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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,558
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 $25000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-7-2-1

#5 Kobe’s Hope (3-1) broke her maiden in impressive style last out, coming from off of fairly modest fractions to win going away. She earned a brisnet figure of 77 that day, by far a career-best. While she might decline a bit off of that effort, it was nonetheless an impressive race, and she’ll be tough if she comes close to repeating it. #7 High View (8-5) closed well and just missed against a similar field at this level last out. This will be her first start since June 29. She missed two months on the worktab after that race, and has worked consistently since. #2 Lady Lena (20-1) wired a maiden claiming field at 27-1 at Delaware Park in her most recent start. She has a good draw in a race without a ton of speed. It would be no surprise to see her steal this one at a big price.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-6-2

#5 Wiffleball (6-5) broke his maiden with an 89 on debut at Penn National, then battled for the lead and ran an 85 next out at Parx. Those two figures are well beyond what anyone else has earned as of late; in fact, only one rival has run in the 80s at any point within their last three tries. He should make the front and win with minimal drama. #4 Preacha Meyers (9-2) rallied from well off the pace to break his maiden on this track in late June, and now cuts back after a series of runner-up tries around two turns. His closing speed should be enough to outkick the others even if Wiffleball runs them off their feet. #6 Outdoor Cat (9-5) is the aforementioned rival to run in the 80s, having earned an 83 two races ago at Churchill Downs. He joined Phil Capuano’s barn several weeks ago and has worked very well since. He most recently went four furlongs in 48 seconds last Sunday, the fastest of 24 times that day (although the tab consisted of mostly young, inexperienced runners).

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-2-4-11

#3 Dats Tap (3-1) and #2 Oxford Union (9-2) exit the same race at this condition on September 14. Dats Tap battled through fast early fractions and pulled clear late, but got run down by the victorious Brighty. Dats Tap managed to hold second by a head over the surging Oxford Union, and may be especially tough to chase down if allowed to set a slower pace. Oxford Union, meanwhile, is in improving form and has the best late pace figures in the race. He’s had quite a few near-misses in his career, but he could get there with the right setup. #4 Potcake (9-5) drops in for a tag for the first time after a pair of game efforts against Virginia-restricted maidens. He may present a challenge to Dats Tap on the front end.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1A-2-8-6

#1A Casa Juanita (7-2) is my preferred half of the Bruce Kravets-trained entry. She made her grass debut last out going five furlongs at Penn National, and came from off the pace to lose a photo to the regally-bred 7-10 favorite Somnium. She showed speed going two turns on dirt in the past, so we know she can be put into play early if Carlos Lopez wants. #2 Heaven’s Promise (6-1) has also raced well both on and near the pace. She’s re-adding blinkers after wearing them, without much success, earlier in her career. However, her overall form has dramatically improved since then. #8 Notable Exchange (7-5) looked like a cinch on paper last out. However, she had all day to go by Sharmin in the stretch and couldn’t do it. Granted, the track was at least leaning towards speed, but still, she should’ve won that one. Even though she has another big figure edge on the others, it’s hard to take her at low odds.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-6-2

#5 Got Game (9-5) went gate-to-wire in each of her last two starts, including a dominant win in her first try against winners last out. If she’s allowed to set a slow enough early pace, she’ll be impossible to catch. #1 Tres Aires (9-2) ran very well on this track earlier this year, and got some time off after a pair of dull tries at Delaware over the summer. Her lack of early speed makes her susceptible to getting pace-compromised, but she should at least turn in an improved effort. #6 Synergism (8-5) easily won an off-the-grass affair at Colonial two races back for the dynamic Brittany Russell/Jevian Toledo duo. She’s lightly-raced and in improving form, but bound to be overbet. 

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-4-10-8

#2 Pharoah’s Marc (4-1) faded after a wide trip first off a two-month break last out, but ran a 76 and an 81 in her two races before going to the sidelines. She’s getting her sixth rider in as many career races; in this case, Yedsit Hazlewood. #4 Hop to It (10-1) sat the trip off the pace at Penn National last out, and was getting to make a bold move between horses when she got cut off and tossed the rider. She ran a solid-closing 70 in her debut two races back, and if she improves off of that race, she’ll be a threat at an overly-inflated number. #10 Lady Meis (6-5) has impressive recent figures, but she’s 0-for-15 lifetime and has burned a lot of money lately. She was 7-10 in a similar spot last out, and led in the stretch before getting caught. Today might finally be the day, but I can’t endorse that strongly at low odds. 

RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-5-7

#1 Melancia (4-1) won gate-to-wire at Timonium last out, and has dangerous early speed from the inside post. #3 Anotherhope (9-2) won with a big, sweeping move two starts back at Colonial, but flattened out here last out. That nice win came at six furlongs, and she cut back to 5 1/2 furlongs last out. Stretching back out might help the cause. #5 Bond’s Belle (15-1) has hit the board in her last five starts, running well from both on or near the pace. In a wide-open contest like this, she’s definitely worth using in multi-race bets.

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

8-7-2-1

#8 Waittillmidnitehour (9-5) finished a game second in her second start off a six-month layoff last out. She’s facing an easier field today and should take another step forward in the third start off the bench for the hot Mike Trombetta barn. #7 Wellareyouhappynow (12-1) finished a chasing second to gate-to-wire winner Central Casting last out. That one came back to finish second in a second-level sprint here on September 27. This filly is bound to be rolling late at a decent number. #2 Sporting Lady (7-2) finally broke through at Colonial last out, winning her first race following five consecutive runner-up finishes. She could grab the early lead from towards the inside and control the pace.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-4-7

#6 Mr Flowers (9-5) sat off a very fast pace and just missed last out to stablemate Can Group. He looks fast enough to take early control in a largely paceless affair. #1 Lazlo (5-2) has run in the 90s three times in his last four starts, and gets class relief after racing against better in his last few races. He was flat late last out after racing wide throughout the 1 ½-mile contest, but should get a better trip here. #4 Just for Luck (6-1) has no early speed whatsoever, which may cost him the win. However, he closed well from off moderate paces in his last few starts in New York, and is eligible for a slice of this one.

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