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) — $5,869
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $794
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-8-6-2

Seventh time proved the charm for #5 Over My Cents (7-2), who rated off of early leader Justtakethecannoli last out and wore her down in the final stages. She’s taking a jump in class off of a win against bottom-level maiden claimers, but this is a pretty easy field, and she’ll have no trouble with them if she repeats her recent form. #8 Weekend Wife (3-1) has shown nothing in her last two starts, but both of those races were against much better competition than today’s. She ran brisnet figures in the 80s twice in April before going on the sidelines, and a return to that form will make her very tough. #6 Mun Mun Can Run (2-1) had a solid campaign on grass this year, and looks for a rebound off a dull effort last out. This will be her dirt debut and her second start for the Anthony Farrior barn; he hits at 22% with runners going from grass to dirt.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-6-2

#1 Mosler Time (9-5) beat a better field at this level last out, running in the 90s for the fifth time in his last seven dirt starts. The stretchout from a mile shouldn’t bother him at all; he’s 2-for-3 at this distance. #4 Tops the Chart (6-1) raced closer to the pace and finished third behind Mosler Time last out. He’s gotten better with each start since returning from a summer freshening, and won at this level and distance in April. #6 Shake Em Loose (7-2) makes his first race appearance since late July. He’s faced much better horses throughout the year, with the likes of Copper Tax, Speedyness, and Spikezone in the top-three lines in his recent starts. This bunch looks much friendlier.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-8-2

I’ll take a shot against a very vulnerable morning favorite in Boutwell Time, coming in off a freakishly impressive effort at Parx. That kind of form usually doesn’t transfer over, especially when it’s so out of left field. #6 Don’t Fool With Me (8-1) ran a season’s-best 80 last out in an easy victory, sitting a great stalk-and-pounce trip and drawing away. With some speed drawn to her inside, she looks poised for another great setup. #7 Anita Beer (15-1) has some speed to her outside, having taken two of her last three starts in gate-to-wire. She ran a credible race from just off the pace two starts back at Delaware Park, so she doesn’t have to make the front to be a contender. #8 Ticklers (20-1) was thrown out of her element after a bad start last out, but recovered to win. This will be her first dirt start after four largely solid tries on the lawn.

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

1-3-5-4

#1 Skillian (3-2) looked like a layover on paper last out and ran like it, crushing an overmatched field of Maryland-restricted maidens with an impressive 88. His runner-up finish on debut was validated when Code of Silence, who beat him that day, won the Maryland Juvenile Stakes last Saturday. #3 Biker Baley (4-1) ran a freakishly impressive race on debut, in a bottom-level maiden claiming race, no less. He dominated the field by 15 lengths with an 86, and was so full of energy that he was unruly both before and after the race. He scratched out of the aforementioned Maryland Juvenile to run here. He clearly has a ton of potential, but it’s hard to say if he’ll duplicate that last effort, considering how out-of-left-field it was. #5 Lundi Loot (5-1) takes a slight class drop after finishing fourth in the James Lewis Stakes last out, and was stakes-placed twice in previous starts. He put in a sharp workout at Delaware last Thursday, and looks ready to show his best self once again.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-3-8

#6 Juniper’s Jubalee (9-5) went off as the 9-10 favorite in a competitive maiden affair last out. She set the pace and held second, but was outkicked by a well-regarded 1.7 million first-time starter. There doesn’t appear to be anyone of that caliber here. After scratching several times, #3 Celtic Harp (4-1) finally made her debut last out. She came from well off the pace and finished second behind Ready to Dial, who came back to win the Blue Mountain Stakes last out. Hammy Smith tends to do much better with second-time starters than first-timers. #4 Clearly Sophia (6-1) dueled on the lead and faded at first asking, but ran an improved second when switched to grass next out. We’ll see if she can keep her forward momentum switching back to dirt.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-7-8-1A

#6 El Divino Nino (7-2) led most of the way through fast fractions and held second last out. He’s dropping from the 20,000 starter optional claiming level and has by far the best early pace figures in the race, so he should have an easier time of things on the front end. #7 Magic Spin (8-1) was fifth behind El Divino Nino last out, and is also dropping after facing better for most of the year. He’ll take advantage if El Divino Nino tires. #1A Devil’s Cay (6-1) also has a great late kick, and loves to finish second. He’s finished second six times this year in 14 starts, with just one win.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

4-1-5-3

#4 Nancy Mary (9-2) broke through to clear her non-winners of two condition two starts back, then finished a solid-closing second at this level next out behind Itsamonstamash, who returned to win her next start. As long as this one handles the extra distance, she’ll be tough to beat. #1 Concrete Faze (7-5) comes out of the same race as Nancy Mary. She was a little-factor third as the even-money favorite that day, but still has plenty of early speed and won at this distance earlier this year. #5 Juniper Juice (4-1) hit the board in her last three starts on grass, and though she’s largely unproven on dirt, she’ll be a late factor as long as her form transfers over even a little bit.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-6-5

#7 Pudge Boy Palace (5-1) took the scenic route to win over conditioned rivals last out, earning a 78, his best figure in months. He’s stepping up in class today, but is in improving form and keeps Yedsit Hazlewood aboard. #1 Woodline (6-1) was no match for classy starter optional claiming rivals in his last two starts, but he ran a 77 and an 80 in those races, both in the range of where he needs to be to win this. Today’s class drop should help his cause. #5 Daifuske Island (2-1) was an easy winner against similar two starts back, and has a good shot at taking them gate-to-wire.

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