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

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $743
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,136
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-1-7-3

After struggling in her first few grass starts, #8 Redfire (5-2) has found her best self in her last three races on this surface. She ran brisnet figures in the 70s twice in her last three starts on the lawn, and the only time she didn’t was when she had a tough trip last fall at the Meadowlands. She’s making her first start for the Cal Lynch barn, and should roll late as long as Martin Chuan keeps her in the clear. #1 Magically Vanished (9-2) drops in class after getting roughed around against better in her grass debut last out. She showed promise on dirt earlier in the season, and is bound to improve against this softer field on the lawn. #7 Power and Glory (3-1), a New York shipper, was completely flat after a wide trip first off a nine-month break last out, but showed some good punch at big odds towards the end of last year. She spent the winter working at Aiken, and Glenn Thompson has decided to sail her ship in easier waters, rather than make a return voyage to New York. That might end up being a wise strategy.

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

5-3-2-6

#5 Let’s Go Lando (5-2) is a Gary Capuano-trained firster loaded with pedigree. Notable relatives include his half-brother, It’s Hammertime, who popped at first asking at Delaware Park last June and has won two stakes races since. His aunt, Just Philtored, crushed the field in her debut yesterday. This one’s profile suggests that he could do the same thing. #3 Fortune Hill (6-1) is the only one in this race with experience. He showed brief speed and finished a clear-cut second to the well-meant Romeo on debut, and can use that race as a building block to an improved performance. #2 Hoppetosse (3-1) may be better-suited for grass down the road, but he’s worked well for the win-early Jerry Robb barn, and is sure to be put into play early by Xavier Perez.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-3-1-12

Arnaud Delacour trains two of my top three picks, including #2 Dancing On Our Own (9-2). This one showed speed and faded in her first try around two turns at Gulfstream Park, and now makes her first start for the Delacour barn. She ran well around one turn on debut earlier in the year, and will certainly benefit from cutting back in distance. #3 Jewish Mother (5-2) could’ve drawn in off the also-eligible list yesterday, but scratched in favor of this spot. She showed speed and held well against some well-meant fields last year, and hasn’t raced since stopping badly on dirt at Fair Grounds in January. Interestingly, she raced for Brittany Russell’s barn that day, was entered and scratched at Lone Star Park on April 26 for Shawn Davis. Between then and her next workout on May 11, she rejoined the Russell string, and has had two local workouts since, She’s also likely to be a major pace presence. #1 Ready to Rocknroll (3-1), the other Delacour trainee, makes her season debut, adds Lasix, and drops for a tag for the first time. She ran in the mid-70s twice towards the end of last year. If she can shake off the rust and run that kind of race here, she’ll win this one.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-1-6

#5 Sweet Izzy (3-1) is one of a few in here coming out of the same race at this condition on May 2. She was one of three fist-time starters in that race, and ran well at first asking, opening up a loose early lead and holding third at 16-1. While I would’ve liked to have seen another workout since then, she nonetheless has a high ceiling, and is a threat to steal this one. #4 Messy Lu (8-1) ran sort of the opposite race as Sweet Izzy that day. It was also her first start, and she fell far behind and looked completely hopeless. However, she closed well late and was beaten only 1 1/2 lengths for fourth. She has one workout since then for Hammy Smith, who does better at second asking than first, and gets a rider switch to Yedsit Hazlewood. #1 Miss Serafina (7-5) has hit the board in all four starts, and should also show speed from the rail.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE (GRASS)

11-2-3-9

#11 Magic in the Park (6-1) made her first start off a 9 ½-month layoff last out, and ran well, all things considered. She got jostled at the break and raced wide the whole way. Despite her overland trip, she still made good late ground and finished fourth, while the winner, who had raced earlier in the year, raced on the rail throughout and had a much more ground-saving trip. This one gets another rough draw, but should improve second off the bench. #2 Shine On Moon (8-1) makes her season debut for Cal Lynch, and has had two bullet workouts at Fair Hill getting ready for this spot. She’s run in the 80s on grass throughout her career, which would be good enough to win this race, and Lynch has respectable numbers off of such long layoffs. #3 Doesn’thurttoflirt (7-2) has tremendous late speed and backclass, but hasn’t raced this year, and Kelly Rubley runners tend to need a race first off the bench. If this one shows a lot today, it’ll make her a good bet for next time, at least, and she should at least rally for an underneath spot.

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-2-3

#5 Always Laughing (2-1) sat just off a hot pace and pounced to win at Penn National last out. Usually, she sets the early pace, as she did when she won gate-to-wire three starts back. In a race where most of them have great late pace figures, early speed is key, and an aggressive ride from Ricardo Chiappe may spell trouble for the rest. The hard-knocking #1 Mavilus (8-1) is inconsistent, but on her best day, she’s the best of the closers, and will be hard to hold off if she feels like running. #2 Social Lady (7-2) came from off a slow pace to beat a few of these last out, and is bound to sit a nice trip on the rail.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

11-7-6-3

#11 Don’t Tell Kelly (20-1) has form obscured by some dull dirt races, but she’s undefeated on grass. She won her lone start on this surface in late October, coming from off the pace to win a first-level race at 22-1 with an 85. This is definitely a step up in class, especially considering it wasn’t a great first-level group, but she’s displayed a strong closing kick and the ability to run competitive figures on this surface. In a wide-open race like this, it’s worth looking for a price, and she fits the bill. #7 Precious Avary (4-1) made her season debut in a 5 ½-furlong sprint last out, which is a bit shorter than she prefers. However, it served its purpose as a prep, and she ran well, pressing the pace and holding on for second. She’s stretching back out around two turns, which will allow her to flaunt her early speed and try to last a long way. #6 Next Girl (8-1) showed a strong closing kick last year, including an impressive win in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap. Denis Araujo rode her to victory last time out in December, and returns here for one of his two mounts on the day.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-4-5

#1 Traffic Master (4-1) did it the hard way last out at Parx. He battled with Prince Colton, who has won since then, every step of the way, and fought back to win in a nosebob photo with a career-best 88. He’s the most consistent member of the field, as he’s run in the 80s in eight of his last nine starts. The only time he didn’t do so came when he had a rough beginning two starts ago at Aqueduct. He should enjoy another rail-skimming trip, and has shown that he can withstand pressure from that spot. #3 Pudge Boy Palace (5-1) has rounded into career-best form as of late, including an impressive 90 when third against better last out. He engaged with the leaders in that race and held on well, but he has the ability to sit just of the pace as well. In just his third career start, #4 Foggy Dew (9-2) battled with the well-experienced Derbyness and Carvellian Quest and held third with a career-best 85. He’s going two turns for the first time, but hasn’t run a bad race yet, and has proven he can contend with these types already.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-6-3

#1 Takethefifth (4-1) ran a respectable race while wide first off a 7 ½-month layoff at Fair Grounds last out. As noted above, Kelly Rubley is not great first off a long break, but hits at a more respectable 13% second off a layoff. This one ran in the mid/upper-70s throughout last year, and a return to that form wins this race. #7 Knockanara (8-1) was one of a few in here scratched from a similar spot yesterday to run here and help get Maryland-restricted maiden races off the ground. She wore down the early leader last out at Colonial and finished well-clear of that rival, but finished second to an odds-on favorite who got a great trip off that battle. He returns to dirt here and will try and work out a similar trip. #6 Suremeanttobe (8-5), also scratched yesterday, runs his best races when he’s on the lead. To that effect, Mike Trombetta will put blinkers on him for the first time, so you can be assured Mychel Sanchez will send him straight from the gate. 

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