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) — $3,312
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $3,750
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $19,635

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-4-1-5 (DIRT: 2-7-8-3)

#6 Anaita (7-2) closed with intent to get second in both of her starts since joining the Bernard Dunham barn. She finished second in both of those races to Tap it Up, who came back to win a starter allowance contest at Monmouth Park last Saturday, for her third win in her last four starts. #4 Diva Ready (4-1) started her Colonial Downs season with back-to-back wins, then finished 2 1/4 lengths back on that track last out. In that race, she didn’t find clear sailing throughout the back half. Jaime Rodriguez, who had a fantastic opening weekend, gets the mount for the first time since the fall of 2024. #1 Sugar Bee (2-1) ran a much-improved second two starts back at Delaware Park, losing by a half-length to Gift of Gab, who won the Sensible Lady Turf Dash last Saturday on this track. This one’s making her first start since July 4, when she clipped heels and fell at Delaware.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-1-5

In a completely blank field, I give the nod to two of the three first-time starters. Both #4 Our Survivor (20-1) and #3 Soul Healer (6-1) have worked well as of late. The latter has more recent and consistently steady drills, while the former had a bullet workout on this track in mid-August. Neither one has to be a world-beater to win at first asking; watch the board on both. #1 Regal Flair (2-1) looks the best of the four with experience, having closed well for a career-best fourth on the Colonial lawn last out. She’s taking a career-low class drop here.

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

6-7-4-8 (DIRT: 4-9-8-5)

#6 Souper Power Tapit (5-1) was somewhat well-regarded at first asking at Colonial, going off at 8-1 as one of three first-time starters in the field. He was restless in the gate, broke slowly, and fell far behind the rest. He showed some late interest despite racing greenly in the stretch. If he can show more maturity this time, he’ll be tough at a potentially decent price. #7 Repurpose (9-2) was second to a gate-to-wire winner last out at Colonial in his second race off a 7 1/2-month break. He’ll add blinkers in his first start for the Keri Brion stable. #4 Notion in Motion (7-2) closed well despite some traffic trouble in a pair of races at the summer meet, his first starts since late November. He was the slight favorite in both races, but couldn’t deliver. You should at least get a better price this time.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-7-1-2

#6 The Great Maybe (5-1) overcame a poor start to finish a strong-closing fourth at Timonium last out, losing third by just a nose. The long stretch run in this one-turn mile is bound to benefit her kick. #7 Blazing Bridgette (3-2) broke her maiden on the lead at Parx last out. She dueled for early command, outfinished her dueling partner by 18 lengths, and kicked on to a sharp three-length win. She’ll race for the Jaime Rodriguez/Jamie Ness dream team, who teamed up for two winners on Sunday. #1 Pinky Swear (7-2) drops into a non-winners of two claiming race for the first time and adds blinkers for the first time. This lightly-raced filly is bound to show speed from the inside.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-8-10-3 (DIRT: 7-1-9-2)

#7 Inno Hurry Early (12-1) broke his maiden in dominant fashion on debut last December, but then went to the sidelines for over eight months. He was no factor against a fairly tough field in his return effort at Colonial; however, he’s now switching to grass for the first time, which he’s well-bred for. Three of his four siblings to try the surface have won on it. #8 Kuhner (5-2) looks like the dominant speed, and led almost the whole way around in his two-turn debut last out. #10 Snookie Bear (6-1) is another Ness/Rodriguez runner who has shown improved late speed in his last few grass starts, including a third-place finish last out behind a gate-to-wire winner.

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

9-13-6-4 (DIRT: 6-7-8-1)

#9 It’s Fine (3-1) made what looked like a promising move last out, in her second start off a 10-month break, but flattened out and finished fourth. Still, she’s lightly-raced, cutting back around one turn, and has great late pace figures. #13 Light de Night (3-2) outkicked her to finish second in that race, and was fourth after pressing the pace in her next start. She’ll get Jorge Ruiz up, who’s always dangerous on this grass course. However, it’s hard to take a short price in a large, fairly formless field. If you’re playing the big late pick 5, you’re better off either singling her or not using her at all. #6 Crab Mentality (8-5) rerallied well to finish second against similar last out, and gets Jaime Rodriguez up for the first time in her six-race career. She’ll take most of the money if Light de Night doesn’t draw in; the “single or toss” mentality would also apply to her in that case.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-7-8

#5 Heldish (7-2) overcame a wide trip to get second last out at Timonium, losing only to a gate-to-wire winner who raced on the rail throughout. He hasn’t won in a while, but most of his recent races were against much better than these. That last race, against similar company to what he’ll see here, proves he can still hang with these types. #1 Backnthewoods (9-2) dueled with eventual winner Do It For Michael on opening day last Friday, and managed to hold on for second. He was forced to race off the rail that day; this time, he’ll be the controlling speed from the inside. #7 Robert’s Moon (5-2) ran a gigantic race while wide and just missed two starts ago at Delaware, then chased the pace and finished second last out at Timonium behind Heldish. He’s bound to enjoy a good trip sitting off the pace on the outside.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-6-7-1 (DIRT: 1-5-6-7)

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-6-2

#3 Superfactor (6-5) was a hard-fought third after dueling for the lead in each of his last two starts against his fellow Jersey-breds. He’ll have to deal with some speed from his outside, but he’s proven he can withstand it. #1 Intogage (5-2) converted a perfect stalking trip to victory last out at Delaware, improving to 2-for-3 lifetime in the process. He’ll look to get a similar catbird-seat setup from his rail draw. #6 Great Quality (4-1) is the aforementioned outside speed threat. He sat just off the pace and won second off a seven-month layoff last out at Delaware. This will be his first start since June 17; he was scratched from last Friday’s Lewes Handicap in favor of this spot.

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