• John Piassek
• April 5, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

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

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-6-1

It’s the start of the spring meet, which means it’s the start of 3-year-olds tackling their elders. #2 Where’s Ray (8-5) has a decided brisnet figure edge over the rest of these. He’s the only one in the field who has run in the 70s in each of his last three starts; in fact, none of his rivals have run in the 70s even twice in that stretch. He was well-beaten by favored Nico Lucky in his last start, but now, he’s the one the rest have to be afraid of. His only serious challenge on the lead will come from his direct outside in #3 Super Needy (7-5), who battled on the lead last out against better and held third, declining a bit to a 64 after back-to-back 69s to start his career. He’s dropping from the #30,000 level and is a gate-to-wire threat. #6 Infinite Series (5-2) had a three-race stretch a few months back where he ran at least a 75 every time, and will hope to perk back up on the class drop after two straight substandard efforts.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-7-1-3

#4 Sustenance (9-5) has faded after showing speed in his last few starts, but he has a massive pace and speed figure edge over the rest. If he’s ever going to wire a group, it’s going to be this one. #7 Trash Talkin Larry (8-5) got squeezed back at the start last out, and didn’t stand a chance from there. When he’s more forwardly-placed, he runs better races, and will likely take the best late crack at Sustenance. #1 Bushwick Bruiser (12-1) has run well in both of his starts this season, including a sharp win over non-winners of two company at Charles Town last out where he rated off the leaders and pounced.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

5-4-7-1

#5 Baby Sox (9-5) most likely would’ve won against better non-winners of three types last out had she found running room late. As things actually played out, she lost by a neck. It was a solid effort at seven furlongs, which is important, as she stretches out to a mile for the first time here. With the best early pace figures in the field, she might go straight for the lead, but can also rate if need be. #4 Honor the Truth (2-1) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and made a nice rally from well off the pace to win a show photo. She’s almost certain to be last or close to it early on, but should take full advantage of the long one-turn mile stretch. #7 Always Forward (6-1) has a similar profile as Honor the Truth – a win against non-winners of two foes three starts back and good late rallies in her last two races – but should be a bit closer to the pace and will likely be a better price, albeit with a lower ceiling.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-2-4-1

#6 Flat Out Flying (7-5) has run well in each of his three starts since coming off a long layoff in late December. He’s won twice, and his only defeat came when he raced overland on a rail-leaning track. He sat a well-rated trip on the lead last out at Penn National and kicked away to win; he’s sure to be forwardly-placed once again. The last two times #2 Speargun (7-2) made the front early on, he held on all the way to win in gate-to-wire style. Those are also his only two wins in his recent lines. You can bet Mychel Sanchez will do everything he can to get to the lead and protect rail position. #4 One Ten (9-2) closed off very modest fractions to win at Mahoning Valley last out. His late pace figures are easily the best in the field, so he’ll be especially potent late with any kind of pace in front of him.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-4-5-2

#7 Get Like Mike (3-1) ran a career-best 72 in his last start against better, even though it was a visually unimpressive performance. He should fare much better against these types. #4 Paco the Taco Man (2-1) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and though he couldn’t hang with the impressive victor Gabriel Seven, he lasted after racing on the pace and finished second. He’s one of two in here who has already beaten winners. #5 Not Thistimerandy (4-1) has taken a big step forward in his two starts this year, kicking away under a drive to break his maiden in style last out with a career-best 70. He’s the lightest-raced horse in the field and has room for improvement. Another step forward will make him very tough.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-8-7

#6 Ree Nee’s Six (7-2) beat some of these last out for her second consecutive stalk-and-pounce victory. She’s had to work hard to win both those races, but she should at least get a chance to get similar trip and wear them down once again. #4 Mucho Tigger (9-2) was a flat fourth behind Ree Nee’s Six first off an 11-week layoff last out, but ran an impressive 80 against better, including next-out stakes winner Kissedbyanangel, in her final start of 2023. She’ll try to use her last start as a lunching pad for bigger and better. #8 Lisa’s Palace (6-1) stopped badly at this level to starts back, but got right back to her usual self when dropped in for $20,000 last out, winning going away while under a drive. She’s already won twice at that condition, and now gets another test against better.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-6-7-8

#3 Heldish (9-2) was fourth at this level when wide throughout two starts back, then ran a game third against better last out after coming from further off the pace than usual. He’ll have to stay close to the front in this shorter dash, but if he does, he’ll be dangerous late. #6 Freeze the Fire (5-2) has finished second three times in a row against similar, all at increasingly lower odds, albeit with improving figures each time. If he keeps moving forward off the layoff, he’ll be tough, but it’s also hard to endorse a horse who can’t win at this condition at low odds. #7 One Way Traffic (7-2) opts to steer clear of Quint’s Brew and the claiming tag in race 8, and instead tries older foes for the first time. He went gate-to-wire to beat first-level rivals under a drive last out, and will certainly be sent to the front once again here.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-7-2-5

Based on his debut figure of 99, if #1 Quint’s Brew (8-5) was entered in the Lafayette Stakes at Keeneland today, or in tomorrow’s Bay Shore Stakes at Aqueduct, he’d be a bona fide contender. As things stand, he’ll be a bargain if he goes off at a third of his morning line price. No one else in here has run in his stratosphere. As long as he can handle the stretch-out from six furlongs, he’ll be impossible to beat. #7 Goodbye Note (8-1) broke his maiden at eighth asking last out, going gate-to-wire to win at 1 1/16 miles. Believers in the lightbulb angle might be drawn to him. #2 Formal Affair (6-1) gave way in the last eighth after a wide trip in his last start, but should work out a more ground-saving journey today.