• John Piassek
• April 7, 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: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-4-7

We’ll kick off Sunday Funday with some fillies and mares going a route of ground. #2 Bossy Boots (12-1) is one of three in here who has never lost against winners, and looks like she has the most upside of that bunch. In her fourth career outing, and her first try around two turns, she came from just off the pace and pulled clear late to win with a career-best brisnet figure of 67. She should be close to the pace again and will have every chance to produce the same type of effort. #1 Marley’s Ghost (7-5) is also coming off a maiden win, having crushed by 18 lengths after rating a great trip off a duel. She’s not likely to get that same kind of setup again, but she’s in improving form and must be respected. #4 Ojitos Bellos (6-1) has improved with each start since returning from a 14-week layoff in mid-February, and outran her odds to secure third at 36-1 after racing on the pace last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-5-4-6

#7 Entrust (2-1) tried a mile for the second time this year, and ran a much-improved race compared to his first start of the season at that distance. He was well-rated by Raul Mena and just missed reeling in the victorious Toast to Coast. He previously broke his maiden around two turns last summer at Delaware Park, running a sharp 74 in the process. #5 Great Call (5-2) is the only one in the field who has run at least a 72 in each of his last three starts. He finished third behind Entrust last out, and just missed third against better two starts back when he made an early move and faded. He’ll try to time things better here. #4 Whatahardmanfidead (10-1) faces his elders for the first time, and has been in improved form against 3-year-old claimers in his first few starts of the season.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-2-7

#4 Yumyum Eat Em Up (2-1) ran much-improved second last out, closing off a very slow pace and losing only to odds-on choice Maddie Ten. She has blinkers for the first time today. #6 Goldrush Hottie (9-5) showed speed and gave way in her first start off an eight-month layoff last out. She ran some big races to start her career last year before going on the sidelines, and will try to put it all together today. #2 Imaginetheodds (6-1) makes her first start since October, and her first dirt appearance since July, when she was a hard-trying second. She looks like the main speed of this field.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-6-7

#4 Play Harder (3-1) ran a big race in his 3-year-old debut last out to improve to 2-for-2 lifetime. He lacked racing room on the turn, muscled his way through at the top of the stretch, and got up late after a battle with #3 Catahoula Moon (7-2) to win with a much-improved 91. He should get even better with a race under his belt, and could use this race as a stepping stone for a stakes appearance in a near-future. Catahoula Moon held second that day, for his second consecutive much-improved figure. He was outkicked by Point Dume, who returned to finish second in the Miracle Wood Stakes, in his prior outing. It’s unfortunate for him that he’s run into Play Harder again, but he looks like the best of the rest, if nothing else. #6 Iridescent (5-2) ships from New York for David Jacobson off a big effort at Aqueduct last out, where he lost by a nose to Ridgewood Runner in a race-long pitched battle. He should once again be a tough customer on the lead.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-9-7

Another David Jacobson shipper looms large here, and I won’t try to beat this one. #4 Colonel Vargo (8-5) has won three in a row at Aqueduct with ascending figures, peaking at a 98 last out eight days ago. Jacobson’s wheeling him back quickly, but this gelding’s no stranger to short breaks; his previous victory came off 13 days’ rest. #6 Nottoway (3-1) blew the doors off a starter allowance field in the slop last out, and seeks to replicate that effort here. He’ll have to deal with some more pace pressure this time, including some from Colonel Vargo, but he looks fast enough to outrun them and establish at least a slight early advantage. #9 Strugar (9-2) lost to a pair of next-out winners after a wide trip in his most recent outing. He’s going first off the claim from Jamie Ness by Joel Maldonado, and if he can work out a little more ground-saving trip this time (granted, no easy task from the outside post), he’ll be a serious late threat.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-3-1-8

#2 Captain Cardo (4-1) has run at least an 86 in each of his last two starts, something no one else in here has come close to doing, and has the best average late pace figures in the race. He’s faced the likes of Nottoway and Up Against It in this last few starts, and has held his own against them. This looks like an easier group to handle. #3 Cavalry Command (10-1) broke awkwardly last out, lost his usual forward position, and was no factor from there. He ran some big races on the lead against softer rivals earlier this year, and should be able to control the pace from the rail with a clean break. #1 Galatians (3-1) exits the same race as Cavalry Command, and turned in a similarly dull effort. He ran at least an 85 in each of his three prior starts, and will try to get back to that form with a pace-stalking trip on the rail.

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

3-1-6-5

#3 Porch Swing (6-1) stretched out around two turns for his second start at this level last out, and bounced back to his usual sharp form with a solid-closing third. He’s a perfect 2-for-2 around the one-turn mile, and his best figures have come at this distance. Both halves of the Jamie Ness-trained entry look strong. I lean towards #1 Shady Munni (8-5). He raced wide in his 2024 debut at Parx last out and faded, but was in very sharp form towards the end of last year. He got a great draw today, and will be in prime position to make a winning move. #6 Carvellian Quest (4-1) won going away second off the layoff last out, and looks like he’s starting to round back into the promising form he showed last summer.

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

6-5-2-7

There’s three New York invaders in here, and I’ve got one of them on top. #6 Pharoah’s Heart (2-1) races first off the claim by David Jacobson after an impressive gate-to-wire win at Aqueduct last out, her first race off a seven-month layoff. She hasn’t raced since that mid-January effort, but has at least worked consistently since then, and should prove a tough pace presence. #5 Everyoneloveslinda (5-2) lasted through pace pressure last out and outfinished her dueling partner, but couldn’t hold off a closing rival and was beaten a head. Still, it was a game effort, and she looks fast enough to clear to the rail and the lead. #2 Anonymously (10-1) saw her fast track winning streak snapped last out by Tappin Josie, but she still rallied hard on the rail and lost by just a neck. She’s had some time off since that February 18 effort, and while she’s getting a class test like she hasn’t seen before, many of her recent figures at least contend here.