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) — $2,756
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

10-2-15-16 (DIRT: 5-10-12-13)

#10 Gordito (8-1) ran a career-best brisnet mark of 76 last out despite getting shuffled out of contention on the turn. He tracked well behind a slow pace in that race, but has been forwardly placed in previous races. He might be well-off if he sits close to what could be another slow pace. #2 Basic Miles (6-1) has gotten better throughout the year, and has made up lots of ground from well off the pace in his last few races. #15 Redemption Speight (9-5) has closed well in his last few starts, and takes a drop after a decent second last out at the Meadowlands.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-5-6-3

#4 Baby Sox (9-5) improved sharply second off a six-month layoff last out, running a game-chasing third with a significantly improved 73. It’s not a class drop on paper, but this is an easier field than the one she saw last time. Her only serious rival is #5 Princess Lucia (6-5). That one won first off a seven-month break in her most recent try, sitting off the pace and drawing away at 15-1. That win was at 5 1/2 furlongs, but her other career win came going 1 1/16 miles, so the distance isn’t a question. #6 Dubstep (6-1) was fifth behind Baby Sox last out. She’s had in-and-out form since shipping to the Mid-Atlantic this summer, and her form cycle would indicate that she’s ready to turn in a winning effort.

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

12-3-1-8 (DIRT: 12-2-6-7)

#12 Kantknowitall (7-2) crossed the wire first three starts back against a similar field at Monmouth Park, but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch. That was his only start on this surface. He’s been rained off twice since then, and if the weather cooperates, he’ll have every chance to wire this group. #3 Final Drama (3-1) also has a gate-to-wire win going one turn on grass on his 2025 resume. I don’t know if he can outrun Kantknowitall early, but he’ll at lesst be able to protect inside position. #1 Roommate Martin (8-1) cleared his non-winners of two condition with a swooping late rally at Colonial Downs last out. It was the first time he had come from that far off the pace and run well; he had previously done his best running closer to the pace.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-5-2

#4 Midnight Renegade (20-1) has not been in sharp form as of late, but he’s also been racing at a mile or longer for a while. This will be his first one-turn start since June 21, and his recent one-turn figures are competitive with these. The shorter distance might wake him up at a good price. #6 Backnthewoods (7-5) drops in class after facing starter optional claiming foes for most of the year, while adding blinkers. His only bad recent figure came two starts ago when he got caught up in an early duel at Timonium. #5 Mister Agent (2-1) is in the midst of a strange streak, having finished fifth in six starts in a row. This is the easiest field he’s seen in a while, however, and he gets a rider switch back to Tais Lyapustina.

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

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

Graham Motion thought enough of #1 Siouxse (3-1) to ship her up to Saratoga for her debut. While she was cold on the board, she ran well, rallying late to get fourth. She’s stretching out from 5 1/2 furlongs; Motion hits at 27 with his first-time routers. #5 Coach Mazzula (7-2) ran a solid second on debut, but ran into a potential future star in Screen Test. This looks like a much easier bunch. #3 Tideoftime (12-1) goes first time out for Jimmy Toner, who sent out a debut winner on grass here a few weeks back. Her workouts have been solid, and Jorge Ruiz is always a dependable rider on this surface.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

8-1-4-2

#8 Knucker Puck (12-1) broke slowly but made steady late ground in his first start off a 7 1/2-month layoff last out. He’s dropping to a career-low level and stretching out to this distance for the first time, and should move forward second off the bench at a price. #1 Kitty’s Son (7-2) switches back to dirt after several unsuccessful tries on grass. Many of his dirt figures from earlier this year would win this. #4 Christmas Spirit (5-1) also drops to this level for the first time. He ran a respectable 64 on debut in February, never got involved after a bad break next out, and ran respectable figures for this level after three tries on the lawn.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-3-5-11 (DIRT: 3-7-8-9)

#4 Noble Jon (8-1) makes his first start off the Jonathan Maldonado claim. He’s been close against these types or better in all of his recent starts, but has lost them all at low prics. This looks a bit easier than the usual types this field attracts, and you’ll get a better price today if the morning line holds true. #3 Where’s Ray (5-2) has been racing against better all year long, including a sixth-place finish to Maryland Million Turf Sprint champion Had to Have Him two starts ago. The type of races he’s been running against those beats these. #5 Executive Power (4-1) makes his first start since a traffic-marred journey at Lone Star Park in mid-July. He can race well from on or just off the pace, and looks fast enought to take early control of this one.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-8-6-3

#2 Brother Conway (2-1) is 8-for-13 on this track, including an easy win last out in which he sat a perfect trip and converted. There’s some speed to his outside, so he should be able to work out another trip like that and sail to victory once again. #8 Byk (5-1) closed for second behind Brother Conway last out, and comes back here from his Penn National base for another shot. He’s the only one of these to run in the 80s in each of his last four dirt starts, and has the best late pace figures in the field to boot. #3 Rhumjar (6-1) would’ve been a contender in yesterday’s Maryland Million Starter Handicap off of his record, but he finds himself here instead. He’s winless here, but he’s won four of his last six starts at Charles Town. We’ll see if his form is sharp enough that it’ll finally transfer over here.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-9-2-3 (DIRT: 2-7-13-1)

#6 Beyond Question (7-2) has gotten better with each recent grass start. She just missed to Query last out, who returned to finish fourth in yesterday’s Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap. #9 Running Rio (3-1) finished behind Beyond Question and Query last out as the favorite. She set a clear early lead and held on until late. We’ll see if she can last longer on the pace in her second start for the Anthony Farrior barn. #2 Lazy Days (15-1) ran a strong second in her grass debut in May, and should move forward second off a four-month layoff.

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