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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $5,904
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $876
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $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 $16,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-5-9-2

#10 Gastown Babe makes her first start of the year, her first start for Suzanne Stettinius, and takes a big drop in class after (9-2) facing better for most of last year. She tailed off towards the end of last year, but got the winter off, has had three workouts since getting back to the worktab in mid-March, and many of her races from last year would win this one without trouble. #5 Beyond Question (3-1) closed with a rush to win her 2025 finale with a career-best brisnet figure of 80. She showed slow and steady improvement throughout the year, but she still had very in-and-out form, and it’s hard to say how she’ll do first off the bench. Nonetheless, her ceiling makes her a threat. #9 Carolina Sun (30-1) also has fantastic late speed and should rally for at least a share at a good price.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-5-6

#1 Rhythm ‘n Blues (7-5) broke her maiden in determined fashion on the lead at Parx three starts ago. He capped his 2025 season with a pair of tries in very salty first-level allowance fields, where he proved no match to the likes of Mika, Maclean’s Rook, and Indy Charges On, but ran figures that are much better than those of the rest. He hasn’t raced since December 6, but Jane Cibelli hits at 26% with horses off a 90+ day layoff in recent times. #2 Party With Smarty (9-2) has improved with each race since joining Jamie Ness’s barn at the start of the year, showing steady late speed and hitting the board each time. His 1-for-29 record is unsightly, but the version of him who racked up all those losses is fortunately no longer around.#5 Lannister (9-2) blew the doors off an overmatched field to break his maiden two starts back, then closed very well for fourth first off the claim by Jonathan Maldonado last out. The ability’s there, but the distance is a question. He’s never gone beyond seven furlongs before.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-5-14-1

#4 Salty One (5-1) ran a sneaky good race against a tough maiden special weight field last October, in her lone start on grass so far. She’s racing for the first time since early November and gets Lasix for the first time; John Salzman hits at 21% off of long layoffs and 30% with first-time Lasix users. She also has a very grassy pedigree; three of her five winning siblings have won on the surface (although none of them won more than one race on it). #5 Let Her Pass By (6-1) ran in the 60s three times on grass last year, and showed speed and faded first off the bench on dirt. Although she finished a well-beaten second to runaway winner Stylish Gem, it was a good screw-tightener for a race like this. #14 Forty Seven Smoker (5-1) also gets Lasix for the first time and should work out a good trip pressing the pace from the outside.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-1-7

#5 Manseeyasway (2-1) has run in the 70s three times in a row, and five times in a row on this track. No one else has run in the 70s more than once within their last three races. Usually, he works out a stalk-and-pounce trip, and may get a similar trip this time, especially with the presence of #6 Italian Wine (7-2) to his direct outside. That one showed speed and held second in his local debut last out, with the pace-stalking Manseeyasway third. This one ran a 79 that day, by far a career-best figure, so it’s not clear if he can duplicate it. Still, the potential is there. #1 Tethered Soul (9-5) takes a big drop in class after facing starter optional claiming rivals last out, and would take full advantage if the aforementioned two burn each other out.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-12-6-4

#2 Gift of Gab (8-5) came from off the pace to beat a similar field to this one in her 2025 finale last October. She ran a huge race first off a six-month layoff last April, so she should fire her best shot this time. #12 Fivecommatwo (6-1) hasn’t won in a while, but has great late speed and should round out the exotics at a good price, like she did a few times last year. #6 She’s No Uncle (8-1) hasn’t shown much ability on dirt as of late at Charles Town. However, she thrived on grass last year, winning four times on this surface against similar fields to this one. It’s possible she’s tailed off to the point where getting back to the grass won’t help her, but it could also prove a needed wake-up call.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-5-12-2

#9 Hysterics (4-1) surged and just missed in her last grass start last November. She wore down early leader Lyric Street, but got outkicked by I Heard Somethings, one of the favorites, and finished second by a nose. She didn’t run worse than a 65 in any of her grass starts last year, and if she can run that in her first start since late December, she’ll beat these. #5 Truly an Honor (5-1) drops to this class for the first time and looks like the primary speed. #12 Dona Luna (9-2) hasn’t hit the board in five grass starts, but held her own against these types or better towards the end of last year.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-5-3-1

#6 Last Gift (3-2) is already a three-time winner this year, including a gate-to-wire win against a similar field last out when she cleared from the outside post and held sway. She was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior, who hits at 25% first off the claim.#5 Probable Angle (3-1) ran a huge race in a determined victory at Aqueduct two starts ago, and looks for a rebound after a flat effort against better there last out. Bruce Brown hasn’t had a starter here this year, but went 3-for-4 with his shippers to Maryland last fall. #3 Pichu (3-1) sat the trip and converted to win her second start in a row last out. She’ll once again rate off the pace and hope someone challenges Last Gift for the lead.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAMING $35,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-4-3-1

#5 Lendalfoot (5-1) improved with each race last fall, peaking at a 69 when fourth at Aqueduct in November. She made her return to the races in a one-mile training flat race at the Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point on March 29, and finished fourth behind a trio of multiple winners. That race should set her up for a big effort here. #4 Too Loose La Trek (6-1) is another dangerous Mike Trombetta shipper from Florida who faced better there over the winter. She made some sneaky good rallies there over the winter. #3 Spinning Class (2-1) doesn’t always pack her best closing punch, but did close with a rush for second, beaten less than a length, in her last grass start in mid-February.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-3

#2 Sweet Shenanigans (3-1) ran a huge race on the lead last out. She battled in a three-way early duel and managed to hold a respectable third, while the other two pacesetters finished well up the track. She’ll likely have to deal with some speed from her outside once again, but she’s proven she can take the heat and hold well. #1 Our Golden Gator (9-2) finished second, ahead of Sweet Shenanigans, in her last start. She had the chance to close into that contested pace, and while she rallied well, she was no match for Kuaga, who came out of nowhere to win at 20-1. Still, this one has run in the 80s in all three sprint starts, and should get another good setup on the rail. #6 Soaring Angel (10-1) pressed the pace and faded in her last few starts in California, and makes her local debut for Brittany Russell after two workouts here (although she’s not a Baffert expat; she was previously trained by Tim Yakteen). She’s also poised to get a good trip off the pace, but also has great early pace figures and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Sheldon Russell sent her.

8-4-1-6

#8 Sell Something (5-1) ran very similar races throughout last year: he’d always drop far off the pace and make a huge move, only for it to fall short. He has by far the best late pace figures in a largely uninspiring group, so if he’s ever going to make his closing move a winning one, it’ll be here. #4 Mosler Time (5-2) has run well from on and off the pace on both dirt and grass, and switches back to this surface for the first time since October for the Jamie Ness/Yedsit Hazlewood combination. #1 Fan Club (20-1) missed the board in his three grass starts earlier in his career, but he’s in overall improved form in recent times, and his closing style suits this surface well.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!