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) — $1,917
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $3,609
Late Pick 5 (races 4-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-6-14-9

This race was pulled off the grass yesterday. #2 Fridayswithmurray (10-1) has struggled in his last few starts, but showed promise on dirt earlier this year, and the Jamie Ness/Jaime Rodriguez combo should benefit from a washed-off bunch. #6 Mortal Sin (9-2) got a point-to-point prep in when he was fourth going 1 1/2 miles at the Old Dominion Hounds in early April. He finally gets in the main body of the race after being on the also-eligible list twice, and impressively broke his maiden on dirt at Penn National in late November. #14 Severn Run (10-1) was no factor in his first start against winners at Delaware Park last out, but drops in class and returns to a track he’s previously run well on.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-4-3-1

#2 Autumn in Vermont (8-5) has been getting better with each start since joining the Carlos Mancilla barn earlier this year. She’s finished second three times in a row with strong late moves each time, and this looks like a perfect spot for her to finally get over the hump. #4 Anotherhope (9-5) exits the same race as Autumn in Vermont. She made a move into the pace last out and loomed large, but flattened out and had to settle for fourth. That was her first try going a mile, so it’s reasonable to be wary about her chances at this distance. However, she doesn’t have to love it to get a share in this field. #3 Fabia (5-1) is a Hammy Smith-trained firster bred by his brother, Goree. She’s had three consecutive five-furlong workouts, suggesting that Hammy wanted to debut her at a longer distance. Watch the board on her.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-1-12-6

#8 Mean Jakey (10-1) stumbled at the start last out, lost early position, and was no factor from there. He showed good tactical speed while consistently running brisnet figures in the 80s over the winter at Oaklawn Park, and though it’s the same class on paper, this is a much easier field than what he saw last out. Look for an improved effort with a clean break. #1 Laddie Dance (12-1) has struggled in his last few starts, but he still has plenty of speed and gets to face the easiest field he’s seen in a while. This is the perfect spot for him to regain his confidence. #12 Fivefive Six Champ (5-2) makes his first local start for Mike Geralis, and showed blazing speed over the winter in Ohio and Florida. He’s a serious gate-to-wire threat under Jaime Rodriguez.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-7-6-4

#2 Motskari (2-1) went off as the odds-on choice against similar last out, but found himself in a strange dynamic in a four-horse field going 1 1/16 miles and flattened out. He cuts back around one turn here, and will (fingers crossed!) face a fuller bunch. #7 Whatahardmanfidead (3-1) has by far the best late pace figures in the race, and takes a much-needed drop in class after struggling against better. #6 Formal Affair (6-1) missed by a just a neck behind Motskari last out, and has been on the upswing since joining Ben Feliciano’s stable earlier this year.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-7-6-4

#8 Dine and Dash (9-2) has done well when properly classified, having broken her maiden for a $12,500 tag, followed by a bad race against Virginia-restricted allowance foes, a win for $12,500, and a win for $20,000. She steps up in class here, but either of her recent wins would beat these. #7 Green Eyed Monster (5-2) faced a very nice first-level field last out, and while her stablemate took them gate-to-wire, she was shuffled out of contention and had no punch when clear. She ran in the 80s consistently prior to that effort, and seeks to return to that form with a cleaner setup. #6 Kilo Road (3-1) rallied well for second in her first start off a brief layoff last out. She showed a high ceiling last year as a 2-year-old, and will try to return to that form in her third race of this campaign.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

9-3-4-11

#9 Arise My Love (9-5) has closed well to be second in each of her first two starts. She improved five points when stretched out from six furlongs to seven at second asking, and it would be no surprise to see her race even better at a mile. #3 Oppose (10-1) ran into a pair of beasts on debut at Gulfstream, then got pace-compromised in her first start on this track. She’ll hope for a more honest setup here, and she’s flashed enough ability to take advantage if that happens. #4 Cynthia Gail (15-1) was second to a loose leader last out while running a career-best 71. She adds blinkers for the first time, so look for her to be closer to the pace.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-8-2-7

#3 Bouncer (9-2) came from off the pace and just missed last out, and returns to the track for his first start since that late-March effort, and just his third start of the season. He has great early speed, so he might be put into play early by Jaime Rodriguez. #8 Petingas Twin (8-5) showed lots of promise last year as a 3-year-old, winning on this track and running second to the likes of No Cents and Witty. He hasn’t raced since a flat try in the City of Laurel Stakes last November, but he’s been working well since for Anthony Farrior, and Arnaldo Bocachica comes in for the mount. Note that he’s also entered on Friday. #2 S S Sinatra (9-2) ran two gutsy races in a row at the spring meet (holding off Bouncer in one of them), and drops in class after running into Booth in the Maryland Sprint Stakes last out.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-8-5-1

If Green Eyed Monster runs well earlier today, it’ll flatter some of these, including #6 Tuned to the Moon (3-1). That one chased the very impressive Great Andrei in that May 11 Pimlico race and finished second, defeating some sharp rivals in the process. She hasn’t missed the exacta in her five-race career, while running competitive figures each time. #8 Dine and Dash (3-2) is also in great form with very sharp figures, but she’s burned lots of money lately. She’s lost her last four starts at 3-2, 3-5, 11-10, and 7-5, and if the morning line is any indication, she’ll once again get heavy play. She hasn’t proven herself trustworthy at a low price, so I’ll take a shot against her and let her beat me. #5 Maragrita Daze (7-2) broke her maiden in gate-to-wire style at third asking last out, and now races first off the Jamie Ness claim.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-6-11-9

#4 Valerie Street (8-1) ran a respectable 57 and 60 in her two dirt starts earlier this year, and drops in class from the $30,000 level while adding blinkers. #6 Holy Fit (5-2) ran a career-best race in a determined effort on grass last out. We’ll see if she’s improved her overall form, or if she simply has more aptitude on grass than dirt. #11 Sweet Marie ran some decent numbers over the winter at Oaklawn Park, and makes her second local start for the John Servis contingent.

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