• John Piassek
• February 17, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$6,124
Jackpot Super High 5 — $3,111
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-6-3-4

Happy General George/Barbara Fritchie day to all! #2 Polar Wind (7-2) has bounced back into top form after a December swoon, running a brisnet figure of at least 78 in each of his last three starts. He’s shown a solid late kick recently, especially two back at Charles Town when he rallied to win after racing wide throughout, and gets some class relief from his last outing. #6 Formal Order (8-5) should also show good late speed. He was no match for much tougher rivals, including the likes of Paradise Pride and Ace Nine Nine, in his last start, but beat a conditioned field handily two starts ago with a very strong 90. This field is somewhere in between those two. #3 Brasstown (9-5) ran his best figure in a while, an 87, last out despite a wide trip, and should save more ground on or near the pace here.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-2-1A-6

After flashing some promise at about this time last year, #4 Mose Perfect (5-2) found his best self again last out, rallying off the rail to beat a similar field as today’s going away, with a career-best 93. He ran a game race on the lead in his prior outing, but might elect to use a similar strategy as last time today. #2 A C Expressway (7-2) goes first off the claim by Kenny Cox following an impressive win last out for Jamie Ness (he’s one of *five* in here currently or recently trained by Ness). He got a nice setup that day, racing off a fast pace and kicking away without a challenge, so the 100 he earned in that spot is by no means representative of his average form. However, he’s consistently run in the mid/upper-80s in more honest race flows, and should sit off the pace once again from towards the rail, even if the pace isn’t as hot. #1A What Does It Take (2-1) one of the current Ness trainees in here, faded on the lead last out and lost to Mose Perfect. He wired the field in his most recent start at a mile, and will try to do the same thing again from the far outside post.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-8-1-6

#5 Iywaan (5-2) makes his first start since Sept. 15 at Pimlico, when he was cut off in the stretch against better and faded late to fourth. He probably wouldn’t have won without the traffic trouble, but he likely would’ve been a lot closer late. He ran in the 90s consistently last year and beat some nice horses along the way (including Double Crown), and has worked well lately as he preps for his return for Mark Salvaggio. #8 Mindtap (3-1) is a perfect 2-for-2 since joining the Brittany Russell barn, winning his two starts since returning from a 13-month layoff by a combined 13 3/4 lengths. He beat soft fields in those two races, but he’s in quickly improving form and has plenty of upside. #1 Armando R (8-1) closed from way out of it to get second behind Seven’s Eleven, a two-time stakes winner last year, in his most recent starts. He’s likely to do his usual thing: draft way off the pace, then rally for a share.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 7 FURLONGS

5-4-3-2

If #5 Too Many Kisses (5-2) wins this race, it’ll flatter the form of Charming Way, who is in the Nellie Morse Stakes later today. This one just missed behind Charming Way in her last start on Oct. 29, chasing that rival home after that one set a slow pace. She ran a career-best 91 that day, her second consecutive start with an improving figure, and has two solid four-furlong drills under her belt since rejoining the worktab in early February. #4 Whatsyourbigidea (15-1) was flat while wide over a wet, rail-biased track last out. While she’ll likely have an off track to deal with once again, she turned in a good four-furlong workout on Sunday, suggesting that anything else that may have ailed her that day has passed, and that race will likely deter bettors. #3 Bay Street (7-2) led all the way and held on over Western Lane, who came back to win yesterday, in her most recent start. She looks like the main speed threat once again, though she might not get the rail-biased track she got last out.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-11-5-3

#1 Kenner (2-1) has battled on the lead and faded in his last two starts at Parx, but now looks fast enough early compared to these that he shouldn’t have much trouble. He went gate-to-wire when unencumbered on the lead in early October. #11 Disputed Notion (8-1), on the other hand, will hope the pace is hot Kenner falters. He has great late speed and has closed to hit the superfecta in his last three starts after sitting double-digit lengths off the early pace. #5 Gambling Tzar (6-1) was a solid third when dropped to this level last out, and now cuts back from 1 1/16 miles. He should also pack a solid late punch.

RACE 6: JOHN B. CAMPBELL STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

9-3-4-7

Today’s first stakes race is named for the legendary racing secretary. #9 Bob Marco (5-2), who has become a local star for his freewheeling running style, passed his most recent class test with flying colors. He beat a second-level field on the lead last out for his fourth consecutive win. While this is a tougher field than anything he’s seen before, he’s also the lone speed in the field. As long as he breaks cleanly, he can cross over to the rail and the lead and do his thing. #3 Be Better (5-2) won three in a row on this track last year, including the Deputed Testamony Stakes, but has been no better than fourth in his last three stakes tries. He rallied well for fourth last out of a slow pace in the Manfuso, and has a solid late punch that will come in handy if Bob Maroc can’t last. #4 Martini Martin (20-1) saw his four-race winning streak snapped last out when he finished third against third-level company. He closed well on a track that wasn’t playing to his grinding style, and should improve here with an honest strip.

RACE 7: NELLIE MORSE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

6-7-3-5

This race is named for the 1924 Preakness champion, who won that race three days after winning the Black-Eyed Susan. #6 Frosty O’Toole (12-1) didn’t do much first off a brief layoff on grass at Tampa Bay Downs, but rebounded next out with a dominant second-level win. She came from just off a very slow pace that day, and with the right trip, she’ll back a punch that will be hard to hold off. #7 Hybrid Eclipse (1-1) won this race last year, one of her seven victories on this surface. She was a trying second in the Carousel Stakes last out behind stablemate Saddle Up Jessie, who won the Heavenly Prize at Aqueduct last Saturday. She runs a bit hot-and-cold, but her best race beats these. #3 Charming Way (4-1) has won three in a row on this track, all of them racing on or near the pace, is the main speed threat in this group.

RACE 8: BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

7-6-2-4

Today’s co-feature is named for the Civil War folk hero. Saffie Joseph sends out a pair in here, and I’ve got them on top. #7 Bluefield (9-5) has been in improving form, having run at least a 91 in each of her last four starts and peaking at a 95 last out. She snaked her way to second in the Inside Information Stakes last out, and should once again close well. Her stablemate, #6 Intrepid Daydream (2-1), is no stranger to this track, having won back-to-back stakes on it last fall. She was a game second in the Sugar Swirl Stakes in her Florida debut two starts ago, then made what looked like a promising move in the Inside Information before flattening out. She turned in a sharp workout at Gulfstream Park last Sunday, going four furlongs in 47 2/5 seconds, and now returns to a track she’s proven at. #2 Prodigy Doll (20-1) closed well on the disadvantageous outside part of the track last out and won going away, in a very sharp effort second off a 6 1/2-month layoff. She’s run big figures on this track before, and a full return to form could spell an upset.