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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-3-2

Today marks the first day of the spring meet. #7 Docsgotallthecandy (5-2) led almost the whole way at 16-1 last out and held third, for his second consecutive strong effort of the season. He had to work for the lead in that race, as several other rivals on paper had abundant early speed. This time, he’s got the best early pace figures in the field. #8 City Panda (8-1) ran a solid-closing fifth in his last start at this level two races ago, with a career-best brisnet figure of 65. He shipped down to Colonial Downs last out, and didn’t make much of an impression on a strip that was favoring speed all weekend. He returns to more familiar ground here, and could shake up the exotics at a price. #3 Defined Boundaries (3-1) was a distant second at 4-5 in his first start at this level last out, and makes his first start since that January 26 tilt. No Brittany Russell trainee can ever be disregarded, but this one would have to step up a few points to catch Docsgotallthecandy.

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

1-5-3-6

#1 Mister Agent (5-2) has been keeping pretty tough company in his last few starts, with his running lines showing him losing to the likes of Monday Morning Qb, Shape Note, and Nancy Made My Day, all very solid starter optional claiming types. This one will relish the class relief, and looks fast enough to take them gate-to-wire. #5 My Mamba (7-2) wore down the tough speedball Johnnyfrenchfri to win two starts ago, but was completely flat in his last try against better. He was claimed out of that effort by Kieron Magee, and is eligible to rebound here. Take out his last race, and is recent form isn’t that far away from Mister Agent’s. #3 The Wolfman (6-5) beat a similar field to this one two starts back, and finished a pace-chasing second last out at Charles Town. He can easily repeat that last effort behind Mister Agent.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-4-7-3

#2 Falcon Blue (6-1) ran a big race on debut – unusual for a Tim Keefe-trained horse – closing well for third with a sharp 78. He finished last in her most recent try at Colonial, but that was in a tough maiden field where, as noted above, it was hard to make up ground. He finished 2 3/4 lengths behind the winner, so it’s not as if he was completely flat. He adds Lasix here and looks poised for a career-best performance. #4 Foggy Dew (5-2) ran a strong-closing second on debut last April, finishing by far the best of the four first-time starters in that field. He finished in between Rainy Skies and Irish Hero that day, both of whom have won multiple races since. This one hasn’t raced since then, but he’s been on the worktab for a while, and finally looks ready to return for Eveline Kjelstrup (it’s not really a trainer change; Kjelstrup took over Rodney Jenkins’s string). He’ll be a threat if he improves even a bit off that debut. #7 St Pete’s Passion (2-1) has consistently run in the 80s in his last few starts at Parx and Delaware Park, but good form there doesn’t always transfer here. He appears to be the only active horse in the barn of trainer Clyde Martin. Martin did well here when he had a bigger string, with a 7-for-24 record with his Laurel starters between 2016 and 2019.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-6-2

#4 Sunflower State (5-2) broke her maiden in sharp fashion on this strip last July. In her first start since then last out, she closed admirably at 66-1 in a Virginia-restricted allowance at Colonial. That race was won by Green Eyed Monster, who won at this level in late February. This one should move up second off the layoff. #7 Itsamonstamash (9-5) was fifth in the same race Sunflower State exits, and lost to Green Eyed Monster by a nose in her start prior. She has dangerous early speed, and will try to cross and clear from her outside draw. #6 Can Do (6-1) beat softer winners easily last out. Her only bad recent race came when she got entangled in a duel two starts ago. If she can rate off the leaders (as she did last time), she’ll be a threat.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-7-1-5

#3 Hittheroadjak (5-2) dropped back into allowance company last out, and found a group he could beat, trouncing a second-level field with a career-best 100. He has great late pace figures, and is likely to sit an excellent trip just off the leaders. #7 Secret Zipper (4-1) has won his last four starts in gate-to-wire fashion, and is the only one in the race to run at least a 95 in each of his last three races. He could easily take this bunch all the way. #1 Windsor Gold (3-1) would’ve been one of the favorites in next Saturday’s Frank Whiteley Stakes, so it’s interesting to see him here. He ran a huge race at Parx last out, wearing down the ever-dangerous Spikezone at seven furlongs. That rival came back to finish second to Rominski in his next start. Perhaps Michael Moore really wants to run him at a one-turn mile?

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-6-3

#2 Rad Paisley (9-2) has abundant early speed, a good draw, and has worked well for his first start since opening day. A clean break likely means victory. #4 King’s River (15-1) simply might not be fast enough early to win at six furlongs, but he has great late pace figures, and would take advantage if Rad Paisley gets collared and is forced to duel. #6 Goodluckchuck (3-1) is set for his 2025 debut, after closing last year’s campaign with back-to-back wins in Ohio for Jay Bernardini, the leading trainer in that state. This will be his first start for the Robby Bailes barn. Bailes quietly had a great winter meet, hitting at a 23% clip. 

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

5-2-6-3

#5 Dazzy (9-5) ran into a few very tough horses last out, including the absolute buzzsaw Takethemoneyhoney. Even though it’s not a class drop on paper, this is significant class relief. Of course, any horse Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez team up with is dangerous. #2 Navani (9-2) rallied to win first off a brief layoff at Penn National last out, and won going the one-turn mile last September. This distance and class look perfect for her. #6 Skip Thru Da Fire (6-1) gets a distance test after competing at six and seven furlongs as of late, but she’s been in sharp form against much better in her last two races.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-2-3

#6 Levisa (2-1) led the whole way last out, led almost the whole way two races ago, and has easily the best early pace figures in this race. #1 Fainor’s Filets (3-1) lost to a pair of much-the-best, odds-on favorites in her last two starts in R Averie Lynn and Haleigh B. She’ll rate just off the pace on the inside and take advantage of Levisa falters. #2 Yumyum Eat Em Up (7-2) got up to beat Levisa in her last start with a rail-riding trip, for her first victory since last November. She has great late speed, but she’s often forced to time her moves just right. If she wins, it’ll likely be in very dramatic fashion.

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