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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $3,298
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

8-4-3-1

#8 Mugatu (2-1) had a chance to get by the beleaguered leader Chance in his last start, but couldn’t do it and settled for third. Still, he ran a very respectable brisnet figure of 85 that day, on top of the 84 he earned two races ago. That makes him the only entrant to run in the 80s in each of his last two starts. This looks like an easier field than the one he saw last time, which should enable him to deliver. #4 Who’s the King (7-5) was pressed on the pace and faded last out at Aqueduct. He’s making his first start for the Jamie Ness contingent and appears to be the dominant speed. #3 Brighty (8-1) ran a game second near the pace last out (albeit in a three-horse field), and has the chance to improve second off the Rudy Sanchez-Salomon claim.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-6-7

#3 Pudge Boy Palace (4-1) broke a bit slowly and never got involved last out, but won against these types two and three starts back. I’ll give him a chance to rebound. #2 Seven’s Eleven (8-5) raced on the pace and held fourth in his first start for this low a tag last out. While he’s not the same horse who won multiple stakes races as a 3-year-old, he’s been improving since coming back from a seven-month layoff in mid-November. #6 Maliblue (9-2) showed heart on the lead to win his last two starts in Pennsylvania. He broke his maiden here last January against $25,000 foes in impressive style, and was second after setting the pace on this track in his following start.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-3-7

#5 Bring the Smoke (7-2) had little chance last out behind the dominant Lonesome Road. Take that rival out of the mix, and Bring the Smoke’s debut looks much better. He saved ground and closed for third, missing second to the well-versed Stanza by less than a length. He’s had two very strong workouts since that last race on December 26. #6 Duration (1-1) knocked heads against much better than these in New York for most of last year, capping his season with a pace-chasing second last out in his first start for the Michael Pino barn. His usual race wins this one; the only serious danger is that he may run down to his competition. #3 Market Watch (5-1) rallied for third last out at Aqueduct in his first start off a 15 ½-month layoff. He worked three furlongs in 37 ⅘ at Fair Hill on January 24, outworking promising Brittany Russell trainee Lil’ Regard.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-3-2

#1 Galpin Sunday (9-5) ran a huge race on the lead last out at Churchill Downs. He battled on the pace in the three-path. The other three early leaders were soundly defeated, but Galpin Sunday opened up a clear lead in the stretch and managed to hold fifth, finishing at least four lengths clear of his dueling partners. He was claimed from that race by Lacey Gaudet and makes his first start since that November 28 effort. #6 Robert’s Moon (8-1) was headstrong on the lead and flattened out in his last race. He’s raced on the pace and held well on both dirt and grass in recent times. #3 Party With Smarty (3-1) finally broke his maiden at 26th asking last out with a dramatic last-to-first rally at Aqueduct. He’s another who’s poised to take a step forward first time in the Jamie Ness barn.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-6-4-8

We’ve got another Ness newcomer on top in the bridge leg of the pick 5 sequences. #1 Fan Club (4-1) has won two of his last three starts against these types or similar. He ran a big race from off the pace last out, wearing down the favored leader Masakado, who set slow fractions but still couldn’t hold off Fan Club’s rally. #6 Work Hard (6-1) has won three of his last four races, running a career-top 92 in back-to-back races. Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode him to victory in those big races, isn’t riding today. However, this one gets a more-than-capable replacement in Carlos Lopez. #4 Armando R (6-1), makes his 10-year-old debut and his first start off the Kieron Magee claim. His powerful closing style is well-suited for these types, and he’s bound to once again put in a strong late rally. 

RACE 6: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-9-5-7

#3 Beach Cowboy (8-1) pressed the classy Pit Stop Man last out and held third. He ran an 82 that day, his best figure in months, and hasn’t run below a 77 here in over a year. #9 Woodline (6-1) is bound to race on the early pace from the outside. He’s finished behind Pudge Boy Palace and Seven’s Eleven in his last two starts, both of whom are racing earlier today. If they run well, it’ll flatter this one’s form. Either way, he looks like the toughest speed. #5 Electric Eel (5-1) raced just off the pace against much better and faded in his last start, but ran in the mid-80s two and three races ago, and hopes to benefit from a class drop.

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

8-3-9-4

#8 All the Hardways (6-1) sat further off the pace than usual in his last start. That played to his advantage, as he closed well and got up to beat a field of Maryland-restricted runners. The third-place finisher in that race, Fear Nothing, came back to win in that condition last Friday. This one appears to be at his best going seven furlongs or shorter, and that’s what he’ll get to do here. #3 Intrepid’s Legacy (2-1) went off as the odds-on choice at this level last out after a pair of impressive wins, but had no late punch and finished fourth. He’s worked well since then and will be tough if he rebounds, but how low of a price are you willing to take on that idea? #9 Goodbye Note (9-2) lasted through pace pressure to win his last start in a sprint, and gets to cut back after a flat try going a mile last out.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-6-4

#5 J D Factor (2-1) went gate-to-wire two starts ago at Parx, then held second behind the classy Raise Cain last out after getting steady pressure. It looks like he’ll have the chance to get as clear of a lead as he wants. His biggest competition for the lead may come from #1 Le Gris (3-1), who went gate-to-wire against second-level rivals last out, but has run well from off the pace in the past. He’s likely to rate on the rail and hope J D Factor stops. #6 Pay Billy (9-2) improved second time off a six-month layoff when third to Post Time and Barbadian Runner in the Bob Manfuso Stakes. Last year’s Federico Tesio Stakes winner looks poised to make some late noise.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-3-5-4

#7 Shot for the Moon (3-1) broke his maiden in impressive style going 5 ½ furlongs last out. He’s never been this far before, but Robbie Bailes hits at a respectable 13% first time going long. #3 Dats My Pharoah (9-5) won for the first time in his 18th career attempt two starts ago, then finished second in his first start against winners last out. His figures are far superior to those of his rivals, but that was also the case last time, and he couldn’t deliver. #5 Return Fire (7-2) was third behind Dats My Pharoah last out after setting the early pace. He loves to race on the pace and hang on for a small share, so look for him to do so again.

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