• John Piassek
• February 11, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$4,161
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,463
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-4-7-2

#1 Fluff the Pillow (5-2) turned in a much-improved effort, at least visually, at second time out. He battled on the lead the whole way with eventual winner Vino Barbarino, and held on for a clear-cut second with an improved brisnet figure of 78. He goes first off the claim by Horacio De Paz, and should once again be a pace factor from the inside. What do you make of #4 Bad Advice (8-5)? He was purchased for $500,000 by Repole and St. Elias Stable as a yearling, and now makes his debut for Brittany Russell, whom he’s worked out for exclusively (not always the case with Russell trainees for those owners). He might have enough class to win this, but he’s the only first-time starter in the race, which generally puts one at a disadvantage. He’ll have run around an 80 or so to win this race, which is certainly possible, but that gamble might not be worth a low price. #7 Glass of Courage (8-1) has improved with eh recent race, peaking at an 84 last out when he closed into a slow pace. He could slide through the cracks in the betting.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-2-4-8

#1 Nami (2-1) has run superior figures to these in her last two starts, having earned an 84 and a 79 in her two most recent outings. She led all the way to break her maiden at seven furlongs last out. The only one who can seriously challenge her on the lead is unproven beyond six furlongs, so as long as she can withstand that early pressure, she’ll be gone. On the other side of the coin, #2 Looking for Water (9-2) has a great late kick which is used to best effect going longer. She just missed going 1 1/16 miles two starts back behind Never Done and Gilda’s Girl, both of whom have returned to run well. Her last start going six furlongs is a toss in my book; I think it’s too short for her. #4 Mo Tough (6-1) stretched out to two turns on dirt for the first time at Penn National last out, and ran creditably, holding third after pressing the pace.

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

2-3-6-4

#2 Petingas Twin (2-1) has run an 87 and an 84 in his two career starts. No one else in here has run better than a 78 at any point in their lives. He closed well on the outside last out on a rail-favoring strip and got second. He’ll have to regress sharply to lose this race, or someone else will have to take a big step forward. #3 Union Bulldog (3-1) stalked the pace and faded last out at Aqueduct, but ran on well for second in his prior race. He’s a consistent sort, and should secure second without much trouble even if Petingas Twin runs his usual race. #6 Livehappy (5-2) makes his first start for the very sharp Lacey Gaudet barn, and has good tactical speed. His early pace figures are fast enough that he could probably take the early lead if he wants it.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-4-7-1

#2 Master of None (8-5) struggled a bit going two turns in a four-horse field last out, but now cuts back around one turn. He’s run in the 80s in his last two one-turn starts; those types of races win this easily. #4 Brother Belen (7-2) battled on a fast pace and kicked away to win last out at Penn National with a career-best 79, in his first start for the Steven Chircop barn. He hadn’t been that forwardly-placed in his other starts; we’ll see if Julio Hernandez adopts that tactic once again. #7 Verbier (8-1) ended his Monmouth Park season with a pair of solid races, but he hasn’t raced since last July. He’s worked well since coming back to the worktab in early December, and should sit near the pace and pounce.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-1-3

#2 Storming Chrome (5-2) couldn’t get to the lead last out and got caught wide, but ended up a solid second, with his fourth figure in the 80s in his last five starts. He has the best early pace figures in this race by a lot, so with Jaime Rodriguez aboard, he can grab control of the race early and leave the rest reeling. #4 Brooklyn Guy (7-2) was no factor against better on an unfavorable track for him in his last start, but has a strong closing kick that will play well on a fairer surface. #1 Rapper Zapper (8-1) also gets some class relief here, having last start in the Valedictory Stakes at Woodbine. He gobbled up ground against first-level company two starts ago, losing by two lengths after falling 20 behind early, and might find himself rallying in tandem with Brooklyn Guy.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

7-9-4-1

The late pick 5 begins here. #7 Under the Overpass (9-2) has burned a lot of money in his career, having lost at 13-10 or shorter in each of his five dirt starts, but he’s faced better maidens in his career. He ran a decent second after wide trip behind freewheeling Omar Comin in his last start, and should get a more honest pace to run at today. #9 Hoya (5-2) showed some speed at Aqueduct last out before fading, and gets a bit of class relief from New York-bred maidens. He’s run well going a mile, definitely an asset in a field like this. #4 Brother Lad (7-2) ran a solid 69 when he debuted at this level going six furlongs, missing second by 1 1/2 lengths behind a runaway winner. He’s a half-sibling to a few two-turn winners, including La Castiglione, a multiple stakes winner going a route of ground.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-8-6

#4 Golden Candy (8-1) gets some class relief after facing a tough third-level field in his last outing. He has a stalk-and-pounce style that served him well in a gutsy victory at Delaware Park three races ago, and should get some pace to close into. #3 The Judge and Jury (5-2) ships up from Tampa Bay Downs, where he outfinished one dueling partner in his last start, but not the other. He has a very fast runner to his inside in Icing, but he’s shown he can rate off the pace and still win. #8 Tenebris (2-1) won going away at this level last out with a great trip off the pace. His figure of 91 was his best mark in a very long time, but he was in improving form prior to that, so there’s no reason why he can’t run at or around that again. If he wins, it would boost the stock of Jeopardy James, who is entered in the other division of this condition.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-9-6

#3 Watch Your Tone (2-1) has run well in her two starts since coming off an 8 1/2-month layoff in early December, with back-to-back wins with figures in the 80s. She has by far the best late pace figures in the race, so with any kind of trip, she’ll be able to nail them late. #2 Speak Your Mind (8-1) was caught late by Watch Your Tone a few starts back, but held on to win on the lead two starts back, then finished second behind rail-riding Lady Serenity in her last outing. She’s the fastest one in the field early on, and will have every chance to wire them. Her main challenge for the lead will come from #9 Spicy Margarita (3-1), who has held well after getting entangled in duels in her recent starts. Her only deterrent is her far outside post. Two starts back, when she drew the outside post, she rated off the pace and couldn’t convert. We’ll see if Carlos Lopez elects to rate or send.