Video edited on Kapwing

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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $3,866
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-11-1-10

#12 Sugar Bee (7-2) won back-to-back grass races to begin her career last fall, and returns from a southern detour in which she only beat one horse in three races. This looks like a much more realistic spot. #11 Spoils of War (3-1) came from well off the pace to clear her non-winners of two condition in her last grass try, and either of her last two races on this surface last year contend against this bunch. #1 Hazelmoor Beach (20-1) was dismal in her two dirt starts earlier this season, but showed more life on grass last year, and is bound to improve with the surface switch at a good number.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-2-1

#6 Proud Divi (6-5) finally broke through for a gate-to-wire victory last out, her first win since joining the Jamie Ness barn earlier this year. She’s run a brisnet figure of 90 twice in her last three races, much better than anyone else in here is capable of. #4 Profitunity (7-2) has hit the board in her last six races, and has worked very well for her first start since mid-February at Penn National. #2 Dwelling Legacy (5-1) improved slightly to an 82 second off an eight-month layoff last out, pressing the pace andging around while being unable to pass the early leader. She’ll get another nice setup off what could be a contested pace; can she improve enough to finish the job this time?

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

6-5-13-7

#6 Empire’s Treat (3-1) ran some respectable races on grass at Woodbine last year, earning at least a 64 in every start on the surface, and showed speed and held fourth first off the layoff in early February. She’s the only one in here who has run well around who turns on grass and who has raced this year. #5 Laughing Fit (7-2) showed a strong closing kick in several tries last year, including a big effort off a very slow pace last out, and drops from the $30,000 level for her first start of the season. #13 Steam Knot (8-1) has speed from the outside and is also dropping class for her 2025 debut.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-8-9

#2 Half a League (7-2) makes his first start since mid-September at Delaware Park. He ran in the 70s twice last year, something no one else in the field has done in any of their recent starts. If he fires first off the bench, he’ll be very hard to beat. #1 Stormy Hollow (5-2) ran a game race at this level last out, getting involved in a three-way duel and holding on for third, losing by a head to one of his dueling partners. The draw isn’t great for a speedy horse like him, but he’s nonetheless going to be prominent on the front end. #8 Skylar’s Brother (5-1) got some time off after a dull effort in September to cap his 2024, and now makes his second start at this level. He ran some decent races against some nice horses last year, and has enough upside to contend in this low-level group.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-6-11-1

#10 Wine Collector (5-1) was a two-time winner on grass as a 2-year-old, which inspired his connections to take on stakes company numerous times in his freshman and sophomore seasons. However, he proved himself not capable of those types, and now drops for a tag for the first time on grass. This looks like a more realistic spot. #6 Missionaire (3-1) just missed at this level in his 2024 finale, and goes out for the dangerous Yedsit Hazlewood/Hugh McMahon jockey/trainer combo. #11 Classic Joke (8-1) is the most interesting horse in the race. He went off favored in his career debut on grass in August 2023, finished fourth after an awkward break, and hasn’t raced on the surface since. He’s done well in dirt sprints lately, running at least an 89 in each of his last three starts.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-15-16-6

#11 Homestead (5-2) isn’t really coming off a year-plus layoff. He raced in a training flat race in Middleburg a few weeks ago, and finished second. Keri Brion has parlayed similar moves into victories in the past, and there’s no reason she can’t do it again. #15 Nothingbutbluesky (10-1) was in an impossible spot on debut at Fair Grounds, forced to close off excruciatingly slow fractions. He still ran a respectable-for-the-level 68, and has worked well since arriving at Kelly Rubley’s Delaware base. #16 Gladstone (6-1) adds blinker second time out for Jane Cibelli, and looks to build off a solid 67 at first asking at Gulfstream. His dam was a stakes winner on grass, and has produced two winners on this surface.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

5-3-6-7

#5 Mischievousness (5-1) was dismal in the Stellar Wind Handicap first off a nine-month layoff last out, but she was in improving form at this time last year, including a career-best 86 in her maiden-breaking score in mid-May. She joined the Lacey Gaudet string after her las trace, and has put in two solid workouts for this race. She has a high ceiling, and that last race might drive up her price. #3 Weekend Wife (4-1) dazzled on debut for Tim Keefe, whose first-time starters rarely click. She ran an 88 that day, a very large figure for any firster around here. Keefe is not great with last-out maiden winners, but this one has shown enough talent to at least respect in this spot. #6 Dazzy (9-5) went off favored against better rivals at this condition last out, and missed by less than a length after racing on the early pace. You’ll get a better price than the even-money you would’ve gotten last time if you still believe.