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

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 

Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $58,194
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $1,300
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $26,471
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $32,328

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

8-7-14-3

Today’s the first double-Pick 5 carryover day in Maryland history, and what better way to kick it off than with amateur jockeys. Note that, with the hot temperatures forecasted today, we may see shortened post parades and possibly accelerated post times. #8 Jam’s Paper Moon (5-1) is finally set to make her Maryland grass debut after trying and failing to get in a few times. She ran brisnet figures of 73 and 81 on this surface last year, while no one in the main body of the race has run better than a 65 on this surface. She was very flat on dirt last out, in what may have been a mere conditioning outing, but she’ll run much better with a race under her belt. #7 Somme River (2-1) has run in the 60s in both of her starts, rallying well from off hot fractions last out. She keeps Lasix and blinkers, both of which she added last time. #14 Valerie Street (10-1) has also run in the 60s in both of her grass starts, and drops to this level for the first time while adding blinkers.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-3-1-2

#4 Fainor’s Filets (6-1) has bounced around numerous class levels throughout the year. She was overmatched against first-level rivals last out, but still ran a game, chasing third with a very strong 88. Look for a strong closing rally from her at a possibly inflated number. #3 Neolithica (5-2) stopped badly when hooked on the lead last out, but there’s not much other speed in this one, so she stands a great chance at taking them all the way. #1 Mavilus (4-1) might want to go a bit further than this, but she’s run three decent races in a row against similar, and is always a threat for the exotics.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-6-10-9

#4 Noble Jon (6-1) did less than nothing last out in his 2025 debut at Presque Isle Downs, where he raced evenly and stopped badly in his first start off a six-month layoff. He showed great form on both grass and synthetic last year, showing good tactical speed and hitting the exacta nine times in 15 races. He hasn’t had a workout since that dull June 2 race, but if you trust Erin McClellan to have him ready (and trust Tyler Conner’s judgment, considering he’s coming in for just this mount), you’ll get a good price. #6 Cactus (9-5) has won twice in a row at this level, sitting similar stalk-and-pounce trips both times. You won’t get much of a price, but he nonetheless looks very tough. #10 Competitive Saint (20-1) hasn’t raced on grass recently, but he’s won twice on this surface in the past, and closed well for fourth in an off-the-grass contest last out. He should get a nice trip off the pace in the clear, and has some of the best late pace figures in the field. That’ll enable him to get up for at least a share at a big number.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-4-2-3

Many of these are coming out of the same race at this condition on May 31. #7 Pit Stop Man (5-2) won that day, coming from well off the pace with a strong, sustained late rally. He’s hit the board in every start at this level this year, and many of those wins came against better rivals than the ones he’ll see here. #4 The Wolfman (5-2) went off as the favorite in that May 31 race. He opened up a clear early lead, led late, but got caught by Pit Stop Man and finished second. He once again looks like the lone speed and should be clear for a while, but we’ll see how he does when Pit Stop Man puts him to the test. #2 Abuelo Paps (9-2) won gate-to-wire two starts back for Kieron Magee, and was claimed from Magee out of that race. He was third behind Pit Stop Man and The Wolfman last out, and was reclaimed by Magee from that contest. He should improve returning to his familiar barn; look for him to be close to the pace and try to soften up The Wolfman.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-3-2

This race ends the big early pick 5, and kicks off the big late pick 5. Many tickets will likely rely on #6 Maida (7-5), for Brittany Russell and Sheldon Russell (who won twice yesterday; ironically, they won twice with longer-priced horses and lost with two favorites). She went off favored on debut on Preakness Thursday, and finished fourth after getting involved in a three-ply early duel- the others involved in the duel won and finished third, respectively. That field wasn’t that great, but neither is this one, and she should improve second time out. Adding blinkers should help the cause. If you want to try and beat her, and consequently spice up the payoff, #1 Awesome McKinzie (3-1) might be your best alternative. She’s making her first start for the Tim Keefe barn off a third-place effort in her dirt debut at Gulfstream Park, in which she made up modest ground from off the pace. No one in here has particularly great late speed, but she should show at least a bit of punch and take advantage of Maida falters on the lead. #3 Margaret P (6-1), a fellow Keefe trainee, hit the board in her last three starts of 2024, and has worked well for her return to the races.

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

9-7-1-6

#9 Put a Rock On It (5-1) raced well despite being pace-compromised last out at Delaware Park. She ran very well last year when she had some kind of pace to close into, and should get a more honest tempo today. Yesterday, a horse with a similar profile, Stella Mars, won at 17-1. #7 Judgment Time (6-1) comes out of the same race as Stella Mars, in which she got caught behind those very dull fractions and had no shot to catch up. She was inconsistent last year, but her best efforts contend here. #1 Donate Life (5-2) led almost the whole way in her first grass start of the year last out, but flattened out late against a better field. Phil Schoenthal is taking the blinkers off her, suggesting that she may try to sit off the leaders on the rail and get first jump should they falter.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-2-4

#7 Money’s Worth (7-2) flattened out in her first start off a nine-month layoff against better last out, but drops from second-level rivals and has turned in two good grass workouts since then. She ran in the 80s consistently in 2023, her last full year of racing, and a return to that form wins this without much trouble. #9 Speightful Sis (9-2) has posted back-to-back bullet workouts since arriving at Delaware Park last month, and will likely be gunned for speed from the outside. #2 Worth a Dime (6-1) won as a Tim Keefe-trained firster last out, always an impressive accomplishment. She closed from well off the pace to beat Maryland-restricted maidens in her debut, and is the only one in the field who hasn’t lost against winners.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-7-1

#5 Sassafrasness (2-1) crushed a non-winners of two claiming field last out with a 92, running a career-best mark by 14 points. She was claimed out of that race by Brittany Russell, and while she may regress a few points off that big effort, she can afford to lose a few points and still win. #3 Great Andrei (5-2) went gate-to-wire against 3-year-old first-level rivals last out, and is the only one in the field to run in the 80s in each of her last three races. #7 Kilo Road (9-2) races third off a brief layoff last out, including a second-place effort in a match race last out. She has the best late pace figures by far, and will be a serious late threat if she stays even somewhat close to the pace.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-5-8-9

#3 Bajan Bashert (5-2) ran some huge races on grass in California last year, running at least a 78 in his last three starts on this surface. She put in some decent efforts on dirt in her last two starts here and at Penn National, and should thrive with a return to her preferred surface. #5 Kobe’s Hope (8-1) was no match for the impressive Clare Court last out, but ran on well from off slow fractions to finish a clear-cut second, an impressive effort for her grass debut. #8 Beyond Question (9-2) chased the pace and flattened out in a very salty straight maiden contest first off a nine-month layoff last out. She’s plunging in class in her second race off the bench, and looks like a serious early pace presence.

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