• John Piassek
• February 16, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $5,077
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,520
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-4-5

#3 Stellars in Charge (5-2) was well-bet on debut last out and ran well, leading most of the way and losing by 1 1/2 lengths. He gets a class test after debuting for $20,000, but has tons of early speed and should benefit from the race under his belt. #2 Square Slice (6-1) was no factor against better last out, but turned in a good workout last Thursday, suggesting that whatever ailed him last out might be behind him.In his two prior starts, he ran brisnet figures of 75 and 74. Those kind of races might win this. #4 Buckin’ Dreamer (3-1) almost rode a rail-favoring track to victory last out. That big race will drive down his overall price, but he’s run well on fair tracks before, and is likely to get first jump at Stellars in Charge if that rival backs up.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-9-7-1

#2 Senate Chamber (9-2) is one of a few in here with good recent form looking for a rebound off a dull last race. He faced much better open claimers in his last try, including Up Against It, who won a starter allowance next out and is entered for later today. He rounded back into consistently solid form towards the end of last year, and should improve second off a brief layoff with a class drop. #9 Claw (5-2) just missed two starts ago in what proved to be a tough field at this level, then chased freewheeling Commanding General last out and couldn’t keep up, losing to, among others, Up Against It. Now, he looks like the fastest one in here based on early pace figures, so he could make the front and control things despite the outside draw. #7 Shoot Themessenger (7-2) has had his form obscured by wet tracks and too-far distances, but he’s run at least a 77 in four of his last five sprint tries. That kind of race fits in with these.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-6-4-2

Of the six entries, four of them come out of the same race at this condition on Jan. 28. #3 Masakado (8-5) is not one of them, dropping in for a tag after facing first-level foes in his last few starts. He was blown away by Speedyness last out, but ran on well to lose a show photo despite a wide trip, finishing ahead of King’s River. He led and got caught two races ago, but it more likely to stalk the pace today. #6 One Way Farrior (2-1) had his three-race winning streak snapped last out with a second-place finish in that Jan. 28 contest, where he made good ground late after racing on the rail most of the way. It was a solid effort after enjoying success against softer in his prior efforts. #4 King’s River (7-2) came from further off the pace than usual in the Jan. 28 and was forced to check twice. While he wouldn’t have won with a cleaner trip, it’s very possible he would’ve gotten third, rather than fifth. He won at this level two starts back with a career-best 79, and should benefit from the extra ground.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-8-2-1

#3 Sky Victory (7-5) raced wide on a contested pace last out and managed to hold well until late behind the sharp winner Sheilahs Warcloud. It was a nice rebound from her first start against winners two starts back, where she was completely flat. #8 Neolithica (5-2) has won three races in a row, answering each class test with gate-to-wire ease. This is a test on two fronts: she’s never faced horses this good, and she’s never been beyond seven furlongs. She should be sent straight to the front by Horacio Karamanos; from there, it’s a matter of if she can get to the rail and how long she can last. #2 Lisa’s Palace (6-1) was well-beaten by Neolithica two starts back, but rebounded with a sharp stalk-and-pounce win in her most recent. The 78 she ran that day is by far a career-best; we’ll see if she can keep it up, or if it was just a fluke.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

8-2-7-1

This field hates winning (they’re a combined 9-for-149), so I’ll look towards a horse who hasn’t lost too much, and never on dirt, even if he hasn’t raced in a while. #8 Never Done (2-1) has never run below a 74 in his three-start career. He looked sharp in his maiden-breaking win on grass at Pimlico last May, then turned in two strong-for-this level figures in his next two races against first-level company. Although he went to the sidelines not long afterward, he’s worked well since getting back on a steady worktab in late January. If his form translates to dirt, he should beat this camera-shy bunch. The lightbulb turned on for #2 West Star (5-2) last out, as he broke his maiden at 17th asking first off the claim by Antonio Machado. I called his last race a “now-or-never” moment, and it turned out to be “now.” His usual figures contend here, so if that last race activated the winning instinct in him, he’ll be dangerous. #7 Federal Offense (9-5) has improved his figure in each of his last four starts, including a near-miss last out when he pulled clear late, but got nabbed by Strong Finish, who rode a rail-biased track to a $10,000 non-winners of three victory next out.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

9-3-4-7

The venerable #9 Clubman (8-5) makes his 10-year-old debut in his spot, as he returns to the Kieron Magee barn. He dropped to this level last out and snuck up the rail to victory. He has great late speed and should be able to stay in the clear from the outside post. This distance isn’t his game, but he has won twice over it. #3 Fun Lovin Criminal (10-1) had a brutally wide trip and and faded last out, but he did keep up his consistently solid form, running at least an 82 for the fourth straight race. He’s drawn closer to the inside here, and should work out a nice mid-pack trip. #4 Up Against It (5-2) looks well-suited to one turn, unlike some of this toughest rivals, having won his last two starts going a mile or shorter. He overcame an out-of-character trip to win last out, and may find himself on the lead once again.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-5-1-4

#2 Raika (2-1) looks the best of the four first-time starters in here. This Brittany Russell trainee has some good recent workouts in preparation for his debut, including three bullet drills since early December. Generally, a long worktab is a bit of a red flag for a first-timer, but all he has to do is run at least a 70 to win this race, and he should be capable of doing so. #5 Super Needy (5-2) showed speed on debut, and held on for second despite pressing the pace throughout in the two-path. Buckin’ Dreamer, who finished ahead of him that day, is in the other division of this contest. If he wins, it would boost this one’s stock. #1 Restless (15-1) has run in the mid-60s in both of his starts, and showed speed for the first time before fading at Parx last out.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

6-3-8-2

My top three picks come out of the same race at this condition on Jan. 28. #6 Western Lane (5-2) has closed well in her last two starts, running on well for second last out on a track that was not favoring her style. She stretches out around two turns for the first time since Aug. 18 at Saratoga, where she won, and should enjoy the extra ground. #3 Gilda’s Girl (9-2) was third that day behind Western Lane after rating off the pace, and ran a career-best figure, in this case an 88, for the second consecutive race. She was no match for the speedy Bay Street that day, and ended up third behind Western Lane, but should get a more honest pace in front of her today. #8 Ninja Abarrio (6-1) ran on well for fifth first off the layoff in that race, improving to a near career-best 86. She usually has better placings when closer to the pace.