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) — $8,435
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-5-10-9

#3 Ballykeefe (6-1) closed with a rush and just missed last out at Penn National, finishing second by a nose after getting outkicked by multiple winner Midsummer Mo. That one returned to finish third in a blanket finish against better at the Meadowlands. #5 Awards Ceremony (2-1) broke her maiden in an impressive gate-to-wire effort two starts back, then chased the pace and finished fourth against better in her first start against winners. Contra, the second-place finisher, won at this level by 2 1/2 lengths as the favorite next out. #10 Yammy Yammy Bella (15-1) was third behind Contra at a big price in her last start, closing from far behind despite a very wide trip. That was her first one-turn start in a while after a string of largely unsuccessful dirt tries; this distance might suit her very well.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-3-6-1

#2 Call Her Bluff (9-5) has shown speed and stopped against better in her two starts since coming back from a 13-month layoff. She’s dropping from first-level allowance company and getting Jaime Rodriguez up for the first time. He’ll send her for speed and try not to look back. #3 Ineedyoubabe (9-5) got up to win at Timonium two starts back, then chased gate-to-wire winner Kissedbyanangel last out and held third. She might get pace-compromised if Call Her Bluff gets her trip, but she should still be able to outkick the rest. #6 Ginger Girl (3-1) led most of the way in her last race before getting caught by Ineedyoubabe. We’ll see if she can apply enough pressure to Call Her Bluff to soften her up.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-6-2-9

#11 Frost Rocket (10-1) was soundly beaten in two starts on Tapeta, but shone in his grass debut at Woodbine two starts back. He pressed the pace and kicked on to win going away with an impressive brisnet figure of 84. We’ll see if he can repeat that effort for the ever-dangerous Graham Motion stable. #6 Metallican (5-2) and #2 Joke Teller (3-1) were first and second, respectively, in the same race at this condition on September 20. Joke Teller raced off the pace and kicked clear in the stretch, but drifted out in the stretch and got caught by Metallican. That one, the only multiple winner in the field, was taken out of his element by a bad break, but overcame it for a nose victory. Both have shown they can run well from just off the pace, and could take advantage of some speed towards the inside.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-7-1-2

#5 Strong Suspicion (2-5) got a massive boost last Saturday when the horse he defeated in the First State Dash, Walt’s Notion, returned to win the James F. Lewis III Stakes as the odds-on favorite. This one towers over this field, though he won’t be much of a price. #7 Day Made (15-1) crushed an off-the-grass maiden field last out in a dominant gate-to-wire dirt debut. This is a major class test compared to that washed-off field, but the ceiling seems to be high. #1 Good Lookerness (6-1) made up some ground behind Strong Suspicion and Walt’s Notion last out, and should be able to close for a share even if the heavy favorite runs away with it.

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

4-7-6-5

#4 Call Me Andy (9-5) took advantage of a contested pace last out and worked his way to the front in the stretch, only to lose by a nose to slight second choice Where’s Ray. He’s facing a flawed field here and has never run a bad race on this surface. #7 Enzo (5-1) has had many heartbreaking defeats under similar circumstances to this race, but his only win did come here, and he should at least get a good stalking trip. #6 World On Fire (8-1) ran a huge race in his grass debut, fighting on the lead throughout and ultimately finishing in a dead heat for the win. He’s stepping up in class, but is at least in sharp form.

RACE 6: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-12-10-3

#6 Cactus (9-2) engaged in a three-way duel for the lead in his last grass start, and far outfinished his sparring partners to lose by a half-length. He’ll be a tough customer on the lead in a similar field. #12 Boltage (5-2) has been keeping good company in his last few starts, losing to second-level allowance foes out of town while running figures competitive with these. He’ll have to overcome a likely wide trip, but looks classy enough to pull it off. #10 Noah Chance (4-1) has finished in the exacta seven times in nine grass starts here, and might’ve made it 8-for-9 if he didn’t get caught in traffic behind Cactus last out.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-8-2-3

The second and third-place finishers from the 7th race on September 13 are back in action here. #7 Engaged is Better (5-2), in his second career start, battled with the debuting #8 Aruba Ariba (6-5) for the lead almost the whole way. Engaged is Better won the battle, outfinishing Aruba Ariba by a neck, but lost the war to Monster Mitch. Still, both of them ran big races, with Aruba Ariba rerallying to make the margin closer after falling behind in the stretch. #2 Mojohnnymojohnny (8-1) ran a determined race of his own on the lead at first asking. He kicked away from his dueling partner and opened up a clear lead, but got caught late and was second by a half-length.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-10-9-11

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

1-7-6-5

#1 Overspent (9-2) just missed chasing down gate-to-wire winner Skillian two dirt races ago at Colonial with a career-best 87. While he was no factor in the Delaware Park mud last out, he’s worked well since, and will get to race on a fast track here. #7 Intogage (5-1) showed speed and faded last out in a similar field. Two starts back, he sat off the pace and won going away with a sharp 84, so patience may be a virtue here. #6 Roll On Jesse (2-1) has displayed great closing speed in routes, hitting the board from well off the pace in each of his last three starts. We’ll see if that kick can be as potent in a sprint.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-7-4

The last race of #6 Pinky Swear (2-1) is a total toss. Her saddle slipped early on and she raced uncontrollably, burning up energy and ultimately finishing well up the track. Her previous races were very solid, including a gutsy maiden-breaking win on this track in mid-June. This will be her first start at this level in a sprint. #1 Overwhelming (8-1) dueled for the lead and kicked away to break her maiden in her dirt debut last out. She’ll be able to control the pace from the rail. #7 Over My Cents (3-1) has chased and faded in her last two starts, but she’s faced better for most of the year, and now gets to drop another notch down the class ladder.

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