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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 6-11) — $984
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11) — $0

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

1-9-6-3

#1 Flying to Work (9-5) is the only entrant to run a brisnet figure in the 70s in each of his last two starts. He was no match for the freakishly impressive firster Lost My Shoe last out, but he held clear of the others and finished second. There’s no first-time starters today, so unless someone jumps up dramatically, he should be able to handle these. #9 Marcan Love (7-2) closed well and finished second in his last two starts at Tampa Bay Downs. The lack of notable speed may hurt him, but he’s also in improving form and will take advantage if things get even moderately contentious. #6 Boss Lily (6-1) led early and held second last out. He might be able to establish early control and run a similar race this time

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-4-1-5

#3 States United (3-1) faded after a wide trip against better last out, but draws further inside here and should work out a better trip. #4 Daufuskie Island (5-1) has never gone this far before, but he’s the main speed and could get very brave if left to his own devices. #1 Morning Thoughts (9-2) ran a much-improved race second off a 3 ½-month layoff last out, battling through a very contested early pace and holding on to fourth. He looks like the main threat to Daufuskie Island’s gate-to-wire dreams.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-5-6

#1 Falcon Jet (3-5) was scratched from his planned local debut a few weeks ago and resurfaces here. He 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. We’ll see if the move to the east coast and some class relief wakes him up. #2 Upshot (10-1) showed some late interest to grab fourth on debut against a similar field. He’s loaded with pedigree – one of his nine winning siblings is Cordmaker – and looks primed to improve with experience. #5 Cool Customer (9-2) has shown speed and faded in his last few, but may take a step forward with the addition of blinkers first off the Robby Bailes claim. 

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

4-1-3-6

#4 Devil’s Cay (9-5) must get to the early lead to have a chance. When he gets an uncontested lead, he’s almost impossible to catch. When he can’t get to the front, not so much. Martin Chuan rode him to victory on the lead four starts back, so you figure that he knows what’s what. #1 Catatumbo (15-1) hasn’t won in a while, but has taken steps forward in his last few starts and should rally for a share. #3 Work Hard (5-2) won three of five starts towards the end of last year and the start of this one, and gets some class relief after facing better in his last two starts. Yedsit Hazlewood was named on three horses in this race, and he picked this one.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-6-1

#4 Knock Knock (2-1) drops in for a tag for the first time after showing some ability first off an eight-month break at Fair Grounds last out. Any kind of step forward second off the bench would beat this otherwise blank field. #3 Cupid’s Choice (1-1) ran a big race when last seen on this track. She opened up a clear lead in the stretch, but was run down for third. Runner-up Serenity Song broke her maiden as the favorite next out. This one didn’t do much in the snow at Colonial Downs last out, but looks poised for improvement on a summer-like afternoon. #6 Blushing Princess (10-1) makes her career debut for a Madison Meyers barn which is sneaky good with such horses. This filly is a half-sister to Prado Road, who finished second in the Maryland Million Nursery second time out and broke his maiden at third asking.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-3-1-7

#2 Edelweiss (4-1) finally broke through with a dominant maiden win at 15th asking last out, and now tries winners for the first time. He’s run in the 70s three times in his last four starts, including an 84 and a 78 one and two races back, respectively. #3 Christmas Spirit (2-1) lasted through pace pressure and almost wired a similar field last out. He looks like the main speed and will be formidable if he’s allowed to get his trip. #1 Tethered Soul (2-1) drops for a career-low tag and is fairly lightly-raced, having started seven times. He should get a good trip just off the pace on the rail third off a three-month layoff.

RACE 7: HEAVENLY CAUSE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-3-6-5

Today’s first stakes race is named for the star Maryland-bred filly of the early 1980s. #2 Ms Notion (15-1) hasn’t proven much yet compared to her classy rivals, but her potential is off the charts. She ran a huge race to beat an open first-level field in her second race off a year-plus layoff, running a career-best 92. She’s getting her class and distance test here, having never run a full race beyond six furlongs before, but the talent is there, the ceiling is high, and her price will be tremendous. #3 Boutwell Time (6-1) and #6 Takethemoneyhoney (4-5) were cross-entered in the Aqueduct Distaff Stakes, but both will run here. The former has won three in a row between here and Parx, most recently rallying from off the pace to win the Mrs. Claus Stakes on New Year’s Eve. She’s already on at a one-turn mile and on this track, and should be rolling late. The latter has won four stakes races in her last six starts and is two photo finishes away from a 7-for-7 record on this track. However, she’s lost many heartbreakers at short prices, and she might do it again here. 

RACE 8: FRANK WHITELEY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-4-2

This race honors the Hall of Fame trainer, best known as the conditioner of Ruffian. Note that Point Dume will run in the Carter Stakes at Aqueduct rather than here. #6 Crab Daddy (20-1) has won his last two starts against allowance company, both times making strong stretch moves for open-length wins. After showing promise for a while, it looks like he’s finally putting it all together, and could be ready for a career-best effort at a big price. #3 Blue Kingdom (3-1) has finished second three times in stakes company this year, losing a pair of heartbreaking stretch duels to Quint’s Brew (who will run here, rather than Aqueduct). He’s shown a new dimension in those races, running well from off the pace after spending last year as a confirmed frontrunner. #4 Worcester (10-1) is also a Laurel-lover, most recently beating a salty third-level allowance field first off the Kieron Magee claim last out. His closing kick is well-suited for this distance, having won three times in four starts at seven panels.

RACE 9: PRIOMETTA STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-2-1

We’ll cut back a bit to pay tribute to the top older mare of the early 1960s. #3 Wondrous (7-2) easily beat a first-level allowance group at Fair Grounds last out, battling on the pace and drawing away to an impressive win in her second start off an eight-month layoff. Much like Ms Notion and Crab Daddy, she’s not as battle-tested as her opponents, but the potential is there. #5 Dwelling Legacy (9-5) led most of the way in the Conniver Stakes last out, and finished second after Takethemoneyhoney overwhelmed her. She has plenty of early speed, but the outside draw doesn’t do her any favors. Yedsit Hazlewood must put his foot to the gas out of the gate. #2 Twirling Beauty (7-2) went gate-to-wire at Aqueduct last out and should be able to control the pace from the rail.

RACE 10: NATIVE DANCER STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

3-5-2-1

Today’s final stakes race is in memory of the legendary “Gray Ghost,” who was bred by Sagamore Farm (although he was not a Maryland-bred). #6 Wild Vine (5-2) engaged for the early lead and drew away at Parx last out, running in the triple-digits for the second consecutive race. He’ll be almost impossible to hold off if he gets his trip. #8 Raise Cain (9-2) was a two-time stakes winner as a 3-year-old (including a win over Post Time in the Perryville Stakes), but was erratic at 4 and missed most of his 5-year-old season. He showed a hint of his old promise with a third-level allowance win here in December in his first start for Brittany Russell. He didn’t do much last out at Colonial, but he’s worked well since then, and looks primed for his best effort in a while. #9 Pay Billy (8-1) has been slowly improving in his last few starts, including a third-level allowance victory last out for his first win in almost a year. Anywhere near his morning line would be a generous price.

RACE 11: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-5-6-3

#2 Sonic Sass (7-2) rallied from the clouds to break her maiden last out at Turfway Park, displaying a closing kick rarely seen among bottom-level maiden claimers. Turfway shippers tend to do well here, and she should be no different. After being well-beaten in her first three starts, #5 Stay in Tune (3-1) won her first start for Jamie Ness at Parx last out, battling for the early lead and drawing off. She may improve further with the addition of Lasix. #6 Last Gift (9-5) has already beaten winners three times, including a gate-to-wire win over similar last out.

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