Laurel Park picks and ponderings: March 24, 2024 * The Racing Biz

LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: march 24, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers:
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$11,063
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

RACE 1

5. Xcellent Men	Cutback to 5 1/2 furlongs a plus for a runner who keeps running out of steam late; prior local try likely good enough
2. Jay	Half-bro to G2-placed turfer Nakamura for good first-out connex
6. Bold Talk	Improved try in last despite hop at start; three next-out winners from that last

RACE 2

1. Energy Efficient	Makes third start off the bench following good try versus better
7. Order Ofthe Kettle	Finished a couple behind top choice in last, which was both his first of the season and first with blinkers
5. Hurrying Home	Galloped versus maiden foes in last; Magee 21% first off the claim

Zero Blitz sacks rivals in City of Laurel
Onetime mid-priced claimer Zero Blitz stormed home in the final furlong to upset Saturday’s City of Laurel Stakes, and Grayson’s Girl also scored.

RACE 3

1. Mr. McMahon	Did plenty wrong in still-credible debut and gets blinkers for second try
3. Bad Advice	Pricey Gun Runner colt was right there for six furlongs in debut
6. Petingas Twin	Blinkers on after three straight runner-up tries

RACE 4

6. Ginger Girl	Shankle claimback just missed versus CT allowance foes in last; winner was third in follow-up
5. Cynergy’s Electra	Trainer Sullivan 23% first off the claim
1. Baby Sox	Bombs away!

RACE 5

8. Dust Devil	Formful sort has won two of three, beating next-out winner in last
2. Splicethemainbrace	Veteran owns 13 wins
5. Loose Goose	Eubanks barn with strong start to the season

RACE 6

4. Rezoom	Speedy sort showed a bit more fight last out than in previous tries
11. Champagne Dance	Drop to bottom could be what this one needs; hot-riding Boyce back aboard
14. Shirley Knot	Switch to dirt should help; half to four-time main track winner Bay of Cats

“New door opened,” Jaime Rodriguez shifts tack to NY
Jockey Jaime Rodriguez won five consecutive Delaware Park riding titles and a couple of others at Laurel. Now it’s on to New York.

RACE 7

3. Spicy Margarita	Trainer Magee protects runner in this spot
6. Shero	1970s hockey coach Fred Shero nicknamed “The Fog”
8. Mattitude	Beat similar in last when claimed back by Bailes, has better efforts to run back to

RACE 8

1. Golden Effect	Has kept better company
6. Lady Zeta	Trainer Ness and owners apparently bought this one back privately after she was claimed back in October
3. Fuhgeddaboudit	Yet another class-dropper

RACE 9

1. Brilliant Ice	Demand value as runner is 0-for-7 at the trip (albeit with three seconds); made middle move in last before flattening
3. Going to the Lead	Has run a bunch of good races at the level without winning
9. Backnthewoods	Moves back up the class ladder for Corrales barn having a strong start to the year

RACE 10

3. I Know	Better efforts win here
7. Toast to Coast	Good return to action after eight-month break
5. Great Call	Was right there with a furlong to go in last