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) — $15,520
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $3,471
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-2-4

#6 Stylish Gem (1-1) is by far the most experienced runner here. She’s made nine starts, as many as her rivals have combined. However, she’s also much faster than them. She’s never run a brisnet figure slower than 55 in her seven dirt races, while none of her opponents have run that fast even once in their lives. As long as she runs her usual race, she’ll win easily. #1 Turkish Breeze (5-2) was fairly well-bet at first asking last out. She chased heavily favored My Girl Back Home and finished up the track, but it’s still encouraging that she showed that kind of speed first time out. #2 Rosie’s Fortune (8-1) was working well coming into her 2026 debut, but her day ended early when she unseated the rider at the start. She’s somewhat intriguing at a likely overlaid price.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

2-5-1-4

#2 Back Wall Bandit (6-1) soundly defeated the aforementioned Stylish Gem last out in a resounding victory first off a 2 ½-month break. She’s unproven beyond six furlongs, but the way she’s run in her last few starts indicates that the longer distance shouldn’t be an issue. #5 Honor Our Country (9-5) has run well going a mile or longer in her last few races, and drops in class after a pair of first-level starts to begin her season. She’s the only one here to run in the 70s in each of her last three races. #1 No Mo Muffins (8-5) was fifth against a fairly salty field last out in her first start against winners. She broke her maiden at Charles Town two starts back while racing on the pace, so Carlos Lopez may elect to send her in a race without dominant speed.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 4-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-1-6

Half of this field is coming out of the same merry-go-round race on Feb. 13, won by heavily favored New York shipper Formaggio. #5 Chilly Girl (9-5) raced wide throughout and faded late in her first start in just over two months. She consistently ran in the 70s last year, and will be tough if she returns to that form second off the bench. #3 Lovely Lookin Lili (8-1) has rallied from midpack to hit the board in both career starts, including a second-place effort to the overwhelming favorite She’s Not a Lad last out. Tasty Time, who finished third in that race, returned to win a bottom-level contest as the favorite next out. #1 Cross of Valor (2-1) was third in that Feb. 13 race, coming off an identical break as Chilly Girl. She’s had plenty of chances, but she’s at least run in the 70s in her last two starts. That’s the first time she’s run consecutive figures that high.

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

1-2-5-6

#1 D Hopper (2-1) led almost the whole way against similar two starts back and ended up second at 20-1. He’ll have every chance to wire this group, albeit at a shorter price. #2 A.L. ‘s Boy (15-1) did nothing on wet tracks in his first two career starts at Charles Town, but he hit the board in each of his three races on fast surfaces. He’s proven he can run well from on or off the pace. #5 Blo By’em (2-1) hasn’t won in almost a year, but he has great late speed and is usually good for a small share.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-3-1-7

#6 Bigshot Ness (9-5) went off favored on debut, and led in the early stages, while being hounded by the eventual winner, before settling for fourth. He’s worked well since and should run another big race at second asking. #3 Call Me Victorious (9-2) chased a contested pace in his last start, and finished fourth in a race where the leaders never wilted. Third-place finisher Flirty Bajan won next out as the favorite, while the winner, Caseofthemondays, ran a huge second against winners on Sunday. #1 Master Schemer (3-1) outkicked Bigshot Ness for third last out, and has been showing slow, but steady, improvement.

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

10-2-9-6

#10 Quincannon (12-1) ran a big race from post 12 last out, racing on the lead most of the way and holding fourth at 15-1. It was the fourth consecutive race in which he hit the superfecta at more than 10-1. The runners who dead-heated for second in that spot, Mistical Curlin and Catatumbo, finished first and fourth, respectively, at this level on March 1. This one consistently runs the best figures in the field, and he’s already proven tough draws can’t slow him down too much. #2 Magic Spin (8-1) chased gate-to-wire winner Woodline last out, and closed well given the circumstances. He’ll hope for a more contested pace this time. #9 Mister Agent (20-1) outkicked Magic Spin for third two starts back, and looks to rebound after a flat effort last out against slightly better.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-3-4

#5 Wickeddevine (5-2) finished second to the impressive gate-to-wire winner Suremeanttobe last out, and is the only runner here to run at least an 87 in each of his last three starts. He’ll try to prompt the pace from the outside, which will almost certainly be set by #1 Paco the Taco Man (5-2). He lasted through an early duel to win last out, and has the best early pace figures in this field. If Wickeddevine doesn’t break well and can’t press him, this one might be long gone. #3 Guaponess (7-5) also has early speed, but he’s tired on the pace in his last few starts. He has to thread a needle- he doesn’t want to get involved in a duel with Paco the Taco Man, but he also can’t let him sneak away and set too easy of a lead.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-2-5

#6 Q Got Hops (3-2) takes a massive class drop after holding his own against better in his last few starts. Anything close to his usual race wins this easily. #1 Rio Del Valle (9-2) has tailed off as of late after showing promise in his first two starts. We’ll see if the addition of blinkers rekindles his best form. #2 Tug (4-1) crossed the wire first in late November, but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch. He swooned badly after that race, but has slowly improved in his last few, and is more than eligible to take another step forward here.

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