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 $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-2-3-7

#5 Infastuation (5-1) has won two of her last three races, including a determined victory last out where she came up the inside and fended off a pair of stretch challenges to beat a better field than this one. #2 R Averie Lynn (2-1) looks like much the best from a brisnet figure standpoint, but she’s had chance after chance after chance at low odds and simply cannot deliver. She has the most early speed on the rail, and did run a solid second to back-classy Firstlady Rosalynn last out (her fifth consecutive runner-up finish!), beating many of today’s rivals in the process. However, I don’t find her trustworthy at low odds. #3 Yum Yum Eatemup (6-1) was a no-factor fifth behind R Averie Lynn last out, but has some decent races in her recent lines and the best average late pace figures in the group.

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

3-6-5-1

#3 Boss Mode (9-2) tried first-level company last out and was well-beaten by a fantastic field. The winner, Wild Warrior, is running later on in the Spectacular Bid Stakes, while second and third-place finishers Bala de Plata and Let’s Go Lando came back to win their next starts. Two and three starts back, against more reasonable company, Boss Mode ran a 72 and an 82, respectively. Those numbers would easily beat these. #6 Sticktothesystem (5-1) set the pace and held third at this level two starts ago, and gets to drop back down after a no-show effort versus $40,000 types last out. He should have an easy time of things on the early lead. #5 Divot Digger (5-2) broke his maiden around two turns at Indianapolis in mid-August, and ships in second off a four-month layoff after stopping badly against better at Oaklawn Park last out. He’s an interesting, albeit potentially over-bet, out-of-town factor.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-4-6-3

#7 Zio Lino (2-1) showed speed in his first start off an eight-month layoff last out. Unfortunately for him, he got caught up in a duel and finished well up the track. The outside draw doesn’t do him many favors, but he showed some promise last spring and should run an improved race second off the bench. Getting Yedsit Hazlewood up for the first time will also help the cause. #4 Star Atlas (9-2) is one of three in here coming off a layoff of 90 days or more. This will be his first start on dirt after a pair of grass starts to begin his career. On debut, he rallied well from off the pace to get third. Last out, he raced near the pace and faded. He’s never lost for this low a claiming price and hasn’t lost on this surface. He’ll be interesting if his form transfers over. #6 Lannister (1-1) drops for a tag for the first time for the (surprisingly cold!) Brittany Russell barn. He was no factor in his first two starts against way better, but has a chance to improve on the class drop.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-5-7-6

Whichever half of the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry decides to run will be worthy of being my top selection (if both halves run, all the better). Of the two, I lean towards #1 Golden Eib Microphone (6-5). She sat a great trip off a loose leader last out and drew away to beat a better field than this. She ran an 83 that day, the best last-out figure by seven points, making her the only one to run in the 80s in each of her last two starts. #5 Ade (5-1) couldn’t quite wear down loose leader Fitness last out, but ran in the 80s two and three starts back. She’ll sit near the lead and hope the pace is at least somewhat contentious. #7 Atlas Strong (5-2) rallied for third last out in a race where the two early leaders opened up and never gave the rest a chance. She faced better for most of last year and she should be able to hang around for a slice against these.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

2-5-6-4

#2 Flying to Work (6-1) ran a huge fourth on debut after a horrible beginning. He didn’t have quite the same excuse last out and finished fifth in a race where he had a huge target to close into, but still improved almost 20 points to a 67. Sugar On Fire, the third-place finisher that day, returned to beat $25,000 maidens last Friday. This one’s facing an easier field than he did last time and should be heard from late.#5 Sin Sin (2-1) comes out of the same field as Flying to Work. He was fourth that day, as he rated off of an early duel but couldn’t take advantage. Still, he ran a 68 that day, and a 69 two starts back, figures far superior to those that just about anyone else in here has run. #6 Triathelon (3-1) ran a solid third in his dirt debut two starts back going a one-turn mile. He did nothing going 1 1/16 miles last out, but now takes a career-low drop in class and cuts back in distance.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

8-6-4-11

#8 Itsamonstamash (9-2) ran back-to-back 96s in her last two starts. She was second two starts ago in the Politely Stakes behind Takethemoneyhoney, who returned to win the Geisha Stakes in her next start. Last out, she sat off the pace and finished second to the very impressive winner, In My Memories. This one should get another good trip just off the pace, and will have every chance to pounce. #6 I’m a Cutie Pie (10-1) has won at this condition twice in her last three starts. Both of those wins came against easier fields than this one, so this will be a bit of a class test for her. However, if she runs her best, she’ll contend. #4 Next Girl (7-2) just missed behind I’m a Cutie Pie last out. Two starts ago, she lasted through a long stretch duel to win the Claiming Crown Glass Slipper at Churchill Downs. She’s in career-best form for a Robbie Bailes barn that has done good work as of late.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

8-7-4-6

#8 Grand Hall (7-2) got up for third on debut in what has proven to be a very key race. Runner-up Profound Change returned to demolish the competition in a maiden special weight race on January 17, while fifth-place finisher Top Manipulator beat a similar field to this one the day before. #7 Twin Lakes (6-1) ran an improved 75 second time out last out behind impressive debut winner Hixon. He looks poised to take another step forward at third asking. #4 Virginia Gentry (6-1) comes out of the same race as Twin Lakes, which was also his career debut. He raced wide throughout and was beaten seven lengths, but he’s worked well since then for Mike Trombetta. Last Friday, he went four furlongs in 49 ⅘, the same time multiple stakes winner Dazzling Dame worked that day.

RACE 8: XTRA HEAT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-2-6

The first stakes race on the card is named for the Hall of Fame, Mid-Atlantic based sprinter of the early 2000s. #7 Victory Music (9-2) was third in the Astral Spa Stakes at Oaklawn last out, rallying from off the pace after being forced into the center of the track. The winner, Counting Stars, won the Year’s End Stakes next out, while fourth-place finisher Grace Is Free came back to win the Mockingbird Stakes in her next outing. This one ran some big numbers early in her 2-year-old season, has worked well since her last race, and can run from on or off the pace. #1 For the Ladies (5-1) broke her maiden in very impressive style at Aqueduct two starts ago. Last out, she got caught up in a duel in a three-horse field and backed up badly. The dynamics of this race should be much truer, which will enable her to flaunt her speed to its maximum potential. #2 Won Ton (5-1) is the only entrant with multiple dirt wins. She sat off the pace and converted to beat first-level rivals here last out, off an impressive maiden win at Charles Town. If For the Ladies can’t sneak away and the pace becomes contentious, this one can take advantage.

RACE 9: SPECTACULAR BID STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

8-3-7-2

The other stakes affair on the program pays tribute to the legendary Hall of Famer who got his start in Maryland for trainer Bud Delp. #8 Close the Gate (9-2) has closed with powerful force in each of his two starts. He sat closer to the pace last out and kicked away to win as much the best with an impressive 90. He’s getting a class test after facing maiden claimers in his first two starts, but the ability’s there. #3 Awesome Andy (3-1), one of three Gary Capuano trainees, came up the rail to beat first-level foes last out, also running a 90. #7 Trendsetter (5-1) won the Hickory Tree Stakes at Colonial Downs last August, and makes his first dirt start since then. He’s been in steadily improving form for a while and has great late speed.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-4-5

Many of these are coming out of the same race at this condition on January 10. #2 Ecumenical (9-5) broke a bit awkwardly and couldn’t make the front, but made decent ground up the inside and finished third. With a better break, he’ll make the rail and the lead and not look back. #6 Ellinger (9-2) was second in that January 10 race, and was also second at this level three starts ago. He’s one of two in here to run in the 70s twice in his last three starts. #4 American Litigator (8-1) broke his maiden three starts back at Finger Lakes. He got some action in his local debut, but stumbled badly and lost all chance from there. He should improve with a cleaner break at a great price.

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