• John Piassek
• April 27, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$8,926
Jackpot Super High 5 — $7,358
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-7-6

Half of these have experience; half of them don’t. I’ll try one of the horses with a race or several under their belt and take #5 Livehappy (10-1). He set a pressured pace last out and faded, but he was at least enveloped by some serious horses. Winner Quint’s Brew and runner-up Petingas Twin both came back to win their next starts as the odds-on favorite. This one is sure to be a serious pace presence today. #4 Hub (9-5) has a ridiculously good worktab in preparation for his debut, with five bullet drills within his last six timed workouts, including some recent ones from the gate. If he shows any of that ability in the afternoon, he’ll be tough. #7 Summer Ready (12-1) was well-bet in his local debut last out after a big first try at Fair Grounds, but couldn’t make it to the lead and didn’t do much. He’s worth another shot, especially since you’ll get much better odds on him today.

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

5-3-1-2

#5 Razorette (15-1) hasn’t gone beyond seven furlongs in her four-race career, but has abundant early speed in a race without a lot of it. If she gets cushy enough fractions, like she did when she held on to win two starts ago. #3 Looking for Water (6-5) drafted in last behind an odds-on choice setting very slow fractions last out, and subsequently had almost no chance to win. She made decent late ground to get second, and she’ll be a late presence with any kind of early pace to close into. #1 Destined to Dance (12-1) got up for third despite racing wide at Charles Town in her most recent, and has some of the best late pace figures in the field.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-10-9-1

#5 Takethefifth (12-1) is one of two in here who have run on grass this year. He ran well last out at Fair Grounds, certainly outrunning his 78-1 odds. He checked early on and lost some position, then admirably chased a gate-to-wire winner and lost a very close show photo. He gets an easier field today, and has a good recent local workout since arriving at Kelly Rubley’s Delaware Park base. #10 Enzo (4-1), a full brother to Witty and a half-brother to Caravel, improved sharply in his second grass outing in late October, then ran two big races on dirt before getting a break to start the year. He looks like the type who will get better as he ages, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he mowed them all down. #9 Won an Award (9-2) certainly has the pedigree to do well on grass. His half-sister, Venetian Harbor, was a graded stakes winner on this surface. This one made up a ton of ground in his last grass start last October, and should be a late threat if he steers clear of traffic.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-5-1

#3 Floge (9-5) has found her best stride in her last few starts, running a brisnet figure of at least 75 twice in her last three starts. Only one of her rivals has run that fast at any point in their lives. She was outkicked by the eventual winner last out; this distance looks like it could be her sweet spot. #6 Tina Tina Tina (3-1) has good tactical speed, and ha smore than held her own in two starts at this level. She’ll likely sit her trip and run on for second, as she loves to do. #5 No Walk Inthe Park (9-2) pressed the pace and drew off to break her maiden last out, making her the only one in the field who has not lost against winners (everyone else has lost against them at least twice).

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

6-12-1-10

#6 Crabs N Beer (9-5) is another case where it pays to follow the Mid-Atlantic point-to-point circuit. Although his running lines say he hasn’t raced since November, don’t be fooled: he won a 1 1/2-mile event at the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point at Shawan Downs on Easter. He’s had two good workouts at Fair Hill since then, and he ran in the mid-80s consistently while running credibly against better rivals. #12 Riccio (6-1) has legitimately not raced since November, when he came from well out of it to beat conditioned claimers with a solid 83. He ran well at this level last year as well, including a mid-July effort where he outkicked Crabs N Beer. #1 Vax a Nation (8-1) was also a consistently solid sort last year, and should at least get there for a slice. He got up for third in his last grass start behind Riccio.

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

2-4-8-3

#2 Rainy Skies (6-1) was one of three who took serious action in his most career debut for the Repole/Russell duo. However, he broke a bit slowly from the rail and was little factor from there. He was claimed out of that race by Kieron Magee, has worked well since, and is eligible to improve at second asking. #4 Rapidity (8-1) ran a strong 75 on debut, coming from just off the pace to win a show photo. In a race with a lot of debuters, he’s in with a big chance. #8 Irish Hero (9-2) set brutally fast fractions of his own volition last out, and managed to hold third with an improved 73. He’ll almost certainly set the early pace again here; if he can manage it a bit better and not set as crazy a tempo, he’ll be hard to reel in.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-1-8-5

Good ol’ #3 Cannon’s Roar (9-5), a Maryland-bred mainstay, kept himself busy this winter at Tampa Bay Downs. He pulled off a gate-to-wire win there to cap his 2023 season, followed by a series of near-misses with consistently solid low/mid-80s figures. He’ll have every chance to wire them here. #1 The King Cheek (7-2) raced on dirt at Parx all winter long, and makes his first grass start since September 15 in this spot. He was done in by wide trips in his last two starts on this surface, but he has a high ceiling and a sharp kick if he gets his trip. #8 Chelonian (12-1) lasted through a long duel to cross the wire first in his last grass start, but was disqualified. Wish Me Home, who he outdueled that day, won in gate-to-wire style next out, and was third in the Find Stakes in the race after.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-8-2-6

#3 Tenebris (3-1) put away dueling partner No Cents in his last start, but couldn’t quite hold off the ever-hard-knocking Threes Over Deuces and lost by a head after a stretch duel. He ran his third straight career-best figure, a 98, in that effort. #8 Murray (7-2) finished third behind Tenebris in his most recent start, in a nice bounce-back from a dull effort in the Toboggan Stakes two starts back. He ran some big races last fall and winter, and could be on a course back to that form. #2 Rominski (6-1) overcame a awkward start to get up and win over second-level foes last out, in a nice recovery from his dull Not For Love Stakes effort two races ago. He’s likely to set the early pace if he breaks well.