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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $2,805
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $1,262
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $13,371

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

14-12-10-4

#14 Julia’s a Fox (15-1) has never gone two turns on grass before, but she’s shown plenty of aptitude (relatively speaking) on the surface. She improved five brisnet points to a 65 last out in her second start off a 10-month layoff. She has solid late speed, and has shown the ability to sit close to the pace and still run well. Put those two together, and she may prove especially dangerous. #12 Lyric Street (5-1) has been pounding hard on the door all season long, losing four of her last five starts by 2 ½ lengths or less. She was close to the pace last out, and while she wore down the early leader, she was caught by a rival who sat third in the early stages. This one has the ability to take control of a largely paceless race despite her outside draw. #10 Hysterics (7-2) continues to drop down the class ladder after facing slightly better maiden claimers for most of the year. She’s run well despite getting pace-compromised in many of her starts this year, and her late kick should be good enough for at least a share even if the early tempo is dawdling.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-2-3

#4 Pinotslilgirl (2-1) makes her first start since late July. She hasn’t run a bad race on this track, with two wins and two seconds in four starts here, and won two of her last three races at Penn National and Delaware Park prior to going on the sidelines. Her tactical speed off a potentially hot pace makes her very dangerous. #1 She’s a Gem (4-1) has rapidly moved forward this year, converting a great stalking trip to a dominant 6 ½-length win in her last start. The second and third-place finishers, Lady Charlotte and Royal Seamstress, came back to finish 1-2 in a conditioned $7,500 claimer here last Sunday. #2 Just Like You (7-2) has rallied and just missed behind some classy rivals in her last few starts, including the likes of Unsolved Mystery, Devil Pays in Gold, and Cuz Ur Pretty. Those three are a combined 13-for-19 this year. Today’s waters look easier.

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

14-13-9-8

#14 Gastown Babe (7-2) dropped into a starter optional claiming race for the first time in a while last out, after over a year of unsuccessfully butting heads with allowance competition or better. She steadied a bit on the turn and closed well behind rivals who never quit on the front end. She now drops another notch on the class ladder from $25,000 competition, and should back another strong, hopefully more impactful, late punch. #13 Diane Lee (6-1) has finished third twice at this level on the season. She gets a rider switch to Jorge Ruiz, who has won with nine of his last 20 grass mounts, an absurd 45% clip. #9 Sweeterthanwhiskey (4-1) hasn’t won in a while, but has hit the board against slightly better throughout the year, including a fourth-place finish ahead of Gastown Babe last out.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-9-4-5

After a series of futile tries around two turns, #1 P J’s Song (3-1) cut back to six furlongs last out. The move paid instant dividends, as he drew away from the field to win with a season’s-best 85. He gets to stay at six furlongs and could be hard to hold off with the right trip. #9 Prom Knight (12-1) was third to P J’s Song three races back. While he ran respectably well next out, he completely laid an egg in his most recent start, flattening out after a wide trip. He’s worked well since then and looks like a contender if he’s back to 100%. #4 Mister Agent (7-2) has taken steps forward with each start since coming back off a three-month break in late August. This looks like the softest field he’s seen at this level in a while, with the possible exception of his comeback race at Timonium.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

13-14-11-1

Not only is #13 The Hero Code (6-5) the only horse in the race to run in the 70s in each of his last three starts, he’s crossed that barrier in six of his seven career grass starts. The only time he didn’t was his first race off an 18-month layoff in May, in which he was rank throughout. #14 Super Tiz (8-1) flattened out after making a promising move into a brutally slow pace last out. He ran a 73 in his other grass start, in which he got a more honest pace to run into, and he should get back to that if the pace develops in front of him. #11 Man With the Money (6-1) drops in for a tag for the first time in a two-turn grass race. He’s run in the 70s in three of his four grass races, and while his late kick is inconsistent, he’ll be a late threat if he shows his best work.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-1-11-5

#4 Cactus (9-5) moves from starter optional claiming company back into the allowance ranks. He faced a better field than this one last out, went off as one of the favorites, and finished second to favored Where’s Ray, who’s better than anyone he’ll have to deal with here. This one easily beat Maryland-restricted allowance company two starts back in gate-to-wire fashion. #1 Dewy’s Beast (6-1) has speed from the rail for the Sarah White/Jorge Ruiz trainer/jockey combo. They teamed up for a gate-to-wire winner on grass on Saturday in Tough Workout. #11 Java Buzz (4-1) broke slowly and never got involved last out at the Meadowlands. However, if he breaks cleanly and makes the front, his early speed is especially potent.

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

4-7-1-2

#4 Keen Surge (7-5) lived up to his name in his last dirt start. He rallied boldly and just missed in a washed-off affair at Colonial Downs, and might’ve won if he wasn’t forced to steady late. Mike Geralis has strong numbers with his runners going from grass to dirt, hitting at a 36% clip in recent times. #7 With Full Honors (10-1) blew the doors off a maiden claiming field at Belterra Park two starts ago, then made up admirable ground despite being badly pace-compromised in his local debut. He’s very eligible for an improved effort. #1 Hacksaw Ridge (5-2) has tons of early speed and takes a big drop in class second off a six-month layoff. It’s always a bit alarming to see a horse plunge from high-priced maiden claimers and first-level allowances this quickly, but the pace might be so favorable for him, he could win even if he’s far from his best self.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-3-1-9

#8 Midnight Prowler (5-1)r ran a career-best 75 last out, even though, visually, it was the least impressive of her recent starts. She’s making a lateral move from the maiden special weight ranks at Delaware and should sit a good trip just off the pace on the outside. #3 Galatina (6-1) is in steadily improving form and also possesses a sharp late kick. She rallied well for third at Aqueduct last out despite having to close into a very slow second quarter. #1 Reppazz (3-1) has led most of the way and gotten caught in each of her last two starts. If nothing else, you’ll get a run for your money, as she’s almost certain to set the early pace.

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

6-8-9-5

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