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) — $3,054
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $7,618
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

5-3-6-8

#5 Bella Estrela (5-2) went off as one of the favorites against similar last out, but unseated the jockey at the start. Her next scheduled race was washed off the grass, so this will be her first appearance since that attempted May 1 effort. She always runs well against these types and will put in a good late bid as long as she has racing room. #3 Stay in Tune (4-1) got the perfect setup last out, gobbling up ground off a hot pace to win going 5 1/2 furlongs. She’ll hop for another fast pace to close into; if she does, she’ll be tough to hold off. #6 Boys Go to Jupiter (12-1) just missed against these types in her last grass start (the same race in which Bella Estrela unseated the jockey). She closed with interest in her previous two grass races as well.

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

1-4-3-5

#1 Speedy Alex (8-5) chased runaway winner Rapidity last out and finished a clear-cut second. He’s the only one in the field to run brisnet figures in the 70s in each of his last four starts. The only potential caveat is the distance; he’s done his best recent work at a mile or longer. #4 Win No Joke (6-1) made what looked like a promising move last out, but flattened out. Still, he ran a 71 that day, his best figure in over a year, and looks like he’s rounding back into form after two long layoffs within the past year. #3 Cademan (5-2) comes out of the same race as Speedy Alex. He showed speed and stopped badly that day, but unlike Speedy Alex, he’s much better-suited for today’s distance than the mile he ran last time. He won a pair of sprints at Tampa Bay Downs this winter.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-5-3

#6 Pendar (4-1) made his first start off a six-month layoff last out on the Preakness undercard. He didn’t really get going until the last eighth, when he kicked it into gear and was beaten less than a length for second. He’s facing a slightly better field than last time, but he’s trending in the right direction. #1 Joy Division (15-1) was no factor in his first start of the year at Aqueduct last out, but could wake up in his local debut for the Graham Motion/Jorge Ruiz dream team. #5 Skycross (7-2) led almost the whole way last out, finishing second only to Your Lordship, who saved ground the entire way. He’s getting a slight cutback from 1 1/8 miles, which, considering he tired late last time, should help his cause in this spot.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-3-5

#1 Book of Wisdom (7-2) finished a solid-closing second against similar last out, and has run in the 70s three starts in a row with the best late pace figures in the race. #2 I Can Do It (6-1) also runs in the 70s consistently. This will eb her first start since March 29, and although this isn’t a class drop on paper, it’s a much easier field than what she saw last time. She was third that afternoon behind On a Proud Note and Anita Beer, both of whom are better than anyone in here. #3 Royal Seamstress (4-1) beat Book of Wisdom last out, sitting a great stalking trip and drawing off to an easy win. She periodically jumps up and runs a huge race, but also turns in plenty of clunkers, and it’s hard to know which version of her you’ll get.

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

3-1-5-6

#3 Without (9-5) has been facing very strong first-level fields in Florida and Kentucky in his last few starts, running at least an 84 in his last three races. He went off favored at this condition at Churchill Downs last out, and finished fifth in a race where the early leaders hardly wavered (the horses who were 1-2-4 at the first point of call finished 3-2-1). We’ll see if he gets some pace to close into here. #1 Dairago (9-2) has been entered twice since his impressive April 11 win, but both of those races were washed off. He’s taking a sizable step up, but he’s in career-best form, and Robbie Bailes tends to do well first off the claim. #5 Jibilian (8-1) closed with interest for second at Tampa Bay last out behind a rival who got a five-length jump start on him. He’s proven he can run well from on or off the pace.

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

2-10-14-12

#2 Gotta Be Da Shoes (4-1) made her first start off a six-month layoff in a washed-off affair. She chased the pace and faded, but it at least gave her a start on the season, and she’ll now switch back to her preferred surface. She closed well in her final two starts of last year and has run in the 60s in each of her four races on the lawn. #10 Poney Island (10-1) just missed at this level last out, closing with a rush and just missing behind gate-to-wire winner Bellini Gold. She looks poised to work out a great stalking trip just off the pace. #14 Forty Seven Smoker (7-2) just missed at this condition last out and keeps Jorge Ruiz aboard.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

9-3-8-5

Five of the nine horses in here have experience. #9 Gypsy Lullaby (4-1) ran what might’ve been the best race of anyone on debut. She closed well in the center of the track on a very sloppy track and missed by less than a length, outkicking odds-on favorite #3 Paris By Night (3-1) in the process. She ran a 77 that day, an excellent figure for a 2-year-old at this time of year. As noted earlier, Paris By Night battled for the early lead with her stablemate and flattened out to third. She looks fast enough to outkick stablemate Pelican Pier from her inside, and if she takes a step forward second time out, she may prove tough to catch. #8 Harpers Corner (8-1) goes first out for Cal Lynch, who historically does well in early-season 2-year-old races. She’s worked well over the past few weeks and looks very promising; the board will tell the story.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-1-2

#7 Noquestionaboutit (5-2) makes her first start since early October for Mike Trombetta and Jorge Ruiz. She won the Glenn Petty Stakes in gate-to-wire style at Colonial Downs last summer, and followed that effort with back-to-back career-top figures of 85 an 86. She may need a race to get back into her best form, and Trombetta might see this race more as a prep for a stakes at Colonia next out. Still, she’s the most talented one in this race by a lot. #9 Somnium (2-1) made a strong, promising rally and finished fourth, beaten two lengths, in The Very One Stakes last out. She’s rounding back into her best form and would be very tough to beat if Noquestionaboutit isn’t ready first off the layoff. #1 Spencerian (10-1) was a dominant victress against open claimers on dirt last out, sitting the trip and drawing away with a career-best 100. She’s never raced on grass before; her dam, Cursive won on this surface, as did three of her great-aunts and uncles.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-6-5

#4 Max Haste (2-1) went off favored on debut at Penn National as the lone first-time starter in the field. He wore down the early leader and took command in the stretch, ultimately losing by a nose to closing St. Pete’s Passion while almost six lengths clear of third. He’s one of the few in here with proven two-turn form, a massive advantage. #1 President Camacho (8-5) was second to the very impressive Sir George at first asking last out. He’ll add blinkers here; trainer Horacio De Paz hits at 21% when adding them. #6 Irish Nunsense (6-1) showed some late foot when well-beaten last out, and could easily rally for a small share against these.

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