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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $945
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,129
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-2-1-3

#7 Granuaile (3-1) chased the pace and finished a respectable third against slightly better two starts back, and gets class relief and cuts back around on turn after a flat try against first-level allowance rivals last out. There’s lots of speed in here, so she should get a perfect setup. #2 Blackfoot Daisy (1-1) is a very intriguing runner. She broke her maiden in devastatingly impressive style for Wesley Ward at Gulfstream Park in December 2024, winning by five lengths with a brisnet figure of 89. She’s raced just three times since then and hasn’t been that impressive in either one, but she hasn’t faced a field this soft in a while, and her backclass has to be respected. #1 Fahnee (5-1) didn’t have running room at the top of the stretch last out, but ran on well once clear and missed by a half-length. She’s sure to improve second off a six-month break.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-6-4

#1 Lady Charlotte (4-5) switches back to dirt after showing little following a poor start on grass last out. She has abundant early speed from the rail, and in a soft field like this one, sometimes that’s all you need. #6 Blessed Candy (3-1) ran in the 70s consistently last year, but went to the sidelines after a poor performance at Colonial Downs in August and hasn’t been seen since. Antonio Machado hits at a respectable 15% with his horses first off a 90+ day layoff. Her usual effort would win this race; it’s just a matter of if she can run her best first off a 260-day break. #2 Always Forward (12-1) hasn’t hit the board, let alone won, in a while, but she’s been in steadily improving form, and can easily rally for a share.

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

5-7-11-1

#5 Deputy A.P. (8-1) switches back to the flat after losing his rider in a steeplechase race last out. He ran respectably well in his two grass starts towards the end of last year after taking almost a year off, and looks poised for a big effort in his first flat start of this season. #7 Flamenco Star (1-1) is one of two horses on the card coming off a long layoff for Jorge Duarte, who tends to do well with horses off of such breaks. He led most of the way before settling for second last July at Delaware Park in his most recent try, and should be able to make the front here as well. #11 Brockton (8-1) also has early speed from the outside post, and led most of the way through honest fractions before settling for third in her most recent start.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-4-8-3

#1 Music On the Rocks (6-1) won first off a year-plus layoff last June, then improved 10 points to a 65 in her next race. She hasn’t raced since September 5, but she’s lightly-raced with a high ceiling. #4 Gripen (2-1) is also lightly-raced, with this being only her fifth career start. She made her grass debut last out and closed well from just off the pace, losing a photo to My Girl Back Home, whose best race is better than the best of anyone here. #8 Eachpeachpearplum (7-2) ran a big race on the lead in her grass finale last November, opening up a big lead in the stretch before getting reeled in. She’ll assuredly be sent for speed from the outside and should make the front without much trouble; from there, it’s a matter of how long she can last.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-6-5

#1 Tammy’s Cruiser (2-5) looks like the more promising half of the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry. She’s adding blinkers and has early speed from the inside, which makes her especially dangerous in a race like this. #7 Paperback Edition (10-1) improved 13 points to a 69 second off a seven-month break last out, closing well to just miss second in a blanket finish. She won’t have much of a chance to catch Tammy’s Cruiser if that one indeed sneaks away, but she’ll be able to pick up the pieces over the rest. #6 Fire at Midnight (20-1) also has great closing speed and cuts back around one turn for the first time in a while.

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

5-6-10-1

This race features another Jorge Duarte runner coming off a long break, in #5 It’s Electric (2-1). A full brother to Colonel Liam, a three-time grade 1 winner on the lawn, he ran in the low 70s against straight maidens on grass twice last year. He hasn’t raced since July 23, but he’s worked well over the past month on the Colts Neck training track. He’s the most talented horse in the field, so if he runs his race, he’ll win. #6 Rivage (12-1) makes his first flat start in a while after two futile steeplechase efforts. He showed some mild late kick over the winter on the Fair Grounds lawn, and should make a late impact in this spot for the Keri Brion barn. #10 Ray of Lov (12-1) takes a career-low drop in class in his first start for Hugh McMahon, and matched his career-best figure with a 64 at third asking last out.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-7-1-11

#10 Carnaby (5-2) finished a solid-closing third last out against better. The very speedy Bushido made the front and gave no one a chance to catch him, which makes Carnaby’s race very good, given the circumstances. This is an easier bunch to run down. #7 Summer Bee (9-2) has raced just once in the past year, a flat try on the Gulfstream synthetic in March. He ran well on grass in 2024 and 2025, rallying for fourth against better in his last grass start over a year ago in Tampa. He’ll sit off the pace and hope his backclass takes care of the rest. #1 Island d’Lite (8-1) always closes well on this track and has worked sharply in preparation for his 2026 debut.

RACE 8: STARTER ALLOWANCE $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-4-3

#5 Book of Wisdom (9-2) goes first off the claim for Mike Geralis, who is 35% with that angle in recent times. She closed well behind slow fractions for third last out with a 78, her best figure in a while, and should get a pace to close into with plenty of early speed signed on. Among the speed horses are #6 Enigmatic (1-1), who went gate-to-wire three starts back and won from just off the pace two races ago with figures in the 80s both times. She faded after battling for the lead last out, but he’s at least proven that she doesn’t need the lead to win. #4 R Averie Lynn (4-1) has won three races in a row and has hit the exacta in her last eight starts, showing speed every time. The only question is the distance. While she’s won at seven furlongs in the past, her recent big efforts have come at 5 1/2 and six furlongs.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-3-5

#4 Heldish (7-2) had no chance to beat the white-hot Kerness K last out, but outkicked the rest and finished second with a 92, his best figure in a long while. He showed lots of promise as a 2-year-old, finishing stakes-placed three times, and he looks like he’s rounding back into his best form at age 6. #6 Ecumenical (3-1) gets his class test after winning two of his last three starts against softer with perfect stalk-and-pounce trips. He’s bound to get another one here. #3 Just for the Money (9-5) ran a big third the last time he was here, in January, and will be able to protect the rail and the lead with a clean break.

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