• John Piassek
• March 15, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,156
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,725
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

3-4-1-5

#3 Magical Monarch (7-2) has won around two-turns twice, showing speed and hanging on to win his most recent starts at Parx and Penn National. He’s in rapidly improving form, and should prove tough to catch on the lead. It’s true that #4 Ascendance (2-1) is in fact descending in class big-time, having most recently competed at the $40,000 level. However, he was in over his head that day; he’s really more of a $20,000 type. He’s run brisnet figures in the 70s in each of his last three starts, peaking at a field-best 78 last out, and broke his maiden going two turns at Mahoning Valley while showing good tactical speed. #1 Dashing d’Artagnan (9-2) has a grinding closing style that has served him well in his last few starts. He most recently just missed third when outkicked against slightly better, and should benefit from the stretch-out from a mile.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-4-5

#1 Casino Tricks (5-2) turned in a breakthrough effort last out, crushing the field after setting the pace on the rail. Runner-up Guaponess returned to win next-out at Parx. This one got to the lead from post two without trouble that day, and should command this race from the rail. The lightbulb has certainly gone on for #3 West Star (4-1), who has won two straight after starting his career 0-for-16. He had started to improve his form towards the end of last year, and has managed to complete big late rallies in his last few races, going last-to-first to win going away in his most recently. If Casino Tricks gets more pace pressure than he expected, West Star will be there to take advantage. That pace pressure may come from #4 Guapo Again (9-5), who set the pace against much better non-winners of three types in his most recent and held in there until late.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-5-3-2

#1 Goodbye Note (5-2) has set the pace and held third in each of his last two starts, running a career-best 84 in his most recent. The winner, Malinois, won a $40,000 claiming race on the led in his next out; runner-up Glass of Courage is also back here. This one will go to the front and try to take them as far as he can. #5 Davyjonz (7-2) and #3 Brady Bear (2-1) both come out of the same race on February 18. They were well-beaten by impressive pace-stalking winner Celtic Contender, but they both ran well. Davyjonz came from the back of the pack and outkicked the others up the rail for his second straight improved figure, while Brady Bear held third despite mid-race pressure from Celtic Contender. Both of these are making their first start beyond a mile.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-4-3

This looks like a two-horse race on paper. #2 Thencomemorning (7-5) ran a strong-closing second first off a brief layoff last out, rallying wide on the turn and losing by less than a length to rail-skimming Grace and Charm. No one in here has consistently great late speed, but this one at least has the capability to pack a punch. #5 Never Done (6-5) has hit the board three times in a row at this level (it’s the same type of horses for the same money; the claiming price was increased a bit), but has lost at low odds every time (twice as a solid favorite). She has good tactical speed, and might even find the front in this race, but hasn’t shown the kick needed to win a race like this at this distance. If Thencomemorning runs her race, she’ll overpower this one. #4 Brief (6-1) is the only one in the field who has never lost at this level, having beaten non-winners of two foes at Penn National last out, and looks the best of the rest.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-1-3-5

Make no mistake: it may be a maiden special weight on paper, but this is no better than a mid-level maiden claiming race. Baffert expat #2 Riley G (2-1) is in an “if it’s ever gonna be the day…” type of spot. On one hand, she has vastly superior figures to those of the others. She’s run at least a 72 in each of her five dirt starts; only one of her rivals has ever done that on dirt. On the other hand, she looked imposing two starts back in her local debut, and again last out at Penn National, and lost at low odds both times. Does she simply run to her competition? Possibly. If she can’t beat these, she’s one to avoid forever thereafter. Fellow Brittany Russell trainee #1 Lute Warm (9-5), a half-sister to recent Gulfstream Park Mile winner Steal Sunshine, has impressive connections, but her worktab is somewhat alarmingly long. That’s never a great sign for any debuter, much less a 4-year-old. Still, she doesn’t have to be a world-beater to beat this group. Watch the board. #3 Dynamism (3-1) returned to the worktab consistently in early February and has worked well since for Graham Motion. That barn tends to get overbet with first-time starters, but again, as long as she shows anything at first asking, she’ll be a contender.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-10-6-9

#1 No Cents (8-1) was no match for Post Time and Seven’s Eleven in the General George Stakes last out, but he still ran in the 90s for the fourth consecutive race, and was a game second at this level in his prior start. If he can find a place to run on the turn, he should produce a winning kick. #10 Bump N Run (12-1) gets his class test after back-to-back wins against softer at Parx, with big figures both times. He raced wide throughout in his most recent and still got up to win with a career-best 100, so the outside post shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent. #6 Threes Over Deuces (9-2) just missed behind the comebacking Prince of Jericho in his last start. He ran a 96 that day, his best non-winning figure in a while, and should be involved late for a share as usual.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-2-4

#7 Pudd’n N Pie (4-1) improved to a solid 67 first off a five-month layoff last out, fading after chasing the pace while wide, in a race where none of the leaders backed down. She’ll hope for a more honest pace to run into today. That race was won by a Repole Stable/Brittany Russell horse; another one surfaces here in #8 Overly Dramatic (1-1). This one makes her Maryland debut (after one local workout) following a pair of underwhelming efforts at Gulfstream Park where she prompted the pace and faded. This type of field might be right up her alley. #2 Dead Sexy (10-1) looks like the best of the first-time starters, with a string of solid bullet workouts for Madison Meyers. This one is a half-sibling to seven winners (including a pair of Scandinavian runners), but it’s not a win-early family. Still, she’s interesting.

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

2-7-5-1

Jamie Ness has them surrounded, in my estimation. He trains my top two picks. #2 Under the Radar (2-1) ran his best figure in a while, a 91, in his last start, when he led briefly but ended up second behind Hay Chief, who returned to win a second-level contest last Saturday. This one is the only one in the field to have run at least an 89 in each of his last three starts; all of which came on this track. Stablemate #7 Margin of Air (4-1) has run two big races at Parx since getting claimed by Ness. He’s battled on the lead and finished second to his sparring partner in both races. His biggest test on the lead will come from #6 Capone (2-1), who races for a Rick Dutrow barn that is sharp with its shippers to Maryland, but is unproven going this far.