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) — $1,034
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-9-5-2

#3 Shear Magic (6-1) cruised on the lead last time in an impressive maiden-breaking score last out at Colonial Downs. He looks able to control the pace from the inside. #9 Takethefifth (8-1) tracked in last place behind a very slow opening quarter last out at Colonial, and though he made a strong late rally, it barely resonated. He came from behind three starts back and just missed two starts prior, so a winning punch is in there somewhere. #5 Elon (5-1) has gotten into traffic trouble in his last few starts, but it looks like he’ll be able to sit just off the pace in the clear. If he can finally work out a trip, he’ll be tough to beat. 

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

6-1-3-2

The top three finishers from the second race on September 7 are back here. #6 Admit Nothing (9-2) won that day, coming from far off the early pace to win with a strong late rally. He was out of his element that day; usually, he’s closer to the early tempo. While he’s stretching out from a mile here, and likely benefited from the long stretch run two weeks ago, he’s run well at this distance before. As such, it shouldn’t be much of a problem for him. #1 Pudge Boy Palace (4-1) was third on September 7 after a long stretch duel, following  a pair of runner-up efforts at Timonium. He ran some big races here over the winter and spring, and looks to be rounding back into his best form. #3 Southern District (5-1) was scratched out of that September 7 tilt, and will make his first start in 2 ½ months here. He won against these types on the Tesio undercard in April, and was second by a length next out with a strong late move. 

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-7-3-4

#1 Vinalia (5-1) makes her first start for Graham Motion’s barn after starting her career in California for Phil d’Amato. She’s never been beyond six furlongs, but Motion runners tend to do well stretching out for the first time, and his stable in general has done well to begin the meet. She’ll provide more value than her stablemate, Tellus Mater, who ran well on debut in January but hasn’t competed since then. #7 Tap the Champagne (2-1) almost pulled off a gate-to-wire win in her first start off a year-plus layoff last out, but got caught late and settled for second. She’ll be tough to catch if she can make the front. #3 Protective Custody (7-2) was flat last out, but closed well in her previous two starts, and cuts back from 1 3/16 miles. 

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-5-1-3

#8 Hay Chief (6-1) had a $40,000 claim voided on him on June 7 and makes his first start since then. He was scheduled to be offered for $8,000 on opening day at Timonium; however, he was scratched out of that race. He consistently ran brisnet figures in the 80s last year, which would win this race easily. He’s struggled for most of this year, but the drop from second-level company might wake him up. #5 Self Taught (7-2) won twice in a row from well off the pace at Colonial, and gets his class test here as he jumps up from conditioned claimers. #1 Armando R (3-1) made his usual rally from well downtown and finished respectably well in two starts here this spring. However, he needed a shoe repair prior to his last race at Colonial, and that may have affected his performance, as he came up completely empty. As usual, his complete lack of early speed is a hindrance, but he’s at least returning to his favorite track and taking a big class drop. 

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

11-10-4-9

#11 Toolpusher (9-2) hasn’t put in a bad effort in three starts here, and makes his return here after shipping as far afield as Mountaineer over the summer. Regular rider Wesley Ho comes in for the mount. #10 Moon Factor (6-1) got involved in a duel last out at Colonial. He finished third behind two rivals who got a great trip off the battle, while he finished 2 ½ lengths clear of his dueling partner. He didn’t get a great draw, but he’s shown the ability to win from just off the pace as well. #4 Freestanding (12-1) goes second off a 2 ½-month layoff and second off the Anthony Farrior claim. He could make some noise at a price if he can work out a trip from off the pace. 

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

10-1-4-9

#10 Tuskegee Airmen (8-1) turned in a sharp effort to win first off a seven-month layoff at Parx two starts ago. Last out, he set the pace in the Mayor’s Mile and faltered, but he’ll likely run much better on the cutback to six furlongs. #1 Radical Right (9-2) hasn’t won this year, but also hasn’t run a bad race. Included in that stretch is a last-out mark of 99, which is the best last-out figure in the race by eight points. He’ll get a nice trip off the pace on the inside and should have every chance to convert. #4 S S Sinatra (10-1) ran a gigantic race on this track in March, lasting through pace pressure to lose the Not for Love Stakes by a nose. He returns to his favorite track after some uneven races at Colonial, and should turn in his best effort at a good price.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

9-11-6-7

#9 D Hopper (10-1) ran a career-best 74 in his last grass start, setting the pace and lasting until the last eighth. While he’s turned in many speed-and-fade efforts, horses have gotten very brave on this grass course as of late, so he’ll have every shot to wire them. #11 Blackthorne Brusca (2-1) is the opposite- he drafts far behind and gobbles up ground. He’s the only one in the race to run in the 70s twice. Even if D Hopper gets loose and can’t be caught, this one can outkick the rest. #6 Royal Renegade (9-2) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and showed good late punch in the last eighth to grab third. 

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-4-8-1

#5 Virginia Fitz (9-2) was no match for very salty rivals at Colonial in his last start, but he put in strong late rallies in two races against these types or similar over the summer. #4 Upsidedown Man (6-1) has won three of his last five starts, including his second consecutive improved figure in his last start. He was much closer to the pace than usual in his last start and still won, always an encouraging sign. We’ll see how he handles the class hike from claimers. #8 Cactus (3-1) hasn’t run a bad race on grass this year, and makes his first start off the Robby Bailes claim. He’s gone off favored in four of his last five races; hopefully you get a better price on him this time.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-7-5

#4 Margaret P (5-2) tried to chase down Maida, who won the Weather Vane Stakes yesterday, in her last start, which was her first off a seven-month break. She proved no match, but now gets to face a much easier bunch. She ran in the 70s twice towards the end of last year, and will be hard to beat if she can return to that form. #1 Nit Witness (3-2) ran an impressive 71 in a determined second-place effort on debut, where she came from off the pace and just missed. Last out, she got caught up in a duel at Parx and faded. She looks fast enough to get an easier lead today. #7 Feel the Bolt (30-1) has an uninspiring 0-for-16 record, but has run in the 60s in her last two starts and has some early speed. She could at least hang around for a share at a big number.

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