Laurel Park picks and ponderings: February 2, 2025

Video edited on Kapwing

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $984
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-6

#2 Without Pretence (2-1) closed gamely and just missed in his last start against non-winners of two claimers, with a career-best brisnet figure of 88. He’s struggled in his last two starts against allowance company, while running figures are competitive with these. He should relish the class drop. The 1-for-15 record of #1 Great Heavens (5-2) is superficially unsightly, but he’s also been butting heads with much better in his recent times. He has solid early pace figures, and may be sent for speed from the rail in a race without a ton of early foot. #4 Betta Go Go Go (5-1) broke his maiden at 16th asking a few races back, and has since finished second against non-winners of two rivals three times in a row. His figures are a sneeze below those of the top two, so he looks like a good type to key in the underneath spots.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-3-6

#2 Lachicafortequila (7-5) went off favored at this level last out, and just missed after closing well off a slow pace. There isn’t much speed in here, either, so she might find herself pace-compromised once again. Nonetheless, she’s in improving form and merits the nod in this group. Speaking of speed, #1 Empire’s Treat (8-5) was somewhat close to the pace in her last two starts against similar at Woodbine, and just missed in both efforts. Jaime Rodriguez gets aboard for her local debut, and may try to put her into play from the rail. The aforementioned two will take the vast majority of the play. If you’re looking for an alternative to the two chalks, try #3 Storm Creed (6-1), who was a solid, chasing third behind Lachicafortequila in her first try at this distance, and has crossed the wire first in her career.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-7-5

After a few dull tries, #2 Johnnyfrenchfri (8-5) found his best self last out, going gate-to-wire to beat a better field at this level with a sharp 94. He’s likely to make the rail and the lead and just keep going. #1 P Money (3-1) fought very hard to win in an exciting finish at Mahoning Valley last out. His only bad dirt race within his last few starts came when he got caught very wide at Charles Town, which is seldom a winning trip. Here, he’ll be able to save ground off the pace on the rail. #7 Dathoss (5-1) ran a solid 88 at Parx last out, but couldn’t convert a great stalking trip off a duel. He’ll be able to outkick the others for a minor share here, but I don’t think he can run down Johnnyfrenchfri.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-2-6-3

With eight races today, this race begins the late pick 5. #4 Drifting (8-1) showed a bit of zip on debut, chasing the pace before fading. Runner-up Wine and Roses came back to break her maiden against straight maidens on January 24. She gets the call in a race with some vulnerable favorites. #2 Lady Sriracha (5-1) has run in the 70s in each of her last three starts, showing speed and hanging around for shares each time. However, be advised trainer Michael Moore is only 5-for-41 with his Maryland runners since the start of 2023. #6 Big Earn (9-5) stopped in her first two starts off a year-plus layoff, but has shown ability in the past, and might eb ready to wake up third off the bench.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-3-5-8

#6 Hagrid’s Flame (6-5) made his first start for the Ness barn a winning one last out, recovering from an awkward break to beat fellow New York-breds at Aqueduct. He has the best early pace figures in a race without a lot of speed, so Jaime Rodriguez might elect to put him into play early. #3 Cap Com (5-1) was scratched out of a tough first-level race on Friday to run here. He’s finished third in each of his last four starts, losing to much better than the ones he’ll see today. #5 Concrete Faze (10-1) just missed last out when trying to close off very slow early fraction, so she probably wouldn’t be bothered too much if Hagrid’s Flame really slows down the pace.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-2-5

The stock of #1 Alias (7-5) got a boost last Saturday when Pay Billy, who beat Alias last out, came back to trounce a first-level field last Saturday. He’s run in the 80s in each of his first two starts, which no one else in the field has never done, and the Brittany Russell barn has been doing good work with 3-year-old maidens this week. #7 Change My World (6-1) was fifth behind Alias after a wide trip last out. Mary Eppler gave him a solid gate workout last Sunday, puts blinkers on him, and names Jaime Rodriguez to ride for the first time. All those moves suggest that this one might be sent for speed. #2 Annihilate ‘Em (6-1), not to be confused with the 1973 Travers Stakes winner, has worked well gong five and six furlongs for Jerry Robb. While he might want more distance down the road, he should at least turn in a good account of himself on debut.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-6

#1 Esroh (8-1) closed well for third against much better rivals last out, and has run at least a 76 in two of her last three starts. She couldn’t make the front last out, but has plenty of early speed and won her debut after battling on the pace. Her main challenge for the lead will come from her direct outside, in #2 Eccentric (2-1). She led for every step to break her maiden two races back, then sat the trip just off the pace and drew off to win at this level last out. We’ll see how much Xavier Perez wants to engage Esroh in the early stages. #4 Can Do (5-1) went gate-to-wire to break her maiden at second asking while showing sharp improvement, and should also be part of the early pace.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-4-2-3

A few of these exit the same race at this condition on December 28. #7 Girl Gone Wild (5-2) went off at 8-1, making her easily the most well-bet of the three firsters, and closed well to grab fourth behind a gate-to-wire winner. She should improve first off the Kieron Magee claim. #4 My Sassy Valentine (2-1) went off favored in that December 28 race, and finished a pace-chasing third while running in the 60s for the third time in a row. She’s run into some sharp winners in her last few starts, and hopes this is a bit of a softer bunch. #2 Sippin’ Time (3-1) got second over Girl Gone Wild and My Sassy Valentine last out, but her 0-for-18 career record is cause for pause.

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