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) — $494
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,835
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $9,823

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-8-6-4

#3 Rehoboth Avenue (4-1) broke her maiden in an off-the-grass affair at Delaware Park last August, sitting off the pace and kicking away to win easily with an impressive brisnet figure of 78. She’s made one dirt start since then, and while it was a flat fourth, it was against better horses than today’s rivals. After finishing well-beaten in her first three dirt races, #8 Amadea (8-1) broke her maiden at fifth asking last out at Charles Town, getting up to win going under a drive. She’s one of two in here who hasn’t lost against winners. The other is #6 Julia’s a Fox (20-1), who closed up the rail to win at 1 1/16 miles last out and showed some promise on grass at the fall meet.

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

5-4-7-6

#5 Naomi an Ruth (6-1) got early action as one of two first-time starters in the field. She was full of energy in the early stages, opening up a long early lead before stopping badly. She’s cutting back from a mile to 5 ½ furlongs, and that should be much more to her liking. #4 Izzy’s Rock Star (3-1) makes her career debut for Andy Simoff, who is a respectable 3-for-15 with first-time starters since the beginning of 2024. She’s had a short but stout worktab at Delaware since late November, including a bullet drill on New Year’s Eve. #7 Kelsey Hill Girl (3-1) goes first off the Mike Geralis claim (a quietly fantastic angle) and makes her dirt debut after some respectable tries on grass last fall.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-6-7-1

#4 Genieinabridle (2-1) saw her four-race win streak snapped last out when she couldn’t make the front and ended up third in a fairly tough starter optional claiming field. She should have an easier time on the lead against these. #6 Ribbonsinherhair (9-5) was third behind Genieinabridle last out and makes her first start since that December 7 race. She won going away two and four starts back against similar fields to this one, and will take full advantage if Genieinabridle falters on the lead. #7 Hay Hay Paula (5-1) was completely involved last out at Charles Town after being bothered at the break, but ran in the upper-70s consistently at Woodbine last fall. Most of her recent tries were on the synthetic track at the Toronto-area oval, but she did win on conventional dirt at Fort Erie in August.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-8-3-5

#4 Twelve Nelson (9-5) showed some late life in his first start off an 18-month layoff last out. He closed well late and finished second with a career-best 65, the best last-out figure in the race by ten points. As long as he doesn’t take a step backwards second off the long layoff, he’ll be very tough to beat. #8 It a Lee (8-1) got some action in his first dirt start last out, but stopped badly after chasing the pace going 1 1/16 miles. He’s making his first start for the Kelly Deiter barn and has a chance to improve cutting back around one turn. #3 Bold Mirage (15-1) stumbled badly in his first start off a six-month break last out, and never got involved from there. He showed speed and hung around with respectable figures earlier in the year, and he should run better with a better break.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

10-2-1-6

#10 Johnny Lies (5-1) ran at least a 69 in his first three starts, then got bumped on both sides out of the gate last out and proved no factor. He ships back to Maryland from Ohio for Anthony Farrior and looks poised to rebound. #2 Mo Missile (3-1) is one of two in here who has beaten winners, having won a $25,000 claiming contest in gate-to-wire fashion in October. He also broke awkwardly and lost early position last out, and drops from the $25,000 level off a seven-day break. #1 Hoppetosse (6-1) kicked away to break his maiden easily at seventh asking last out. He should get another good trip rating off the pace on the rail.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

9-7-10-5

#9 My Emi Shiraz (6-1) was well-bet at this level at first asking, and made mild late ground in the center of the track to grab fifth. She’s worked well since then and adds blinkers for John Salzman Jr, who won with a second-time starter two weeks ago. #7 Chestertown Jane (5-2) drops to this level for the first time first off a 3 ½-month layoff for Ben Perkins. She ran well last summer at Monmouth Park, with back-to-back figures of 69 and 76, which would easily win this race. Her kryptonite is that she always breaks slowly, and it’s hard to take a low price in a race like this on a horse who can’t break. #10 Irish B Goode (20-1) was a solid second two starts ago behind runaway winner Destination. She got two months off after a flat effort last out and resurfaces here.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

4-2-1-6

#4 Campaign Mischief (5-1) closed well for third on debut at Turfway Park and was claimed out of that race by Jonathan Maldonado. It’s a step up in claiming price, but probably not that much tougher of a field than the one she saw for $15,000 last time. #2 My Girl Back Home (3-2) was scratched from a tougher spot last Saturday and resurfaces here. She was fourth on debut with a very solid 69, then finished second next out to Momaxie, who came back to win a first-level route on opening weekend. She looks fast enough to take control of the pace and potentially lead all the way, albeit at a low price. #1 Rehoboth Indian (10-1) had no early speed at all at first asking, but woke up late and closed for fourth (behind, among others, My Girl Back Home). It would be no surprise to see her take another step forward here at a good price.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-5-8

#1 Howgreatisnate (7-2) ran a big second in the Let’s Give Thanks Stakes at Parx last out. He was in the midst of a stretch rally when his path was closed off. Once he shook clear at the sixteenth pole, he closed with a flourish and just missed behind Maximus Meridius, who came back to win the Blitzen Stakes in his next start. #6 Worcester (5-2) was an easy winner against second-level rivals last out, winning by 4 ¼ lengths to improve to 4-for-6 lifetime on this track. He was claimed from Brittany Russell by Kieron Magee, and while he’s stepping up in class, he’s good enough to beat these on his best day. #5 No Easy Days (7-2) has hit the exacta in his last seven starts, all of which have come against starter optional claiming rivals at Parx. His figures fit in with these, but this is a stiff class test.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-4-1

#6 Nancy Mary (5-2) was second to Itsamonstamash two starts back, who came back to finish second to Takethemoneyhoney in the Politely Stakes in her next start. This one regressed going a mile last out, but should improve on the distance cutback.  #2 I Can Do It (6-1) recovered from a slow start to grab second behind runaway winner Golden Rocket last out. She’s shown consistently solid form over the past few months, and this isn’t as big a jump in class as it looks on paper. #4 Spencer Tiara (2-1) goes first off the Hugh McMahon claim. She also finished behind Itsamonstamash recently and looks like the main speed.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-7-1

#3 Mighty Lindsey (5-2) overcame a stumbling start to win going away on debut at Parx. She moved to Jamie Ness’s barn following that big win, and looks eligible to improve further at second asking. #4 Thirst for Hope (8-1) was third in the Small Wonder Stakes last out. The winner, Jumping the Gun, was second in the Demoiselle Stakes in her last start, while runner-up Doc’s Miracle won the Smart Halo Stakes two races later. Brittany Russell shipped #7 No Mo Muffins (2-1) to Charles Town to break her maiden. The plan worked to perfection, as she pressed the pace and won by open lengths. Runner-up Pacific Union came back to break her maiden at Charles Town on Wednesday.

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