Laurel Park picks and ponderings: October 10, 2024
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers:
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,123
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,768
Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS
3-6-1-2
#3 Andras (4-1) ran a big race on debut at this level, battling in the lead and ultimately losing in a blanket finish. Improvement off that race likely means victory. #6 Pine Alley (3-1) showed little first off the Claudio Gonzalez claim in late May at Monmouth Park, and now returns from a trip to the sidelines. He’s faced better maidens in New York for most of his career, and should find this group easier to deal with. #1 Bells Are Ringing (6-1) pressed Andras last out and held fourth, beaten by less than a length, matching his career-top brisnet figure of 65 in the process. He should make things interesting on the lead once again
RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
10-4-5-6
This race features amateur jockeys. #10 Mariano (5-2) has been uber-consistent as of late, running in the low/mid-70s in each of her six grass starts. She just missed second in a blanket finish last out at Colonial Downs, and should make a late impact in this field. #4 Magnolia Wind (9-2) enjoyed the stretch-out around two turns last out, going gate-to-wire to break her maiden at Penn National. Look for her to once again be sent for speed. #5 Queen of the Dance (6-1) made solid ground off of slow fractions against similar in her last start, and will be a factor if she can stay somewhat close to the pace.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE
4-6-2-1
#4 Flashy Dude (8-5) continues his steady descent down the class ladder for Jamie Ness. He’ the only one in the field who has run at today’s distance, finishing third at it after racing near the pace. #6 Bright Charger (2-1) closed strongly on debut at Timonium, then got knocked around at the break last out and showed little. He should run a much-improved race here. #2 Imperial Brut (9-2) made solid ground for third in his dirt debut, and shouldn’t have much problem stretching out beyond six furlongs (relatively speaking).
RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
15-2-1-4
#15 Thursday Girl (6-1) has won her last two starts, both with lifetime-top figures in the mid-70s. She’s making her first start for the Brittany Russell barn, and should work out a trip near the pace from the outside. #2 Mollie Tapper (12-1) also cleared her non-winners od two condition last out, gobbling jp ground to win with a 78, just missing her lifetime-top figure. She’s in improving form, and should go off at a good price. #1 Little Josie Wales (10-1) has packed a great middle punch in her last two grass starts, and should get a nice setup from just off the leaders on the rail. However, she runs the risk of getting caught in traffic.
RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS
1-6-3-7
#1 Beach Cowboy (3-1) ran far and away a career-best 87 first off the Kieron Magee claim two starts back, but regressed on the Timonium bullring last out. He should improve on the return to the big track. #6 Beaver State (5-2) improved sharply in his first local start last out, after spending time in Kentucky to begin his career. He closed well for fourth with a career-best 82 that day, and now faces a field similar in quality to that one. #3 Lord of Mischief (4-1) has improved sharply in his last few dirt starts, and outfinished Beaver State for second in his last try.
RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-3-7-5
#6 Gift of Gab (5-2) has improved with each start this year, and has won two of her last three starts with stalk-and-pounce trips. She’s benefited from last paces in those performances, but she’s also faced slightly better rivals in those races. #3 Lily Simone (9-2) has finished behind Gift of Gab in her last two starts. She has the best late pace figures in the race, and should be good for at least a share. #7 Patria (8-1) battled on the pace and held in well against better at Aqueduct last out, and looks like the main speed of this contest.
RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)
8-12-3-6
#8 British Sea (5-1) has had trouble finishing off front-running trips in his last few starts at 1 1/8 miles or longer, but should have an easier time lasting at today’s distance. He should make the front easily and have little trouble from there. #12 Tabloid City (10-1) stepped it up by ten points at second asking last out, running a 68 in a solid fifth-place effort. He’s a viable exotics candidate at a good price. #3 Master Munnings (4-1) has run in the low-70s in each of his three grass starts, and finished a solid-closing third (ahead of Tabloid City) first time at this condition.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
6-5-1-3
#6 Bouncer (9-2) is the only one in the race to run in the 90s in each of his last two starts. He won going away against second-level rivals at Colonial two races ago, then finished third with a career-best 93 in his next try. #5 No Easy Days (9-5) won twice on this track at the summer meet, and looks for a rebound after a fourth-place finish last out behind a pair of Maryland Million combatants. The only bad races that #1 Petingas Twin (2-1) has run as of late came when he tried stakes company. His best self shines on this track against these types.
RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
6-7-1-9
#6 Repazz (6-1) has set the pace and held well in her last two grass tries. She’s fairly lightly-raced, and should keep moving forward. #7 Acqualina (8-1) lacked room after a staking trip last out, but closed well and missed by less than a length with smoother sailing in the race prior. She’ll try to make things interesting got Repazz. #1 Lorraine (10-1) held on for second going 1 1/2 miles first off a 5 1/2-month break at Delaware last out, and should work out a nice setup on the cutback.
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