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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $5,342
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-2-9-1

We know we lived through it, to get to this moment: the start of grass season! #6 Storm Force (5-1) was completely buried in two tries on grass at Fair Grounds this spring, and now finds himself in a softer spot in his return to the mid-Atlantic. He ran two brisnet figures in the low-70s on the Maryland grass last year, and he’ll be tough to beat if he returns to that kind of form. #2 Kaladin (6-1) showed some promise in his first start of the year going six furlongs at Colonial Downs last out. He has some early speed from a good post, and although he’s never run on grass before, one of his siblings has a victory on this surface (two more have tried it without winning, however). #9 Tyson’s Delivery (12-1) is also making his first start on grass. He showed speed and ran a career-best race at third asking last out. His dam was a three-time winner on grass, and his only sibling to race also won on the lawn.

RACE 2: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-3-6-4

If #5 Paula’s a Star (6-5) runs back to either of her last two races, she’ll bury these. She broke her maiden in gate-to-wire style two races ago at Aqueduct with an 87, then led most of the way and held third against the boys in the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes next out. She would’ve been a contender in the stakes-quality open allowance last Saturday, but Tom Morley has elected to try her in easier waters, and who can blame him? Maddy Olver, who rode her in her last two starts in New York, is coming down for the mount, which is very encouraging. If she wins this impressively, we might see her in the Miss Preakness Stakes. #3 Itsamonstamash (5-1) has run well in both of her races here this year, including a game victory last out after getting entangled in a three-way duel. Don’t be alarmed by the voided claim last out; it was voided for administrative reasons, according to the chart. #6 Lift the Lid (12-1) was bumped and rushed up against similar last out, and subsequently faded. She should run an improved race with a clean break, and she’s shown a high ceiling when she’s on or near the pace after a good start.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-9-3-8

#6 Southampton Dock (9-2) showed plenty of promise on grass last year, running in the 80s three time sin four starts on this surface. Many of these struggle to crack that barrier at all. She finished an even third first off a two-month break at Penn National last out, and that spot should set her up perfectly for today. #9 Princess Buttercup (7-2) crushed the field at fourth asking at Tampa Bay Downs last out, running an improved figure for the third race in a row. Her and fellow Graham Motion trainee Hidden Presence are the only ones in the field who have not lost against winners and have won this year, but only Princess Buttercup did so on grass. #3 Minari (8-1) broke her maiden on this grass course last October, closing from off a very slow pace. Keri Brion gave her a prep at Gulfstream Park in late February that should set her up well for this race. Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-4-5

#6 Tycoon Mogul (4-1) rallied well and just missed last out behind Artillery Gunnar, who looked much the best on paper going into that race, and would be a big favorite here. This one’s only bad race came in the slop at Parx. He’ll get a fast track today, and we’re talking about crabcakes, not cheesesteaks. #8 Ellinger (3-1) broke his maiden in impressive fashion at Monmouth Park last August, then went off favored in what provedto be a salty first-level race next out. However, he was eased after getting into traffic trouble and hasn’t been seen since that mid-September effort. It’s a bit alarming that Brittany Russell, who claimed him for $62,500 out of that race, has put him in for $20,000 here, but she’s won with similar moves in the past. It’s a largely inconsistent bunch, so all he has to do is build a little bit off of that maiden win, and he’ll win this. #4 Zero Blitz (5-1) was scratched out of a spot against older rivals on Sunday to run here. He looked like much the best on paper last out and ran like it, crushing the field to break his maiden at second asking with a career-best 75. Arnaldo Bocachica is back in the saddle on this Anthony Farrior trainee, which is always a good sign.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

11-5-8-12

The early pick 5 is bookended by two divisions of the same maiden claiming race, both of which are somewhat baffling (this one especially so). #11 Align (2-1) has run just once on grass, earning a 71 in a respectable effort against straight maidens last fall. He’s run well against similarly soft maidens on dirt as of late, despite his trouble with changing leads. #5 Kevin of Blackrock (30-1) has shown little in two starts on dirt, but his pedigree suggests he’ll like grass. His dam, Sassy Love, won on grass and finished second in the 2005 Maryland Million Ladies. Second dam Love and Kisses also won on grass (at Arlington Park in June 1980), and this one is a half-sibling to two winners on the sod, including stakes-placed Judi Blue Eyes. His sire, Holy Boss, also has respectable numbers with grass runners, with his progeny winning at 12% first time on the lawn. #8 Moonflyer (5-1) ran in the low-70s on grass consistently last year, and showed some late life in two tries going longer on this surface towards the end of the campaign.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-6-10

#3 Valerie Street (6-1) made good ground on debut at Colonial. She came from way off the pace and just got up for third. She’s put in two solid workouts since that March 14 effort, and gets to face an easy field for this level which includes four first-time starters. #4 Cross of Valor (4-1) has shown speed and hung around admirably in her last two starts. She looks fast enough to cut over to the rail and the lead and work out an idyllic setup. Cutting back from seven furlongs to six should also help. #6 Teddy’s Lucky Girl (12-1) is a first-time starter for Tim Keefe. He’s not known for success first time out, but Keefe has won with two debuters in the past month, so anyone he sends out at first asking suddenly merits respect. This one is a half-sister to millionaire Eastern Bay and has worked well, though Keefe’s regular rider Forest Boyce will not be available to ride.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-12-4-9

#1 Funny Lady (5-1) broke her maiden in sharp style at Fair Grounds two races ago, then lost a blanket finish for third next out in a tough first-level race at that track. The winner, Hey Bertie, is a promising undefeated filly for Cherie DeVaux, while runner-up Bet Towinit beat Louisiana-bred allowance rivals at Evangeline Downs next out. This one should get a nice setup just off the pace on the rail. #12 Gata Brazil (9-2) comes out of the same race at Fair Grounds. She went off favored that day in her first start off a seven-month break, but got caught wide all the way and finished three-quarters of a length behind Funny Lady. She won easily on this track last summer and has plenty of room to improve, but she runs the risk of another overland trip from her draw. #4 Lily Simone (8-1) didn’t win at this level last year, but hit the superfecta five times. She has great late speed, and that should be good enough for at least a slice.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1A-2-5-3

#1A Stronsino (3-1) looks like the much better half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry. He dazzled in his local debut last out, making a powerful move to the front from just off the pace to win by almost seven lengths with a career-best 96. Runner-up Derbyness came back to win on Sunday at Aqueduct. He should get another idyllic trip near the lead and win by daylight. #2 Little Lance (12-1) turned in an admirable effort chasing gate-to-wire winner Secret Zipper last out in a field similar to this one. He’s closed well in his last few starts a one-turn mile and now cuts back here from 1 1/16 miles. #5 Be Better (9-5) is a stakes winner on this track and has tons of backclass, but hasn’t raced since last year’s Pimlico Special.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-5-3-9

#2 Cyber Ninja (12-1) got an uncharted prep for this spot, finishing third over the jumps at the Old Dominion Hounds point-to-point on April 5. He ran in the 90s in his last three pari-mutuel starts last fall. While he might want more distance than this, he’s the best horse in this race by a lot on pure talent. #5 Eff Thirty Five (2-1) finished a hard-charging second second off a brief layoff at Fair Grounds last out, and likely would’ve won on this track last year if he didn’t get caught in traffic. He’ll be explosive late as long as he has a place to run. #3 Point Dume (4-1) hasn’t run on grass before, but he’s gone gate-to-wire in his last two starts on dirt, and could easily wire this field as well without much other speed.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-9-4-7

#1 Irish Hero (8-5) wired a softer field from the rail last out, and there’s no one in here who can hope to keep up with him early. He can only beat himself. #9 Bigdaddysboy (6-1) ran disastrously when stretched out to 1 1/16 miles last out, but he’s been in much better form around one turn. He’ll greatly appreciate the distance cutback. #4 Sumo (8-1) had no punch whatsoever against a similar field last out, but ran in the 80s consistently prior to that, and will be a threat if he can shake off that last effort.

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