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

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

10-11-3-1A (DIRT: 15-13-14-8)

#10 Lyric Sheet (5-1) closed well off very slow fractions last out, getting up for third behind a gate-to-wire winning stablemate and a well-regarded Graham Motion runner. It was her best effort after four mediocre races on dirt, and she should move forward second off a 10-week layoff and second time on this surface. #11 Canadian Bear (15-1) also chased that slow pace, and held on to fifth despite an overland trip. That was her first start in almost six months, and she’s also bound to move forward with a race under her belt. #3 Learning to Fly (8-1) showed improved form throughout the year last year, and though Keri Brion didn’t give her a point-to-point prep, she’s had her working at Fair Hill for several weeks.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-2-4

A few of these come out of the same race on May 4. #5 Quit Quay (6-1), usually a frontrunner, broke awkwardly and never got into contention, so you can throw that race out. She won her previous two dirt starts, albeit over softer rivals, and showed solid sustained speed that will help her get it done in this bunch. #3 At First Sight (9-5) was claimed by Anthony Farrior for $7,500 in mid-April, didn’t do much on grass first off the claim, and now drops in for $5,000. She showed improved form on dirt earlier this year, including a strong-closing second in her last try at this distance, losing only to the classy R Averie Lynn. #2 Bad Temper (8-5) surged and just missed in that May 4 effort, rallying well late, albeit over a track that was benefiting closers. She’s run a brisnet figure of at least 77 in each of her last three starts; no one else in here has done that more than once within their last three.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-6-5

#4 Doc’s Miracle (5-2) is one of two in here for Gary Capuano. Both of her racing-age siblings won as 2-year-olds, including up-and-coming Haileysfirstnotion. This one has already posted two bullet workouts and looks primed for her debut. #7 Pichu (9-2) goes out for the John Salzman Jr barn, which usually connects with early-season 2-year-olds, and is also out of a win-early family. I’m interested to see the board on her. #6 Marriedtothegame (4-1), a granddaughter of Anna’s Bandit, goes first out for Jerry Robb, who won four 2-year-old maiden races before July 1 last year. He also finished 1-2 in the first 2-year-old race of the season on May 3.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-4-3-2 (DIRT: 4-3-1-2)

Maryland-restricted maiden races are here, and the first one is headlined by an imposing Brittany Russell-trained favorite. #6 Yo Adrian (6-5) got bet on debut, going off as the 7-2 second choice. She got shuffled back early, but closed like an absolute freight train and lost by a half-length to 11-10 chalk Ithinkiloveyou. She now gets to drop into a soft, and smaller field, that she should be able to roll by. #4 Daring Delight (10-1) was fourth behind Yo Adrian in this one’s grass debut, and fourth overall. She got a bit of time off after a pair of dull races to begin her career, and they were her two best performances. #3 Seven’s Magic (15-1) ran a career-best 65 on dirt last out, and now goes one turn on grass for the first time. She has tactical speed and should be able to at least secure a share.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

8-9-5-4

#8 Birravino Blvd (6-1) broke his maiden in impressive style two races back, rolling from off of modest fractions to win going away with an 81. He tried a very tough grass field last out, and came up completely empty. He’s worked twice since then, and now finds himself in a much more realistic spot. #9 Let’s Have a Party (3-1) is one of two multiple winners in the race, and comes in here off a win at this condition in mid-March. He was scratched sick on May 4 against a starter optional claiming field, has worked twice since then at Delaware Park, and ships back here for his return to the races. #5 Bigtonten (7-2) did nothing at Charles Town last out, but ran in the 70s three times in a row prior to that, and will be tough if he returns to that form.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-13-1-9 (DIRT: 1-7-13-11)

#3 Dats Tap (9-2) ran a career-best 78 in his season debut last out, finishing second to a favored Mike Trombetta-trained runner who had experience this year. This one couldn’t last going two turns on grass last year, but he might be ready to thrive at shorter distances on this surface. #13 Karma’s Inthehouse (5-1) almost wired the field last out, and is bound to be blasted to the front and try to take them for as long as he can. #1 Chimney Sweep (30-1) is grass sprint royalty, with siblings Tidewater, Benny Havens, and Beltane among his numerous winning siblings. This one made decent late ground after falling far behind in his career debut on dirt last year, and adds Lasix for his 3-year-old bow. If he takes to the surface, and all indications are he will, he could at least spice up the exotics.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

9-10-7-2

#9 Devil Pays in Gold (5-1) made her second start off a five-month layoff in a salty second-level sprint last out. She proved no match for the very impressive winner, Cuz I’m Pretty, but kicked on well in the stretch and got up for second by a nose. She has a strong middle punch, but requires a well-timed ride for it to be most effective. If Ismerio Villalobos can deliver it, she’ll be tough to catch. #10 Anonymously (10-1) was claimed back out of her last start by Jose Corrales and switches back to dirt. She has by far the best early pace figures in the field, so while her draw isn’t great, she should still be able to cross and clear. #7 My Flicker (8-1) ran dismally behind Devil Pays in Gold last out, and was claimed out of that race by Phil Capuano. Something may have been amiss that day, as she didn’t work for three weeks thereafter. She put in a solid drill on Monday, tying the best three-furlong time of the day at 37 1/5 seconds. She ran in the mid-80s consistently before her bad last race, and will be a contender if she can recover that form.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-7-1

#6 Casey N Pap (6-1) ran a respectable 55 against better first off a six-month layoff last out. He lost to, among others, Firmantown, who almost upset a maiden special weight race on the Black-Eyed Susan day undercard. This one didn’t do much going 1 1/16 miles last out, but should run much better around one turn. #3 Repeatingofcourse (5-2) hung around on the pace and crossed the wire third last out against similar. He’s the only one in the race to run the 60s twice in his last three races, with the 64 he earned last out a career-best mark. #7 Fortheloveofrun (7-2) has sharp early speed and finds himself in a race where no one has much late kick. That might make it easier for him to steal it.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!