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) — $1,606
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $5,693
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-3-6-1

My top two choices in here are both making their 2025 debuts, and competed against each other on October 27. #8 Rye Diggitydog (5-2) may have been best in that spot. He had nowhere to go int he stretch, unsuccessfully attempted to create his own hole in the lane, changed paths several times, and rallied well when clear to lose in a headbob photo. He went to the sidelines after one dirt try in late November, and has been working well over the past few weeks for Hugh McMahon. #3 Freestanding (6-1) finished third after racing wide throughout in that spot, and hasn’t raced since then. He was in improving form last year and packs a strong middle punch, but he’ll need a well-timed ride from Daniel Centeno. If nothing else, he might be the one saving ground while Rye Diggitydog gets caught wide. #6 Boretti (3-1) has been racing well as of late going long on dirt, and ran a strong brisnet figure of 80 in his last grass start at Saratoga last summer.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-6-5

This is the first 2-year-old race of the Maryland season. Everyone in here’s a first-time starter, so it’s a little bit of a guessing game, but #4 Rerun Table (2-1) has about as good a win-early profile as it gets. He’s by Blofeld, who is excellent with first-time starters, winning at an 18 percent clip. Of this one’s four winning half-siblings, two of them won on debut, and the other two won at second asking, all as 2-year-olds. Trainer John Salzman Jr. is known for getting his horses ready early, with this one turning in a bullet workout at three furlongs last Friday. Everything’s adding up to a big effort. Xavier Perez was named on both Jerry Robb runners, and he picked #3 Romeo (5-2). This one has one fewer workout than stablemate #6 G Q Worthy (7-2), but has been going in very sharp times, most recently a three-furlong drill in an impressive 36 2/5. All six of G Q Worthy’s stablemates

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

1-15-11-10

#1 Kake’s Arrow (2-1) went gate-to-wire at Fair Grounds last out, running in the 80s for the third time in five career two-turn grass starts. He got away with very friendly fractions that day, but there’s not a lot of speed in the main body of the field, so he’s got a great chance at getting his desired trip. #15 He’s Got Swagger (7-2) will need some help to draw into this race, but he’ll be tough if he does. He held his own against better grass runners in Kentucky last year, consistently running in the mid-80s. He didn’t show much on dirt at Oaklawn Park last out, but he probably needed the race, considering it was his first start in 10 1/2 months. He’ll run much better with a race under his belt and a switch back to his preferred surface. #11 Steady John (10-1) ran well in both of his grass starts last year, including a victory at Delaware Park and a fourth-place effort in a salty bunch to cap his season. He’s only had one workout this year, so he might need a race, but the ceiling is high.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-2-3

#6 Spirited Ride (6-5) was second at this level last out with Angel Cruz up, but now gets Arnaldo Bocachica to ride. Whenever he comes in for a mount, it’s bad news for the opposition. #4 Please Marry Me (3-1) probably wants to go longer, but her early speed cannot be discounted. She’ll definitely lead them for at least a while. #2 Eccentric (10-1) was well-beaten by unconditioned 3-year-old claimers in her last two starts, but she showed some signs of life earlier in the season, including back-to-back victories on this track. She’ll sit near the pace and take advantage if and when Please Marry Me stops.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-3-12-11

#2 Hysterics (9-5) dropped to this level for the first time at Gulfstream Park last out, and finished second after chasing the pace. She ships up here for the dangerous Jorge Ruiz/Graham Motion combo, and should sit a great trip on or near the pace on the rail. #3 Lyric Street (8-1) has run terribly in her two one-turn starts, but turned in respectable efforts in both of her two-turn tries at Fair Grounds late last year. She’s making her grass debut here and her second start for the Mike Trombetta barn, and will be a factor if she takes to this surface at all. #12 Bella Estrela (12-1) showed speed and held fourth in her grass debut on this track last August, and will assuredly be put into play once again by Mychel Sanchez.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

9-1-6-10

#9 Shaft’s Bullet (8-1) won three times in four starts on this track last year against similar rivals, with figures of qt least 96 in each win. He was dismal in his first start of the season, but that was a six-furlong race against the likes of Rominski. He was totally out of his element, especially since it was his first race in nine months. He’s worked twice since being scratched in early March, and should at least be closer to a peak effort. #1 Wild Vine (6-1) won at this level first off the Jamie Ness claim last out. He’s inconsistent, but his best contends with these. #6 Post Time (2-5) is obviously the marquee name in the field. He was named the 2024 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year after winning four stakes races and placing in three grade 1s. Sheldon Russell, who had been riding Derby starter Render Judgment, stayed around here to ride him rather than make the trek to Louisville. At first glance, he looks unbeatable, but his presence here makes no sense. He may have been favored in tomorrow’s Westchester Stakes and would have stood a chance in today’s Churchill Downs Stakes, not to mention other spots on other weekends. Why here? He could be a bit short and still win, but at 1-20, I have to give others a look.

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-1-5-9

Speaking of stakes, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see at least one of these wheel back in the Dinner Party Stakes in two weeks’ time. #8 Forever Souper (5-2) was a four-time stakes winner last year, including the Prince George’s County Stakes on this track. He was the odds-on choice against Florida-breds in his 2025 debut at Tampa Bay Downs, but he was cautiously handled in the stretch by Paco Lopez and was passed by his stablemate late. He should be more cranked up second off the bench. #1 Dataman (2-1) also enjoyed great success last year, and captured last year’s Henry Clark Stakes on this track. He hasn’t raced this year, unlike Forever Souper, so he might be at a slight disadvantage compared to that rival. #5 Vote No (20-1) is one of three in here who has raced this year, having run well in a pair of salty allowances on the Turfway Park synthetic. He’s got great late pace figures, and is an interesting alternative to the heavily bet aforementioned two.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-5-2-3

#4 Lord’s Lady (7-2) crossed the wire first last out going 1 1/16 miles at second asking, but was disqualified after the fact for a whipping violation. She took advantage of an outside-favoring track to close from more than 20 lengths out of it, but it was still a much-improved effort from her debut, and it isn’t as if this field is full of world-beaters. #5 Teca (3-1) just missed her career-best mark first off a six-month layoff last out, running a 70 at Aqueduct. This will be her first start for Horacio De Paz, and she does have a local workout since joining that string. #2 Anotherhope (5-2) has four runner-up finishes in her seven-race career, never a great sign. However, she was a solid-closing second to the very speedy Happy Hour Joker last out, and it doesn’t look like there’s anyone in here as good as that rival. She’s never been beyond six furlongs, but her pedigree suggests she can handle the extra distance.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-8-6-4

#2 Northern Tick Tock (7-2) is cutting back in distance big-time. He made his 2025 debut in a 2 1/4-mile steeplechase at Camden, and finished fourth. He ran no worse than a 76 in five starts on grass last year, including a solid effort at this level towards the end of the season. #8 Juniper Juice (5-2) ran a freakish race on grass in mid-September, crushing an open-first level field with an impressive 88. If this lightly-raced filly runs close to that race off the bench, she’ll beat the boys with ease. #6 Cocktails at Noon (9-5) came from way downtown to break his maiden at third asking last out, and makes his first start since that November 1 effort.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

1-2-7-4

#1 Wicked Melissa (3-1) has moved forward in each of her last two starts, and adds blinkers after lugging in in the stretch last out. #2 Missy’s Map (7-2) has had trouble settling on the lead in her last two starts. If she can settle herself down and properly harness her speed (and she might be able to do so with new rider Martin Chuan), she could prove tough to catch. #7 Lass Sassenach (3-2) is the only one in the field to run at least a 65 in each of her last two starts. In fact, she’s the only one to run in the 60s in her last two races. She’s dropping to a career-low claiming tag after trying $30,000 maidens in her last two races.

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