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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 7-11) — $4,176
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $1,270
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

2-12-10-13

Madison Meyers and Matilda Burnham have both popped with longshots on the grass in the first two days of the season. They’re teaming up here with #2 Rector (6-1) in his first start since November 2023. He took a maiden claiming field gate-to-wire in his last start, and though he hasn’t races in a while, he’s had three good workouts this month. There’s not much establishes form in this field, so if he shows speed and runs his race first off the bench, he’s dangerous. #12 Arctic Outbreak (8-1) has also never lost against winners, having broken his maiden with a bold, wide rally last November. He’s actually crossed the wire first twice on grass, but was disqualified at Colonial Downs last summer. Chuck Lawrence puts him on Lasix for the first time. #10 Homer Jones (2-1) had up-and-down form on this surface last year, but takes a drop in class for his 2025 debut for the Mike Trombetta barn, always dangerous with grass runners, of course. This one has shown good cruising speed, and may get a nice trip in midpack.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

7-6-3-5

Tim Keefe doesn’t usually do well with first-time starters, but he certainly meant business with #7 Lazy Days (8-1) in her debut on March 23. She was bet early and often, and though she floated up late, the early action proved a clue. She broke on top and destroyed the field by 8 3/4 lengths. She might not get as easy a time on the lead in that debut, considering no one else had a whiff of early speed in that race, but the ability is there. #6 Sassafrasness (7-2), a half-sister to Speedyness, broke her maiden at first asking two starts back, defeating recent winners Seaside Road and Ready for Magic in the process. She was in over her head last out, but now drops to a more realistic level. #3 Nancy Mary (6-1) hit the board against better rivals in her first two starts of the year, and looks to benefit from class relief.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-9-10-12

#8 Somnium (6-1) has tons of grass pedigree. She’s a half-sister to grass stars Caravel and Witty. Another brother, Mission Man, is a six-figure earner on grass, and year-older half-brother Enzo finished second in a similar spot on Saturday. This one has run well both on the pace and off of it in her two-race career, coming from way out of it to just miss in her lone grass start last October. She looks like she’ll get better with experience , and should be able to master these. #9 Souper Upgrade (8-1) didn’t show much in two dirt starts last year, but should improve with the surface switch. Her dam and two half-siblings have won on grass. #10 Drifting (20-1) ran by far a career-best race third time out at Colonial last out, setting fast early fractions and holding on to cross the wire second. Jose Betancourt keeps the mount, and should send her once again.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-4-5-6

#1 Yara’s Quest (2-1) showed a lot of heart ton win on debut last November, and makes his first start since a fifth-place effort in what ended up being a salty Heft Stakes. He’s worked well at Colts Neck Stable since mid-March, and his works have looked sharper and sharper. #4 Toto’s Mojo (3-1) definitely needed his last start, his first in 7 1/2 months. He chased the very impressive Slam Notion and held third. He ran brisnet figures in the low/mid-80s twice as a 2-year-old last year, gets class relief second off the bench while Yara’s Quest is good, I don’t think he’s quite as dangerous as Slam Notion , and must be respected. #5 Lifting (6-1) got roughed up at the start last out going 1 1/16 miles, and was no factor from there. He should run much better cutting back around one turn, although he’s never gone shorter than seven furlongs.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-4-2-12

Richie Blue and Milan Milosevic have probably had this spot for #3 Chattolanee Spring (10-1) circled for a while. She’s a half-sister to five grass winners. She improved to a career-best 80 on dirt last out, and no one in here has ever run that fast on grass. As long as her form transfers over, and there’s no reason to believe it won’t, she’ll win. #4 In This Moment (2-1) made a decent move to the front first off a six-month break last out at Gulfstream Park, but rust caught up to her and she flattened out. She still ran a career-best 78 that day, and may improve further first time in the Brittany Russell barn. #2 Mizzoula (3-1) makes her first start for Kerri Raven, and profiles as the main speed.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-7-4-10

This is the only race of the day not in a pick 5 sequence, which is a shame, because it’s a fantastic race. #3 Motskari (5-1) made good ground in each of his last two starts at this condition, and goes first off the claim for Anthony Farrior, who named Arnaldo Bocachica to ride. That trainer/jockey combination teamed up to win with a 12-1 shot last Friday. #7 Admit Nothing (5-2) conceded nothing in the stretch last out at this level, losing a stretch battle to 9-10 chalk Forrest City, who saved ground while Admit Nothing raced wide. This one matched his career-best mark of 81 that day; the other time he ran that fast was at today’s distance. #4 Super Needy (15-1) may not have liked the extremely wet conditions last out, but ran well against non-winners of two types prior to that, and has shown good early speed.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-2-8-4

Another race, another Meyers horse with speed I’m picking on top. 10-year-old veteran #1 Tom Hagen (5-2) went gate-to-wire twice on this track last year, and has by far the most early speed of anyone in here with established grass form. He’s won his season debut before, so the six-month layoff shouldn’t be a concern. #2 Mr. Matuschek (8-1) closed behind Tom Hagen a few times last year. While I don’t know if his kick is good enough to get past Tom Hagen if he runs his race, the rest of these are no great shakes on grass, and he should be able to get up for a share at a decent price. The other Meyers trainee, #8 Kendama (7-2), drops in class after facing better throughout last year. He has good tactical speed and will get first jump if his stablemate falters.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-10-7-8

This is a semi-class drop for #6 Suremeanttobe (3-1). He’s never been in a maiden claiming race before, but because he’s a Maryland-bred, he’s not in for the tag. He held his own on the lead against a tough field on Virginia Derby day at Colonial Downs, and is the only one in the race to run in the 80s twice. It’s not hard to imagine him drawing away from these after setting the pace. #10 Blo By’em (12-1) has an ironic name, considering he’s had trouble passing horses in the stretch. However, his last effort was his best. He jumped up to run a career-best 84 last out, finishing second in a similar spot to this one where he never changed leads. The winner of that race set dawdling fractions by six-furlong standards, and this one should get a more honest pace to close into. #7 Falcon Blue (5-1) was pace-compromised going a mile last out, but still just missed his career-best mark with a 77. He’d also benefit if Suremeanttobe got pressured.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-1-5

#6 Prado Road (6-5) ran into a buzzsaw in Suga Steve two starts back, then became the buzzsaw himself last out, crushing a Maryland-restricted field with a career-best 94. This is a similar field to what he saw last time, and he shouldn’t have much trouble with this group, either. Only the two-month layoff might slow him down. #3 Heard On Thestreet (2-1) was an easy winner against Maryland-restricted rivals last out, albeit with only an 89. His only bad recent figure came in the Point Dume race, when he took up a bit on the turn and never got involved thereafter. He’s a good alternative if you want to try and beat the favorite. #1 Without Pretence (10-1) was an easy winner first off a seven-week break at Penn National last out. He put in a bullet workout here on April 16, going four furlongs in 47 2/5. He worked in company with Mr. Matuschek, so if that one runs well earlier today, it’ll boost this one’s stock. They outworked the likes of Malibu Beauty, Slam Notion, and Shaft’s Bullet, among others.

RACE 10: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-3-8-5

#4 Katie’s Notion (4-1) found his best stride towards the end of last year, winning two of his last three starts with dramatic late rallies. Jorge Ruiz, who’s off to a strong start on the lawn and rode him to victory last year, gets back in the saddle. #3 Benny Havens (8-1) also ran his best races towards the end of last year, with three consecutive figures in the 80s to cap his season. He faces a fairly easy field for his season debut, but he’s allergic to winning. He’s lost 38 races in a row, including a third-place effort to Katie’s Notion last November. That said, his figures merit inclusion for underneath slots. #8 Incinerator (5-1) won twice against softer on the Colonial sod last year, and has raced somewhat recently, with his last start coming in late February. He’ll get a nice trip on or near the leaders.

RACE 11: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-5-1

#7 My Mamba (7-2) was outclassed by The Wolfman last out, but ran on well and finished a clear-cut second, running in the 80s for the second time in his last three starts. He may improve further second off the Kieron Magee claim. #3 Captain Cardo (12-1) has run his best recent figures at this distance and has a solid late kick, which is perfect for a race which might feature a contested pace. #5 Beach Cowboy (8-1) takes a drop from starter optional claiming foes for his second start against winners, and has the best early pace figures in this bunch. If anyone will sneak away and control the pace, it’s him.

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