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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $795
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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

7-8-4-5

#7 Lucky Lis (2-1) has held her own against these types throughout the meet, including a game fourth-place effort while battling for the lead against better last out. She has very sharp early speed in a very inexperienced field. Four of her seven rivals are first-time starters, including #8 Authentic Lady (15-1). Tyler Servis hits at a very respectable 18% with debuters. Two of her siblings won on grass, while her half-brother, Kanthaka, wasn’t a grass winner, but finished graded stakes-placed on the surface three times. #4 Common Sense (8-5) drops in for a tag for the first time and adds Lasix for her 2026 debut. Many of her races from last year would contend against these.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-6-5-7

#3 Ready for Magic (3-1) hasn’t won in a long while, but she’s also facing the easiest field she’s seen in a while. She’s run brisnet figures of 69 and 71 in her last two starts. No one else has run in the 60s in each of her last two races. She’ll be coming from off the pace and will be poised to swoop them. #6 Cheese (6-1) checked hard on the turn last out and was no factor from there. She showed abundant early speed against these types last year and will be tough as long as she gets a cleaner trip. #5 Tipmanee (4-5) takes a career-low class plunge and gets Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode her to her maiden-breaking win last September, back in the saddle.

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

2-1-7-5

#2 Where’s Ray (5-2) ran a big race at this class three starts back, where he was elevated to victory after losing by a nose to Cairo Surprise, who has since come back to win back-to-back races at Monmouth Park in impressive fashion. This one showed speed and faded in a washed-off contest last out, but now switches back to his preferred surface. He won three races in a row on this track last year with figures in the mid-80s/low-90s each time. #1 Saxton (3-1) was second in that washed-off affair last out, in his first race off a six-month layoff. He was a determined winner against second-level allowance rivals on this track last November, lasting through consistent pressure. #7 Isivunguvungu (2-1) makes his 2026 debut for the Graham Motion/Jorge Ruiz combo. He held his own against much better when he first arrived here from South Africa in 2024, but tailed off last year and went to the sidelines in July. His ceiling’s very high, but it’s very much an open question if he can get back there.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-1-3-6

#2 Divine Swagger (4-1) finished a strong-closing second at this level last out, chasing pace-stalker River City Runner and eating into his margin late. He likes racing here on a fast track; he’s run at least a 65 in his last three starts under those circumstances. #1 Vekoma Velocity (3-1) has done his best work going the one-turn miles at Gulfstream Park, and gets to do it again in his local debut. He’s shown late interest in both of those races, which will serve him well down the long stretch. #3 Bigshot Ness (9-5) goes third off a two-month break for Jamie Ness, who gives Yedsit Hazlewood the call for the second time. This lightly-raced gelding will almost certainly set the early pace, and if neither of the aforementioned two run their best race, he’s bound to last all the way.

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

6-3-9-5

#6 Tiz Complex (5-1) makes her first start since July 13 at Monmouth Park. She led almost the whole way that day and ended up third by two lengths with a 75, her second consecutive improved figure on grass. Cal Lynch hits at a solid 18% with horses first off a 90-plys day layoff, and Paco Lopez has done well on his Friday sojourns down here. #3 Crab Mentality (5-1) ran a respectable 65 on debut at this level last November, then chased the pace and finished less than less than four lengths in an off-the-grass contest in her 2026 debut. She looks poised for a big performance second off the bench. #9 Kentucky Mule (5-2) races for a tag for the first time in her first start for the Lacey Gaudet barn. She was visually unimpressive in two Kentucky starts over the fall and winter, but ran figures comparable to the best of these.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-10-4

#6 Risk and Regret (7-2) closed well for second in her season debut at Penn National last out, losing only to an odds-on New York shipper. She matched her career-best mark with a 75 that evening, and seeks to improve on it further with Paco Lopez aboard for the first time. #1 Endless Vow (2-1) closed well for second last out, overwhelming the typically speedy Whatsyourbigidea but getting outkicked by Sonic Sass, who was fourth as the favorite at Delaware Park next out. This one is the only runner to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts. #10 Fahnee (6-1) has the most early speed by far and gets Jorge Ruiz up for the first time this year. She looks fast enough to get her preferred trip despite her outside draw.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-6

#1 Intrepid’s Legacy (3-1) crushed a second-level allowance field two starts ago, then finished second behind stablemate Haileysfirstnotion, who returned to finish second in the Alapocas Run Stakes, last out. He’ll sit off the pace on the rail and make a powerful middle move to victory. #2 Prince of Jericho (2-1) didn’t show much in a pair of grass tries last out, and lost a series of heartbreakers against these types over the winter. He should at least run much better on the surface switch, should work out a good trip on or near the pace. From there, it could be a matter of if the coin flip goes his way. #4 Bold Diversion (6-1) didn’t kick on after a very wide trip last out, but he still has the best average late pace figures in the field, and should be heard from late with a better setup.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-7-8-5

#4 Alexis Zorba (7-5) showed speed and backed up to finish last last out. He ran some gigantic figures in his New York base last year, and Bruce Brown tends to do well when he sends horses down here. #7 Twirling Express (6-1) cleared his non-winners of two condition going away last out, stalking the pace and drawing off to win under a drive. He went off favored against first-level allowance rivals last out at Penn National but didn’t run a step. There’s no guarantee he can bounce back, but if he does, he’ll be tough. #8 Red Spitfire (6-1) has run at least a 78 in each of his last three dirt starts, and now makes his grass debut first off the Phil Capuano. Third dam Crafty Toast and fourth dam Give a Toast were stakes winners on this surface.

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