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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $4,240
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,048
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-1-4

#6 Chase a Dream (12-1) is one of a few in here coming out of the second race on November 14. He was pinballed around at the start and was not asked for anything from there, ultimately finishing well up the track. He raced on the pace and held second in his previous two starts in similar company, and a return to that kind of form would win this. That terrible last line should drive up his price a bit. #8 New York Strong (2-1) was consistently well-bet against starter optional claiming types on grass in his last few starts, and consistently put in late rallies that always fell short. He’s taking a big class drop and switching back to dirt, a surface on which he’s shown glimmers of promise. #1 Ellinger (5-1) ran a big race on the lead in that November 14 contest, almost taking them gate-to-wire at 18-1. He’l have to deal with some dangerous speed from his outside, but he’s shown that he can also run well from off the pace.

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

6-7-1-2

#6 Maupasant (9-2) is easily the lightest-raced horse in the field. He’s started just five times, with only one loss against winners. He got up to break his maiden from off the pace two starts ago at Penn National, and returns to dirt after a game second-place effort at 70-1 on grass last out. #7 Real Talented (4-1) took advantage of an easy early pace to break his maiden at 10th asking last out. He ran brisnet figures of 72 in his prior two starts, making him the only one in the field to run in the 70s twice within his last three races. #1 Repeatingofcourse (8-5) stretched out to a mile from six furlongs last out. He handled the extra distance well, showing speed and holding second. He looks well-meant for this spot for the hot Horacio De Paz barn.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-6-1-2

#3 Rowsie Express (5-2) has won two of her last three starts, her most recent win in gate-to-wire fashion. She got away with a pretty easy trip that day, but she’s previously proven that she can win even with less advantageous setups. #6 Solving Progress (8-1) came from much further off the pace than usual last out, but she still turned in a big effort, gobbling up ground and losing by less than two lengths. She switches back to dirt first off the Niall Saville claim, and should sit closer to the pace today. #1 Girvinized (10-1) lost her last two starts by a combined 32 lengths. However, she ran consistently well in the spring and summer, and has a chance to improve second off a 2 ½-month layoff.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-7-1

Five of the seven runners come out of the same race at this condition on November 14. #3 Change My World (5-1) sat off the pace that day, dropped back, and re-rallied to finish third. He rallied from just off the pace to win two starts ago, and has steadily improved throughout the season. #4 Great Heavens (9-2) was second in that November 14 race, his third consecutive runner-up finish. His closing running style isn’t ideal for this distance- in 13 starts at six furlongs, he’s won twice and come in second six times. A similar result is likely here. #7 All the Hardways (8-1) was well-beaten going longer in his last two starts. In his last start at six furlongs, he ran a career-best 91 when second to Bold Diversion, who returned to win at this condition in mid-November.

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

5-8-4-1

#5 Hoppetosse (2-1) went off as the slight favorite at this condition last out despite breaking from the far outside post. He was forced wide the whole way, and while he made a bit of a move late, the effects of his trip did him in and he finished sixth. Two starts back at Timonium, he ran third with a career-best 66 behind Mo Missile, who has since won twice. That effort may be more indicative of his true ability. #8 Gonzalo (4-1) was third with a career-best 59 last out behind the freakishly impressive winner Biker Baley. He’s been consistently solid all year and has every chance to keep moving forward. #4 Flying to Work (5-1), the lone firster in the field, goes out for Anthony Farrior and has many siblings who won early in their careers. Watch the board before deciding if you want to include him in your late pick 5 plays.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-10-7

#1 Gaelicheartofgold (5-1) improved significantly to a 60 second time out on the Meadowlands grass. He switches to dirt for the first time and takes a career-low drop in class. #8 Superlastingsecret (3-1) led almost the whole way first off a 3 ½-month break last out. He pulled clear in the stretch, but drifted out late and was caught in the final strides. He’s gotten better at persevering on the lead throughout the season, and looks like he’ll once again be tough on the front end. #10 Knucker Puck (10-1) stopped badly going a mile last out, but has run well at this distance or slightly longer in the past. He’s bound to improve on the cutback third off a 7 ½-month layoff.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-4-5

#2 Omaha Omaha (6-1) looked like a possible Kentucky Derby contender at one point this winter. He hit the board three times in Derby preps, including a strong-closing third in the Virginia Derby on a speed-favoring Colonial Downs strip. He fell off in his last two starts, losing them by a combined 42 lengths, and went to the sidelines in mid-June. He’s worked well since mid-October for Mike Gorham and gets Lasix for the first time. He clearly has a high ceiling, and looks ready for a big effort first off the bench. Rudy Rodriguez is scheduled to send down two from New York, and both look live. #1 Le Gris (9-2) won going away three starts back at Saratoga with a career-best 95, then ran a 93 on the step up in class next out despite a wide trip. He has the best sustained pace figures in this field. Stablemate #4 Magical Ways (2-1) hasn’t won this year, but has finished in the top three five times in eight dirt starts with consistent figures in the 90s. He’ll sit just off the pace towards the inside and try to convert.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-3-2

#7 I’m a Cutie Pie (7-2) has beaten second-level fields twice in her last three starts, and now makes a move up the class ladder. This is a much better field than she saw last time, but she’ll be a threat if she runs back to any of her recent wins. My next two picks were scratched from yesterday’s Safely Kept Stakes in favor of this spot. #6 Passage East (9-5) saw her five-race win streak snapped at Aqueduct last out, but now returns to the Mid-Atlantic and gets Yedsit Hazlewood up for the first time. She looks poised to sit a great trip near the pace. #3 Conquerthosewecan (3-2) has only tasted recent defeat in stakes company, and looks well-meant for this spot first off a two-month break. Look for Sheldon Russell to send her to the front and try to take them all the way.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-1-5

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