• John Piassek
• April 6, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$21,997
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,422
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-2-5

#4 Austin From Boston (12-1) is a bit of a tricky one to figure. He was in good form towards the end of last year, including two victories with a brisnet figure of 84, but he was a complete non-factor in his season debut in early February. He simply galloped around the track and ended up well-beaten. However, he has worked well that day, so I’ll take the leap of faith and believe whatever ailed him that day has been cured, and he’ll be ready to run his best race today. #6 Casino Tricks (7-5) has run in the 80s in each of his last two starts, including last out when he just missed in his first start at this level. He has the best early pace figures in the race by a good margin, so with a clean break, he’ll be able to clear and possibly coast. #2 Trophy Room (7-2) just missed last out at Parx, where he successfully wore down the even-money favored leader, but could not hold off a closer and was beaten a neck. He’s likely to rate just off Casino Tricks, and will take advantage if that rival falters.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-3-2

#4 Lavinia Spirit (4-1) drops for a tag for the first time and tries to get back to her old self after an impressive gate-to-wire debut at Penn National two start back. She also races with first-time Lasix. #7 Kaymus (7-2) has a similar profile as Lavina Spirit. She sat on the pace and held on to win at first asking at Aqueduct, and looks for a rebound after a flat try in her first start against winners. She adds blinkers for the first time for Bruce Levine, who has finished in the exacta with three of his four shippers to Maryland this year. #3 Neolithica (9-2) won at this level last December, and takes another drop in class from the $20,000 level. She raced wide on the pace last out and faded, but should get a more ground-saving trip today.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-7-4-6

#3 Nico Lucky (4-1) races for his fourth different trainer in his six-race career, as he makes his debut for Marco Salazar. He broke his maiden going away as much the best last out, running in the 80s for the second consecutive start. He’s one of two in here who has not lost against winners, and the other rival is not in the same stratosphere figure-wise. #7 Wesley Thomas (5-2) is in improving form, and has made mild late rallies to grab a slice in his last few starts. His best finishes came last fall when he raced closer to the pace; could he try to prompt the leaders from the outside? #4 Box N Ben (9-2) made what looked like a winning move in his last start at this level, but got reeled in late and finished third. Rather remarkably, he’s hit the board 12 times in 14 career starts, but, of course, has won just once. He’s likely to hang around the early pace and grab a share once again.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-4-3-6

#2 Tweet Away Robin (8-5) hasn’t quite returned to peak form, but she’s run in the 70s three times in a row, while most of her rivals run in the 60s consistently. She’s broken awkwardly in her last two starts, but has still held her own. A clean break against this soft group, and she’ll leave them reeling. #4 Bandits Warrior (7-5) has abundant early speed, and went gate-to-wire in her last start at this level despite steady pace pressure. Based on the pace figures, she might get a lonelier lead here, and that could prove especially dangerous. #3 Sapphire Beauty (7-2) improved sharply to win second off the layoff with a stalk-and-pounce trip last out. Even though it’s a step up in class on paper, as noted, this is not much more difficult of a field compared to the conditioned claimers she saw last out.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

2-5-6-7

#2 Amie’s Symphony (9-2), unlike many of her rivals, has already run well at this distance. She chased a frontrunning winner in her first start at this distance two starts back, and outkicked the rest to finish a clear-cut second with a career-best 75. She declined a bit going two turns last out, but a longer one-turn race looks like her sweet spot. #5 Destination (7-5) has shown speed and faded in each of her three starts. She outlasted her dueling partner last out, but was outkicked by Stickwiththecolors, who came back to finish second against first-level rivals next out. We’ll see how long she can sustain her speed in her first start beyond six panels. #6 Cracklin Cat (3-1) ran a big race on debut at Aqueduct, coming from off the pace while wide to get second behind the 2-5 chalk.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

9-3-2-7

#9 Coronation Time (6-1) has improved sharply with each start. He peaked at a 67 last out when he was a strong-closing second in his second story at this level. He has by far the best late pace figures in the race, and is sure to be heard from late. #3 Rudy Rudy Rudy (7-2) has very in-and-out form, but looks like he’s cycling around to his best form. He stopped badly going shorter last out at Aqueduct, but has run well going a one-turn mile in the past. #2 Under the Overpass (5-2) has burned a lot of money against slightly better in his last few starts, and now drops to this condition for the first time. He ran a career-best 80 two starts back in a narrow defeat. That kind of race buries these, but I’m very suspicious of him even on the class drop.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-5-1-3

After a flat debut, #6 Eff Thirty Five (2-1) improved significantly at second asking last out at Parx. He battled on the pace throughout, and though his dueling partner ending up winning, he held on and finished a clear second with a solid 82. #5 Villaluz (6-1) stood no chance trying to close off a slow pace last out, but still sucked along for a career-best 80. He’s lugged in two of his last three starts, and gets some much-needed blinkers today. #1 Big Ern McCracken (8-1) improved sharply to a career-best 74 first off a seven-month layoff last out. This is his first start beyond 6 1/2 furlongs; however, both of his siblings to race have won around two turns (albeit on grass).

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-6-4

#3 Tenebris (7-2) has run a career-best figure in each of his last two starts, including a 97 when third in the General George Stakes last out behind Post Time, who will run in the Carter Stakes at Aqueduct today. This is, of course, an easier field, and he’s shown both an affinity for this track and good tactical speed. #2 Golden Candy (8-1) just missed against Tenebris two starts back, then improved to a 97 in victory against second-level foes, including future Not For Love Stakes winner Take a Hint, in his last start. he was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior, and he should work out a great trip just off the pace on the rail. #6 Threes Over Deuces (9-2), he of 23 career runner-up finishes, has lost by a nose in each of his last two starts, albeit with big figures both times. This closer is, as usual, a risky win proposition, but a good horse to key underneath in exactas.