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) — $3,698
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $382
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, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-1-8-7

#4 Jhirsch (7-2) hasn’t won in over a year, but has been holding his own against better rivals both down here and in New York. He has decent tactical speed and a good closing kick, both of which could be valuable assets in a race with lots of speed-and-fade types. #1 King Covee (2-1) loves to finish second, so that’s where I’ll pick him. Since his maiden win on this track almost two years ago, he’s raced 18 times and has finished second nine times without picking up another victory. Last out at Delaware Park, he got a great trip and looked ready to break the slump, but was outkicked by a well-meant Jamie Ness-trained runner and finished second. #8 Preacha Meyers (12-1) ran a respectable second in his grass debut two starts ago, losing to a heavily favored Mike Trombetta-trained entrant who overwhelmed the field. This one switches back to the lawn and gets Yedsit Hazlewood back aboard.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-4-6

#7 Divine Works (9-5) has hit the board in her last two starts against Maryland-restricted allowance company. She’s now dropping into a non-winners of two claiming race for the first time, and looks poised to sit a nice trip on the outside. #3 Seaside Road (3-1)has been in improved form in her last few races. She raced on the lead last out and held third, while the other two who were close to the pace finished well up the track. #4 Marelow (9-2) broke her maiden at a mile and 70 yards at Parx in February, then had the misfortune to run into the very impressive Ourdaydreamingirl in her first start off a 4 ½-month break next out. She’s also never lost at this condition, and looks well-meant coming here for John Servis.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

1-3-6-8

#1 Devastating (4-1) didn’t do much in her local debut on dirt last out, but now switches back to grass, the surface on which she broke her maiden two starts back at Indianapolis. She looks poised to sit a perfect trip on the rail. #3 Sun Cross (7-2) has closed with interest in her last two races, both times against better rivals. She’s making her first start since August 30, and has worked well over the past few weeks for the Brittany Russell barn. #6 Ruby Hamilton (10-1) ran a credible fourth in her first try against winners last out at Aqueduct. She broke her maiden in her American debut two starts back at Colonial Downs, overhauling a loose leader who set a very slow pace.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-10-12

The most recent line of #5 Curlene’s Spirit (3-1) doesn’t look that great at first glance, but it’s better than it appears. She ran into a very impressive Brittany Russell-trained runner who crushed the field by 9 ¼ lengths at odds-on. The rest of them hit the wire in a blanket finish, and Curlene’s Spirit missed second by only 3 ¾ lengths. She’s plunging in the class today and has Hazlewood up for the first time. #1 Rhee Wall (10-1) got some action on debut at the Meadowlands, but showed no aptitude for grass and was well-beaten. She’s worked well since then for Cal Lynch, and has room to improve first time on dirt. #10 Knickoletta (2-1) showed speed and faded on debut at Colonial in July. She’s turned in a pair of bullet workouts for Russell since then. While it’s a bit alarming that she’s dropping so far in class, it’s possible she has some talent (or enough to win this race, at least), and Russell is simply trying to keep her 2-year-olds as spaced out from each other as she can.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-10-3-6

#9 Souper Williwaw (9-5) took advantage of a slow second quarter to draw away and break her maiden impressively at Monmouth Park in June. She’s making her first start since then for a Mike Trombetta barn that has done well on grass all meet long. #10 Summer Whirl (6-1) closed and just missed in her first local try last out. She was beaten less than a length by Stop Watch, who returned to finish third by a length in a second-level race here on Sunday. A well-timed ride by Jorge Ruiz would make her very hard to beat. #3 Lady de Berry (5-2) couldn’t get settled last out at the Meadowlands and subsequently ran a subpar race. At her best, she has lots of early speed, and will try to steal away on the front end with Sheldon Russell aboard. He set the pace with her twice over the summer, and almost pulled off gate-to-wire wins both times.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-9-10-6

#2 Stanza (9-2) ran a big race in his first start back from a spill last out. He swung wide and flew late to miss by half a length to a rival who got a huge jump start on him. He should prove a serious late factor once again in his second start off the bench. #9 Proudly Hailed (4-1) ships from Kentucky for Jack Sisterson, for his first Maryland starter in over three years. This one ran well on grass earlier this year at Woodbine and Indianapolis, turning in a pair of seconds in two efforts and encountering plenty of traffic trouble in the other. #10 Danner (7-2) was heavily bet at this level last out and ended up third behind Stanza. His form is still very sharp, and you’ll get a better price this time if you still believe.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-10-4-3

#5 Sheriff Ronnie (2-1) has run a brisnet figure of at least 87 in each of his last three starts, something none of his 10 rivals have come close to doing. He closed well for third against better last out at Delaware, and should get the job done against these without much trouble. #10 Take a Hint (9-2) comes out of the same race at Delaware, where he faded after getting pressed on the pace. He’s easily the most dangerous speed horse in here, so despite his draw, he still might be able to get the trip he wants. #4 Electric Eel (8-1) is very inconsistent, but when he shows his best self, he’s very hard to beat. He joins the Mario Serey barn after spending the summer with Carlos David.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-14-5-9

#8 Jack’s Legend (8-1) ran about as well as he could last out in the Maryland Million Turf, closing for third behind impressive gate-to-wire winner Coringa. When he got a more honest pace to close into two races ago, he won going away. #14 Ruse (15-1) hasn’t crossed the wire first this year, but he won his only start on this track last October, and has a consistently strong closing kick that should earn him at least a share. #5 Praetorian Gold (20-1) has speed and a good draw, with every chance to take them all the way around.

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

3-6-4-5

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