• John Piassek
• February 18, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

4-3-6-5

#4 Salty Girl (8-5) is the only one in here to run back-to-back brisnet figures in the 70s. She had little chance to catch gate-to-wire winner Go Sherry Go last out, but rallied well to get up over the rest and secure a clear-cut second. #3 Celtic Bond (7-2) was one of three first-time starters in a 10-horse field last out, and ran the best race of the group, closing well up the rail to grab third. She’s never been beyond 5 1/2 furlongs, but of her five winning siblings, three of them won going a mile or longer, including Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap winner Pounding Music. #6 Amie’s Symphony (4-1) just missed two starts back after a rough break, but was a flat fifth last out, albeit in what could prove to be a productive race. She’ll look to bounce back here.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-7-6

#3 Catch the Kitten (5-2) finished third in a merry-go-round type of race last out. She has some speed to her outside in Super Money, but that’s the only other speed she has to worry about it, and she should be able to protect position on the rail. #2 Out of Luck (6-5) improved a bit to a 68 second off an 8 1/2-month layoff last out, and drops to this level for the first time. She could be on the cusp of a very big effort. #7 Honor the Truth (12-1) has gigantic late pace figures, with the best average mark in the filed by 17 points. While I don’t think she has enough early speed to win it, she should at least benefit from stretching out an extra eighth of a mile.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-8-7-1

#3 Come Rain or Shine (7-2) improved sharply off a trouble-filled debut, finishing second behind a gate-to-wire winner. He’s never gone this far before, but neither have any of his rivals, and his form suggests the distance shouldn’t be a problem. #8 Davyjohnz (4-1) has run no worse than a 77 in his three-race career. He chased the pace in the two-path behind a gate-to-wire winner who took a vantage of the rail-biased track in his last start, and still ran a career-best 80. #7 Celtic Contender (7-5) was third while riding the rail in that race, and while he took advantage of the bias, it was still a promising effort for a career debut.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-2-3-4

#8 Privet Moon (4-1) is another one exiting a race on the biased Jan. 27 strip, and ran one of the best races of anyone on the outside that day. He battled on the pace while wide and held in gamely to lose by a head to Foolish Ghost. On a fairer track, he may well have beaten Foolish Ghost by open lengths. #2 Chief Ron (2-1) put it all together third off the layoff last out, converting a stalking trip to win with an 86, his best figure since August. He has great tactical speed and a solid late punch. #3 Icing (7-2) drops from second-level company after getting pressed on the pace and fading against those types. Martina Rojas is likely to send him straight to the rail and the lead.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-3-6

Penn National shipper #4 Anotherworldinside (10-1) showed heart on the lead and battled in her last two starts against these types, but regressed when stepped up to first-level company in her last start. She drops back in class here, and should subsequently let her best self shine again. #1 Irish Lace (12-1) made solid late ground against slightly better in her last start, and, on average, has one of the best late punches in the race. #3 Shinelikeadiamond (7-2) returns to the Jamie Ness barn after a brief stint for Hugh McMahon, and is likely to control the pace from the inside. The only concern is that Ness claimed her for $8,000 last out and is instantly dropping her in for $5,000. Is he looking for an easy win, was it the only spot around here that was filling, or something else?

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-7-11-2

#8 Victim of the Nite (9-2) has run much better races since he’s learned how to break. He went gate-to-wire three starts back, led almost the whole way and got nailed last out, and was third despite some early trouble in the race in between. He looks like the controlling speed of this one. #7 Under the Radar (3-1) overcame a wide trip to lose in a three-horse blanket finish at this level last out (finishing just behind Victim of the Nite). He’s regained his best form as of late since a summer/fall swoon, and should sit the trip and strike. #11 Apollo Rising (5-1) has run his best three figures in his last three starts, running no worse than an 86 in that span. He also raced wide throughout in his last start, in this case at Aqueduct, but was still involved until late.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-7-2-1

#3 I Can Run (9-5) didn’t have much of a shot behind the impressive Charming Way, who won the Nellie Morse Stakes yesterday, in her most recent start, but closed well while wide and got third first off a brief layoff. She’ll try to move forward off that effort. #7 Mavilus (8-1) was a bit flat over an off track in each of her last two starts, but generally runs much better on a fast track, which she’ll get today. Her closing style is also well-suited for a one-turn mile. #2 Haint Blue (12-1) was a game-closing third in her last start off a slow pace. Moderate tempos have been her undoing in her last few races, but if nothing else, she should show some good late kick and get up for a slice.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-6-2

#4 My Flicker (6-5) might have contended in yesterday’s Barbara Fritchie Stakes, but Lacey Gaudet elected to play it safe and drop her in a spot where it looks very tough to beat her. She’s run in the 90s in each of her last two starts, including in a sharp second-level win last out. No one else in here has done that in the past eleven months. #1 Anonymously (7-5) has not lost going six furlongs or shorter on a fast track since returning from a 14-month layoff in mid-August, with a perfect 7-for-7 record under those parameters. She bounced back from a dull wet-track effort two starts go to beat a second-level field impressively last out, and should sit the trip on the rail. #6 Tappin Josie (4-1) closed well for second last out on a biased track behind Prodigy Doll, who was game third in yesterday’s Fritchie. She has plenty of back-class and should rally well late.