• John Piassek
• April 28, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$10,148
Jackpot Super High 5 — $8,553
Late Pick 5 —$0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-4-2-1

#5 Audibly (7-2) stretched out around two turns for the first time last out, and improved slightly off her debut, nabbing third with an improved brisnet figure of 63. She adds blinkers for the first time here, and should get better second time going a route of ground. #4 Regaled (4-1) also made her route debut last out, stretching out to a mile from her six-furlong debut, and made up mild late ground off a slow pace. She should improve further as long as the pace isn’t too slow. #2 Yumyum Eat Em Up (3-1) just missed behind next out winner Maddie Ten in her most recent outing, improving sharply to a 76 after running no better than a 63 in her first four races.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-7-3-2

#8 Lucci (3-1) is one of a few in here coming off an extended break, but if he runs back to his form from the end of last year, he’ll win this easily. He ran back-to-back marks of 85 and 86 to cap his season, just missing behind Rebel Posse in each of those races, outfinishing his well-bet dueling partner in his most recent outing. #7 Strugar (9-2) has more recent experience, and in fact won first off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado at this level on dirt last out. He came from well behind to lose by 3 1/2 lengths in his most recent grass start, which came in late October, behind Lucci. #3 Speak Unity (9-2) is the only one in the field who has run on grass this year. He closed well from just off the pace against slightly softer last out, just missing behind gate-to-wire winner Boss is a Pal.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-6-5

#2 Stormy Midnight (2-1) cruised to victory at second asking last out, improving sharply off her debut with a 79. Third-place finisher Goldrush Hottie returned to break her maiden last Friday. #1 Buckin’ Great (8-1) ran in the 70s twice last summer as a 2-year-old. If she takes a step forward at all as a 3-year-old, she’ll be a serious contender here. She was entered for a lower tag last Friday, was scratched, and now put in a respectable five-furlong workout the next day. #6 True Sunshine (7-2) overcame a bad start to get up and win at this level last out, defeating Ree Nee’s Six, who is also in this race. This one should work out a stalk-and-pounce trip from the outside.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

2-8-10-1

#2 Given to Fly (9-5) was well-bet on debut last September at Churchill Downs, despite being the only first-time starter in the 12-horse field. He ran a respectable 70 despite racing off the rail throughout, and finishing a solid-closing second in his 2024 debut at Turfway Park, which he was claimed out of by Jamie Ness. He’s well-bred for grass and should defeat these without much trouble. #8 Rock Bullet (12-1) ran some decent races on the Woodbine lawn last year, and faded after a wide trip in his first start of the year last out. He clearly isn’t well-meant for dirt; a return to grass should suit him well. #10 My Sanctuary (5-1) makes his local debut for Mike Stidham. He’s faced much better on grass earlier in his career, but has run figures that fit in at this level.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

5-1-3-6

#5 I’lltaketheblame (9-5) finishing a solid-chasing third in his two-turn debut, and first start for Brittany Russell, at Parx two starts back. He has easily the best late pace figures in this race. #1 Marty’s Magic (2-1) raced on the pace in his last two starts, and got nailed in the last few strides both times. He’ll have every chance to take them all the way on the rail here. #3 Amani’s Tiger (4-1) ran well first off the claim by Jamie Nes last out, prompting the pace and hanging on for second to match his career-best 85. If Marty’s Magic can’t last on the lead, this one will take first jump.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-6-2-3

#4 Childers (4-1) ran a huge race in his grass debut last fall, coming from off the pace and just holding on over next-out winner Fun Notion and stakes-placed Tidewater with a 91. He set an ambitious pace and faded first off the layoff on dirt last out, but now faces an easier second-level field and gets back to a surface he’s already had great success on. #6 That’s Right (7-2), a graded stakes winner on the lawn, was a non-factor against better in his two starts on the lawn this year. However, while he might not have as much left in the tank as he used to, his recent figures are still good enough to win this. #2 Rock the Boat (3-1) races for the first time since June 24. He’s no stranger to doing well off long layoffs, however. He was second, with a then-career-best 86, in the 2022 Maryland Million Turf Sprint first off an 11-month respite.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-7-2

#1 Play Harder (6-5) was fractious before the start second off the bench last out, but fought on late and finished third in a blanket finish behind Maryland Million Nursery champion Catahoula Moon, with a career-best 92. This could serve as a nice prep for the Chick Lang Stakes on the Preakness undercard. #5 The Band Runs On (7-2) kicked away to win on debut as much the best, running a solid 84. His late pace figure wasn’t great, and while that might’ve been because he didn’t really have to exert himself much late, he still have something to prove against better. #7 Jay (4-1) put in a sharp last-to-first rally to break his maiden last out at second asking after getting clear sailing, in contrast from his debut, where he was blocked in the stretch.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-6-3-2

We’ll try a longshot on top in this wide-open group. #7 Only Kidding (30-1) ran some respectable figures for this level last year, with back-to-back marks in the 80s on grass. She made her first start off a three-month layoff last out at Charles Town, and closed well from last to grab second, not easy to do in a 4 1/2-furlong contest. She’ll have every chance to mow them down at a price. #6 Money’s Worth (4-1) ran no worse than an 82 in four grass starts last year, including in her last start on this surface last October, where she led most of the way going long and faded. She’s a serious speed threat in this shorter contest. #3 Mystic Seaport (9-5) won her last two starts on grass going away, albeit against softer rivals, and was a dominant winner on dirt at Aqueduct in her most recent. She should sit just off Money’s Worth in the early stages.