Laurel Park picks and ponderings: October 31, 2024
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers:
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $15,806
Jackpot Super Hi 5 — $6,498
Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
7-5-13-4
We’ll kick off the final non-holiday Thursday of the meet with a grass sprint. #7 Sophisticated Cat (8-5) led most of the way and held second as the favorite in her local grass debut last out, outfinishing the other horses on a very fast pace. Her early pace figures appear fast enough to outrun these and set a more temperate pace. #5 Shared Authority (15-1) sat just off the pace and won going away on dirt at Timonium two starts back, and will be sure to take advantage if Sophisticated Cat falters. #13 Designer (9-2) is a perfect 2-for-2 on grass, and has not trailed at any point of call. The post is her only drawback, but as long as she doesn’t get caught up in a duel while wide, she’s a threat.
RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS
4-1-7-2
#4 Defined Boundaries (2-1), the experienced of the two Brittany Russell trainees in the field, improved dramatically when switched to dirt last out. He raced off the pace and held off a host of challenges to secure second, only unable to get by 1-5 favorite Wildncrazynight. He ran a brisnet figure of 84 that afternoon; unless someone runs a huge race on debut or takes a big step forward, he’ll be tough to beat. #1 Top Blood (8-1) came within shouting distance of that mark last out, running an 81 at this asking in a much-improved third-place effort. He chased well-regarded pacesetter Stoney and never stood a prayer of catching him, but hung around well in the late stages. He should be in the mix even if Defined Boundaries runs his usual race. #7 One Man Team (9-5), the other Russell entrant, cost $285,000 at auction last year for Bob LaPenta and Madaket Stables LLC, who sent him straight to Russell’s barn. He’s worked decently both here and at Fair Hill, and gets Jevian Toledo, Russell’s first-call Maryland rider this week, in the saddle. Watch the board with him.
RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)
7-14-2-9
12 horses in the main body of a grass race? I said yep, what a concept! #7 Put a Rock On It (5-2) was in a bit over her head in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap last out and didn’t make much of a late impact, but she had held her own against similar earlier this year, and should find this field much more amenable. She also gets a big rider switch to Jaime Rodriguez. #14 Romantic Story (15-1) stretches back out around two turns after a pair of solid 5 1/2-furlong tries earlier in the meet. She got caught wide throughout and held third against a similar field in early August, the last time she was seen at this condition and distance, so the outside post shouldn’t be a huge impediment. #2 Digital Trade (10-1) is one of three in here who hasn’t lost against winners, and looks like the best of that bunch, having converted a stalk-and-pounce trip to victory at Colonial Downs first off a six-month break. The runner-up and the third-place finisher in that race have since come back to win.
RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE
2-5-6-3
Note that, with the 8-race card, the late pick 5 begins here. #2 Youmakemecharlie (8-1) broke her maiden in sharp style from just off the pace at Colonial two races ago, then fall well off the early pace last out and proved little menace. She should improve here with a better trip and more distance. #5 Shkhara Fire (3-1) came from way downtown to win the Maryland Million Lassie last out, after showing improved late punch two races back. She hasn’t raced beyond six furlongs before, but she’s in improving form, and should turn in a game effort. #6 Moon Cache (7-2) went gate-to-wire to win at third asking last out. She was much the best on paper that day and ran like it; while this is a bit of a class test, the pace dynamics favor her.
RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
7-8-12-9
#7 Whiteknuckleflyer (7-2) has either won or just missed against slightly after in her last three starts, getting similar stalk-and-pounce trips each time. While it’s a step up in class on paper, her recent figures contend with these, and she should be involved late with her usual setup. #8 Diva Ready (5-2) chased the pace and finished second going longer when last seen on June 29. She returns off the bench in a shorter spot than usual, suggesting that trainer Bob Klesaris might be envisioning this race as a prep for a spot at Gulfstream Park next out. Still, she’s run well off the bench before, and cannot be discounted. #12 Latest Edition (9-2) ships from New York after fading on the pace against better in her last few starts. She’s run an 83 twice in her last three races, better than anyone else in the race has done at any point within their last three.
RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
1-12-7-5
#1 Tabloid City (6-1) closed better when he was able to save more ground last out, and now gets an idyllic draw. This lightly-raced gelding should make a late impact barring traffic trouble. #12 Raptor Razzle (12-1), another lightly-raced sort, drops to a career-low level, and ran respectable figures of 75 and 69 in his first two grass tries. He clipped heels and was taken out of contention last out at Charles Town, but should run a much-improved race switching back to grass. #7 Gold Aspen (3-1) led almost the whole way and held third first off a three-month layoff last out, and now makes his first start off the claim from Arnaud Delacour to Anthony Farrior. He’ll take them as far as he can, as fast as he can.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE
7-5-8-2
#7 War Master (6-1) ships back here off back-to-back victories at Parx, both times recovering from bad breaks to win going away. He looks like the type who will relish the long stretch of the one-turn mile. #5 Derbyness (5-2) was bred by War Master’s trainer, Jamie Ness, but has been trained by Brittany Russell for his last few starts. He hasn’t run worse than an 84 for her, including a determined victory after a wide trip first off a four-month break last out. He should sit close to the pace and pounce. If there was Maryland Million Classic future book betting, I would’ve sent it in on #8 Quint’s Brew (7-5) after a pair of big wins to start his career in March and April. However, he’s been limited to one race since, an uninspiring third in the Star de Naskra Stakes in late June. He’s worked very well since, and his peak race blows these out of the water, but I’ll take “wait-and-see” approach at low odds.
RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)
7-4-10-11
#7 Getaway Palace (5-2) has crossed the wire first in three of her last five starts in Pennsylvania. She showed a new dimension last out, coming from off the pace to win going away over next-out winner Jeanne Marie. #4 Inanna’s Quest (4-1) has run in the 80s in her last five starts, and has faced better in most of those spots. She’ll hope for a pace to run into (which she didn’t get last out when chasing the classy Paper Mansion). #10 Woohoo Jackie Blue (9-2) makes her first grass start for Jamie Ness, in her third start since getting claimed by that barn. She was very flat in her last grass try in late August, but morre than held her own against better earlier this year.
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