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) — $13,632
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $3,471
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-2-6-5

#4 Maidstone makes her sixth career start, and second start at this level, this afternoon. She led most of the way going a mile last out and held second to the rail-riding Weekend Wife. Cutting back to 5 ½ furlongs should make her early speed even more potent. #2 Margaret P checked out of contention early against better last out and should run an improved race with a cleaner trip second off of a brief break. #6 Buckin’ Right ran well at this level two and three races ago and looks like Maidstone’s primary challenger on the pace.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-6-2-1

#3 Our Day Will Come scratched out of a tough first-level spot on Feb. 28 and resurfaces against more familiar types. He’s won three starts in a row at this condition, sitting off the pace and hitting the front late every time. He’ll try to work out a similar trip here and will likely deliver, albeit at a short price. #6 Caseofthemondays ran a huge race on the lead in his maiden-breaking score last out. He never had a moment’s rest throughout the race, but still held on to win by a nose. Third-place finisher Flirty Bajan returned to break his maiden as the favorite on Feb. 22. This one could provide a stiff stretch challenge to Out Day Will Come. #2 Palacios surged and just missed behind Our Day Will Come last out. He hasn’t raced since that Dec. 28 effort, and was entered and scratched injured on Feb. 6. He put in a five-furlong workout on Feb. 28, going the distance in a pedestrian 1:03. If whatever bothered him a month ago has subsided, he’ll be a threat.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-2-3-5

#6 Atlas Strong overcame a wide trip to win against slightly softer last out with a career-best brisnet figure of 87. She’ll likely sit in the clear just off the pace, and looks primed for another big effort as long as she doesn’t fall too far off the pace. #2 Golden Eib Micrphn went off favored at this level last out. She made a bid after early leader Girvinzed on the turn and looked ready to roll by, but couldn’t complete her move and settled for second. She’s in very sharp form and has great late speed, but that last race leaves me a bit cold. #3 Ade was a flat fifth behind Girvinzed and Golden Eib Micrphn last out, but hit the board in her previous five starts. She’ll also get a nice setup on or near the pace.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-5-1

#4 Sugar On Fire ran a huge race on the lead and held third two starts back, then validated that race with an impressive maiden-breaking effort next out with an impressive 76. That’s the best last-out figure in the field by five points. #6 Red Spitfire ran a career-best race in his 3-year-old debut. He opened up a long early lead and was caught in the last jump by the strong-closing Williston Warrior. He’ll almost certainly make the early lead again, and has a great chance to finish the job second off the bench. #5 Thosewerethedays broke his maiden on debut in June with an impressive 70. He went to the sidelines after that race, came back to the worktab in late December, and now makes his first start in 274 days. He has plenty of upside, but it’s hard to count on him running his best race off of such a long break.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-4-2-6

#1 Twin Lakes chased gate-to-wire winner Higher Sense and finished third first off a two-month break last out. He was second to Hixon two starts back, who returned to win a first-level route on Friday. #4 Falcon Jet hit the board five times in as many starts in California last year, and faces a fairly friendly bunch in his 3-year-old debut, which is also his first start for Brittany Russell. He’s run in the 80s in each of his four dirt races, but he tailed off a bit towards the end of his time on the west coast. He might be classy enough to win anyway, but I’m a bit wary of him at a short price. #2 Pont Aven was bumped at the start last out, but managed to rally for third behind future Miracle Wood Stakes winner Taj Mahal. He has great early speed on his best day and will have every chance to wire these.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-5-6

#2 Work Hard flopped hard in his last start, but won three out of his prior four with big figures every time. Unlike last time, where he chased a classy gate-to-wire winner, this time he’ll get to chase some cheap speed. #4 Peak doesn’t have as high a peak, if you will, as Work Hard, but he’s uber-consistent. He’s run between an 80 and an 84 in each of his last three starts, and should also get a great trip second off the Rudy Rodriguez claim. #5 Aztec always puts in a strong late rally, and though Yedsit Hazlewood picked off of him in favor of Work Hard, he gets a very capable replacement in Mychel Sanchez.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

6-1-4-3

#6 Badge of War overcame a wide trip and just missed at this level last out, finishing second by a nose to the well-meant Hard is Life. He went gate-to-wire at Parx two starts ago and looks fast enough to do it again, despite his outside draw. #1 Joe the Jet won easily with a career-best 90 first off a seven-week break in his last start. He’s always been an inconsistent sort, but his best wins this. #4 Georgia Magic ships down here after facing better in New York in his last few starts. He regressed badly when Ray Handal took blinkers off last out, but he’s putting them back on today.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-6-3

#4 Book of Wisdom fell flat last out at Aqueduct in her first start of the season, but she got better throughout the year last year, so you can expect an improved effort this time. #2 Fivecommatwo comes back to Maryland after a pair of tries at Turfway Park. She ran a respectable 77 in her first race there, but finished well up the track last out. She turned in some decent efforts on grass last year and should at least race close to the pace. #6 Kissed at Dawn ran well at Charles Town in her last few starts. Though her recent form fits with these, those West Virginia lines might drive up her price.

21+ where applicable. Please bet responsibly. Need help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!