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

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $2,153
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $272
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

10-5-6-4 (DIRT: 11-1-3-8)

There appears to be lots of cheap speed in here, which would set it up well for #10 Flame Dancer (3-1). She broke her maiden in professional style two starts back at Colonial Downs, then finished a respectable second next out behind a fellow Arnaud Delacour trainee, Quadra, who took them gate-to-wire. Next out, Quadra stretched out to a mile and finished a solid third to Cairo Street, who has been on an absolute tear. This one looks to sit a great trip in the clear on the outside. #5 J Z’s Last Shance (5-2) is indeed running out of shcances for me. She’s hit the board in her last four starts without a win to show for it, going off at 7-2 or less every time. She got caught very wide in her two near-misses at this level, so if she can save a bit more ground here, she’ll have a shance to take advantage of the prospective hot pace. #6 Lady d’Oro (2-1) makes her first start off a near three-month layoff for Michael Pino. Mychel Sanchez gets aboard; Pino and Sanchez are winning at a 38 percent clip when they team up as of late. This one has chased the pace in her last few starts in New York, and should benefit from the class relief. 

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-3-1

#5 Miss Banks (9-5) ran well in her first try at a mile or longer on dirt at Colonial. She raced just off the pace, made a bit of a premature move on the turn, and hung around for third. She’s racing second off the claim for Kieron Magee, who’s off to a fantastic start at this meet. #6 Messy Lu (6-1) was second going two turns at Delaware Park two starts back, and improved seven brisnet points to a 61 last out, even though it was not as visually impressive a race. #3 Shezahotmess (2-1) has hit the board in her last six starts, including a head defeat last out with a career-best 74. These types can be hard to take at low odds, but if she repeats her last race, she’ll break through.

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

13-10-9-1 (DIRT: 3-1-13-2)

#13 Souper Upgrade (2-1) has run at least a 78 in each of her last three grass starts, while no one else has run better than a 76 in any of their last three grass races. The draw isn’t ideal, but anything close to her best would easily win this. #10 Fahnee (8-1) lasted through early pressure to break her maiden at fifth asking last out, one of many winners Suzanne Stettinus has had through the first few weeks of the season. She’s lightly-raced and in improving form, so if anyone can jump up and beat Souper Upgrade, it’s probably her. #9 Big Earn (10-1) broke her maiden in her 12th attempt last out in gate-to-wire fashion, and has by far the best early pace figures in this group.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

6-3-1-2

#6 Golden Sword (12-1) was scratched out of a first-level race back on September 6, and returns here. Even though it’s a jump in class on paper, it’s not that much different from your standard first-level affair. She adds Lasix and has early speed in a race without a ton of it. #3 Lovely Charm (5-2) comes back in six days’ time after a game effort on the Pennsylvania Derby day undercard. She rated in midpack early on and lost a tough photo finish to run in the 80s for the third consecutive race. She has the ability to run well from on or off the pace. #1 Estocada (3-2) won the race that Golden Sword scratched out of, a freakish effort where she won by 11 lengths with a career-best 96. It’s not likely she’ll repeat it, considering it was a career-best by a wide margin, but we know the ability’s in there somewhere. 

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-7-8-10 (DIRT: 4-14-16-3)

#4 Risky Beesness (2-1) has early speed and drops in for a tag for the first time. She set the pace and faded first off a near-year layoff last out at Colonial, but on her best day, she can hit the front and just keep going. Last June, she was second to Oncourtcommentator, who has won three times and finished second in a stakes race since. #7 Sultry Sky (20-1) was fourth behind a few of these last out, but it was also her first start off a long break, and she had trouble getting settled early. She’ll also benefit from having a race under her belt. #8 Radiant Tones (5-2) was second ahead of Sultry Sky last out, in a race where she chased a gate-to-wire winner. She’s run a 77 in each of her last two starts; none of her rivals have run better than a 73 at any point within their last two.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-7-11-4

#1 Hard Freeze (5-2) was part of an odds-on Jamie Ness coupled entry on debut. He fell far behind early in the five-furlong contest, but rallied well to grab fourth. Jaime Rodriguez, Ness’s top-call rider, was out of town that day, but now gets the mount. #7 Golden Sand (7-2) also closed well on debut, rallying for second behind an experienced rival. Now, he’s one of only four horses in this 12-horse field with experience. #11 Ski Hazard (30-1) is a half-brother to Alpine Mist, who won on debut and was a stakes winner against Louisiana-breds. Louisiana stallion Bobby’s Wicked One does well with first-time starters, and this one has been working sharply for Madison Meyers. The price will be right if you want to start your late pick 5 with a longshot.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-2-10-5 (DIRT: 3-13-14-11)

#3 Quistmer (9-2) has early speed in a race without much of it and a good draw. He ran well all summer at Monmouth Park despite getting pressed on the pace in many of his races. If he’s allowed to set even moderate fractions, he could be gone. #2 Dr. Hyde (5-1) closed stoutly and got second to a gate-to-wire winner last out, and was claimed out of that race by Brittany Russell. His 2-for-25 lifetime record isn’t great, and his closing style leaves him susceptible to getting caught in traffic, but he’s still a contender for the exotics. #10 Cap’n Dusty (6-1) was fourth behind Dr. Hyde last out. He was taken by Mike Trombetta that day, who keeps Jorge Ruiz aboard. He ran a sharp 83 two starts back, and ran in the 80s twice in victory last year. Look for him to sit in midpack, hopefully in the clear.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-7-4

#1 Cap Classique (2-1) hasn’t won since her victory in the 2023 Smart Halo Stakes on this track, but she’s also been facing much better for most of that stretch. She ran well after an overland trip going a mile last out at Colonial, and now draws inside while cutting back in distance. It’s a soft field for the level, which should help her cause. #3 Kokopelli Girl (8-1) has won four in a row at Penn National, with improving figures every time. David Cora, who has ridden her throughout her streak, comes in for the mount. Three of her four wins have come thanks to great stalking trips, and Cora is sure to try and work out another. #7 Cluck Cluck (4-1) has been in phenomenal form this year, with four wins and four seconds in nine starts. However, while she’s won at this distance before, she might be at her best going longer.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-3-2-6 (DIRT: 1-6-10-7)

#5 Curly Larry and Mo (8-1) went gate-to-wire two starts back at Colonial. Last out on the same track, he moved into a hot pace, only to tire and finish third. He’s in sharp form with good tactical speed, and could try to set the pace or sit just off of it. #3 Won an Award (6-1) was fifth last out in a salty race at this condition. Both of the top two finishers came back to win their next starts. This one won on this track last year, and should be in close attendance to the pace. #2 Boppy O (7-2) outkicked Curly Larry and Mo to win last out in his first start off the Rick Sillaman claim. He looks to sit a great trip off the pace on the rail, and may have a powerful kick if he finds room at the top of the stretch.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-6-1-7

#9 Cupid’s Choice (9-5) was second on debut at Colonial last out, running by far the best race of the four first-time starters in the field. She tracked a hot pace and led briefly in the stretch, but was overtaken by an experienced rival who came from even further off the lead. #6 Ginger Snap (9-2) made her career debut on dirt in June, and ran a huge second after battling for the early lead and finishing a clear-cut second over her dueling partner. The winner, Dreaming of Alys, won the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf a few weeks back. This one returns to dirt after three tries on the lawn. #1 Tipmanee (5-1) finished second in her first two starts, including a runner-up finish to Doc’s Miracle, who came back to finish second in the Small Wonder Stakes, in her most recent try.

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