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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $976
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $4,755
Late Pick 5 (races 4-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

5-1-8-10

We’re starting a racing week with this condition at this distance and surface for the second week in a row. It’s deja vu all over again! #5 Salted Carmel (8-1) broke his maiden second time on grass at Gulfstream Park last out, splitting rivals late to win in professional style. Keri Brion and Martin Chuan have teamed up to cross the wire first with a horse at the meet; however, he was later disqualified. Still, this one looks like he’s getting good at the perfect time. #1 Primed to Go (9-5) took advantage of a runaway loose leader last out and briefly hit the front when that rival tired. However, One Bite had a better late kick from further behind and finished ahead of this one by a nose. While this one probably won’t get as hot a pace to close into, he showed great form on grass throughout last year, and gets a fairly easy spot to return in. Be advised, however, the Duarte barn has been cold to start the meet- all five of their starters have missed the board. #8 Rector (8-1) was my top choice in this class last week, but he couldn’t get settled and showed little first off an 18-month break. Madison Meyers clearly wasn’t that bothered by that effort, as she wheels him back and switches pilots to Weston Hamilton. Look for a much-improved performance.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-4-1-2

Three of these exit the same race at this condition on April 5. #5 She Be Hoppin (5-2) was the only first-time starter in the field, but she received a decent amount of action at the windows, going off at 10-1. She showed some mild late life and just missed third with a very solid brisnet figure of 58. She might not have to improve much to beat this bunch. #4 Born Charmer (1-1) was no match for the impressive winner, On a Proud Note, in that April 5 contest, but she ran on well behind that runaway victress and finished a clear-cut second with a career-best 64. She’s shown slow and steady improvement throughout the year, and is certainly capable of getting the job done. #1 Sweet Izzy (12-1) looks the best of the three first-time starters, having worked well over the past few weeks for Brandon McFarlane. He doesn’t send out too many debuters, but he had one high-profile one fairly recently: 61-1 Miss Harriett in the 2023 Maryland Million Lassie.

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

13-7-5-6

#13 Jam’s Paper Moon (5-1) needs some help to draw into this race, but if she does, she’ll be very tough. She ran a 73 and an 81 in her two career grass starts, while no one in here has ever run better than a 72 on this surface. She’s worked well since her dismal last effort on the Gulfstream synthetic. #7 Delayed (9-5) drops for a tag fore the first time on grass, and showed some life on the lawn at Tampa Bay Downs for Graham Motion. Motion’s 5-for-10 in the money with his grass starters so far. #5 Clare Court (6-1) makes her grass debut for Madison Meyers. Her half-brother, Massif, was stakes-placed on grass, and her uncle, Marshall Eddy, won a listed stakes race on this surface.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-3-4-6

#7 Mucho Tigger (6-5) went off as the odds-on choice at this level last out, and finished second to gate-to-wire winner Dine and Dash. She improved sharply in that race to a career-best 76, and may get even better second off an 11-month layoff. #3 Girl Gone Wild (10-1) crossed the wire second last out, but was elevated to victory when the winner was disqualified after the fact for whipping violations. This one ran a big race on the rail on a day where the outside was the place to be, and showed more early speed that day than she ever had before. #4 Noel’s Dream (15-1) beat a very soft bunch at third asking last out, but nonetheless did so with a much-improved 70, and is the only one in the field who hasn’t lost against winners.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-4-2-12

#8 Happybirthdaycorey (15-1) stumbled at the start last out, got thrown well behind a very slow early pace, and had no chance to catch up. In her prior effort, she won after rating off the pace at Penn National going two turns. She has a great post from which to utilize her tactical speed, and gets the nod in a race where many of the contenders have question marks. #5 Coal Mine (5-1) raced on the disadvantageous April 12 rail last out and stopped badly, but ran an impressive 79 two races back. She worked a bullet four furlongs in 48 seconds flat on April 25, the fastest of 35 times at the distance. After a slow winter meet, trainer Troy Singh has done well at the spring stand so far. #7 Genieinabridle (9-5) finished a solid-closing second to odds-on choice Haleigh B last out with a career-best 84. However, she had a claim on her voided by the vet that day, and while she’s worked a mile since, it makes me somewhat wary, especially at low odds.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-3-6-13

#4 She Is Wisky (9-5) raced only once last year, a victory at this level towards the end of grass season. Phil Capuano claimed her out of that race, and drops her into a level where she should thrive. She beat allowance rivals twice in 2023 with marks in the 80s. #3 Catch the Kitten (5-1) ran figures just a notch below those of She Is Wisky last year, and has been racing on dirt all winter long, keeping her in good shape. Caitlin Keil has probably been waiting for a spot like this for a while. #6 Bali Kuta (4-1) faded after showing speed in the She Is Wisky race, but ran well on grass last year and has been working well at Keri Brion’s Fair Hill base (although she did not get a point-to-point prep).

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-4-7-2

#3 Frosted Dreams (5-2) was a clear-cut second behind the impressive Brittany Russell trainee Grayson’s Girl last out, but held sway for second, running in the 70s for the second time in as many career starts. She’ll have every chance to sit the trip and convert. #4 Cynthia Gail (8-1) improved sharply against a tough field at Colonial Downs at second asking last out, running a 70 after showing nothing on debut. She gets a distance test here, stretching out from six furlongs. #7 Oppose (9-2) made ground from well off the pace on debut at Gulfstream Park, and rallied well for third. She debuted at seven furlongs; her dam, Analyze, was a stakes winner going 1 1/16 miles.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

1-4-3-6

#1 Derbyness (8-5) was thrown out of his element after a bad start last out at Aqueduct, but recovered to win in the last jump. He’s run at least an 87 in each of his last three races, the only one in the field who’s come close to doing so. #4 Bold Diversion (12-1) was in over his head in the Federico Tesio Stakes last out, but he’s in improving form and has early speed. This looks like a much more realistic spot for him. #3 Bill of Rights (7-2) sat a great trip to beat starter optional claiming rivals last out, and will hope that Bold Diversion will make things interesting for Derbyness and set a hot pace.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-3-4-1

#2 Saint Grace (6-1) got bet on debut at Charles Town, going off as the 5-2 second choice as the lone firster in the field. Odds-on choice Sunshine Hazel broke on top and ran them off their feet in the 4 1/2-furlong contest, but Saint Grace ran on very well and got up for second by a neck after sitting in third in the early stages. She looks primed to improve second time out. #3 Riley’s Cry Baby (8-1) showed speed and backed up first off a 7 1/2-month layoff last out, but has a bullet workout since than and adds Lasix for her second race of the season. She ran a big race on debut after getting pressed on the pace on Timonium opening day last year. #4 Notiptoni (8-5) has had her chances (0-for-11 lifetime with five runner-up finishes), but she’s been in improving form at Gulfstream and is also first-time Lasix.

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