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) — $3,752
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,915
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

9-10-5-12 (DIRT: 3-9-10-6)

#9 Divining Smile (9-2) went off as the 7-10 choice at this level last out, and rallied well and just missed by a neck, running a brisnet figure of 78 for the second consecutive race. She was outkicked by a filly named Buzzaway, who would be one of the favorites in here and has better late pace figures than any of Divining Smile’s rivals today. As such, the likelihood of Divining Smile getting outkicked again is not as large. #10 Happy This Day (4-1) sat the trip and converted to an easy win against a similar bunch last out, her second win in her last three starts. She loses the white-hot Jorge Ruiz, but gets a capable replacement in Jevian Toledo. #5 Mariano (20-1) was not much of a threat in the race that Divining Smile also exits, but she rallied well to hit the board two and three starts back. When she finished third three starts back, she finished behind Battling Time and Morning Miracle, both of whom have come back to run well since.

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

1-7-6-5

#1 Donut Dust (8-1) is one of two in here who has hit the board going two turns before, and the only entrant to ruin in the 60s in each of his last two starts. He didn’t do much after a wide trip at Delaware Park last out, but should benefit from the better draw. #7 Birdy Whisper (2-1) stretched out to a mile for the first time last out and finished a credible, chasing third. He gets Yedsit Hazlewood aboard and should sit close to the pace on the outside. #6 Paynted Lion (6-1), the other horse to hit the board around two turns, has been in slowly improving form throughout his busy 2-year-old season (already a six-time starter) and his churning closing style could be enough.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-1-8-9 (DIRT: 2-4-10-7)

On September 13, Covered in Crystal, a Live Oak Plantation homebred trained by Mike Trombetta, won on debut in a weak maiden special weight field going 5 ½ furlongs on grass with Jorge Ruiz up. Almost two months later, #11 Best Artist (9-2) has almost the exact same profile. Watch the board. #1 Karate Island (8-5) has finished second three times in as many starts, the last time at 3-10. This Brittany Russell-trained gelding may have broken through in that race if he didn’t get caught in traffic late. That said, his rail draw leaves him susceptible to getting into trouble here as well. He’s live, but don’t take too low a price. #8 Garage Beers (8-1) took a big step forward second time on grass last out. He sat off the pace and struck the front late, ultimately finishing second while improving 16 points off his first try on this surface.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-10-6-1

#8 Mr. Hustle (7-2) finished second at Parx last out behind favored Aula, who hit the front early and never stopped. Considering how dominant that winner was, Mr. Hustle ran about as well as could be expected given the circumstances. #10 Passioned (6-1) has shown the ability to run well from both on and off the pace. He closed well from midpack last out and got second behind Uncle Irish, a Jamie Ness trainee with loads of backclass. There isn’t a lot of speed here, so despite the outside draw, he may be sent for speed by Jean Briceno. #6 Bird King (6-1) was an easy winner against slightly softer three starts back at Delaware, and should improve dropping back in class after two tries against better.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-8-5-9 (DIRT: 2-4-10-5)

#1 Princess Javoncia (9-2) has already won twice this year against similar. She was third last out to Spoils of War and White Lilacs, who have won six races this year between them. Even though it’s a step up in class on paper, this is, at worst, a lateral move compared to her last race, a race she was claimed out of by Lizzie Merryman. #8 Embrace Me (7-2) ran some big races over the winter at Turfway Park, but hasn’t been seen since a victory against first-level rivals there in late March. She got back on the worktab in early September at Fair Hill and has put in four drills since then for Richard Hendriks. She has a big chance to make what could be her only start before the end of grass season a winning one. #5 Turf Rocket (5-2) didn’t have her usual punch at Aqueduct last out, in her first start following a voided claim. However, she’s worked well since then, suggesting that Mike Trombetta has cured whatever ailed her in her previous races.

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

12-3-1-5 (DIRT: 5-1-9-2)

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

#12 Mun Mun Can Run (2-1) went off favored in her two-turn debut last out, but couldn’t handle the distance and proved no factor. She ran well in her previous one-turn starts, so the distance cutback should help. #3 Gotta Be Da Shoes (30-1) closed well for second two grass races ago, then was forced to check sharply twice in her last start. Once she got clear, she made decent ground and ended up beaten only three lengths for third. Of course, she’s susceptible to getting caught in traffic again in another big field, but her closing kick will be a threat if she’s allowed to show it. #1 Holy Brick (9-2) almost completed a wire job last out, but flattened out in the last eighth and finished second. She’s gotten braver and braver on the lead with each race.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-1-9

#4 Awesome Andy (7-5) ran huge on debut at Delaware. He battled on the early pace with a well-bet Keri Brion firster who ultimately gave way. This one held well and finished third with a relatively impressive 77. Gary Capuano has done fantastic work with his 2-year-olds all meet long, and he puts Yedsit Hazlewood in the saddle for the first time. #3 Rebel Prince (10-1) showed some mild late punch in his first start at Delaware (not the same race Awesome Andy exits). He looks poised for improvement second time out at a decent number. #1 Mythical Punch (10-1) goes first out for Justin Nixon, who trained his dam, the solid sprinter Hibiscus Punch. He’s by Munnings, whose progeny do well at first asking, and has world well as of late for Justin Nixon.

RACE 8: SMART HALO STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-4-2

Today’s first stakes race is named for the first winner of the Maryland Million Lassie. Note that Beach Heist, who might’ve gone off favored, ran at Aqueduct yesterday, so she’ll be scratched today. #1 Just Philtored (2-1) is in the driver’s seat for the Maryland-bred 2-year-old filly championship. She won a pair of stakes races at Colonial this summer, taking the Keswick Stakes on dirt and the Dolley Madison Stakes on grass. She didn’t fire in the Matron Stakes at Aqueduct last out, but returns to her home state, switches back to dirt, and should sit a great stalk-and-pounce trip on the rail. #7 Slewperstitus (4-1) finished second to Just Philtored twice this summer at Colonial, then captured the Maryland Million Lassie last out when Just Philtored detoured to New York. She had to work harder than one might’ve hoped in that race, just getting up in the last few strides as the 7-10 chalk. Still, she has lots of class and a strong middle punch. #4 Prosecco Rita (7-2) was an easy winner against a soft maiden field last out and is sure to show early speed for the Brittany Russell/Sheldon Russell dream team.

RACE 9: JAMES LEWIS STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

10-6-9-4

2-year-old males will do battle in this event, named for the longtime Maryland horseman who was the first president of the Maryland Million. #10 Balboa (5-2) demolished the field at Del Mar three starts back with an impressive 91, then finished up the track in stakes company in his next two starts. The SF/Starlight crew transferred him from Bob Baffert to Brittany Russell not long afterwards, and he’s had two solid local workouts. Unlike many Baffert expats in Russell’s barn, this one has proven ability, and despite his outside draw, should work out a trip near the pace and draw off. #6 Max Capacity (20-1) is one of two in this race to defeat winners. He wired a first-level field last out. Whenever he’s left alone on the lead, he’s dangerous, but the two times he was challenged for the lead, he backpedaled and finished up the track. He looks fast enough to get the uncontested lead he wants, but he must be used aggressively by Jevian Toledo. #9 Hollywood Import (9-2), another one for the Capuano/Hazlewood combo, came from way off the pace to win on debut at Delaware with a perfectly-timed move. He’s turned in two good workouts since, including a five-furlong drill last Saturday in 1.00 ⅖ where he outworked several talented Jerry Robb trainees and his stablemate, the accomplished older horse Secret Zipper. Note that he finished ahead of Awesome Andy, the favorite in race 7, in his debut win.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-10-7

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