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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $1,812
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $1,895
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-8-5-4

Brittany Russell has two entries in here, and they’re my top two picks. #1 Nola Boss (7-2) was an impressive maiden winner last out, breaking on top and holding on to win with a career-best brisnet mark of 82. That’s the best last-out figure in the race by nine points, and is far and away the best figure earned by anyone in the field. He may not get as easy a trip today, but he has a high ceiling. #8 Sticktothesystem (9-5) broke his maiden in similar fashion going 1 1/16 miles last out. He didn’t run as high a figure, earning only a 73, but he might have a better chance of making the lead and getting his preferred trip from the outside. #5 Tucker Tiki (8-1) has been in steadily improving form, including a maiden-breaking effort in his last start on September 12. He’s coming off the longest layoff in the race, but has worked very well recently at Charles Town.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-6-5-3

We’ll try a Brittany Russell early double with #4 Handsintheair (1-1). She chased the pace and faded in her last few starts against better maidens at Woodbine, and fits right in with this bunch. This half-sister to multiple stakes winner Fulmineo will make her first start in her home state this afternoon. #6 Chilly Girl (3-1) adds blinkers after veering in in the stretch last out, resulting in her disqualification from second to third. Yedsit Hazlewood picked off of her to ride victorious Rina is Fire that day, who returned to finish second in a first-level sprint as the favorite last Saturday. This time, he stays aboard. #5 Always Authentic (6-1) improved to a 74 second time out in late August. She struggled on grass last out, but has had 2 ½ months off since then and takes blinkers off in her first start for the Kelly Rubley barn.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-2-8-7

#1 Valleyshark (6-1) broke his maiden on debut from off the pace in February 2024, then went to the sidelines for over a year and a half. He returned to the races going long on grass last out. He showed a new dimension that day, showing speed and leading almost the whole way before flattening out in the last eighth. He should improve second off the layoff on the switchback to dirt. #2 Ecumenical (9-5) went off as the even-money choice again bottom-level maidens last out, and lived up to the hype to win with a career-best 88. If Valleyshark doesn’t show speed today, this one will be in prime position to take them gate-to-wire. #8 Brighty (6-1) closed for third against a slightly better field last out, and has by far the best average late pace figures in the race.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-4-3-6

#2 Tipmanee (8-5) was little factor in the Smart Halo Stakes last out. She now drops back to a more realistic level, and gets Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode her in her maiden win, back in the saddle. #4 Knickoletta (6-1) crushed the field first off the Jerry Robb claim last out, breaking her maiden in style with a career-best 76. Robb has had a strong meet with his 2-year-olds, including victories in his last two starters in juvenile races for winners. #3 Last Gift (10-1) is the only one in the field who has defeated winners, having beaten $25,000 rivals two starts back. She’s looking for a rebound after fading on the lead last out.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-4-3-5

#2 Paintmymasterpeace (5-1) improved significantly to a 69 second time out, finishing a clear-cut second to the impressive, well-bet winner Let’s Go Lando. His improvement coincided with a stretchout from 5 ½ furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, and it stands to reason that he would like more distance. His dam, Artful Splatter, was a two-time stakes winner at a mile or longer. Once again, Brittany Russell has two interesting runners in a 2-year-old race. #4 Dynacito (5-2) consistently ran in the mid/upper-60s throughout the summer and fall, stalking the pace and holding on for a share each time. He’s facing a fairly soft field in his dirt debut, and will be tough if he runs back to his usual race. #3 Hixon (4-1) is a first-timer for the Russell barn. His workouts haven’t been great, and his worktab is dangerously long. However, any Russell firster is dangerous, and as noted above, he doesn’t have to be a world-beater to win this race.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

10-1-5-9

At first glance, #10 Bright Charger (9-2) looks like he’s up against it, having lost his last two starts by 29 lengths each. However, his last race can be easily excused. It was his first race off a 6 ½-month break, and he stumbled very badly at the start. From there, he was not seriously persevered with. He ran no worse than a 79 in his first three starts of the year, and a return to that form wins this. #1 Nola Boss (2-1) battled on the lead last out, and held third while outfinishing his dueling partner by nine lengths. He’s shown that he can run well from on or off the pace. #5 Bigtonten (15-1) finished second at this level two starts back, beating a few of today’s rivals in the process. He was beaten by Uniwinner, who won that race impressively and was in much better form than anyone in this race. This one struggled going a mile last out, but should improve cutting back.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-6-3

#4 Intrepid Mo (2-1) has run at least an 85 in each of her last three starts. That’s faster than anyone else has run at any point within their last three dirt races. She was second to Hazlewood-ridden winner Atlantis Queen last out; now Hazlewood gets back aboard. #1 How Sweet She Is (5-2) is my preferred half of the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry. She ran in the upper-80s twice earlier this year, but has declined in her last few starts after getting involved in early pace battles.Her late speed will be dangerous if she avoids another early duel. Martin Chuan gets the mount; he’s 5-for-10 on Ness runners since Thanksgiving. #6 Isle Blue (6-1) was an easy maiden winner at second asking at Finger Lakes last out. Her and How Sweet She Is are the only ones to win around two turns in the past six months. This one will take advantage of a potentially contested early pace.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-7-1

#5 Lady Charlotte (9-5) won third off a seven-month layoff last out, setting the pace and winning easily. She’s a serious threat to once again go gate-to-wire. #3 I Believe in Magic (9-2) ran her best figure in months last out, earning an 80 in a blanket finish at Delaware Park. She has great tactical speed; it’s just a matter of if she can sustain her move. #7 Royal Seamstress (3-1) has finished behind Lady Charlotte in both of her two recent starts, losing to her by a neck two starts back and eating into her margin late in her most recent try. Yedsit Hazlewood gets the call for the first time.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!