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) — $2,247
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $847
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 $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

1-7-13-11

Note the slightly earlier than usual first post time, to avoid conflict with Aqueduct. #1 Steadfast Resolve (2-1) ships from New York for George Weaver, where he’s been gobbling up ground against better rivals. With any kind of pace to close into, he’ll easily handle these. #7 Roundtop (7-2) also has a strong late punch, rallying from way out of it to beat similar at Delaware Park. He’s been in improving form throughout the year, and can rally for second even if Steadfast Resolve outkicks him. On the other end of the spectrum, #13 Imagine It All (20-1) has the most early speed in a largely paceless contest. He got caught wide last out, couldn’t make the front, and stopped badly. This time, he should be able to make the lead despite his outside draw.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-7-6-4

#3 Lady Charlotte (2-1) battled on the pace and just held on for second against simi;ar last out behind runaway winner She’s a Gem. She sent her dueling partners into a sound defeat that day, so we know she’s dangerous on the lead, and will be especially so with her inside draw. #7 Golden Charm (6-1) gets much-needed class relief after fading following a wide trip last out against starter optional claiming rivals. She’s seen better days, but her recent brisnet figures are still competitive with these types. #4 Royal Seamstress (5-1) just missed nabbing Lady Charlotte for second in her last start. She’ll be primed to take advantage if that rival is hooked in an especially contentious duel.

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

4-1-8-3

#4 Dats My Pharaoh (7-2) has run back-to-back career-best figures, peaking at a 77 last out when second to runaway winner Caddiemaster. He’s never gone this far before, but that last effort was at a mile, and represented dramatic improvement from his previous one-mile try in which he was well-beaten. That gives me reason to believe he can handle the extra ground. #1 Real Talented (4-1) was fourth behind Dats My Pharoah last out after battling on the early pace with Caddiemaster. There’s not much other speed, so he has a chance to run away and hide. #8 Ready and Able (10-1) showed a hint of promise over the winter when he finished a solid-closing third against maiden special weight types at Sam Houston Race Park. He tailed off the rest of the spring and ran races that are OK for this level first and second off the bench at Delaware Park. He now runs for a tag for the first time in almost a year, and will be a threat if he keeps improving.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-9-13-12

#2 West Mountain (15-1) hasn’t raced before, but his pedigree suggests he’ll really like the grass. His dam, Sea Level Drive, was graded stakes-placed on grass. In addition, three of his four siblings to try his surface have won on it. One of them, Luckman, captured the 2022 Toronto Cup on the Woodbine lawn. #9 Dynaflame (9-2) set the pace and finished third on debut going two turns at Colonial Downs in September. Next out against straight maidens, he couldn’t make the front and finished up the track. He should improve on the class drop. #13 Joe Class (7-2) had little chance in his grass debut last out given how slow the early pace was, but he still closed about as well as he could under the circumstances. He’s bound to move forward in this spot.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-7

#3 Hotmessness (8-1) came from off the pace to win on debut at Delaware with a solid 68. This Jamie Ness homebred filly should get another good setup with plenty of speed to her outside. #1 Nemain (6-1) has moved forward with each start, including a 72 in her maiden-breaking win first time on dirt at Colonial Downs. She made a premature move that day, striking the front and almost getting run down by Royalties Riches. That filly broke her maiden against $16,000 rivals by four lengths two weeks ago. #4 Mitoleisdynamite (4-1) won an all-race battle two darts back at Timonium, and looks to rebound after a poor break cost her any shot in the John McKee Memorial Stakes last out.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-4-10-5

#1 Deputy A.P. (6-1) cuts back in distance here, having finished a solid-closing fifth at 1 ⅜ miles last out. That was his first start in 11 months, and he only ran three points off of his career-top mark. #4 Musical Entourage (8-1) fought hard all the way last out, battling throughout with even-money favorite Homestead. He lost to that rival by a head while running in the 70s for the third time in five starts. While his 0-for-11 lifetime record isn’t inspiring, he’s at least trending in the right direction. #10 Freedom Glider (5-2) faded on the pace last out at the Meadowlands, declining significantly to a 67 after a summer of running in the mid/upper-70s consistently. Does he simply run down to his competition, or can he bounce back.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-8-5-7

#4 Curlene’s Spirit (5-2) won the battle but lost the war last out. She was pounded late in the betting and wore down the other favorite, Knickoletta, in the stretch. However, they were both swallowed up by Shenandoah Sunrise, who came from way behind to win by a neck. Still, this one turned in a big effort, gets to stay against similar, and has easily the best early pace figures in the race. #8 Salty One (9-2) didn’t show much on grass last out, but switches back to dirt, drops in class, and adds blinkers. #5 Stylish Gem (3-1) went off as the big favorite last out after shipping down here for George Weaver. She made a wide move on the turn and faded, and was claimed out of that race by Jerry Robb. Look for her to sit near the pace and try to save more ground.

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

8-11-10-1

Mike Trombetta and Jorge Ruiz have had fantastic seasons on the grass. They’ve teamed up to win with #8 Big Earn (8-1) twice at the meet, sitting great stalk-and-pounce trips both times. She’s taking a slight jump in class, but her recent figures, including an 82 last out, are right in the mix with these. #11 So Darn Pretty (7-2) has gotten plenty of mileage up I-95 this year. Brittany Russell has sent her to New York three times this year, with a win and two off-the-board finishes around two turns. She didn’t do much around one turn last year, but she’s in improved form since then. The other Trombetta, #10 Waittilmidnitehour (3-1), has been pounding on the door at this condition. She’s finished second or third at this level three times in a row, going off at even money or shorter in her last two tries. Tellingly, Ruiz has ridden both this one and Big Earn throughout the year, and he’s riding Big Earn. Still, this one’s tactical speed and recent figures can’t be discounted.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

2-7-6-4

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