Laurel Park picks and ponderings: September 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: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-2-3-5 (DIRT: 5-10-4-2)
#6 Get Loaded (30-1) gets the call in the fall meet lidlifter. She hasn’t raced on grass in a while, but has shown promise on this surface, with a pair of in-the-money finishes both here and at Monmouth Park. Her dirt starts at Charles Town this year have been largely uninspiring, but she now gets back to her preferred surface and should go off at an inflated price, as her recent starts may disguise her form a bit. #2 Bess’ Candy (5-2) makes her dirt debut for Arnaud Delacour after two tries on synthetic at Presque Isle Downs. In her second star, she showed speed and lasted a long way on the front end, but faded in the late stages of the one-mile contest. This race looks much better-suited for her. #3 Sea Shanty (6-1) ran an improved brisnet figure second time out at Penn National, running a solid fifth with a 66 despite a slow beginning. She’s worked well at Fair Hill since early August as she prepares for her first start since June 12.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)
8-4-6-2 (DIRT; 8-9-1-2)
#8 Fair Plaisir (2-1) is lightly-raced, having competed just four times, and drops in for a tag for the first time. She was visually impressive against first-level foes at Colonial Downs last out, but her figure that day, a 78, would wins this. #4 Whispering Sea (5-2) closed well for second first time in for a tag last out, and now takes a further drop from the $45,000 level. She should at least rally for a share. #6 Kobe’s Smile (9-2) ran some big races towards the end of last year, and clearly needed her last start at Colonial, her first in ten months. She made a promising move on the turn, but flattened out and ended up beaten 2 1/2 lengths. With a race under her belt, she might be able to finish a winning move.
RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
5-8-2-1
#5 Noble Fish (4-1) has the highest ceiling of anyone in the field. He ran some big races at the start of his career last year, then showed some speed after a rough start first off a 13-month layoff last out. He looks the best of this sub-par bunch. #8 Win No Joke (5-2) got caught flat-footed in a four-furlong contest at Timonium last out and stood no chance from there, but he ran a game second against better in his last try on this track. #2 Super Bourbon (9-2) has plenty of early speed and should make the rail and the lead second off the bench.
RACE 4: CLAIMING $45,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
9-5-2-4 (DIRT: 1-7-8-11)
#9 The Paddock Pastor (6-1) closed from off a slow pace to win going away second time in the Brittany Russell barn last out. Though his winning figure, a 72, was not impressive, that might have been deflated by the dawdling first fractions. He should get a more honest tempo to close into here. #5 Missionaire (4-1) led a long way before settling for fourth in his last grass try, and sat the trip just off the leaders to win the start prior. Rather than put him in against first-level foes later in the card, Hugh McMahon has elected to drop him into this spot, which could be a shrewd move. #2 Live High Live Low (9-2) was sharp in victory at Monmouth Park two starts ago, and looks for a rebound after a dull effort against better last out, where he faded after an overland trip.
RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES
3-2-1-4
#3 Mosler Time (8-1) has a very high ceiling, having run figures of at least 88 three times this year, but can also drop into some unpleasant valleys. He faded after getting involved in a pace battle going shorter last out, but he’s shown promise going longer, and should find the pace situation easier here. #2 Disputed Claim (8-5) won the battle but lost the war last out. While he outfinished dueling partner The Band Runs On, he was outkicked late by Little Lance and forced to settle for second. Still, it was a big effort, and he should be prominent on or near the pace once again. #1 Cap Com (5-2) has improved in each of his last three starts, and will take full advantage if Mosler Time and Disputed Claim get tangled up in each other.
RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
10-5-8-2 (DIRT: 12-1-2-4)
#10 Switzer (9-2) surged and just missed in a wide-open starter optional claiming contest last out, handling the stretch-out from 5 1/2 furlongs to a mile without any problems. He shouldn’t have much trouble with the extra sixteenth here. #5 Blame the Tux (4-1) led for every step against Maryland-restricted rivals in his last grass try, and should once again be forwardly placed in what may be a prep for next month’s Maryland Million Turf. #8 Stellar Lute (6-1) often leaves himself with too much to do against these types, but he’s always a contender for the exotic spots.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS
1-3-5-2
Rather than try stakes company in last Sunday’s Rumson Stakes, Kelly Breen elected to ship #1 The Distractor (3-1) here from his Monmouth Park base. He’s won three of his last four starts, including a stalk-and-pounce victory last out. He wore down #5 Hurricane J (7-2) in that race, and with that rival looking like the main speed, a similar stalking trip is likely. #3 No Easy Days (9-2) had run in the 90s in each of his last five starts, the only one in the field to do so, and fought hard for an exciting win against solid second-level rivals last out. He’ll likely rate one path to the outside of The Distractor. Hurricane J set the pace and finished second to Recruiter in his last try. He’s sure to set the pace once again.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
5-1-2-3 (DIRT: 5-6-2-4)
#5 Tenebris (6-1) hasn’t raced on grass before, but he’s been in sharp form on dirt, with consistent figures in the 90s. He catches a soft field for his grass debut and his first start since late April, and if his form transfers over, he’ll win. #1 Outlaw Country (5-2) might have been outclassed in the Wolf Hill Stakes last out, but rallied from behind to beat a second-level field two races back, He looks much the best of those with established grass form. #2 Swill (7-2) outkicked Tidewater to beat second-level rivals last out, and races first off the Hugh McMahon claim from Jamie Ness. Jaime Rodriguez keeps the mount, however.
RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
3-1-5-6
#3 Empress Deona (8-1) has blistering early speed and has won gate-to-wire twice in her last four starts. Andrew Wolfsont comes in for the mount on this Pennsylvania-based filly, and is sure to be sent for speed. #1 Anonymously (5-2), who went on a win streak here last fall, makes her first start since a victory at this level at Pimlico on May 25. Tais Lyapustina gets the mount for the first time, and will likely have to rally her from off the pace. #5 Wonder Girl (5-1) switches back to dirt following a gate-to-wire win on grass last out. She just missed after a hard-fought duel in her last dirt start, against first-level foes at Pimlico in late May.
RACE 10: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
10-3-7-6 (DIRT: 5-8-10-1)
#10 Science (10-1) ran a career-best 85 in his last start, when he closed well from extremely wide at Delaware last out. He should enjoy the slight class drop after facing first-level foes lately. #3 Smitten Enough (15-1) has faded after showing speed in his last few races, but he was pressed by better in those spots, and is the main speed of this field. #7 Boss Is a Pal (2-1) has run in the 80s three times in his last four starts, including an even fourth against better at Colonial last out. Jamie Rodriguez gets back in the saddle; he rode him to victory the last two times he was aboard.
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