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) — $3,247
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $804
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

8-1-5-4

#8 Persian (9-2) hasn’t raced since early November, but showed improving form towards the end of last year before going to the sidelines. She was fourth last out in what has proved to be an extremely key maiden race. Of her six rivals that day, four came back to win their next start. She’s worked well since coming back to the worktab in mid-August, and will get the nod in a race without much grass form. #1 Frappart (5-2) is also coming off a long layoff, having not raced since September 14 of last year. She showed some good late speed and finished fourth in her first start, and will be a contender if she comes close to running back to that race. #5 Mysunshinegirl (5-1) has raced on grass twice. In her first start on the surface, she came from off the pace and finished fourth. Next out, she showed speed and faded to fifth. Showing speed for the first time can be an encouraging sign.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-3-2

#1 Goodluckchuck (6-5) overcame a wide trip to win easily at Timonium last out, and has been in consistently solid form throughout the year. Even though he’s moving up from the $5,000 level on the surface, his chief rivals don’t look quite as tough as the ones last time. #4 Uncle Irish (2-1) set the pace and faded in his last few starts. He’s dropping into a spot where it looks like he can slow it down early and have plenty left late. #3 Running River (6-1) also has early speed and a high ceiling, but hasn’t raced since February 1. He might need a race first off the bench, but his best race contends with these.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-8-7-10

#2 Christmas Jones (5-2) completely spit the bit in her career debut on dirt, but improved more than 20 brisnet points in her first start on grass last out. She set the pace on the rail and lasted a long way, finishing third behind a deep closer and a rival who got a great trip just off the pace. This one’s facing a largely inexperienced field, and should be able to wire them. #8 No Mo Muffins (9-2) and #7 Clawless Brit (4-1) are both Brittany Russell-trained first-time starters. I give a slight edge to No Mo Muffins, as she’s by a decent first-time grass stallion in Mo Town, and Jevian Toledo, who rides for Russell often, gets the call. However, the board will tell the story as to whoever’s more well-meant. 

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-8-3-9

#10 Bourbon Outlaw (8-5) surged and just missed last out in his second start since joining the Anthony Farrior barn. His running style and post position leave him susceptible to getting caught wide, but he’s got a strong kick, he’s in sharp, improving form, and Jevian Toledo gets aboard for the first time. #8 Regalo Perfetto (5-2) broke his maiden here in late June in a long stretch battle, and now gets class relief after twice facing Virginia-restricted allowance rivals. #3 Tyson’s Delivery (4-1)  also has a recent win on this track, faced better in his last start, and should work out a good trip on or near the pace on the inside.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-10-8

#1 In Honor of Jeff (6-1) ran a big race on debut at Timonium. He battled throughout with a rival on his outside, and ended up losing to him by a head. He should once again show speed on the rail in a race with six first-time starters. #2 The Big Ben (8-1) ran a career-best race when second on grass last out, earning a 67 in the process. He’ll sit just off In Honor of Jeff on his outside and try to melt him down. #10 Mo Missile (2-1) was a pace-chasing second in his first career outing at Timonium. It was an especially impressive race considering he was the only first-time starter in the field, and he was second to a rival who opened up two lengths by the opening quarter. That’s an impossible situation for anyone to close into, let alone a first-time starter, so he ran about as well as could be expected given the circumstances. 

RACE 6: SENSIBLE LADY TURF DASH, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-6-11-9

Today’s first stakes race is named for the six-time stakes-winning mare of the early 2010s. #4 Lifelovenlaughter (3-1) has rattled off three wins in a row in the Mid-Atlantic this spring and summer, including back-to-back stakes wins in the Jameela Stakes and the All Brandy Stakes. She’s facing a bit stiffer competition here, but she prefers shorter distances, and will enjoy the cut back from 1 1/16 miles. #6 Loon Cry (6-1) won this race last year with a dramatic move from next-to-last. She hasn’t won in five tries since then, but she’s proven herself down the long stretch of six-furlong races here. #11 Twirling Beauty (7-2) tries grass for the first time in her debut for the Robert Falcone barn. She set a fast pace on her own volition in the Lady Erie Stakes last out at Presque Isle Downs, and held on to finish third. She looks fast enough to cross over from the outside and be the controlling speed.

RACE 7: ALL ALONG STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

6-4-1-3

We’re going long on the grass in a race honoring the legendary grass mare, who captured the 1983 Washington D.C. International en route to Horse of the Year honors. #6 No Show Sammy Jo (9-5) won this race last year as the 1-2 favorite. While you’ll likely get a similarly small mutuel once again, she looms as the one to beat. She almost wired a very tough allowance field two starts back at Aqueduct, and has the best early pace figures here. Jorge Ruiz can send her to the front, or keep her just off the pace, and be in great shape either way. #4 Mopo (5-1) broke her maiden against a solid field on the Black-Eyed Susan day undercard, then set the pace and held second in her next two tries against winners. She may be allowed to set the pace by herself, and even if No Show Sammy Jo overwhelms her, she can hold off the rest and round out the exacta. #1 Sirona (5-2) was multiple group-stakes placed in Europe last year, and now makes her American debut. She’s the wild card of the field, and I’m curious to see how much action she takes.

RACE 8: LAUREL DASH, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-4-11-1

#3 Mischievous Angel (4-1) ran a big race here earlier this year. In his first start off a 6 ½-month layoff, he finished a game second in the Henry Clark Stakes, leading briefly late before getting run down and settling for second. He tends to run his best races going one turn, and that’s what he’ll get to do here. #4 Live High Live Low (7-2) went gate-to-wire last out at Monmouth Park, in his first start off a nine-month layoff. He showed improving form towards the end of last year, and has ample opportunity to build off of his last race. #11 Smooth B (15-1) finished a strong-closing third in the Marshall Jenney Stakes at Penn National last out, in his first grass start in over a year. He’ll get overshadowed by stablemate Fore Harp, but this 10-year-old veteran has plenty of talent of his own, and could shake up the exotics at a good price. 

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

7-6-2-3

#7 Lucked In (9-2) came from way downtown to break his maiden at Colonial Downs last out, running in the 70s for the second consecutive dirt start. He might be more at home at a one-turn mile, but is still a serious late threat against these. #6 Bad Boy Blaze (20-1) ran a much-improved second last out in his first start off a three-month layoff. He has speed from the outside, and looms as a serious upset contender. #2 Strategist (8-5) was an easy maiden winner in his most recent outing, but it was in a four-horse race he essentially couldn’t lose. He showed some talent in Kentucky this spring, and might be the best horse anyway, but be wary of taking a low price off that last race. He pretty much had to win it in impressive style. 

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