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) — $4,191
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $7,677
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

2-1-6-5

#2 Arise My Love (3-1) rode the rail to pull off a 13-1 upset against open first-level rivals last out. She’s been in career-best form and gets the slight nod in a wide-open affair. #1 Weekend Wife (6-1) also rode the rail to victory last out, doing so in a non-winners of two claiming contest while running a brisnet figure of 82, her best mark in almost a year. She ran some big races at the start of her career last spring, so she may be rounding back into that best form. #6 Meg (4-1) rallied for second behind the well-regarded Destination last out, and was second at this condition last August to Genieinabridle, who went on to win her next two starts.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-2-4

#3 Bring the Smoke (5-1) got some play at first asking last out, and while he was no match for the very impressive Lonesome Road, he managed to run third with a very respectable 81. Any improvement off of that effort wins this. #1 Momentum Files (1-1) hung in tough in a three-way stretch duel at Aqueduct last out. He ended up second by a neck to Kavanaugh, who has won his last two races. #2 My Military Hero (6-1) also ran into a freak last out. He engaged in a three-way early duel with 1-5 favorite Duration, who kicked on to win by 9 ½ lengths. However, this one held on to finish a clear-cut second, 19 ½ lengths clear of his other dueling buddy.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

3-2-4-1

#3 Dolice Vita (3-1) makes his first start of 2026 following a very strong 2025. He hit the board in all seven starts last year, and has run at least an 88 in his last four starts on this track. No one else can do that with the same consistency. #2 Guaponess (9-5) tracked the pace on the rail last out and came up completely empty. However, he was in very sharp form prior to that race, including a win at a mile and 70 yards four races back. He’s stretching back out from 5 ½ furlongs and may be able to establish early control on the rail. #4 Formal Affair (6-1) has the best late pace figures in the race, and should also enjoy more distance after competing in sprints in his last few starts.

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

5-3-2-4

#5 Intrepid’s Legacy (6-5) hasn’t looked like his usual self in his last two starts, but gets Yedsit Hazlewood back aboard and faces an easy field for this level. He’s had trouble at the break in his last few starts. If he can begin cleanly, he can work out a great trip stalking the leader on the outside. #3 Tenebris (2-1) battled on the lead and stopped badly last out. He has the best early pace figures in this field and will be a threat if he can get away with a moderate early pace. #2 Cadeau d’Argent (6-1) started his career a perfect 2-for-2 with figures in the mid/upper-80s, and makes his first start since a very dull try at Penn National in July. His recent workouts have been very solid, and he should run a big race first off the bench.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-5-3

#1 Prince of Jericho (3-2) lost photo finishes in his last two starts, including a nose defeat to Chipotle last out. Chipotle came back to run a huge second in the Fire Plug Handicap to Point Dume, who in turn won the General George Stakes last Saturday. This classy veteran almost never runs a bad race on this track and merits great respect. The long-awaited return of #2 It’s Hammertime (6-5) is finally here. After showing tons of promise as a 2-year-old in 2024, he raced just once last year, an impressive six-furlong win in April over a nascent Barbadian Runner. He clearly has tons of ability, and will prove no worse than second-best with anything resembling his best. #5 Dean Delivers (15-1) isn’t quite who he used to be, but he still has decent late pace figures and can round out the trifecta at a decent number.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-8-7

#4 Tuned to the Moon (5-1) ran a huge race in her first start off a six-month break last out. She opened up a clear early lead and led most of the way, only to flatten out late and finish third. Still, it was a big effort considering she hadn’t raced in so long, and she should run even better here. #3 Devastating (6-1) comes out of the same race as Tuned to the Moon. She sat off the leader on the rail, then was forced to check on the far turn and never got involved again. She should run better if she can get in the clear, like she did in a winning effort three starts back. #8 Mad for Maddy (4-1) ran an 85 last out at Delaware Park in early August. She was third that day behind Beautiful Blome, who was second to the classy Jeanne Marie next out and won a second-level route in her most recent try. She’s of course a question mark first off the layoff, but her best wins this.

RACE 7: WIDE COUNTRY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-1-4-2

The road to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes continues with a race named for the 1991 winner of that race, who was named Maryland-bred Horse of the Year that season. #3 Law School (1-1) won her last two starts by a combined 21 lengths with figures of 87 and 93. She’s worked three times since her last start on December 30 and keeps Yedsit Hazlewood in the saddle. #1 Momaxie (5-1) improved 17 points to an 88 last out, when she rode the rail and easily defeated a first-level field. Miss Fulton Gal, who was second that day, won a first-level route of her own last Saturday. Was that last race a fluke, or is she getting very good very quickly? #4 Peach Tie (8-5) has won three of her last four starts, including the Gin Talking Stakes over two rivals last out. Her races have been visually impressive, but her ceiling isn’t as high as those of the first two.

RACE 8: MIRACLE WOOD STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

7-5-4-2

Today’s second stakes race honors the hard-knocking Maryland-bred of the late 1980s. #7 Let’s Go Lando (9-2), whose half-brother, It’s Hammertime, is racing earlier today, made waves of his own last out. He defeated a first-level field by six lengths with a career-best 97. He’s the only runner who has beaten winners and will be tough to beat with anything close to his best. Brittany Russell entered two for the SF/Starlight conglomerate, but she’ll race #5 Taj Mahal (5-1), not Balboa. The former broke his maiden impressively on debut, making a sweeping move off the turn to beat a solid field with a respectable 85. This is, of course, a class test for him, but he has plenty of promise and commands respect, albeit at a potentially underlaid price. #4 Close the Gate (6-1) showed tons of heart to finish second in the Spectacular Bid Stakes last out. Making his first start against winners, he dueled with Hollywood Import down the lane and lost by three-quarters of a length.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

1-5-2-4

#1 Hoof and Boots (9-2) was no match for the impressive Juniper’s Jubilee last out, but she still rallied well and finished second with a career-best 78. Her ability is not in doubt; the distance is the only question. This will be her first dirt start beyond six furlongs. #5 Nothinglesswilldo (5-2) has hit the board in all three starts, including a second to Velocity Girl, who’s running earlier today in the Wide Country Stakes, last out. #2 Kinda Krazy (5-1) closed well for third first off a six-month layoff last out. Like Hoof and Boots, she’s shown ability, but hasn’t gone beyond six furlongs.

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