• John Piassek
• February 23, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $932
Jackpot Super High 5 — $529
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-1-2

My top two picks in this race come out of a race on the rail-biased Jan. 27 track. #3 Marley’s Ghost (7-2) ran a game fourth, beaten just a length for third, despite a merry-go-round pace scenario that left her no chance of catching the top two, coupled with a wide trip. If she catches a fair track today, she has a much-improved shot. #6 Finaljump (2-1) rode that advantageous rail last out, helping her run a sharp brisnet figure of 70 that day, matching her career-best mark. Even without the advantage of a biased track (as far as we know), her figures are consistently strong, having run no worse than a 66 in four career dirt efforts. #1 Little Baby Girl (9-5) ran a game race on the pace to get second in her dirt debut three starts ago, and looks for a rebound off two straight dull tries. She looks like the main speed of this contest.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-5-6

#7 Guaponess (9-5) has run well in both starts since returning off a 14-month layoff in late December, including a strong pacesetting maiden-breaking score at Parx last out. He’s the only one in here who has not lost against winners; everyone else has done so at least four times. #2 Casino Tricks (9-2) ran a big race on the biased Jan. 27 track last out, opening up a late lead before getting reeled in by rail-skimming Porch Swing. He has lots of early speed and could sneak away on the lead and stay there. #5 Evenly Divided (4-1) has great late speed and sharp workouts, including two recent bullet drills at Pimlico. He looks well-prepped for his first start since mid-November.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-7-5-2

#1 Design Diva (2-1) was well-bet on debut last out, but showed little after a wide trip. She drops into a very soft field and should make a serious impact if she has any ability. #7 R B’s Big Moment (9-2) got caught up in a duel last out and faded, but doesn’t have much speed to her inside today. #5 Bacall (5-2) bounced back in her last start, making mild ground in the stretch and getting second, just missing her career-best with a 52. She can easily bumble in and grab a slice again.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-3-7-5

#4 Whatsyourbigidea (2-1) ran a big race on the lead last out, setting ambitious fractions and holding third, while everyone else near the pace backed up further. The only other serious speed is Major Houlihan, who has backed up badly in her last two starts and shouldn’t be a late threat. #3 Cynergy’s Electra (6-1) was completely flat against Maryland-bred allowance foes in her last start, but had run at least a 75 in her prior four starts, with good late speed each time. She’s a serious threat if she rebounds. #7 Gun Runnin’ Gal (3-1) broke her maiden impressively two starts back, and drops down to a more realistic level after showing little against first-level company last out.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-11-7-1

#8 Hot Dance (7-2) ran a big second while wide in her local debut. It was also the first time she was within three lengths of the lead a the first quarter. She goes first off the claim by Mike Trombetta, and should improve with a local start under her belt. #11 Destination (3-1) has run similar races in her two starts, showing speed and holding second both times. She was 3-5 last out in a slightly softer field at this condition, but was defeated by a well-bet Brittany Russell firster. This one adds blinkers here, and is likely to be gunned to the front from the outside post. #7 Duela Dent (4-1) ran a career-best 72 when a pace-chasing second last out, and now goes first off the claim by Jamie Ness. A recent bullet drill from the gate suggests that she’s primed for a sharp effort.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-5-11

#1 Out Dancing (3-1) went gate-to-wire at Parx last out despite a slow start, and looks like the controlling speed from the inside for the ever-tough Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo. She’s one of two in here to run in the 80s twice within their last three starts; the other is #7 Breezy Connection (7-2), who drops in class after some respectable tries against starter optional claiming types. he should rally for a shar even if Out Dancing sneaks away. #5 Tweet Away Robin (5-1) converted the trip to win at this level two starts ago, and held onto third when engaged with the pace in her most recent effort.

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

3-4-10-8

All eyes will be on #3 Full Irish (8-5) in this one, and for good reason. This budding Maryland-bred star has won back-to-back races by open lengths with big figures, including a dominant win against first-level foes last out where he lasted on the lead through fast fractions. A repeat of his prior two races should handle these. If Full Irish falters on the lead, #4 Great Heavens (5-2) is the most likely one to take advantage. He’s closed well for second in back-to-back starts against similar types, including a runner-up effort behind gate-to-wire winner Arden’sluckytobe in his last effort. A similar scenario could play out here with him and Full Irish. #10 Rhumjar (12-1) got entangled in a duel and backed up badly in his last start, but ran in the 90s in his two prior races. He would be well-advised to not try and tango with Full Irish early, but sit near the pace towards the outside and get ready to pounce.

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

4-6-8-5

#4 Brother Conway (2-1) saw his four-race win streak snapped last out when he got caught up in a speed duel with Cowan. He faded to last that day. Had he won, he might’ve pressed on to the General George, but instead he’s here, and looks like the main speed and poised for a bounce-back effort. #6 Retained (4-1) ships from Turfway Park for William Morey, where he crossed the wire second and was elevated to first via DQ. The horse he crossed the wire behind, Antares, had won his prior start, and returned to win a second-level race next out. Counterstrike, who crossed the wire fourth that day, was third in the same race. This one is in ascending form and is likely to sit near the pace. He gets Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle for his Maryland debut, who hopefully will know not to get intertwined with Brother Conway in the early stages. #8 Karan’s Notion (12-1) was flat behind several of these two starts ago, but improved to a game third-place finish in his most recent, and should make a late impact.