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) — $2,903
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-2-8-1

As Phoebe Bridgers would say, we know we lived through it to get to this moment: the first grass race of the 2026 Laurel Park season! Appropriately, I’ll take a Keri Brion trainee on top in #4 Bossy Jeans (20-1). This mare ran well throughout the mid-Atlantic last year before ending her season with a dismal effort at the Meadowlands. Brion gave her a few months off, returned her to the worktab in early February, and gave her a race at Charles Town which was clearly designed as a prep for a spot like this. She led all the way that evening in a perfect tune-up for her return to the lawn. Look for her to make the front and not look back. #2 Cha Cha Chukka (9-5), a recent Jamie Ness claim from Kentucky, showed little in her debut for the barn at Parx last out. However, that was her first race in almost four months and was not on her preferred surface. She held her own against better in the Bluegrass State last year, including a near-upset of a first-level field at Kentucky Downs. #8 I’m a Sure Thing (7-2) ran a pair of big races towards the end of grass season last year, and has the perfect combination of good stalking speed and a powerful closing punch.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-3-1-2

#6 Pencil Me In (30-1) is one of two in here who has already won at this distance. He raced wide on the pace and broke his maiden going this far three starts back, and ran well in his next two starts despite awkward breaks. He’s getting Lasix for the first time; trainer Tim Keefe hits at 22% with that angle. #3 Fowl Mouth (3-2) beat Pencil Me In going a one-turn mile last out for his second consecutive victory against winners. He’s run brisnet figures in the 80s in those last two races, something none of his five rivals have done. The distance remains a question, however. He’s never run this far, and his family members enjoyed most of their success around one turn. He merits respect, but be wary of taking too low a price. #1 Our Notion (6-5) ran his career-best figure, an 81, three starts back in his only start beyond six furlongs. He’ll add blinkers and look to stalk the pace on the rail.

RACE 3: STARTER ALLOWANCE $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-4-1

#6 Kerness K (4-5) won his last two starts against similar by open lengths. He ran a 99 and a 95 in those two races; none of his six rivals have run faster than an 87 in any of their last two starts. He went off at odds-on in both of those wins, and you’re looking at another short price here. #7 It’s Sizzling Time (9-2) close respectably well to get fourth going 1 1/16 miles in his first start off a three-month layoff last out. He won going away at 5 ½ furlongs two starts back, and he’s as dangerous a closer as you’ll ever see in a race this short. #4 Woodline (6-1) has won his last two starts in gate-to-wire style, and has worked very well in preparation for his first race since mid-February. He might have a hard time dealing with Kerness K in the early stages, but he’ll at least have the advantage of a further inside draw.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-2-7-3

#6 Holy Synchronicity (9-2) pressed the pace and drew away to beat a similar field last out. He looks poised to get a great trip off a pace that may crumble in front of him. #2 Mosler Time (8-5) will make his season debut in this spot for Jamie Ness. If there’s one angle Ness doesn’t do that well with, it’s with horses off a long layoff. He’s hitting at just 13% with horses off a 90+ day layoff in recent times. This one’s races from the end of last year would contend here, but nonetheless, be wary of taking too short of a price. #7 Striking Sparks (20-1) ran on well despite getting caught wide in his last two starts at Penn National. His draw is, once again, not that great, but he’ll be heard from late if he can save any sort of ground.

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

6-2-1-4

#6 Emma Mermaid (7-2) closed well for second two starts ago, then held her own against a better field last out while running in the 60s for the second consecutive race. She’s one of a few here who should benefit from class relief. #2 Galibean (10-1) took a big step forward at second asking. After a dismal debut, she led most of the way second time out and was beaten only 1 ½ lengths. She looks primed to make the rail and the lead once again, and might last even longer this time. #1 Gripen (8-5) regressed a bit second time out when fifth behind Emma Mermaid, but ran a huge 69 on debut, and has every chance to bounce back here.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-3-8-6

#2 Vinalia (9-5) showed blazing speed in her first two starts for the Graham Motion barn last fall. She was given some time off since a dull effort at Turfway Park in early January, has worked well since, and should pop out of the gate and take them all the way. Motion enjoyed great success with his grass runners at last year’s spring meet, winning at a 5-for-16 clip. #3 Clearly Sophia (10-1) finished a game second in her lone grass start last year, and could improve further adding Lasix for her 3-year-old debut. There’s two first-time starters in this field, and Brittany Russell trains both of them. I’ll give the slight edge to #8 La Devita, (6-1) who has a grassier pedigree, but both are worth a look, especially if one or both take lots of play. Neither one needs to be a world-beater to win this race.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-5-1

I was ready to send it in on #6 Ms Notion (6-5) in last Saturday’s Heavenly Cause Stakes. Unfortunately, she scratched from that spot to run here, where she’ll be 1/10th the price she would’ve been on Saturday. While you won’t get much value, she’ll be very tough to beat. 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 has never run a full race beyond six furlongs before, but an extra panel shouldn’t be a problem against these. #4 Meg (9-2) just missed at this level two starts back, and while she wasn’t as sharp going two turns last out, this distance is more in her wheelhouse. #5 Destination (8-1) couldn’t make the front while wide last out and faded, but she’s dangerous when able to get to the front. With her main speed threat, Ms Notion, drawn to her outside, she has at least a puncher’s chance of getting her preferred trip.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-1-3

#4 Self Taught (3-1) continued his ascending form last out, running an 88 when second to the classy Hay Chief in a similar field. He’s sure to make a strong late move; it’s just a matter of if he can time it right. #5 Forrest City (5-2) showed brief speed and stopped going six furlongs last out in his first start off a 10 ½-month layoff. He’s stretching back out around two turns, which is his preferred jam anyway. #1 Collection Day (6-1) held second after battling through modest fractions on the lead two starts back. Last out, he was forced to battle through faster fractions and backed up. If he can manage an easier time of things on the lead, he’ll be tough to reel in.

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