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) — $2,645
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,572
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-8-1

#7 B West (5-2) has rediscovered his best form since rejoining the Kieron Magee barn in mid-September. He rallied and just missed two starts back behind Freeze the Fire, who returned to win a starter optional claiming race as the favorite last Saturday. Last out, this one timed his move just right and nailed loose leader Excellent Timing in the last stride. He’s taking a drop in class today and should be tough to hold off. #3 Pit Stop Man (6-1) has also been in improving form for the Magee barn in his last few races. He also closed well behind Excellent Timing last out and ended up a length behind his stablemate. He’s a good candidate to spice up the exotics. #8 Backnthewoods (9-2) has abundant early speed and looks fast enough to cross and clear despite his outside draw. He got in a speed duel with Borracho last out, and held on for fourth while the other one finished well up the track.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-6-4-3

#5 Shootersgottashoot (9-2) sat a great trip to win going away two starts ago with a career-best brisnet figure of 91. He came close to that mark next out with an 86, second behind impressive winner Winning Trip. Both of those races were at six furlongs, and now he’s stretching out to a mile. While he didn’t do much at this distance at Delaware Park in June, he’s in overall improved form since then and should handle the extra ground this time. #6 Joe the Jet (7-2) showed little first off a 4 1/2-month break last out, but went gate-to-wire at seven furlongs in early June before going on the sidelines. Look for an improved effort today. #4 My Imagination (15-1) has the best average late pace figures in the field, and gets class relief after facing better in his last few starts at Parx.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-4-1

#5 Farooq (9-2) has run in the 70s three times in four career dirt starts, including a career-best 75 last out when he closed for second off a contested pace. He gets the nod in a race where the two morning line favorites look seriously flawed. #6 Baltic (6-1) ran a solid race on debut at Penn National. He chased an experienced, favored, gate-to-wire winner and held second. He’s going in for a tag for the first time (although this is probably a lateral move compared to the maiden special weight types at Penn). #4 Neverworkedaday (7-5) has gone off heavily favored twice in his three-race career. While he’s improved with each race, he hasn’t broken through yet, and will likely go off at a very short price once again. He might win easily this time, but I wouldn’t bet the bankroll on him at odds-on.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-4-6

#2 Prosecco Rita (4-5) broke her maiden in easy style two starts back with an impressive 87. She took another step forward last out in the Smart Halo Stakes, leading most of the way and holding on for second with an 88. If she wires this field, it’ll boost the stock of Doc’s Miracle, who beat her in the Smart Halo and is racing later today. #3 Noble Status (5-1) overcame a poor start to swoop the group and beat a first-level field last out. She’s the only one in the field to beat winners, and has the best late pace figures by a lot, but might prefer more distance. #4 Ginger Snap (9-2) was third in the Maryland Million Lassie two starts ago (behind not only Doc’s Miracle but Slewperstitus, who’s also in later today), and followed that effort up with an easy maiden win last out. She’ll likely sit off the pace and hope Prosecco Rita tires.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

9-3-7-2

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS.

#9 Daddy Yankee (3-1) tends to run about the same race every time. He sits well off the pace and closes well late for a small share. He’s done most of his recent running at six and seven furlongs, and now stretches out to a mile, a distance at which he won last December. #3 Lucked In (6-1) has won twice at this distance in recent times. Last out, he closed in the center of the track to win a non-winners of two claimer which included heavily favored Keen Surge. He also looks like a serious late threat. #7 Work Hard (5-2) sat near the pace and won easily at a mile and 70 yards last out at Delaware. Yedsit Hazlewood gets the call on this Gary Capuano trainee for the first time. As noted in this space before, those two are money when they team up.

RACE 6: MARYLAND JUVENILE STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, MD/VA-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

5-7-2-10

#5 Code of Silence (7-2) turned in an impressive rally to break his maiden at fourth asking last out. He fell far behind a hot pace, but gobbled up ground in the center of the track to beat a promising Maryland-restricted maiden field. Runner-up Skillian came back to break his maiden last Friday as the overwhelming favorite. This one has been in steadily improving form, with his only bad race coming following a horrendous start in the Maryland Million Nursery, and looks poised for another big effort. #7 Hell Ofa Hillbilly (6-1) showed what he’s made of in an impressive gate-to-wire win on debut in late September. He ran a big race on the lead next out in the Nursery, then acted up before the race last out, never made the front, and showed little. If he minds his manners today, he’ll be a serious front-end threat. #2 Worker Bee (6-1) was a sharp gate-to-wire winner for the Capuano/Hazlewood dream team last out. He’s one of two in here who has already defeated winners, and will try to protect position from the inside.

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

4-7-5-2

#4 Indy Charges On (5-2) made his local debut a winning one last out, leading all the way to beat a starter optional claiming bunch with a career-best 93. He’s finished second three times at this distance in Kentucky, showing determination on the lead each time. #7 Maclean’s Rock (2-1) blew the doors off a washed-off first-level field last out, winning by 6 3/4 lengths with a career-best 98 in his first start on this surface. This is a tougher bunch than the one he saw that day but his ceiling is high, if nothing else. #5 El de Larry (3-1) was in fantastic form on this track last winter, and makes his first dirt start since April after spending most of his summer on grass in New York. He can try to make the lead or sit just off of it.

RACE 8: MARYLAND JUVENILE FILLY STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, MD/VA-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

2-6-4-1

This race will, in all likelihood, determine the champion Maryland-bred 2-year-old filly. #2 Doc’s Miracle (3-2) set the pace and just got caught late in the Maryland Million Lassie two starts ago, then rebounded to win the Smart Halo Stakes from off the pace. She’s improved throughout her busy campaign and looks poised for another big effort. #6 Just Philtored (9-5) was the even-money favorite to clinch the Maryland-bred championship in the Smart Halo, but had no punch late and settled for third. She won a pair of stakes races this summer at Colonial Downs, broke her maiden impressively here in May, and has worked well since the Smart Halo. #4 Slewperstitus (3-1) ran down Doc’s Miracle in the Lassie, albeit on a track that was favoring closers. She scratched from the Smart Halo, has put in three middling works since then, and now returns. She ran some big races over the summer and has plenty of upside; we’ll see how she does first off the second-longest break in the field.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-5-4

#3 Zen Dreams (2-1) closed well after a poor break to get fourth at Keeneland last out. She was claimed from that race by Jamie Ness, who’s always dependable first off the claim. Martin Chuan has the riding assignment; he and Ness have done very well when they team up over the past few weeks. #6 Beautiful McLean (6-1) goes in for a tag for the first time. She battled for the lead in a tough maiden special weight field last out, and looks to have by far the most early speed in this one. #5 She’s Not a Lad (5-1) made up ground after a bad break on debut and has room to improve at second asking.

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