 miles against getter last out, losing a photo for third, and has two solid workouts since arriving stateside. #4 Ree Nee’s Six (3-1) has improved her figure with each start, including a 61 last out where she made a nice move and got second behind Lisa’s Palace, who, as mentioned above, has since come back to win. This one could put it all together third off the layoff. #6 K Kake Pop (5-2) hasn’t lived up the promise she showed on debut in her two subsequent starts, but could benefit from a drop from the $45,000 level.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

8-6-1-5

#8 Steele Money (2-1) churned on for third last out behind Galatians and Cavalry Command, who looked much the best on paper that day. Galatians returned to finish second in a tough starter allowance on Sunday, outfinishing Paradise Pride in the process. This one has run in the 80s twice in his last three starts, the only one in the field to do so. #6 Krug (9-5) has shown speed and faded in his last few starts against better, but should find things easier on the front end in a field without much early (or late) foot. #1 Dream of Blessings (8-1) rode an advantageous rail to a fourth-place effort last out behind Steele Money. He ran a 78 that day, but based on his usual races, which are in the mid/upper-70s, the bias didn’t move him forward that much. He should still pack a decent late punch.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-7-5

With the 10-race card, the late pick 5 begins here. The stock of #4 Sharmin (12-1) will move forward if Sun Streaming, who beat her last out, wins the 3rd race. Even if not, this one is in improving form, having run a field-best last-out 66 after two disastrous efforts, and looks to be at home in this field. #6 Mattie Ten (1-1) plunges in class for Brittany Russell after flattening out after showing speed in her first two starts. There’s a chance she runs them off their feet, but there is some speed to her inside, and is it worth that low a price? Probably not. #7 Breaking Rules (9-2) would benefit from a Ree Nee’s Six victory in race 4, as she finished behind that rival last out after showing speed. It was an improvement from her first start, where she tried to press the pace and faltered, so more improvement is certainly for possible, especially for the Mike Trombetta barn, whose runners especially tend to improve the more they race.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-2-5

#4 El De Larry (5-2) has won two in a row, with figures in the 70s both times. He came up the rail and kicked away to win in sharp fashion last out, and should be primed for another strong move for the Machado barn. #1 Surfboard (10-1) was well-bet for Jamie Ness at this level last out, going off at 7-2, but unseated the rider after acting up in the gate. Now he’s 2 1/2 times those odds on the morning line here at the same level? If he’s near his morning line price, sign me up. #2 Dashing d’Artagnan (8-1) finished second behind El De Larry last out after making a nice middle move to the lead. He had a nightmarish trip two starts ago and was well-beaten; take that out, and his form fits with the other contenders.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

6-8-4-5

There’s five first-time starters in here, but I’ll lean on two of the experienced ones. #6 Vino From Ernies (3-1) goes first off the claim by Emanuel Geralis, who’s always dangerous with his recent claims, and just missed after stalking the pace last out at Turfway Park. She should work out a successful stalk-and-pounce trip here. #8 Royal Ribbon (9-2) ran in the 70s in all three starts at Woodbine last year, and faces a (persumably) easier field for her stateside debut. How fellow Canadian invader Hot Dance runs in race 4 might determine the course in action here. If that one runs big, this one could be live. #4 Profitunity (5-1) has worked well for Diane Morici in recent weeks, and could be the most well-meant of the debuters.