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) — $0
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

14-12-3-8 (DIRT: 3-1-14-4)

#14 Bashful Baby (6-5) has speed figures that tower over those of the rest. She ran a brisnet figure no worse than 75 in her last three grass starts; none of her rivals have run faster than a 70 within their last three grass races. She has a tendency to break slowly, which has cost her against better, but it shouldn’t be an impediment against this softer bunch. #12 Let Her Pass By (5-2) ran a big race on the lead second off the layoff last out. She led almost the whole way and was second only to Salty One, who got a perfect trip and came back to finish third in a starter optional claiming contest next out. This one looks fast enough to clear to the rail and the lead despite her outside draw. #3 Dream Overture (9-2) sat close to the pace and finished a respectable fourth in her grass debut at Colonial Downs last September. She’ll add Lasix for her first start since then.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

2-4-5-3

#2 Rebelka (9-2) was no match for the runaway winner, Costa Linda, last out, but still ran a solid race. Though it’s not in the past performance lines, she was in front for the first sixteenth of a mile or so, then checked when Costa Linda made her move and ultimately fought back for second. She’ll add blinkers second time out. #4 The Stork Club (4-1) goes first out for Jerry Robb, who generally does well in early-season 2-year-old races. She’s out of the Robb broodmare Gracie’s Hero. Of her five siblings to race as 2-year-olds, four of them won as freshmen. #5 Engage at Will (7-2) was well-bet on debut, fought with Rebelka for second, and ended up losing to her by a neck. John Salzman is also very sharp with 2-year-olds at this time of year; if anything, he does better second time out than first.

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

8-3-7-2 (DIRT: 2-7-1-3)

#8 Queen Rocket (7-2) showed speed first off a six-month layoff last out, and though she faded to fifth, she still ran a 76, her best figure in a while. She’ll get Jorge Ruiz, who rode her to victory twice in her final three starts last year, back aboard. #3 Cha Cha Chukka (3-1) finished a neck behind Queen Rocket last out. She was cut off twice when in the midst of different stretch rallies; she lost by a half-length when clear in her prior race. #7 Bella Estrela (5-1) always runs well against these types and will also put in a good late bid as long as she has racing room.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-6-5

#2 Hylla (2-5) battled for the lead and stopped last out at Keeneland. She got caught in a three-way duel and was beaten by 14 3/4 lengths. Her two dueling partners lost by 13 3/4 lengths and 43 1/4 lengths, respectively. She was claimed from that race by Jamie Ness, who is always dangerous first off the Kentucky claim. #1 Ashweee (6-1) finished a game third against better on debut, but broke a big awkwardly last out and didn’t factor. Still, she’s lightly-raced and can easily bounce back. #6 Eastcoastgirlsrhip (15-1) opened up a long lead and faded last out, showing more speed than she ever had before. She was claimed out of that race by Linda Albert and will almost assuredly be sent for speed.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-3-6-4 (DIRT: 4-7-3-8)

#1 Light de Light (9-5) rallied well for second despite not changing leads third time out last November. She hasn’t raced since then, but has worked well at Jorge Duarte’s Colts Neck Stable training track and adds Lasix and Jorge Ruiz. #3 Belle of Liberty (10-1) broke awkwardly last out and had no shot, but at her best, she’s a serious speed threat. Only Light de Light, who hasn’t shown much speed, and a first-time starter are drawn to her inside, so she should have every chance to get the trip she wants. #6 Rock Talk (20-1) showed some mild late punch on debut on dirt. Her dam, Idle Talk, was a stakes winner and graded stakes-placed on grass, while half-brother After Five won twice on the lawn and was graded stakes-placed on grass as a 2-year-old.

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

1-8-6-5 (DIRT: 8-1-14-9)

#1 Emma Mermaid (6-1) closed with interest despite some traffic in her grass debut last out. She was fourth behind Let Her Pass By; if that one runs well in race 1, it’ll give this one’s stock a big boost. #8 Niecey (3-1) cuts back in distance from a mile and drops in class from her last grass start. She raced wide throughout that day and faded, but ran no worse than a 68 in her prior races on this surface, including a 74 at this distance last summer. #6 Forty Seven Smoker (5-2) was third, in between Let Her Pass By and Emma Mermaid, in her first race off a 5 1/2-month layoff last out. She’s gotten god trips in both of her grass starts but hasn’t been able to convert them. We’ll see if she can polish it off this time, in her second race off the bench.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-6-3

#4 Last Gift (2-1) has been virtually unstoppable against these types all year, winning four times against open claimers, including two wins at this level. She broke on top and never looked back against a similar field last out and looks poised to do the same thing again, though you’ll be lucky to get the 13-10 you got on her last time. #2 Stay in Tune (5-2) has chased Last Gift and finished second in her last two starts. She was claimed from Jamie Ness by Kieron Magee last out, who keeps Yedsit Hazlewood aboard. If Last Gift doesn’t fire her best shot, this one will pick up the pieces. #6 Probable Angle (6-1) has tailed off in her last two races following big efforts at Aqueduct, but hopes to improve with the addition of blinkers in her first start off the Daniel McKenzie claim.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-4-1

#5 Straight to Water (5-1) rallied from off of slow fractions to win two starts ago, then finished second to Majorca next out. That one came back to win a second-level allowance route on the Black-Eyed Susan day undercard next time out. #6 Preacha Meyers (7-5) has won three in a row for Jamie Ness and Yedsit Hazlewood at Parx. All of those wins came around one turn, now he’s stretching out around two turns. He’s raced OK going a route of ground before, but it’s hard to take a low price on a horse largely unproven under these circumstances. #3 Missouri River (4-1) ran a game second with a career-best 93 at Parx two starts back. He checked very hard on the first turn next out and never got comfortable from there, but the 78 he ran that day is hardly representative. All five of his wins have come at this distance.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-3-2-8 (DIRT: 8-1-2-9)

#4 Enjoying (7-2) closed with interest in her lone grass start over the winter at Gulfstream Park, and drops in for a tag for the time for Graham Motion. This will be her first start around one turn. #3 Dandy Vandy (2-1) makes her first start since late September for the Ness/Hazlewood combination. She surged and just missed two starts back at Colonial, then flattened out after a wide trip next out at Delaware Park. Given most of her career has been around two turns, Ness might see this as a prep for a longer race next out. Still, she has enough ability to be a threat regardless. #2 Ithadtobeblu (12-1) raced off the rail throughout last out and was second to Savanasrioguerrera, who saved tons of ground. This time, she might be the one who can save ground and pounce.

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