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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $2,530
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-7-9-1

#2 B West (9-2) timed his move just right last out, nailing freewheeling early leader Excellent Timing in the last jump to win with a very solid brisnet figure of 85. Two starts back, he ran an 88 when second to Freeze the Fire, who won his next two starts and looms a big favorite against better later on the card. This one should make a strong move from off the pace and wear them down late. #7 Murray (6-1) ran in the 90s consistently last year and makes his first start since a flat effort against better in late November. The time off and the class drop may help him rebound. #9 Aztec (5-2) made a big late rally and just missed at Aqueduct last out. He gets Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode him to victory at Parx two starts ago, back in the saddle. Jamie Ness hasn’t yet won a race at the meet, but his horses are still running well. From 10 starters, he’s had six runner-up finishers.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-4-1-7

After back-to-back dull efforts, #3 Impressiveness (2-1) regained his best form last out at Parx. He chased a gate-to-wire winner and finished a clear-cut second, running at least a 74 for the third time in six career starts. He gets to stay at a short distance, which he prefers, and adds Lasix. #4 Vida (3-2) has hit the board in his last four starts, including a runner-up effort at Charles Town last out where he might have won had he changed leads. He was third two starts back behind the impressive Brittany Russell trainee Rhodes and next-out winner Close the Gate. #1 Rio De Valle (8-1) made what looked like a big move off a contested pace in his debut, but flattened out and ended up beaten 3 ½ lengths. Still, it was a promising effort considering it was his first-time out, and he has every chance to improve at second asking.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-7-2-1

#6 Tiz the Great (2-1) came up empty as the favorite last out, but almost held on going 1 1/16 miles two starts back, and turned in a bullet workout three weeks back in preparation for this spot. Even if he repeats the 63 he earned last out, he’ll have a chance to win this; any sort of rebound wins this. #7 Master Schemer (9-2) took a step forward at second asking, racing off a slow pace and holding on to fourth, outfinishing Tiz the Great in the process. #2 Bigshot Ness (4-1) is the only first-timer in the field, but he faces a soft field at first asking and has worked well for a Jamie Ness contingent that hits at 19% with debuters in recent times. As is often the case with these types, the board will tell the story.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-1-6

#2 Anotherhope (6-1) just missed last out. She made a strong move from off the pace and briefly took the lead while racing in the five-path, but ultimately lost a stretch battle to Anita Beer, who raced a few paths closer to the rail while closer to the early pace. Even though it’s a class drop on paper, this is a similar field to what she saw last time. Nonetheless, she’s in great form and her closing kick should at least put her in the late mix. #8 On a Proud Note (7-2) has won two of her last three starts, including a determined front-end victory last out. She dueled for the early lead and drew off to a 4 ¾-length win, outfinishing her dueling partner by 7 ¼ lengths. Look for her to be a part of the pace from her outside draw. Parx shipper #1 Could Be a Cougar (9-2) will almost certainly set the early pace from the rail. She went gate-to-wire two and three starts back, and almost pulled off a wire job last out in her first start off the Michael Moore claim. Moore’s Maryland stats are somewhat skewed by his stable star, Takethemoneyhoney, but he was still a respectable 5-for-20 with his other Laurel starters last year. 

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-10-8-1

#2 By the Glass (9-2) showed nothing in her first two starts off an eight-month layoff, both against first-level rivals. She rallied to beat conditioned claimers in late March before going on the sidelines, and she should cycle back to her best form taking a class drop third off the bench. #10 Missy Boss (4-1) was an easy gate-to-wire winner against these types two and three starts back. She stepped up into starter optional claiming company, and stopped badly after setting the early pace. She’s the dominant speed in this race, so even from her tough draw, she should be able to cross and clear and work out her usual trip. #8 Princess Lucia (9-2) beat a conditioned claiming field two starts back off a six-month break, and also gets class relief after facing Maryland-restricted allowance foes last out.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS,

12-11-10-5

#12 Worries Unfounded (5-1) broke her maiden at eighth asking last out, opening up a long early lead and taking them all the way. She might have a hard time getting to the lead from her far outside draw, but she’s shown she can run well from off the pace. #11 Ready for Magic (8-1) is the only entrant to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts, and also has the best late pace figures in the field. While she’s a gnarly 1-for-20 lifetime, most of those losses came against tougher competition. Today’s field might be just what she needs. #10 Aeronyx (20-1) made her first start in the Sarah White barn a winning one last out, converting a great trip to win sixth time out. She’s in improving form and should work out another good trip just off the leaders.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-8-3-5

As noted earlier, #2 Freeze the Fire (3-2) will be very hard to beat. He’s won four in a row, including back-to-back wins at this level with career-best figures of 95 and 96. None of his rivals can come close to that on a consistent basis. #8 Total Sensation (8-1) is a prime example of the “lightbulb” angle. After starting his career 0-for-8, he’s rattled off three wins in a row between Woodbine and Charles Town. He hasn’t shown himself to be in the same league as Freeze the Fire, but he’s trending in the right direction. #3 Mister Lincoln (9-2) ran a respectable third in his last start on this track. He’s known to throw in a clunker without warning (such as his last start at Parx), but at his best, he can run in the mid-80s and grab a share of this.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-11-6-5

#4 Lonesome Road (4-1) made national news with an eye-catching dirt debut last out. He ran off the screen while barely being asked to run, earning a very impressive 97. Both of his workouts since then have been bullets, and Mike Trombetta was apparently encouraged enough to drop him into this spot, rather than wait two weeks for a first-level race at six furlongs, which he won at last time. If you get even a third of his morning line price, that would be a tremendous bargain. #11 Group Ticket (7-2) has been in improving form for a while now, running in the 90s in each of his last two starts and peaking at a 95 last out. He was second that day to runaway gate-to-wire winner Indy Charges On. While he faces another formidable rival here in Lonesome Road, he looks good enough to kick away from the others and round out a chalky exacta. #6 Crab Daddy (20-1) rallied well and just missed at this level going six furlongs two starts ago. He declined a bit last out on the stretchout to a mile, but still held on for second against a wide-open field.

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