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) — $4,582
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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

7-2-3-6

#7 Polecat (5-2) stopped badly going a mile and 70 yards at Parx last out, but ran a very credible brisnet figure of 79 two starts back against first-level rivals going seven furlongs. This will be her first start for the Ned Allard barn, and she looks poised to take advantage of a potentially hot early pace and a drop in class. #2 Sweet and Feisty (30-1) broke her maiden three starts ago at Delaware Park from off the pace and just missed at this level last out with a similar trip. She’d also take advantage if the pace is hot, at a very big number to boot. If anyone manages to sneak away and go gate-to-wire, it’ll likely be #3 Devilish One (9-5). She led all the way to break her  maiden in early October, and is bound to be sent for speed for the Brittany Russell/Sheldon Russell dynamic duo.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

4-2-6-3

#4 Genieinabridle (8-5) has won three in a row, all of them in either gate-to-wire fashion or almost so. There’s some speed to her inside, but as long as regular rider Jorge Hernandez isn’t asleep at the switch, she’ll make the front and could cruise from there. #2 Ribbonsinherhair (5-2) has won three of her last six starts, including a dominant win going a mile last out. This may look like a class jump on paper, but this is actually an easier field than the one she saw last time. She chased Genieinabridle two starts back and finished second, so Martin Chuan would be well-advised to not let that rival get too far away. She’s one of two Jamie Ness trainees in here; the other, #6 More Ransom (3-1), won three starts back at Delaware but has tailed off from her best form earlier this year. Still, she should have enough left in the tank to hang around for a share.

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

7-5-2-1

#7 Ready for Magic (2-1) has an unimpressive 1-for-18 career record, but this is as good a spot as any to get that elusive second victory. She’s run in the 70s in each of her last two starts; no one else has run even a 65 in each of their last two races. #5 Sweet Honey Bee (9-2) finished second in a similar spot on November 15, outfinishing a few of today’s rivals in the process. She has the best early pace figures in the race, and won gate-to-wire on this track last December. #2 Tierra Santa (5-2) chased the pace while wide that day and finished third, but should get a better trip with the inside draw.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-3-6

#7 Don’t Wait Up (3-1) crushed a similar field two starts back with a season’s-best 91 two starts back. He pressed the pace and just missed going a mile last out with an 89. A repeat of either of those efforts wins this. #2 Talklessworkmore (5-1) has abundant early speed and has raced well going a mile or longer in his recent starts. Troy Robb claimed him last out and instantly cuts him back from 1 1/16 miles. He’ll be tough to beat if he takes to the distance. #3 Mister Lincoln (8-5) switches back to dirt after a series of near-misses against better on grass for the dangerous Jamie Ness/Martin Chuan trainer/jockey combo.

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

6-7-3-1

The big question: can #6 Got Game (9-5) get loose? When she gets an uncontested lead, she’s almost impossible to beat. When she doesn’t get to the front, she finishes up the track. The only one in here with similar early speed to her is Feelin So Lucky, who’s drawn to her outside and has raced just once in six months. We’ll know by the time they leave the chute what will happen. If Got Game is clear on the lead at that point, it’s over. #7 Anotherhope (10-1) has won three of her last five races against similar types. She chased a gate-to-wire winner last out and ended up fourth. While the same thing might happen here in relation to Got Game, she should at least secure a minor share at a good price. #3 Canadian Bear (6-1) was an easy winner against softer last out at Penn National. She has great closing speed and raced well on grass throughout the year; her only dull effort came two starts back when she got caught in the five-path throughout.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-4-6-1

#8 Delay (6-1) showed tons of promise over the winter, winning three of four races between Aqueduct and Parx with figures of 89 and 93 along the way. She did nothing in the Miss Preakness Stakes last out, came back to the worktab in late September, and returns here. She may not be at her best first off such a long break, but anything close to her peak form would win this. When Frankie Pennington comes here from Parx, he usually means business. He’s won with four of his last 10 Maryland mounts. #4 Kilo Road (6-1) is a perfect horse to key underneath in an exacta. She’s finished second in five of her last six starts, including last out, in which she led clear in the stretch but got caught in the final sixteenth. Still, this is a softer field than usual, so a breakthrough wouldn’t be a total shock. #6 Strong Like Sara (15-1) is another Parx shipper coming off a layoff. She ran in the mid-80s twice on the Gulfstream Park synthetic last winter, then ran a big race on the lead in the Rainbow Miss Stakes at Oaklawn Park next out. John Servis may be thinking of this race as a prep for a spot down south, but she nonetheless has plenty of talent and will be a great price.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

6-5-2-4

#6 Miss Fulton Gal (9-5) has run no worse than a 76 in her four-race career, which is faster than all but one of her rivals have run at any point in their lives. She catches a fairly easy field for this level and should work out a great stalk-and-pounce trip from the outside. #5 Creative Stuff (9-2) broke her maiden around two turns, going gate-to-wire on the Meadowlands grass last out. She’s a serious speed threat. #2 Law School (3-2) battled on the pace and pulled clear in a first-level contest last out, but faded late and finished third, with Miss Fulton Gal outkicking her for second. She consistently runs in the mid-70s and will also get a nice trip just off the pace.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-3-4

#2 Watch Me Sparkle (2-1) ran well on debut, surging up the rail and losing by a half-length with an impressive 73. That’s the best last-out figure in the field by eight points. She lost to God I Need a Favor that day, who’s running in race 7. If she does even marginally well, it’ll boost this one’s stock. #1 Honor Our Country (8-5) was overwhelmed in three starts against maiden special weight rivals, but should have an easier time against these. #3 Shoulda Known (15-1) rallied well from far off the pace on debut at Penn National in a promising effort. He’s never gone beyond 5 ½ furlongs, but his pedigree suggests that he’ll be fine at this distance. Several of his siblings have done well over a route of ground, including Grand David, who won a stakes race at 1 1/16 miles, and Mercy Mercy, a six-figure earner with several wins at a mile or longer.

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