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) — $6,316
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

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

The last time #3 El de Larry (8-5) crossed the wire first came the last time he raced on grass here, back in May of 2025. He ran brisnet figures in the 80s in each of his last two starts, making him the only one in his field to do so. He’ll try to lead them all the way around. #6 Mo Rewards (5-1) closed gamely and was outkicked by the victorious Take Me to Church last out at Delaware Park. It was a nice bounce-back effort after a pair of disappointing efforts at Colonial Downs. #2 Sky’s Not Falling (2-1) overhauled the loose leader, Cloud Music, in his last start, and ended up second to even-money favorite Ironsides, a three-time winner on the year. That effort bodes well for this spot, as he’ll likely have to chase down a loose leader again.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

5-6-2-3

#5 Love Yourself (6-5) went off favored against better last out, dealt with some traffic trouble on the far turn, but made up some ground when clear and finished second behind the easy winner, Pippin the Warrior. Even though it’s the same class on paper, this is definitely a drop. #6 Napisonmyagenda (9-5) stretched out from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles alst out, and handled the added distance well. He dueled for the lead with eventual winner Pea Ridge and finished a clear-cut second. It was the first time he showed much speed in his four-race career. #2 Nantucket Love (6-1) improved 15 points to a 79 at second asking last out, making a mild move up the inside and just missing third.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-3

Keri Brion thought enough of #2 Brown Sugar Betty (4-1) to send her up to Saratoga for her debut. She broke slowly and proved no factor. Next out at Delaware, she broke slowly again, but closed well for second behind favored We Goin. It would be nice if she broke better this time, but she’s proven she can overcome bad starts against these types. In her last start, #1 Happy Encounter (20-1) closed from off of a contested pace to get second behind Kwan, who returned to win a starter optional claiming contest on Thursday. This one can close for at least a share at a good price. #6 Paris by Night (9-5) has proven she can consistently run in the mid-60s, but she’s burned a lot of money in her six-race career, including three defeats as the odds-on favorite.

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

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

#5 Biscuitwiththeboss (7-5) led most of the way and got caught in her last two starts at this level. She was run down in those races by the likes of Mopo and Clawless Brit, both of whom are much better than anyone in here. Wiring this field should be a much easier task. There’s only one serious obstacle to her frontrunning dreams, and that’s #8 Lady Ensign (2-1). She managed to outkick Biscuitwiththeoss for the early lead in the Camptown Handicap last out, maintained a clear lead in the stretch, and got caught in the last jump. Drawing to the outside of Biscuitwiththeboss doesn’t help her cause, but if that one doesn’t fire, she becomes the dominant speed. #7 Destination (9-2) has run an 85 in each of her last two grass tarts, including a third-place effort from off the pace behind Biscuitwiththeboss in her last race on the lawn. She’d get first crack if the pacesetters burn each other out.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-1-8-5

#6 Penny Loafer (4-5) was completely flat in his first start off a 17-month layoff four starts back, but has won twice since then and finished third after a wide trip in his other race. His usual effort would easily beat these, though you won’t get much value. #1 Celestial Moon (5-2) made what looked like a promising move on the far turn last out, but flattened out and ended up fourth. He’s cutting back from 1 1/16 miles and dropping in class compared to the field he saw last time. His closing speed should benefit from the long one-turn mile stretch. #8 Norfie (15-1) doesn’t have as high of a ceiling as the aforementioned two, but he’s rounded out trifectas and superfectas at good prices earlier this year, and can easily rally and do the same thing here.

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

9-5-13-14 (DIRT: 8-11-4-13)

#9 Broadway Musical (5-2) ran a gigantic race in her second start off a nine-month break last out. She broke from the far outside post, chased the pace while wide, took a clear lead in the stretch, and held on for second, beaten only by the dominant favorite, Crab Mentality. #5 Gotta Be Da Shoes (9-2) raced wide and made what looked like a winning move at the top of the stretch, but was done in by her ground loss and just held on for third. She made big moves around one turn last year, and cuts back to this distance for the first time in a while. She’ll be a threat with the right trip. #13 Forty Seven Smoker (8-1) has run in the 60s five times in her seven career grass starts, squarely in the range she needs to be to have a shot. She’ll race on the pace from the outside and try to fend off the closers.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-3-1-2

#6 Collection Day (9-5) took advantage of hot early paces to win each of his last two starts at Delaware. There looks to be enough speed in here for him to get the setup he wants. #3 Be Better (9-2) battled for the lead with White Series all the way in his last start, and pulled away to a half-length win in the final sixteenth. If any of the early leaders can wire them, it’ll be him. #1 Alvy (5-2) went off favored at this level on January 16, but was pulled up and hasn’t raced since. He won his prior start in a six-lenght romp with a very impressive 95. If he returns to that form, he’ll win, but that’s far from a guarantee.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

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

Three of these come out of the same race at this condition on September 11. #4 Nothinglesswilldo (5-2) ran the best race of that group. She rushed up off of very slow early fractions, fought on in the stretch, and lost second by a nose. She was a winner of her previous two starts against softer at Colonial. #8 Set Ablaze (6-5) stepped up to a similar level last out in Virginia, stayed much closer to the pace than usual, and managed to hold third in a blanket finish. Runner-up Omahamoiselle returned to win a Jersey-bred allowance contest next out at the Meadowlands. #6 Happy This Day (6-1) set the slow pace in that September 11 contest, and held on until the last eighth, ultimately finishing fifth. It was the first time she had shown this much speed, as Jevian Toledo sensed how little speed there was on paper and took advantage. We’ll see if Jorge Ruiz employs a similar tactic.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-4-3

#6 Go New York Go (3-5) was scratched from yesterday’s Smart Halo Stakes in favor of this spot. She would’ve been a contender there, and looms as a deservingly overwhelming favorite here. She ran an 86 in a runner-up effort two starts ago, then broke her maiden by 20 lengths at Colonial last out with a dominant 89. That’s 12 points better than any of her rivals have run at any point in their careers. #1 Whose Notion (9-2) led all the way in her dirt debut at Timonium last out, and will assuredly be sent for speed from the rail. Even if Go New York Go overwhelms her, this one should be able to hold off the rest. #4 Trinity (7-2) was a sharp maiden winner in her last start, showing tactical speed and getting up in the last eighth. She took a big leap forward to win that race; we’ll see if she can take another one.

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