• John Piassek
• April 13, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$839
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,722
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

2-1-8-6

#2 Royal Spy (5-2) has run well in his first two starts of the year. He set the pace both times, and went gate-to-wire two starts ago. He got caught by Captain Cardo last out, but that rival has come back to finish second in his next two races: once to the speedy Nottoway in a better field than this one, the other a nose defeat at this level. This one will have every chance to steal it on the lead once again. #1 Quick Return (6-1) ships from Parx for Scott Lake, and has rounded back into peak form in his last two races. He rode the rail to victory two starts ago, and will seek a similar trip from the rail post here. #8 Bonnie Bill (7-2), like Royal Spy, was claimed out of his last start by Kieron Magee. He closed well for second three starts ago at Turfway Park, but tailed off a bit in his last two starts of that track’s season. His late punch usually isn’t as potent as Quick Return’s, but he’s still eligible to get up for a share.

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

1-6-4-7

Off an impressive debut win, #1 Stickwiththecolors (3-1) showed a change of pace in her first start against winners. She got involved in a three-way speed duel, and sent both of her sparring partners, including the 11-10 chalk, into a sound defeat. She couldn’t hold off Goodnightngodbless, who rated well off that hot pace, and ultimately settled for second, but it was still a big performance. #6 Crusader Rabbit (5-2) ran a big race on the lead at first asking, lasting through pace pressure to hold clear late. She’s worked well since that March 1 effort, including a bullet five-furlong drill last Friday, and will have the pace edge on these, especially if Stickwiththecolors decides not to go for the lead. #4 Discreet Ops (7-2) made a big sweep to the lead to win going away on debut at 20-1 last November, and makes her first start since then today. She’d take full advantage of a contested pace.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-7-3

#1 Roan Burgundy (2-1) has somewhat obscured form, due to the fact he’d been competing in one-turn races recently, where he isn’t as sharp. In his most recent two-turn try, he took them gate-to-wire through fast fractions on this track, He should be better won the stretch-out. #4 Curlington (6-1) has improved his brisnet figure sharply in his last two starts, including an impressive 86 last out where he came from off the pace to win going way at Penn National. It was a great effort for his second start in the prior ten months. #7 Loose Goose (3-1) also does better going a mile or longer, and finished a solid-closing third against a solid field at this level last out, for his fourth figure of at least 84 in his last six races.

RACE 4: HEAVENLY CAUSE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-4-3-1

The first stakes race on today’s card is named for the Maryland-bred Ryehill Farm homebred, who won the Eclipse as champion 2-year-old filly in 1980. #2 Intrepid Dream (7-5) was well-bet first off a year-plus layoff, and it was money well spent. The gigantic mare muscled her way past her rivals at the top of the stretch, looking as if she could run them over if she couldn’t outkick them, and won as much the best. She’s had trouble staying on the track, having made just seven starts in the past 3 1/2 years, but when she runs, she’s a beast. #4 Sweet Shild O Mine (9-5) lasted through fast fractions and won impressively second off a seven-month layoff at Fair Grounds last out, earning a 90 in the process. Her only bad figure in the past 12 months came in last June’s Queen City Oaks at Belterra Park, where she ran a 70. On one hand, it was her only start beyond six furlongs, which doesn’t bode well for today’s distance. On the other hand, she went to the sidelines after that race, suggesting something might have been amiss. I’ll support the more charitable interpretation. #3 Too Many Kisses (9-2) backed a strong late punch to win the Conniver Stakes last out in last-to-first style. She looks like the type who will get better with experience and distance.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-7-3-8

#4 Wonder Girl (3-1) crossed the wire first two starts back at Belmont Park, but was disqualified for drifting out. She was in relatively sharp form on grass when she went to the sidelines in late July, but her dirt figures also contend with these, and trainer Bob Klesaris is a solid 22% with horses coming off a 90_-day layoff. She’s a contender if she runs close to her best. #7 Conceptualize (2-1) pressed the pace and held fourth first off a brief layoff at Penn National last out. The second and third-place finishers both came back to win, while the winner finished second in her next outing. She has in-and-out form, but even her lower-end figures in the mid-60s likely win this. #3 Dead Sexy (8-1) finished third behind an odds-on Repole/Russell horse and a next-out winner in his debut. This is an easier group to deal with.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 MILE

4-7-5-8

If Too Many Kisses wins the Heavenly Cause, it would certainly flatter the form of #4 Bay Street (5-2), who has finished behind that rival in her last two starts. She went gate-to-wire to win her 2024 debut (albeit on a biased track), over next-out winner Western Lane, and now takes a drop in class off a third-place effort in the Conniver. #7 Cover the Spread (2-1) might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the field, but hasn’t been seen since a fifth-place effort in last July’s Delaware Oaks. She ran in the mid/upper-80s a few times last spring. If she improves off those races first off the layoff, or even runs back to them, she’ll be formidable. #5 Midsummers Eve (7-2), from the same breeder/owner/trainer/jockey combination as Too Many Kisses, came from well off the pace to break her maiden at first asking, but didn’t show much of a punch first time against winners. She’ll be a decent price of you believe she’ll take a step forward with more experience and distance.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-8-5-7

One more overnight race, then the stakes resume. #1 Dance for Green (3-1) is the only one in the field to run in the 80s in each of his last two starts, He raced wide throughout at this level last out, but just missed. He’ll at least get his best shot to run his best here, with what should be a nice stalking trip on the rail. #8 Burningupthedough (9-2) was third behind Dance for Green last out, running a solid career-best mark of 81, his third figure in the 80s within his last four races. He pressed the pace and made his move on the far turn that day; look for a similar strategy here. #5 Neil to the King (5-2) flattened out against better first time against winners, and should benefit from the class drop. Look for him to stay close to the pace.

RACE 8: PRIMONETTA STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-7-5-4

This race is named for the champion older mare of 1962. #3 Centre Court Champ (3-1) is a perfect 2-for-2, with figure of 94 and 97, since getting claimed by Jamie Ness earlier this year. Both times, she’s at the trip and kicked away to defeat Jersey-bred stakes winner Beach Daze. Mychel Sanchez, who rode her to victory in her last two starts at Parx, comes in for the ride. She’s in prime position to turn in another peak performance. New York shipper #7 Kant Hurry Love (6-5), off three consecutive near-misses in stakes company Aqueduct, is sure to take plenty of play here. She led late after a wide trip in the Correction last out, but got nailed on the wire by Hot Fudge, who was in the midst of a three-race winning streak in stakes company. This one should be able to hold clear if she can finish her move. #5 Disco Ebo (5-2) ran a big race on the lead in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes last out, shaking off dueling partner Beneath the Stars and holding clear until late. She’ll have to deal with that rival once again from her inside, but she’s shown she can withstand the pressure, and looks like the most serious speed threat in the field.