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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $1,728
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,053
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-8-4-5

#1 Yo Adrian (4-1) has shown plenty of promise, but has had a problem with drifting out in the stretch. Jamie Ness will add blinkers on her this afternoon, and that could prove the key to a winning effort after a series of near-misses. #8 Gripen (5-2) cleared her non-winners of two condition with an emphatic stalk-and-pounce win two starts back, then finished a game second to gate-to-wire winner Destination last out. She looks poised to sit a great trip off the pace in the clear. The other Robbie Bailes trainee, #4 Serene Spirit (3-1), was third to Destination and Gripen last out and also won two races ago. Her ceiling isn’t quite as high as that of her stablemate, but she should be able to hang around for a share.

RACE 2: STARTER ALLOWANCE $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-2-5-3

#6 Brindano (5-2) has shown improved form in his last few starts, peaking at a brisnet figure of 90 when second to the razor-sharp Preacha Meyers last out. He beat a similar field to this one three starts back after an extended stretch duel. #2 Jolly by Golly (6-5) won against $30,000 foes last out and was claimed from that effort by Jamie Ness. The last time he raced at this level, he was second to odds-on choice Freeze the Fire, who’s finished stakes-placed multiple times and has tons of class. He’s a serious contender, but his new connections means he’s bound to be overbet. #5 Rapidity (15-1) is taking a big step up in class, but he rallied from off the pace for second on Sunday, making him the only one who made up much ground on what appeared to be a speed-biased track.

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

1-2-7-11

#1 Synergism (6-5) has shown a strong late punch in her last two grass starts. She closed well and just missed against these types three starts back, then was third despite a wide trip behind a pair of classy first-level allowance rivals on the Preakness undercard. With the right trip, she’ll be hard to hold off. #2 Put a Rock On It (5-2) also has great late speed. She rallied in the center of the track last out and lost by a nose to Class Photo, who raced closer to the inside. She tends to be a heartbreaker, having finished second or third five times this year with two wins, but she’s nonetheless a must-use in any vertical play. #7 Bay Street (6-1) wired the field two starts back, holding off Synergism in the process. She didn’t show much around one turn last out, but stretches back out in a spot where she’s the main speed.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-5-1-10

#4 Clawless Brit (9-2) has run in the 80s in both of her starts at the meet, including a second-place try at this level last out. She stalked early leader Lady Ensign and wore her down, but was outkicked by favored Big Earn and settled for second. Still, this lightly-raced filly should take another step forward in her third local start of the year. #5 Sin Boldly (3-1) was challenged on both strides in the stretch last out, but held on to break her maiden as the favorite in her second start off a 5 1/2-month layoff. She’s getting a class test in her first start against winners, but has the ability. #1 Secure’s Hope (4-1) rallied wide for third against second-level allowance rivals on the Preakness undercard and should benefit from the class relief.

RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

8-7-3-2

#8 Lord’s Lady (9-5) overcame modest fractions to win at Penn National last out, following four consecutive runner-up finishes on this track. Most of those races were against better than what she’s seeing here, so he usual effort should be enough to catch these. #7 Weekend Wife (6-1) splashed her way to an off-the-grass victory last out, and, much like Lord’s Lady, has managed to close well against better rivals. The two could well make their moves in tandem. #3 Enigmatic (3-1) looks like the main speed of this field and gets Martin Chuan up for the first time. He’s bound to send this mare for speed.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-3-2-6

#7 Vino Amore (20-1) has done well in her first two starts against winners, finishing second in a pair of dirt starts at her home base of Penn National. She has some grass pedigree: half-sister Jezebel’s Kitten won the 2019 Exacta Systems Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Kentucky Downs. #3 Chilly Girl (3-1) faded on the lead going a mile last out, but her early speed has historically been more potent at shorter distances. She’s fast enough to clear to the rail and the lead; from there, it’s a matter of how long she can last. #2 Awesome McKinzie (12-1) showed mild late interest for fourth last out in her first start off a six-month layoff. She has the ability to at least pick up the pieces against these types.

RACE 7: JAMEELA STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD/VA-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-2-4-8

#1 Sporting Lady (2-1) lost by four lengths against better in The Very One Stakes last out, and may have eaten into the margin a bit more had she not been abruptly wrapped up on at the first wire. She rallied well from last for second at Aqueduct two starts ago behind Modarosa, who won the Lyphard Stakes at Penn National next out. #2 Mopo (5-2) loves finishing second, having done so seven times in 11 career starts compared to just two wins. However, she did win first off the bench two starts back, and just missed to the speedy River Seine last out. Maybe she’s turned over a new leaf. #4 Gift of Gab (15-1) is a threat on her best day, but must work out a trip close to the pace and time it just right to give herself her best shot. The price will be right if you believe.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 FURLONGS

7-4-2-3

This race is full of blank slates: all eight of these are first-time starters (all of whom are Maryland-breds, and all but the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry are waiving the claiming tag). I’ll try the Gary Capuano firster, #7 Seven’s Nitro (2-1). He’s from a win-early barn from a win-early family, and he’s worked well at Delaware Park. #4 Where’s Kevin (3-1) debuts for Brittany Russell, who sent out a first-time starter winner on Sunday. He put in a sharp workout at Fair Hill on Sunday, going four furlongs in 49 seconds flat, in a three-way tie for the fastest time at that distance that day. #2 Meshach (8-1) has already put in two gate workouts for Phil Schoenthal and is by Practical Joke, whose progeny win at a respectable 14% first time out.

6-7-2-5

#6 Witty (9-5) looked strong in his 2026 debut last out, capturing an off-the-grass third-level allowance sprint with authority. He looks much the best in this field, and if he wins, he’ll have won at least one stakes race for six consecutive seasons. #7 Had to Have Him (5-2) improved slightly second off a six-month layoff last out, showing some mild kick in the Jim McKay Turf Sprint last out. He was third in this race last year against a better field, and will be a threat if he can find his best self, but at this point, that’s an open question. #2 Brightshininglight (12-1) was a game second to another Hillwood-owned rival in Daring Venture last out. He’s lightly-raced and hasn’t been tested for class like this, but his improving form can’t be discounted.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-7-2

#6 Edelweiss (2-1) sat the trip and was an easy winner against non-winners of two foes last out, running in the 80s for the second time in his last four starts. After starting his career 0-for-15, the lightbulb appears to be fully illuminated. #3 Blo By’em (5-2) has gone off favored at this level in his last two starts, but was flat in both of them. We’ll see if a jockey switch to Jorge Ruiz wakes him up. #7 World On Fire (3-1) ran a game second last out to Red Spitfire, who has been very sharp as of late. This one has improved in each of his last three starts, peaking at an 80 in that most recent start. Him and Edelweiss are the only two in here to run in the 80s at any point within their last three races.

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