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) — $2,833
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $3,609
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-5-4-2

#1 Upsidedown Man (7-2) cleared his non-winners of two condition in his first start off a six-month layoff last out, coming from just off the pace to win with a professional move. This isn’t that big of a class jump compared to that race, and a repeat of that effort wins this one. #5 Borletti (5-2) got action against a better field at this level last out, going off at 7-2 in spite of not having raced on grass in months. He chased the pace and finished third, and now takes what appears to be a class drop, even though it’s the same condition on paper. He’ll also work out a nice trip just off the leaders. One of those leaders is likely to be #4 Great Kisser (9-2), who got burned up in an early duel last out, in which he was forced into a sub-22 second opening quarter. Unsurprisingly, he  backpedaled and finished up the track. He has the most early speed in this field, and should hang around for longer as long as the early pace isn’t that hot.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-1-2

#4 Murray (2-1) finished fourth behind a very salty group in his first start for Jamie Ness two races back. Runner-up Talented Man and third-place finisher Bump N Run have both won since, while victor No Cents was third in the John Reilly Handicap at Monmouth Park next out. This one shipped to Penn National for his next start, and converted a good trip to easily beat a second-level field. He has great cruising speed and a strong late kick, and looks very tough to beat. #6 Holy Synchronicity (5-2) snapped a long losing streak last out with an impressive win against slightly softer last out, running a brisnet figure in the 90s for the second consecutive race. He’s the only one in here to do that in each of his last two. He stays against starter optional claiming types, which is probably for the best, and is in the best form he’s been in in a while. #1 Whiskey and You (8-1) hasn’t won since April 2021, but he’s in respectable form and loves getting checks. He’s a must-use underneath at a good price.

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

11-5-1-10

#11 B Determined (3-1) made his first start off a six-month layoff last out at 1 ⅛ miles. He made a strong move from off a hot pace and pulled clear late, but got reeled in by King’s River in the stretch and finished fourth. He’s cutting back to a mile, takes a drop in class, and is bound to improve second off the break. Just about any of his races from the end of last year win this. #5 Fun Lovin Criminal (5-1) has been in solid form on dirt all winter and spring long. His only bad recent race came when he was severely pace-compromised in an off-the-grass affair last out. He ran some good races on this grass last year, and should enjoy a return to this surface. #1 Always Gambling (10-1) held his own against better on grass last year, and gets to return to what may be his preferred surface first off the Sarah White claim. His somewhat dull recent dirt races cloud up his form a bit, but many of his races from last year contend here.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING( CONDITIONED) , 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-5-1-4

#6 Urban Symphony (8-5) is the only one in the race with a win at today’s distance or longer. He won his last two starts by a combined 23 ¾ lengths. While those wins were against easier, he ran an 88 and an 89 in those races. Both of those marks would win this one easily. #5 Amy’s Music (4-1) has just missed at this level in his last few starts, including a runner-up finish to Just a Fair Shake, who went on to finish second in the Federico Tesio Stakes and the Sir Barton Stakes. He’s run improved late pace figures in his last few starts, and should outrun the others even if Urban Symphony overwhelms everyone. #1 Cadeau d’Argent (12-1) shocked them on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard, defeating a well-regarded Bob Baffert trainee to break his maiden on debut in a 67-1 upset. He’s facing some tough rivals and is stretching out from six furlongs, but has lots of upside and retains Tyler Conner in the saddle.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-6-5-4

#1 Rob the Rich (3-1) won in gate-to-wire style first off the claim by Jamie Ness in early March, and returns for the first time since then. That race was the first time he showed much early speed, and you can expect Jaime Rodriguez to be aggressive with him once again. #6 Southern District (6-1) rallied from off the pace to beat conditioned $7,500 rivals last out, and this is a bit of a lateral move. Look for him to take full advantage of the long one-turn mile stretch. #5 Pudge Boy Palace (5-2) got some action against first-level rivals last out, but didn’t do much after a wide trip from off a slow pace. This is a big drop in class, considering the company he’s been keeping lately, which includes starter optional claiming rivals, but he’s in sharp form and still has to be respected.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-16-7-13

#6 Annihilate ‘Em (5-2) chased a loose leader while wide and finished a respectable third in his grass debut two starts back. Runner-up Blind Eye broke his maiden at Monmouth Park a 24th asking next out. This one is fairly lightly-raced and has the most grass upside in this bunch. #16 Gladstone (2-1) showed speed and held on until late second time out last out, and will be interesting if he manages to draw in six spots down on the also-eligible list. #7 Gordito (3-1) has a similar profile as Annihilate ‘Em, having finished third from off the pace in his first start on grass last out.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-7-5-12

#6 Bay Street (8-1) certainly outran her 43-1 price last out, fighting on in the stretch after rating off a loose leader and holding on for fourth against a similar field as today’s. You won’t get the same odds here, but she’s in improving form and has proven she can run well at this level. #7 Queen Regent (9-5) ran decent figures for this level in some very tough spots over the winter in Florida, and should enjoy the class relief first time in the Lizzie Merryman barn. #5 Lifelovenlaughter (12-1) makes her first start since January 24 for the Mike Trombetta contingent, and has some early speed in a race without a ton of it. Mychel Snachez may be well-advised to put her into play early.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-4-6

#3 Augusta Melody (3-2) won his last two starts in impressive fashion, including a sharp stalk-and-pounce win on the Preakness undercard. He packs a very impressive middle punch, with his average middle pace figure eight points higher than his average early pace figure. If he’s allowed to set the pace, he can take off and run away from them; if he’s able to stalk, he can roll by the leaders with push-button acceleration. #5 Haileysfirstnotion (8-5) looked like the Maryland Million Sprint future book favorite following a pair of impressive wins in his last two starts. He crushed a Maryland-restricted field two starts back with a 98, defeating next-out winner Heard On Thestreet in the process. He then answered the class question with a dominant second-level win last out, earning a 99 in that race. He’s getting another class test here, but he has tons of upside and potent early speed. #4 On the Mark (15-1) hasn’t run figures as good as those of the top two, but he has a great closing kick and some solid recent races. He’ll be a late factor if things get interesting up front.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-9-7-1

#3 High View (7-2) was bet early and often on debut, closing at 6-1. She lived up to the hype with a strong move from off the pace to win going away. She ran a 74 in that race, which, while not good enough for first-level competition, is more than capable of winning this contest, especially if she takes a few steps forward second time out. Very sharp placement from Tim Woolley. #9 Rasta Girl (15-1) sat the trip and converted to break her maiden second off a brief layoff last out, improving 20 points to a career-best 74. She’s never raced on grass, but two siblings have won on the surface, and in a race that’s pretty chaotic beyond High View, she’s worth a look at a price. #7 Minari (3-1) sat the trip against non-winners of two rivals last out. She got what she wanted, as both of the early leaders stopped, but couldn’t hold off the closers, including the well-bet Graham Motion trained winner, and finished fourth. She’s taking what appears to be a drop in class here, and has potential to improve in her third race of the season. That said, I wouldn’t want to take 3-1 on her.

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