• John Piassek
• March 3, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$999
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-6-7-5

This field is full of horses who don’t like winning. #1 Little Skippy (2-1) isn’t a proven loser yet, and has turned in improved efforts in his last two starts at Aqueduct. He pressed the pace and hung in there until late, losing by 4 1/4 lengths with a sharp brisnet figure of 71. He has speed from the rail and might try to take them all the way. #6 The Last Jumpstart (5-1) has been consistently solid as of late, running in the 70s in his last six starts with by far the late pace figures in the field. He was no match against better last out, but should improve on the slight class drop. #7 Money Room (3-1) has superior recent figures to these, but his 0-for-20 record is alarming. He’s looked like much the best on paper in some of his other recent start, and he couldn’t deliver there, either.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-1-3

#4 Never Coast (4-1) made his first start off an eight-month layoff last out. He ran respectably well given the circumstances, He led almost the whole way, but got reeled in late and lost by almost five lengths. He should run much better second off the bench. #7 Bold Honor (8-1) comes out of the same race as Never Coast. He made mild ground late and grabbed fifth, for his third consecutive one-turn figure of at least 68. He might want more distance than he’ll get today, but he should at least close for a slice. #1 Moncrief (7-2) continues to drop down the class ladder and is likely to show early speed from the rail.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

4-1-2-6

#4 Neolithica (5-2) couldn’t make it to the front from the outside post in her last start, and stopped badly after getting caught in the five-path. While she has some speed to her inside, she has a much better draw today, and should work out a much more idyllic trip. #1 Next Girl (5-1) is one of two in here who has not lost against winners. Sent off as the odds-on choice last out, she came from well off the pace and won going away with a career-best 67. She should make a serious late impact once again. #2 Determined Blue (6-1) comes out of the same race as Neolithica, which was her first start against winners, and made mild ground late to get fourth. She ran her second-best dirt figure that day, a 69, and should benefit from the drop from the $40,000 level.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-3-6

#4 Canoodle (7-5) ran a big race first off the Jamie Ness claim in her last start, closing for second behind the speedy Spicy Margarita, who came back to finish second on Friday. She hasn’t won in a while, but has also been facing much better horses for most of that span. Her figures match up well with these. #1 Watch Your Tone (8-5) was an unusually flat fourth behind Canoodle in her last start, but had won her two prior starts with figures in the 80s. She’ll rate towards the back of the pack on the rail and hope for an opening in the stretch. #3 The Haunted Room (5-1) drops from first-level company and cuts back around one turn, both of which should be to her benefit.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-7-1-4

Three of these exit the same race on Feb. 16. #5 In the Dance (7-2) couldn’t chase down gate-to-wire winner Break the Chains, but he took the best crack of anyone, making up decent late ground to pull clear of the others with a career-best 82. He’s already won around two turns, having broken his maiden three starts back despite an overland journey. #7 Masakado (3-1) went off as the 11-10 favorite that day, and faded to third after pressing the pace. The early pace was slow enough that he probably could’ve gotten to the front if he wanted it, and from there, he might have stolen it. We’ll see if Carlos Lopez is more aggressive today. #1 Malinois (9-2) broke his maiden first off the claim by Phil Capuano with a gigantic 86, his best figure by almost 20 points. He’s worked well since then and should get a nice trip, but that figure is such an outlier, I’m a bit suspicious of it.

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

6-1-7-8

#6 Regaled (5-2) has had a sharp, consistent worktab for Brittany Russell, including a bullet drill at Fair Hill last Friday. She gets to face a soft field on debut, and should be a contender if she has any ability. Her stablemate, #1 K Kake Pop (3-1), hasn’t lived up to the promise that she showed when she was a troubled third on debut, but gets another crack at a soft field and adds blinkers. #7 Sweeterthanwhiskey (15-1) battled for the lead on debut and held on for a solid third. The other two who dueled early on lost by double-digit lengths.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-6-3-2

After suffering through seconditis last fall, #7 Take a Hint (6-5) has put it together in his last two starts, with back-to-back impressive victories. He blew away an open first-level field in his last start, breaking well and winning under a drive from substitute rider Jeiron Barbosa, while regular rider Jaime Rodriguez was under suspension. Rodriguez returns to the saddle here, and this one looks poised for a winning effort. #6 Golden Candy (2-1) dropped back to this level last out and was a sharp-closing second to Tenebris, running his third figure in the 90s in his last four starts in the process. He’ll be a threat late if he gets his usual trip. #3 Going to the Lead (9-2) has been rated in several of his last few starts, but he runs his best races when he lives up to his name. There’s some speed drawn to his outside, including Take a Hint, but he’ll at least be able to secure rail position.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

7-2-3-5

I picked #7 C C Royal (4-5) in the Xtra Heat Stakes last out, and she ran well given the circumstances. While her stablemate, Roanan Goddess, rode the advantageous rail to victory, C C Royal raced well on the pace a few paths off the rail and held on for third, two lengths behind dueling partner and New York shipper Reconcile. She takes a big drop in class to a pretty soft bunch for the condition, and should handle them without trouble. #2 Honey B B (8-1) has run lifetime-tops in each of her last three starts, peaking at an 84 in a gate-to-wire score against softer last out. It remains to be seen if she can handle the major class hike, but she should be gunned straight to the front and will try to take them as fast as she can, as far as she can. #3 Countryclub Couple (9-2) didn’t get too much action on debut, but this Elkstone Group homebred lasted through pace pressure and won going away. Her figure wasn’t super-impressive (73), but she has room to improve second time out for Brittany Russell.