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) — $2,532
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: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-2-7-8 (DIRT: 2-3-4-1)

#6 Endless Vow (9-5) is one of several in here coming out of the same race at this condition on May 8. She tracked the loose leader, #2 Whatsyourbigidea (2-1), and finished second by a length over that rival, while Sonic Sass outkicked everyone for the victory. This one improved slightly second off a two-month layoff, and should have every chance to sit the trip and mow them down once again. Whatsyourbigidea was the lone speed in that race, set ambitious fractions, and held third in spite of that pace. She’ll assuredly go for the lead once gain with absolutely no competition; from there, it’s a matter of how long she can last. #7 Risk and Regret (7-2) drops from starter optional claiming company in her first start since early November and gets Lasix for the first time. Both of those factors could lead to an improved performance.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-6-1-5

#7 Rehoboth Avenue (9-2) pressed heavily favored Kentucky shipper American Select last out. She didn’t win the battle or the war, as that rival kicked away for a dominating score, but she did manage to hold second over the others. With a total lack of speed to her inside, she might be able to make the lead and set the pace she wants, rather than being forced to run with a superior foe. 14th time proved to be the charm for #6 Valerie Street (6-1) last out, as she overwhelmed a bottom-level maiden claiming field as the heavy favorite. She’s improved with each start this year and is the only runner who hasn’t lost against winners (all but one of her rivals have done so at least eight times!). #1 Fire at Midnight (20-1) tried to press heavily favored Tammy’s Cruiser last out while wide and faded. She’s now drawn further inside and gets class relief.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-6-5-7 (DIRT: 1-5-6-3)

Fan favorite #1 Witty (5-2) is set to make his 7-year-old debut here. He was a two-time stakes winner last year, both times displaying his patented closing kick to overwhelm his rivals. He hasn’t raced since a third-place effort in the Da Hoss Stakes at Colonial Downs last September, but he’s proven that he can run well off of long breaks before. #6 Whenigettoheaven (3-1) closed well when clear to grab third in the King Leatherbury Stakes last out. That effort was validated when the top two finishers, Outlaw Kid and Chasing Liberty, finished second and first, respectively, in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint two Saturdays ago. #5 Saxton (6-1) won a stretch duel to beat second-level allowance rivals in his last grass start in October. He has tactical speed and will likely sit off of early leader Nothing Better. If he tires, this one will get first jump.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-2-3

#4 Red Spitfire (6-5) cleared his non-winners of two condition with ease two starts back. The second and third-place finishers, Italian Wine and Manseeyasway, finished 1-2 at the same condition on April 25. In this one’s most recent start, he was second to Searcy, who returned to beat a fairly tough starter optional claiming group next out. A repeat of either of those efforts would win this race. #1 Ellinger (5-1) was fourth to Searcy and Red Spitfire last out. He broke awkwardly, was rushed up, and didn’t factor from there. At his best, he’s a serious speed threat. #2 Mose Smokin (8-1) was no match for slightly better at Delaware Park last out, but drops to this level for the first time and has decent late pace figures. He could easily rally for a share at a good price.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

8-9-1-5 (DIRT: 4-7-11-2)

#8 The Jackal (10-1) is not coming off as long a layoff as his running lines might indicate. He won a two-mile training flat race at the Green Spring Valley point-to-point on March 29. In his most recent pari-mutuel start, he rallied to break his maiden at Kentucky Downs last September. With that two-mile prep under his belt, he’s poised to run a big race here. #9 Dairago (9-2) easily beat a conditioned claiming field last out. Runner-up Summer Vibes returned to clear his non-winners of three condition next out. This one’s taking a sizable step up, but he’s in career-best form, and Robbie Bailes tends to do well first off the claim. #1 Drilling for Gold (8-5) was put in an impossible situation following a rough start last out, but closed admirably from twelfth to fifth. This is a similar bunch to the one he saw that day, and a better trip makes him especially dangerous.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-9-3-2 (DIRT: 5-10-2-6)

#6 Lendalfoot (7-2) began her season with a fourth-place effort going 1 1/2 miles at the Green Spring Valley point-to-point, then ran well near the pace and held fourth, with a career-best brisnet figure of 80, in her first pari-mutuel start of the season. Even if she declines slightly off of that race, she’ll be hard to beat. #9 Light de Night (6-1) rallied wide for second last out, beaten only to a rival who saved ground and rallied up the rail. She’ll add Lasix for her 3-year-old debut. #3 Firestreak (3-1) certainly outran her 118-1 odds on debut at Delaware last September, closing for third, beaten less than a length. She hasn’t raced since then (and was washed off on Preakness Thursday), but if she runs close to the 79 she ran in that race, she’ll be a threat.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-1-5-4

#3 Talented Man (3-1) improved sharply second off a nine-month layoff last out, setting the pace and holding second against softer on grass. He has abundant early speed, and any of his dirt races from last year would bury these. #1 Don’t Wait Up (9-5) was second to the white-hot Paco the Taco Man when last seen at this level. He showed nothing against some very tough rivals last out, including Haileysfirstnotion, who returned to finish third in the Maryland Sprint. These look like calmer waters. #5 Karan’s Notion (9-2) hasn’t won in a while, but is always capable of spicing up the exotics at a big price.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-9-8-5

#6 Worcester (4-1) went two turns for the first time in forever last out, and managed a game second despite a wide trip. He’s cutting back to a distance he loves first off the Jamie Ness claim. #9 Blue Kingdom (8-1) finished a pace-compromised fifth two starts back, but woke up last out at Delaware when he was a game second to the 18-time winner Spikezone. He’ll almost certainly be heard from late, as will #8 Slam Notion (6-5). That one didn’t do much last out in the Maryland Sprint, but it was his first race in three months, and the track may have leaned towards speed that day. I’m willing to give him another shot.

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

7-1-6-5 (DIRT: 10-8-1A-3)

The seven-month layoff may have caught up to #7 Chimney Sweep (7-2) last out. He struck the front in mid-stretch and looked ready to kick on, but flattened out and just barely held third. He closed for second or third three times on grass last year with figures as high as 84, and he should get closer to that form second off the bench. #1 Modranach (3-1) showed speed and held third going two turns in his grass debut last out. He’s facing a tougher field this time than last, but he’s lightly-raced and has plenty of room to improve. #6 Rare Eclipse (10-1) was a much-improved fourth in his most recent grass start, which came in mid-February first off a 5 1/2-month break. This will be his first start for the Keri Brion barn.

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