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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $2,351
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $971
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $23,023
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

8-5-10-4

#8 P J’s Song (15-1) made mild headway against a better field on a very sloppy track last Saturday and got up for fifth with a respectable brisnet figure of 79, the fifth consecutive time he’s run at least that fast. He’s competed primarily in sprints as of late, but he’s run well at this distance before and should appreciate the slight class relief. #5 Master of None (12-1) also drops in class after several tries against starter optional claiming rivals, and is the only entrant to run in the 80s in each of his last three starts. His closing kick should play much better against these. #10 Striking Sparks (9-2) didn’t show much going six furlongs first off a nine-week break last out, but he’s raced well going two turns before, and should show plenty of speed despite the outside draw.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

1-6-7-3

#1 Back Wall Bandit (2-1) went off favored at this level last out. She lacked racing room most of the way, and by the time she got clear, pacesetting Kuaga had kicked away from them en route to a dominant 12-length victory. Still, this one ran on well and got up for third in a blanket finish, losing second by half a length. She faces an easy group here and will be tough to beat if she handles the distance (this will be her first start beyond six furlongs). #6 Eimear (7-2) ran a career-best 64 when fourth at Penn National last out. With the exception of a race two dirt starts back where she got caught up in the pace, she’s steadily improved with each start on this surface. #7 Stylish Gem (4-1) was third as the favorite in her only other start at this level, and looks for improvement off a flat try against better last out.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-3-1-2

If you removed impressive odds-on winner Skillian from the picture and compared #6 Profound Change (5-1) to everyone else in her debut field, she’d look pretty good. She sat just off of early second-place runner Top Manipulator, made her way past that rival, and outkicked the others to finish 3 ¼ lengths clear of the rest of the field with a very solid 75. Any improvement off of that race will make her very tough to beat. #3 Juniper’s Jubilee (3-2) has hit the board in all four of her starts, going off as the heavy favorite in her last two races, but, of course, hasn’t gotten the job done yet. She’s run into some tough rivals every time out, so she’ll be a threat here as long as no one freaks (albeit at a short price). #1 My Girl Back Home (6-1) was fourth on debut (behind, among others, Juniper’s Jubalee), then finished second next out to Momaxie, who came back to win a first-level route last Saturday. She should work out a good trip stalking the pace on the rail.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-8-5-7

#3 Phantom Speed (3-1) ran a career-best 90 when second in the Richard Small Stakes last out behind the ever hard-knocking Barbadian Runner. He faces easier rivals here and is a lightly-raced gelding trending in the right direction. #8 Omaha Omaha (8-1), who was stakes-placed three times on the Derby trail last year, hit the board twice behind dominant winners in his two starts off a 5 1/2-month layoff. He might be peaking at the right time. In his first start outside of his Charles Town base, #5 Spotafreeone (5-1) was roughed around at the start of the City of Laurel Stakes and was never involved from there. He’s shown plenty of ability around the West Virginia bullring, and this race will be his litmus test so long as he has a cleaner beginning.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-4-11-10

#7 Blo by the Field (6-1) has rallied well in her last two starts at Penn National despite breaking awkwardly both times. She won her previous two races there by open lengths, albeit against easier rivals. #4 Stress Reliever (9-2) was no match for odds-on choice Boutwell Time, who got a perfect trip off a contentious duel and blew the field away. Still, this one ran a game race, lasting through that early duel and outfinishing her dueling partner by a length. Both Boutwell Time and third-place finisher Anita Beer came back to win their next starts. #11 Bourbon N Lace (15-1) also closed well in her last start, rallying for fourth against similar despite falling further behind than she’s accustomed to. She should work out a decent trip in the clear, and will be especially potent if she can avoid losing too much ground.

RACE 6: GEISHA STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD/VA-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

7-3-5-8

Today’s first stakes race is named for the dam of the beloved Native Dancer. All eyes will be on #7 Takethemoneyhoney (1-1), and deservedly so. She’s coming off a victory in the Politely Stakes against similar, where she ran in the 90s for the second consecutive race. She’s stretching out from six furlongs, but has already won on this track at this distance, so we know she can run her usual race under these circumstances, and if she does, she’ll be very hard to beat. Brittany Russell has an interesting pair of mares coming off of long layoffs, including #3 Oncourtcommentator (5-2). She’s making her first start since a second-place try in last year’s Geisha, where she rallied well from off the pace and ended up being upset winner Call Another Play. She’s worked well since getting back on the worktab in late November, and if she runs her race, and Takethemoneyhoney falters, she’ll be in a prime position to pull the upset. #5 Late Nite Call (15-1) almost pulled off a 47-1 gate-to-wire upset in the Carousel Stakes last out. She runs well when she gets the early lead, and could be interesting at a price if she’s able to get her ideal trip.

RACE 7: JENNINGS STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD/VA-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

7-4-2-3

This contest pays tribute to the longtime Maryland horseman and breeder of the 19th century. #7 Maclean’s Rook (4-1) served notice that he’s a force to be reckoned with last out. He overcame a wide trip to demolish a first-level field with a career-best 100, on the heels of the 97 he ran in his dirt debut two starts back. He hasn’t been tested for class yet, but he has a very high ceiling and is the best alternative to likely heavy favorite #4 Quint’s Brew (4-5). He won this race last year in a runaway, and has since won the General George Stakes and finished stakes-placed three times. However, I was left a bit cold by his last effort in the Bender Stakes. While finishing second to Slam Notion is certainly no disgrace, he had little punch in the stretch despite a great trip off a duel. He may well take a step forward second off the bench, but I’ll try to beat him at a short price. #2 Blue Kingdom (3-1) got entangled in the aforementioned duel in the Bender and stopped badly. However, he ran well on largely uncontested leads in his prior races, and will be tough to catch if left alone on the front end.

RACE 8: WHAT A SUMMER HANDICAP, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-2-7

We’re cutting back in distance to honor the great Maryland-bred sprinter of the late 1970s. #6 Hold My Breath (3-2) has won her last two starts with huge figures, including a determined gate-to-wire win in the Garland of Roses Stakes at Aqueduct. She’s very fast out of the gate and looks as if she can cross, clear, and kick away to victory. #4 Passage East (3-1) has won six of her last seven starts, including a stalk-and-pounce win against third-level rivals on this track last out. Her ceiling is a bit below that of Hold My Breath, but she’ll be dangerous if she gets the right setup. #2 Dwelling Legacy (4-1) was an easy gate-to-wire winner against second-level rivals last out. While the 94 she earned is a bit of an outlier from the rest of her recent form, she’s still trending in the right direction for the ever-dangerous Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood trainer/jockey combo.

RACE 9: FIRE PLUG HANDICAP, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

8-2-6-7

Today’s final big race is named after the popular locally-based sprinter of the 1990s. Hazlewood got everything he could out of #8 Petingas Twin (5-2) in the Dave’s Friend Stakes last out. Thanks to a vigorous ride, he got up to win in the last jump over the classy Prince of Jericho for his first career stakes victory. He’s hinted at that kind of promise for a while, but he looks like he’s putting it all together now, and gets to keep Hazlewood in the saddle. #2 Point Dume (9-2) is well-proven against these types, including a determined second-place effort in the Kris Kringle Stakes at Parx last out. He hasn’t run this short in a while, but did turn in some impressive efforts going six furlongs at the start of his career, so the distance shouldn’t be that much of an issue. #6 Latta (8-1) also cuts back off a solid come-from-behind win around two turns at Parx. He’s done some of his best work at this distance; the only question is if his form can transfer over here from his Parx base.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-5-8-2

#6 Sincerito (6-1) finished a game, pace-compromised second at this level last out. He’s won at this distance (albeit around two turns) and he’s trending in the right direction, having run in the 80s in each of his last two starts. #5 Birravino Blvd (9-2) kicked away to win last out at Penn National with a very solid 79. He looks as if he’s trending in the right direction after a fall swoon. #8 Strategist (5-1) led almost all the way against similar last out and held second. Work Hard, who beat him that day, came back to win against starter optional claiming rivals yesterday. He’s sure to show speed from his far outside draw.

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