• John Piassek
• March 17, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$4,654
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,725
Late Pick 5 —$0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-5-2

#7 Honor the Truth (6-1) closed from nowhere to beat non-winners of two foes two starts back, then stepped up to the starter optional claiming level and put in a similar late rally to get second with a career-best brisnet figure of 77. Her kick might be potent going longer, but she should at least get there for a share. On the other side of the coin, Parx shipper #1 Valiant Majesty (5-1) is bound to show speed from the rail. She battled for the pace last out and left her dueling partner nine lengths behind at the wire, but was caught late and settled for second. Still, it was a big effort. #5 Baby Sox (9-2) freaked on the lead two starts back in what looks like a fluke effort, but is in overall improving form. She chased the pace and got third first time at this level last out, and will hope for something to close into.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-3-7

#4 Kaymus (6-1) broke her maiden on the lead on debut at Aqueduct two starts ago, and ships down here in search of redemption after a disappointing try last out. She adds blinkers here, and should be sent straight to the lead by Jevian Toledo. #6 Khozy Colby (2-1) also ships to Laurel for the first time, in her case from Gulfstream Park. She broke a sneeze slow from the rail last out and didn’t get to her usual spot on the pace, subsequently finishing well-beaten. She gets a better draw today, and should be on or near the early lead. #3 G’s Fireball (15-1) was an open-length winner second off the bench last out, albeit in a soft field, and could be sitting on a big race at an equally big price.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-5-6-2

#7 Audibly (5-1) lost all chance at the start on debut, when she was carried out not long after leaving the gate and subsequently dropped far behind early. However, she got going late and missed second by a length. She’s stretching out from seven furlongs today, but that shouldn’t be a problem. All six of her winning siblings, including graded stakes winner Hillhouse High, have won going a mile or longer. Fellow Mike Trombetta trainee #5 Amie’s Symphony (7-2) is in improving form and ran a career-best 75 when second behind Salty Girl, who raced on the pace that day and opened up a big late lead that proved impossible to overcome. #6 Laughing Fit (6-1) was third behind Amie’s Symphony in her most recent, and has taken big strides forward with every start.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-4-1-6

#5 American d’Oro (5-2) made his first start off a nearly eight-month layoff last out, in a very salty third-level field. He drifted out at the start and was no factor from there. That race became tougher yesterday when Shaft’s Bullet, who won that day, returned to take the Harrison Johnson Memorial Stakes. This one ran in the 90s steadily early last year before tailing off; I’m willing to give him a shot second off the bench. #4 Uncle Irish (8-5) also gets some class relief after finishing a well-beaten second in his last two tries against second-level rivals. He was rounding into his best form towards the end of last year before tailing off again against better rivals. This field should be to his liking. #1 Chelonian (3-1) has solid late pace figures and ran well against these types last year.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-8-5

#6 Brasstown (9-2) ran in the upper 80s two and three races back, but faltered badly on the lead last out and was not persevered with when well-beaten. He’s had a good workout since then, going four furlongs at Pimlico in 49 4/5 seconds last Tuesday, and will have every chance to wire them. #1 Strong Finish (6-1) cleared his non-winners of two and non-winners of three conditions without much trouble recently, but flattened out against starter optional claiming types in his last start. This condition could be a happy medium of sorts. #8 Bahama Channel (12-1) also looks to shake off a disappointing last start. Two races ago, he finished second and outfinished Formal Order, who returned to turn the tables in his next start. This one should be a factor late if he gets a pace to run into.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-12-9-8

#5 Verbier (3-1) has run two of his best races in his two starts since coming off a 6 1/2-month layoff, running a 78 and a 77. He drops back down after trying non-winners of three foes last out, and fortunately for this 1-for-21 gelding, faces a field that doesn’t much like winning, either. #12 Shouldhavebeengone (8-1) has showed more of a late punch in his last two starts, and should be a serious late factor if he can work out a semi-ground-saving trip from the outside post. #9 Bold Honor (5-1) put it all together last out after a few middling tries at this level with a strong second-place effort, and should also be heard from late.

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

8-5-1-2

The stock of #8 Mr. Antonelli (3-1) was boosted yesterday, when Take a Hint, who beat him last time, won the Not For Love Stakes. This one broke his maiden impressively at Delaware Park in September, ran a respectable third behind Take a Hint first off the layoff last out, and has since fired two bullet workouts. He looks prepped for a peak performance. #5 Capone (5-2) got caught up in a duel at Aqueduct last out and faded, but won two in a row in sharp style prior to that with figures in the mid-90s. He ships down here for Rick Dutrow, who is adroit with his shippers down here. #1 Swifty Devil (12-1) has in-and-out form, but his best contends with these. He led most of the way and held second behind Heldish last out. The question: can he put two good races together?

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

9-4-2-1A

After a disappointing race as the favorite in the John Campbell Stakes last out, #9 Bob Marco (9-5) dropped back into allowance company, rather than try his hand in yesterday’s Harrison Johnson Stakes. His style is no secret; we all know he’s going to go straight to the front. He should be able to last against these, unlike last time, when he couldn’t shake away despite setting very honest fractions. #4 Be Better (2-1), who also wouldn’t have been out of place in yesterday’s stakes, came from way out of it to get third in the Campbell, edging out Bob Marco by a neck for that spot. He’s made decent late rallies to grab slices at low odds in his last few tries; it’s likely to be the same story here. #2 Bode’s Maker (8-1) has run in the 90s in each of his last three starts, earning exactly a 90 last out despite being pace-compromised. Two starts ago, he got up for third behind Mose Perfect, who has hit the board in his next two starts, and Flat Out Flying, who won at Penn National in his next performance.