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

First post time: 11:50 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 7-12) — $4,869
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $569
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 8-12) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

6-10-14-2

A few of these are coming out of the 9th race on October 3. #6 Then What Time (9-2) went off as the 9-5 second choice that day, but he dealt with loads of traffic trouble. He checked sharply twice heading up the backstretch and didn’t have much to say from there. He ran a very sharp brisnet figure of 84 in his previous one-turn grass start, a maiden-breaking win three races ago. He’s got a chance to duplicate that race with a cleaner trip. #10 Gotta Have a Guy (6-1) was second in that race at 16-1, matching his career-best mark of 77 with a solid late rally. He struggled at two turns in the first part of his career, but looks more at home at today’s distance. #14 Corrected Pedigree (12-1) finished third at this condition last out. He lagged behind most of the way, but got the picture late and made good ground in the center of the track. He’ll have to move sooner to win this one, but should still be good for at least a small slice.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-1-3

#4 Shezahotmess (4-1) was bet like a sure thing last out and ran like it, breaking her maiden by 16 lengths. She has a powerful middle and late punch that will enable her to roll by these and improve to 2-for-2 around two turns. #2 Sweet Wine (6-1) also broke her maiden around two turns in her most recent try, drawing off to win easily at Delaware Park in her second race off a seven-month layoff. She hasn’t proven that she can run as fast as Shezahotmess yet, but she has a high ceiling and could prove a serious threat. #1 Map to the Moon (10-1) won at this distance three races back at Timonium and has run credible seconds in her next two starts. She looks like the type to sit a good trip off the pace and hang around for a share.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-7-4

#3 Bodybuilder (4-1) closed well in his career debut on grass last out. He was taken by Kieron Magee that day, who switches him to dirt right away. He’s got every chance to move forward with more experience and the surface switch. #6 Manseeyasway (7-2) has been in improved form in his last few starts. He has good tactical speed, which could work out very well for him if he can sit just off the blazing fast Bernie the Star. 7 Knucker Puck (8-1) finished up the track in his last start, but that was at a mile, which is further than he’d like to go. This might be a bit too far for him as well, but he should at least turn in an improved effort.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-14-1-11

#10 Wonder Girl (9-5) has won twice in a row at this level. She didn’t win as impressively as usual last out, having to hold off the late rally of Quick Power Nap. However, she still got the job done, and looms very large in this group. #14 Gift of Gab (5-1) hasn’t been a factor in her last few tries against allowance rivals at Delaware and Penn National. However, she’s raced in starter optional claiming company three times, and won twice and finished second once. #1 Bustin Bullet (2-1) races first off the claim by Anthony Farrior and has blazing speed from the rail.

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

3-2-10-12

After showing almost nothing in his first two starts, #3 Sugar On Fire (12-1) woke up in a big way at third asking at Delaware. He battled for the early lead in a multi-way duel. Everyone else who was involved finished way up the track, but Sugar On Fire held on gamely and finished a clear-cut second, losing only to a rival who got a perfect trip off the hot pace. #2 El Papacito (8-1) stretched out to a mile last out with disastrous results. His races at today’s distance or shorter are much more encouraging. Look for him to go to the front and try to keep going. #10 Countingmyblessing (10-1) showed speed and faded at first asking, but he’s worked well since, and could work out a nice trip near the pace on the outside.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-8-7-10

#12 In Her Glory (5-2) was scratched from a similar spot on October 3, has worked three times since then, and is now ready to rumble here. She ran a huge race to break her maiden at Saratoga two starts back, improving 11 points to an 83. Runner-up Sadie Earp won next out at Kentucky Downs, while third-place finisher Bibi Dahl returned to win a maiden race at Monmouth Park. In In Her Glory’s next start, she surged late and just missed in the Presque Isle Downs Debutante Stakes, improving further to an 87. She switches back to grass and drops in class. #8 Amberia (12-1) didn’t much care for two turns in her stateside debut in the Selima Stakes, but ran very well at sprint distances in England earlier in her career. She has every chance to improve. #7 Dale’s Bluff (6-1) has gotten better with every start, finishing second at this condition last out behind a Mike Trombetta-trained runner who overwhelmed the field. She’s shown the ability to run well from on or just off the pace.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-8-6

If Shezahotmess wins earlier today, it’ll further validate #3 Anita Beer (3-1). She beat that rival two starts back, then ran well in a blanket finish in her first start against winners at Delaware in her next start. She’s the only one in the race to run in the 70s in each of her last two starts. #4 Infastuation (6-1) finished second in her last start at this condition, chasing runaway winner South Pacific. She has solid tactical speed, and should take advantage in a race where it looks like there’s a lot of cheap speed. #8 Still Game (2-1) battled on the lead and faded going a mile in her second start off an eight-month layoff last out. She’s adding blinkers here, and should run much better cutting back in distance.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-5-3-14

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE, CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

#2 McRavin (3-1) ran a big race at first asking, closing with a rush off of very slow fractions to win. Runner-up Juris Doctor broke his maiden as the favorite last Saturday, while third-place finisher Monterrey won at Charles Town in his next start. This one’s getting a class test, but he’s shown tons of ability and commands respect. #5 Wheneveruremember (12-1) has run back-to-back career-best figures in his last two starts, finishing third behind some nice horses at Colonial Downs. He’ll look to sit a good trip near the pace. #3 King’s River (7-2) closed off of modest fractions to lose the Maryland Million Turf Starter Handicap by a nose in his last start, losing a nosebob photo to Whiskeyinthejaro. If he can get in the clear late, he’ll be rolling.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-5-2

#6 Point Aven (5-2) has been working like an absolute tank, with three bullet workouts within his last four timed drills. He’s from a win-early family; in fact, his trainer, Phil Capuano, sent out a distant relative, Ms. Notion, to victory at first asking last November. He’ll have to fire a big race on debut to beat this experienced field, but everything suggests that he’s capable. #7 Caseofthemondays (5-1) comes back on quick rest, having last raced eight days ago. He’s run respectably well in both starts in spite of not being able to settle early. We’ll see if he can finally put himself together. #5 Tartabull (2-1), the first foal out of local legend Anna’s Bandit, makes his first local appearance after finishing well up the track in two tries at Saratoga. A change of scenery and a rider switch to Xavier Perez, Anna’s Bandit’s jockey, might wake him up. That said, he’s almost certain to be overbet.

RACE 10: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-2-9-3

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!