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

First post time: 12:07 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $1,796
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $5,904
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-3-8-6

Note the slightly earlier first post time, to accommodate Aqueduct. #1 Street Style (8-1) got bet on debut on dirt at Colonial Downs, but broke slowly and showed nothing. He switches to grass here, and that may be more his speed. He’s out of Casual Look, who won the 2003 Epsom Oaks, and is a half-brother to 2015 Matchmaker Stakes winner Casual Smile. #3 Bold Statement (6-1) showed speed and faded going long on debut at Aqueduct. He’s taking another shot around two turns here, and the fact that he showed speed at first asking is an encouraging sign in an inexperienced bunch. #8 Sargent (30-1) couldn’t draw in to a similar spot yesterday, but managed to get into the main body today. Madison Meyers and Weston Hamilton teamed up to win a 2-year-old grass race with a first-time starter on October 4, and they look poised to do it again in a race with, as noted, many first-time starters.

RACE 2: STATER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-5-4-1

#6 Night Time Nap (5-2) walked on the lead and kicked away to win his local debut with an impressive brisnet figure of 93. He’s stretching out a bit from 1 1/16 miles, but if he gets a similar trip as he did last time, and he looks fast enough to work one out, he’ll be gone. #5 Mad Banker (4-1) has worked well at Delaware Park since getting scratched by the vet on September 16. He chased the pace and faded last out against a fairly salty bunch, but his prior races contend here. #4 Armando R (9-2) dropped to this level for the first time last out and flaunted his well-known closing speed, coming from 11 lengths out of it to win going away. He usually leaves himself with too much to do against upper-level allowance types, but he’s proven himself at this level, and should be a threat here once again.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-11-1-3

#9 Stars Align (6-1) is one of a few coming out of the 10th race on September 28. She went off as the slight favorite that day, and while she lacked room most of the way, she made good ground in the last eighth once she was clear. She was in improving form prior to that race and has put in a good workout since, so we’ll see if she can work out a better trip and get back to her best self. #11 Julia’s a Fox (20-1) made her grass debut that day, running a solid third in her first start off a 10-month layoff. She has every chance to improve second off the bench. Anthony Farrior must have seen something in #1 Lilliput (3-1), because he privately purchased her from George Sharp and Brittany Russell after her September 26 race. She’s shown speed and faded in three two-turn tries; we’ll see if the shorter distance is better for her speed.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-3

#2 Spring Decision (1-1) made his debut against a fairly soft maiden field last out, and finished second to a well-bet Keri Brion runner who was coming off of a long layoff. He’s adding Lasix for his second career start, and faces another underwhelming group. #1 Langdon (3-1) made his second lifetime outing, and his first off a seven-month layoff, at Kentucky Downs last out. Though he got bet, he showed little and regressed 20 points off of his debut mark. He’s switching to dirt for the first time and, as noted, catches an easy field. #6 Neverworkedaday (9-2) was hammered at the windows like he couldn’t lose on debut, with many signs indicating that he was a win-early sort. He barely picked up his feet and finished a well-beaten third. He’s had a few solid workouts since then, adds blinkers, and keeps Yedsit Hazlewood in the saddle.

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

5-2-11-9

#5 Big Earn (5-1) is 2-for-2 going one turn on grass, sitting the trip and winning easily against a similar field last out. She looks poised to get another good trip in a race full of speed. #2 Diane Lee (4-1) is one of several exiting the 6th race on September 27. She broke awkwardly and was forced further off the pace than she might have liked, but rebounded with a strong-closing third. Her draw leaves her susceptible to getting caught in traffic, but she’ll be a threat if she can show her kick. #11 She’s No Uncle (5-2) has won three of her last five starts in gate-to-wire style, including some big races from outside draws. She’s got the best chance of anyone to go gate-to-wire in spite of her post.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-9-2-13

MIke Trombetta liked #4 Uncle’s Gold (2-1) enough to ship him from Fair Hill to Saratoga for his debut. He ran a respectable 78 that day, but improved sharply to an 86 when second next out at Colonial Downs. A repeat of either of those efforts makes him a serious contender. Jimmy Toner has done well with his grass maidens this meet, with a 2-for-3 record. The one he lost with, #9 Nogradi (20-1), showed some speed and held third in his American debut and first race anywhere in 11 months. He’s bound to improve second time stateside. #2 Juris Doctor (3-1) went off at 1-2 last out and was second to one of the aforementioned Toner-trained maidens. He outworked a bevy of nice horses at Fair Hill on October 10, including Evershed, Surfside Moon, Forever Souper, Jimmy P, and Siege of Boston.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

9-8-6-1

#9 With Full Honors (5-1) is by far the lightest-raced horse in the field, having started just thrice going into today. He’s also the only one who has won on dirt and hasn’t lost against winners. He broke his maiden by 20 lengths last out at Belterra Park. He was a vet scratch over in Cincinnati last Tuesday and now resurfaces here. He’ll be tough to beat if he repeats his last race. #8 Amazing Bernie (9-2) broke his maiden going two turns in gate-to-wire fashion in May at Delaware. He hasn’t done much against better since then, but is bound to benefit from some class relief. #6 Lightning Boss (4-1) outfinished some of these going a mile last out. He dispatched the early challenge of Mr. Mendelslew fought hard with Speedy Alex down the lane, but ultimately finished second by a nose to that one.

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

14-8-5-13

#14 Knockanara (2-1) has crossed the wire first in four of his last five starts and missed by a nose in the other. He was disqualified from a win against open first-level rivals last out, but if he can stay out of trouble and run his usual race, he’ll easily handle this restricted group. #8 Chickahominy (5-1) ran big races two and three starts back at Colonial, but struggled last out at this track and condition. She’s run much better races her in the past and did have a bit of traffic trouble at the start in that most recent try, so if you’re willing to give her a pass, you’ll get a better price. #5 Boujee Bubblez (7-2) cut back around one turn on grass for the first time last out, and responded with a sharp victory against similar types. She’s shown consistent improvement since making her grass debut in June, and this spot looks well-suited for her.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

8-5-1-4

This is like the not-ready-for-prime-time version of the Maryland Million Sprint. Seven of the eight horses are Maryland-sired. #8 Square Slice (12-1) has run at least an 84 in five of his last seven starts. The only exceptions were his last start at Timonium where he began poorly, and a race in February where something must have been amiss, considering he went to the sidelines for several months afterwards. His normal race wins this. Brittany Russell has had to wait a while for her 40,000 claim on #5 Kerness K (3-1) to pay dividends. She claimed him out of a victory last December 14. He beat Chipotle that day, who has since gone on to win five times this year in eight starts. After two strong workouts in January, he went to the sidelines. He came back to the worktab in mid-August and is finally ready for his return to the races. He finished stakes-placed twice as a 2-year-old last year, has looked sharp in the mornings, and gets Lasix for the first time. #1 Carvellian Quest (9-2) cuts back in distance following a series of two-turn tries. Those races look solid on paper, but he was struggling late in all of them. He looks much better-suited for a race like this. 

RACE 10: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-12-4-9

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