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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $7,077
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-6-8

#4 Kelsey Hill Girl (10-1) was claimed out of her 2025 finale by Mike Geralis, and makes her first start since that flat November 9 effort. She made some respectable closing rallies against better rivals on grass last summer and fall. This will be her first appearance on dirt. While it’s possible Geralis sees this race as merely a prep for grass season, she’s shown enough promise on the lawn to make her a threat if her form transfers surfaces. #7 Bella’s Password (3-1) showed speed and flattened out against better twice last year. She drops to a career-low level and gets to race at a shorter distance after making her first two starts at a mile and seven furlongs. Everything is combining for a potentially career-best effort. #6 Princess Azara (5-2) ran a big race on the pace two starts ago, but showed little speed last out and was well-beaten. We’ll see if she can bounce back on the class drop for the Jamie Ness/Yedsit Hazlewood dream team.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-3-6

#1 Heat Check (6-5) ran an enormous race on the lead first off a 202-day layoff last out. He almost pulled off a gate-to-wire win, but was caught late by Mister Roscoe and finished second. Fowl Mouth, who finished third that day, came back to beat a similar field going a mile two Fridays ago. This one was claimed out of his last race by Jamie Ness and could take another step forward second off the bench.#5 Caseofthemondays (7-5) broke through to break his maiden at fifth asking last out, lasting through a multi-way early duel to win as the even-money favorite. Third-place finisher Flirty Bajan returned to break his maiden as the favorite on Sunday. Despite his outside draw, this one may be fast enough to clear Heat Check and get the early lead. #3 Paul’s Guitar (3-1) battled for the lead and finished a respectable third in his local debut last out. He broke his maiden two starts back at Turfway Park from off the pace. A stalk-and-pounce trip may be his key to victory, especially if the aforementioned two engage each other in battle.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-6-8

#5 Kiss the Ring (15-1) had his planned debut at Turfway snowed out a few weeks ago. He was shipped east by Jesse Cruz a few weeks ago, he’s worked locally twice, and looks poised for a big effort at first asking. The board may tell the story with him. #1 Matthew’s Ticket (12-1) opened up a long early lead in his last start and held third behind Top Manipulator, who returned to win a first-level sprint two Fridays back. He’ll try to outrun a largely inexperienced field from his inside draw.#6 Ballinaclash (3-1) outkicked Matthew’s Ticket for second two starts back, then showed speed and held fourth behind Miracle Wood Stakes winner Taj Mahal next out. He may improve further with the addition of Lasix.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-6-2

#1 Devil’s Cay (7-2) faded after a wide trip going two turns last out, following victories in Pennsylvania two and three starts back. Drawing further inside and cutting back around one turn should help his cause. #7 Union Fleet (5-1) rallied well for second first off a 183-day layoff last out. He outfinished some nice horses, such as Armando R, Fan Club, and Work Hard. Only Night Time Nap, who raced on the pace through moderate fractions and kicked on, was able to beat him. Unlike Devil’s Cay, he may want more distance, but he still can’t be discounted in this spot. #6 Don’t Wait Up (5-2) has finished second three starts in a row, with his late rally falling short each time. He was reclaimed by Ferris Allen out of his last start. In his last race for Allen, in late November, he won by 6 ½ lengths over a similar group to this one.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-9-3-6

#4 Pudge Boy Palace (6-1) was an easy winner after a great trip two starts back, then held his own against first-level rivals last out and finished third. He should get another perfect setup off what could be a very contested pace. #9 Forward Move (3-1) closed very well for fourth, beaten 1 ¼ lengths, when last seen on this track in late November. He’s had some time off since his last race, a fourth-place effort at Parx in early January in a race where the leaders never wavered, but this race should also set up well for him. #3 Heldish (6-1) lost the jockey at the start of his 2026 debut. In his previous race, in late October, he finished third behind a pair of classy runners in Freeze the Fire and B West. This is a definite class drop compared to that field.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-3-4-8

#5 Deadpan (9-2) has run big races in his last two starts at Mahoning Valley, including an impressive first-level win last out where he kicked away after tracking a contested pace. Yedsit Hazlewood was named on several horses inhere, and he ultimately decided on #3 Laddie Dance (7-2). This one has finished second in three of his last four starts, running similar races each time. He likes to race far behind and make a strong late bid with ultimately falls short. He does get to face easier horses this time than last, so this might be the day where it all comes together. #4 Spotted Bull (5-1) has very in-and-out form. His best race wins this easily; his worst wouldn’t make him a factor. It looks like he’s on the high end of his form cycle, considering his dull effort last out and his big win two starts ago.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-5-4-6

#3 Indy Charges On (5-2) won in impressive-gate-to-wire fashion two starts back. In his most recent race, he came from just off the pace and won last out against the likes of stakes-placed Maclean’s Rook and Certified Loverboy, who crossed the wire first against second-level foes in his prior start. #5 Feeling Woozy (7-2) beat some of these in easy fashion last out, but he’s known to throw in an inexplicable clunker now and then. Buyer beware at a low price. #4 Pay Billy (9-2) rallied well for second behind Feeling Woozy last out, and continues to move in the right direction further into his 4-year-old season.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-5-3-2

#1 Triathelon (4-5) raced wide on the pace and just missed holding on to second last out, as favored Sin Sin ran away and hid from the rest. A pair of horses from that race, runner-up Q Got Hops and fifth-place finisher Flying to Work, finished third and second, respectively, at this level last Friday. #5 Perkins Gem (20-1) lagged behind most of the way on debut, but showed a tiny bit of late interest and gets to drop from the $25,000 level for his second outing. #3 Rio de Valle (20-1) was no factor last out (behind Flying to Work and Q Got Hops last Friday, in fact), but ran respectable efforts in his previous two starts. He has one of the highest ceilings in a shaky bunch.

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