• John Piassek
• April 14, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$2,697
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,444
Late Pick 5 —$0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-3-6

#4 Baby Sox (7-2) went off at a big price against a better field at this level last out, and turned in a good showing. She came from further off the pace than usual, and lacked running room in the stretch. She surged late when clear and missed by just a neck, running a brisnet figure of 75 for the third time in her last four starts. if she breaks a bit more alertly than last time, she’ll be especially potent. #7 Peppermint Class (3-1) faded after getting entangled in a speed duel last out, in her second start off a ten-week layoff, but usually shows more tactical speed, which is an asset in a race where there’s proven speed in front of her. She’ll also benefit from a class drop after facing better in her last few races. #3 Lovely Liza (5-1) has just missed at this level a few times as of late. While she might not have a sufficient winning punch, she should at least get there for a slice.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

6-4-7-8

#6 Salty Girl (2-1) broke her maiden on the lead in sharp style two starts back, then chased the pace while wide against first-level rivals last out and tired. She should benefit from a significant class drop. #4 Honey B B (6-5) has also faced first-level foes in her last two starts, and has by far the best early pace figures in the race. There’s no one who can seriously challenge her early, so as long as she breaks well, she should make her way to the lead and keep going for as long as she can. #7 Floge (8-1) was a strong-closing third at this level two starts back despite a wide trip, and looks for a rebound after a dull try last out.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-7-4-5

#2 Job’s Not Finished (5-2) chased loose-leading longshot winner Short of Dinero last out, but managed to hold clear of the others and secure second. Her only true clunker within her last few came going a mile three starts back; she looks much better off at today’s distance. As one of the few in here who has shown much ability, this looks like a great spot to finally get a W. After some time off following a dull effort at second asking, #7 Diane (8-1) bounced back into the 50s when second last out at Penn National. She’s lightly-raced enough to make me believe a little bit. #4 Peachessweetnotion (3-1) has been outfinished by Job’s Not Finished in each of her last two starts, but she still has respectable figure of 58 and 60 compared to these, and even though she’s tailed off a bit in her last few, she looks to have enough left to contend with these.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-3-7-4

#6 Margie’s Fun Son (7-5) tried to close from last off a gate-to-wire winner in his most recent, never an easy task. Thought he couldn’t run down Mosler Time, he ran on well late and got up for second with an 87, easily the best last-out figure in the field. #3 Bazinga D (9-2) is the only one in here who hasn’t lost against winners. He broke his maiden in sharp gate-to-wire style at Penn National last out, and looks like the clear-cut speed of this race. He’s never been beyond six furlongs, but if he gets the right pace, he could take them a long way. #7 Steady John (4-1) hasn’t raced since early January, but has worked very well at Fair Hill in anticipation for his return, and ran in the 80s consistently last fall.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-10-9

#6 Disputed Notion (3-1) raced well against conditioned claimers earlier this year, but showed little when stepped up to starter optional claiming foes in his last start. He’ll benefit from a class drop here, and while his late kick might not be ideal for this distance, he has won at 5 1/2 furlongs before. #4 Morning Thoughts (5-1) got some time off after getting claimed by Hugh McMahon in mid-January. He faded after a wide trip in that spot, but ran no worse than a 76 in his prior three outings, and should get a nice trip near the leaders. #10 Luv Ya Bye Bye (9-2) beat some of these last out, when he stalked the pace while wide. He might have to work out a similar trip here form his far outside draw.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-2-4

#7 Car Ride (5-2) ran well on debut last out, as the only first-time starter in the field. He almost chased down well-clear leader Little Skippy in the stretch, falling short by a nose with a very impressive 78. #8 Jay (9-5) ran a respectable third on debut against similar. He didn’t have much running room, and by the time he got clear, Xcellent Men had kicked away and proved impossible to catch. He should improve at second asking. #2 Honolui (6-1) finished fifth behind Jay in his debut, after racing in the three-path most of the way. He’s in a prime spot to take a step forward, much like his two aforementioned rivals, but will likely go off as the best price of the three-path.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-5-3-7

#2 Midlaner (9-5) has faded after getting involved in duels in each of his last two starts at Aqueduct. He’s gotten caught wide on the lead in both of those races, but he should at least save ground on the pace today. He’s also the only one in the race to run in the 90s twice within his last three starts. #5 The Judge and Jury (5-2) came from off the pace to win at this level last out. In his second-to-last start on this track, he got third behind stakes-placed Tenebris and next-out winner Golden Candy, He should sit a nice trip near the leaders and pounce. #3 Monday Morning Qb (8-1) makes his first start since December 8. He didn’t do much going 1 1/16 miles last out, but his best recent races have come around one turn.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-6-3

#1 Big Cheeks (6-5) has been in ultra-consistent form as of late, running between an 81 and an 83 in each of her last five starts, and was an impressive winner at this condition last out. She hasn’t raced since that January 12 effort, but has worked well since then for Jamie Ness. #2 Hazardous Humor (5-2) joined Anthony Pecoraro’s barn at Delaware Park earlier this month. She has decent early pace figures and could find herself on the lead in a race without much speed. #6 Stop the Cap (6-1) has pounced off contested paces in each of her last two starts and won going away both times, running career-best figures of 77 and 85. She’s getting a bit of a class test after facing conditioned claimers in her last two races, but she’s still going to be in a prime spot to make her usual move.