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) — $887
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $777
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, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

11-10-8-7

#11 T V Channel (2-1) will be very tough to beat if he can slide in off the also-eligible list. He’s lightly-raced, dropping in for a career-low tag, and ran a brisnet figure in the 80s twice in his three career starts, something no one else in here has done on grass. #10 Our Ham Sandwich (10-1) sat the trip off the pace and kicked on to break his maiden two starts back. He followed that race up with a near-miss in a washed-off affair at Delaware Park last out. #8 Grey Biggsy (9-5) has run well in each of his three starts this year, closing from well off the pace to finish third in his last two races. He’s managed to close off of slow paces in the past, but the lack of apparent early speed may hold him to no more than a share.

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

3-5-4-1

#3 Yes Chief (1-1) crushed the field on the lead to break in maiden in his most recent dirt try. He ran respectably well on the lawn in his last three races, and now faces a very soft field in his return to dirt. #5 Who’s Yer Man (5-1) won on debut at Tampa Bay Downs in April in going-away style. He hasn’t shown much in four starts since then, but he’s also switching back to dirt, and a field like this could wake him up. #4 The Piranha (12-1) has never crossed the wire first, but was elevated to his maiden win well after the fact. He loves finishing second and third, and his late kick could get him a similar share here.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

3-7-4-5

No one in this seven-horse field has raced before, which makes this race a bit of a guessing game. I lean towards #3 Old Man’s Dream (6-5), who was scratched on opening day at Timonium when in for a $25,000 tag, has worked at Charles Town since, and returns here. Her worktab has been solid, and trainer Anthony Farrior and rider Jeiron Barbosa had a fantastic Timonium season together. #7 Russian Iris (3-1) has shown some promise in the morning for Robbie Bailes, and is one of the most seasoned workers in this field. She’s been on the tab consistently since late July. #4 Her Decision (6-1) is a recent arrival to the region for Kieron Magee, having previously worked at Palm Meadows. Her lone sibling to race broke her maiden on debut as a 2-year-old.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-8-2-9

#4 Danner (7-5) hasn’t run a bad race in three starts here, and turned in a respectable effort off a 10 1/2-month layoff last out at Colonial Downs. With further improvement second of the bench, he’ll be tough to beat. #8 Rare Eclipse (5-1) improved six points to a 72 second time in the Keri Brion barn last out. Jorge Ruiz was named on two horses in this race, and this one was his pick. #2 Gondroff (12-1) ran a big fourth on debut against maiden special weight company at Gulfstream Park, holding fourth after chasing the pace while wide. His three races since then have been disastrous, but the class drop and the change of scenery from Florida could wake him up. We know he has talent in there somewhere.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1A-7-5-2

#1A Lookin at Mac (8-5) drew post 11 on the lawn last out and showed little from there. However, he’s shown lots of early speed on dirt, and should have an easier time on the lead this time than in his last dirt start, when he got burned up in a duel. #7 No More Calls (8-1) is the only one in the field to run in the 80s in each of his last two dirt races, and has, by far, the best late pace figures in the race. He always comes from way, way out of it, so he’ll have to hope for some kind of pace to close into. If he gets it, watch out. #5 Fiddling Felix (3-2) stopped badly last out at Saratoga, but ran a big fourth against better in his prior race. His inconsistency makes him tough to be confident in, but his best race makes him tough.

RACE 6: SENSIBLE LADY TURF DASH, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-10-5-3

The first stakes race of the fall meet is named for the top Mid-Atlantic based grass sprinter of the early 2010s. #9 Le Amazonia (5-1) ran a game third in the Smart and Fancy Stakes at Saratoga last out, a race that was conducted over a yielding grass course that had been hit by an absolute deluge moments before. In her prior races at Gulfstream Park, she chased the pace and ran well with big figures, and getting back to a grass course that won’t be that wet should help her cause. After beginning her career as a chronic also-ran, #10 Mopo (3-1) has finally found her best self in her last few races. She’s won three of her last five starts, including a hard-fought win the Jameela Stakes on this track in June. She cuts back in distance after a win around two turns, and this distance looks like it’s exactly her speed. #5 Gerrards Cross (5-1) has blazing early speed, which she used to win the Monmouth County Stakes two starts ago. There’s speed drawn to her direct outside in Wisconsin Gal, but she at least has rail position and some backclass.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-5-4

#6 Rerun Table (2-1) crushed better fields than this one twice over the spring and summer, running consistently in the upper-80s and low-90s. She’ll easily beat this overmatched group at a very short price and set herself up for a potential Maryland Million Distaff bid. The lightly-raced #3 Magical Cry (9-2) ran a huge second on the lead second time out last out. She battled for early command and outfinished her dueling partner by 2 3/4 lengths. She ended up beaten less than a length by the classy Allenhurst, who got a great trip off the duel. This one isn’t as battle-tested as Rerun Table, but she has plenty of potential. #5 Sheherhers (10-1) won going away at Penn National last out and is a three-time winner on this track.

RACE 8: LAUREL DASH, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-2-3

#1 Bold Diversion (30-1) is unproven on this surface, and is facing a field of horses who are well-versed in grass sprint stakes. However, if he takes to grass (a big if!), he has a great chance at pulling the upset. He’s run in the 90s three times in his last four dirt races, and has a great late kick that could play very well on grass. #7 Alogon (7-2) got caught wide in the Van Clief Stakes at Colonial last out, but still closed with interest and lost by less than two lengths. He has tons of backclass and races third off the bench. #2 Witty (4-1), a very hard-knocker in his own right, was beaten a quarter of a length behind Alogon last out, and won the Ben’s Cat Stakes on this track in his prior start. If nothing else, you know you’ll get an honest effort out of him.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-3-2-5

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