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) — $2,412
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $6,949
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

6-9-11-4 (DIRT: 3-7-12-6)

#6 Copernium (8-1) rallied in the final eighth to win at this condition at Monmouth Park two starts back. He chased the pace and faded on dirt last out, but is stepped back up first off the claim for Kieron Magee, and should bounce back on the surface switch. #9 Wheneveruremember (5-2) hasn’t been as sharp as a 4-year-old as he was towards the end of last year, but he did win a Virginia-restricted allowance three starts ago, sandwiched between some underwhelming efforts. He’s dropping for a tag for the first time in a while, which is bound to help his cause. #11 Archimedes (5-1) was wide the whole way last out at Monmouth, but still closed and got up against non-winners of two rivals. This will be his first start for the Anthony Farrior barn, and he’s likely to get a good trip off the pace in the clear.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-2-1-3

21st time proved the charm for #5 Furious George (6-1) last out, as he came from off the pace to break his maiden at Timonium. He’s been in steadily improving form since coming back from a two-month layoff in July, approaching his career-best brisnet figure with a 72 last out. #2 Veneto (6-5) never stood a chance in his last start. He broke in the air and was forced to chase a gate-to-wire winner on a speed-favoring track. If he’d broken well that day, he might’ve been the winner. As it stands, he’s a threat to lead this field all the way. #1 Magnificent Rags (5-1) ran in the 80s with some consistency earlier this year, but has tailed off badly in his last few starts, losing his last two by a combined 35 lengths. He’s facing the easiest field he’s seen in a while, so if there’s anything left in the tank, he’ll show it here.

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

2-12-4-9 (DIRT: 11-4-3-8)

#2 Owhatanite (7-2) came up the inside to finish third against similar at Colonial Downs last out with a career-best 86. Runner-up Souper Crunchy came back to beat similar at Delaware Park on Sept. 10 as the even-money favorite. #12 Red Sky Morning (9-2) hasn’t run a bad race at this level yet, and will surely rally for an underneath spot even if his closing kick hasn’t proven good enough. #4 Mr. Flowers (3-1) has almost wired better fields in his last three starts, and has enough speed to make him a threat against these.

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

3-9-1-7 (DIRT: 9-5-8-12)

#3 Target Market (2-1) improved ten points to a 78 second time out last out, finishing a mild fourth against better at Colonial. He’s had two months off since then and gets Jorge Ruiz aboard for the first time, making him poised for a career-best race (although he’ll likely be a very short price). #9 Big Boy Luka (6-1) got going late and just missed second in his first start on the lawn last out. If you want a different lightly-raced, promising horse, this one will likely be a much better value. #1 Fiery Debut (8-1) held off Big Boy Luka for second last out, losing only to the runaway, favored winner, Irish Indygo. He ran a career-best 70 that day, the second consecutive race he improved by at least five points.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

9-5-2-6

#9 Ashley H (7-2) overcame a poor break to get third in a four-furlong maiden affair at Timonium last out. She showed speed and faded at first asking in her previous start, so it’ll be interesting to see if Jeiron Barbosa sends her for speed. #5 Silver Strings (5-2) lasted for a while through pace pressure before fading second time out. On debut, she was fourth behind Keswick Stakes winner Cyber Spy and Dolley Madison Stakes runner-up Gypsy Lullaby. #2 Stoic Reserve (4-1) closed well for second behind gate-to-wire winner My Lucky Wife on debut, and looks for a rebound after finishing well up the track last out. She’s had two solid workouts since then, which is encouraging.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-2-4-8 (DIRT: 1A-9-2-8)

#1 Petcoff (9-5) showed no signs of rust in his first start off a seven-month layoff last out, coming from off the pace to win at this level at Colonial. It’s the third time in four starts he’s won at this condition, and he’s run at least an 88 in each of those last three races. That makes him the preferred half of the Brittany Russell-trained coupled entry. #2 Normandy Hero (5-1) has led and gotten caught in his last few starts, but he’s still the main speed in this field and will be tough to reel in, especially if the closers don’t fire. #4 Neonate (10-1) isn’t yet proven against these types, but beat a first-level field impressively in his last start, and might be getting good at the right time.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-7-8-9 (DIRT: 13-5-2-6)

#12 Barbados Buzz (4-1) surged up the rail to breaking his maiden at second asking last out, improving ten points to a 79. He looks like, by far, the best closer in this field, and will be hard to hold off if he runs back to his last race. #7 Frye Island (10-1) has hit the board in his last six starts against conditioned claimers. While it’s a step up in class, this isn’t the toughest first-level field in the world, and a repeat of his recent races at least puts him in contention. #8 Alexis Zorba (6-1) won in gate-to-wire style in his only start here, and is the main speed in a race that, with the exception of Barbados Buzz, doesn’t have many high-quality closers.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-6-7

#3 Mo Lake Time (6-1) led most of the way through pace pressure on debut at Delaware, only to tire in the final stages of the 1 1/16-mile contest. We’ll see how her speed plays going one turn for the first time. #2 Rocker Roller (7-2) has proven speed around one turn, and may take a step forward first off the Brittany Russell claim. She’s lost against worse fields than this one, but she’s getting better, and her speed can’t be discounted. #6 Kiss Me Mo (3-5) stepped up dramatically with a career-best 88 in a near-miss effort last out. A repeat of that race would bury these, but it’s a career-best figure by nine points, and she was running in the upper-60s/low-70s in her other recent races. It’s possible she put it together third off a six-month layoff, and it’s onward and upward from here. Still, I’m a bit skeptical, especially considering her very low morning line.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-5-7-8 (DIRT: 3-10-9-4)

#2 Flamingo Way (9-5) was a game second in the Marshall Jenney Stakes last out, her first start off a five-month layoff. She was well-beaten by Jean Valjean, but that one validated his form with a win in the Disco Partner Stakes next out at Saratoga. #5 Gift of Gab (6-1) was asked a class question last out in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash, and answered it correctly with an 11-1 upset win. She’s found her best self in her recent races, running in the 90s in her last two starts on this track. #7 Somnium (4-1) closed with interest and was second to Gift of Gab by a half-length in the Sensible Lady. She has a strong middle kick and will certainly be a late threat.

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