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) — $9,814
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $5,444
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $11,992

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

12-9-2-8

#12 Celtic Flame (5-1) closed for a strong third in his grass debut two starts back at Aqueduct. He was flatter next out in a tough first-level allowance race next out at Delaware Park, and hasn’t raced since that June 13 effort. He’s worked steadily over the past few weeks for his return, and looks primed for a big effort in his first race off the bench. #9 Kuhner (5-2) led most of the way and held second in his first start around two turns two grass races ago. In his most recent race on this surface, he couldn’t make the front, got caught wide on both turns, and ended up fourth behind a pair of next-out winners. This time, he looks like the fastest horse on paper, so he could make the front and keep on going. #2 Capitaine (20-1) may have won his last two grass starts if he didn’t get caught in traffic in the final stages. He’ll make a late rally no matter what, and will be especially dangerous if he can avoid trouble this time.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-1-4

#5 Quaker City (6-5) ran an enormous race on the pace in his maiden-breaking effort at Parx last out. He dueled for the early lead, but had more to give and pulled clear late. The horse he battled for the lead with lost by 28 3/4 lengths, while the rival who sat closest to them lost by 18 3/4 lengths. That big race was at six furlongs, but this one ran a strong second around two turns in his previous race. #3 Inno Hurry Early (4-1) was no factor in his two starts this year, but he’s lightly-raced, adds blinkers, and showed tons of promise last year when he broke his maiden by five lengths on debut. #1 Mr. Handsome (8-1) has taken big leaps forward with each start, including a last-to-first win going a mile at Penn National last out.

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

5-10-11-8

#5 Magic in My Eyes (2-1) was outkicked by better maidens in New York in her last few grass starts, but gets major class relief here, and would win this race if she runs back to her form from those races. She ran a brisnet figure of 78 in her last race on this surface, and an 86 three grass races ago, both of which would crush this field. #10 Dancing Deanna (12-1) made a promising move and hit the front in her last start, but got outkicked after a wide trip and ended up third. Runner-up Linette returned to finish third against better maidens in her next start. #11 Mended Heart (20-1) ran respectable figures in the upper-60s in her first two grass starts, and now takes a career-low drop in class.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-2-1

#4 Top Blood (9-2) broke from the outside post last out at Delaware and raced wide the whole way, but still had something left late and managed to salvage second. He’s the only one in here to run in the 80s in each of his last two starts. #3 Sagamore Mischief (7-5) has early speed and makes his first start for the Jamie Ness barn. He’ll be able to make the rail and the lead without much speed to his inside, and from there, could take them gate-to-wire. #2 Rapidity (5-1) seldom wins, but loves to get checks, including third-place finishes in three of his last four races. He closed from off of slow fractions to get third against better last out.

RACE 5: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-5-2-3

#4 Mayday Malone (2-1) hasn’t shown much punch in his two stateside starts, but both of those were against better competition than what he’ll see here. He ran in the 80s in both of those races, something the rest of these seldom do. #5 Sky’s Not Falling (9-2) overhauled the loose leader, Cloud Music, in his last start, and ended up second to three-time winner on the year Ironsides. He might get caught behind slow fractions again, but he’s shown he can overcome it and get at least a share. #2 Time Share (6-1) looked very promising with back-to-back wins last year, including a first-level allowance victory on this track. She was visually unimpressive last out, but at least improved significantly to a 78 in her second race off a nine-month break.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-9-3-2

#4 Noble Jon (5-2) has won four of his last five starts, including an impressive win at this condition last out. This is a slightly better field than the one he saw last time, but he’s nonetheless in razor-sharp form, and will likely be used by many to begin their late pick 5 tickets. #9 Frye Island (8-1) came from well off the pace to beat softer in his last grass start, and was an impressive winner over non-winners of two types in his last start on this track in late June. He looks for a rebound after a sound defeat in a washed-off affair against tougher last out. #3 A G Diamond (15-1) won on the lead two grass races ago at Penn National, and looks like the primary speed of this contest as well.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-6

#3 Mr. Squeaky Wheels (5-1) outdueled the ever-tough Sheriff Ronnie in his last start, pulling away in the stretch to win with a career-best 90. He’s gotten better with each dirt start since arriving here from Florida over the summer, and as long as he maintains his current form, he’ll win this one. #1 Fightertown (5-1) showed speed and faded going a mile last out. He’s now cutting back to six panels, and while he’s done his very best work at seven furlongs, his speed should be better-served here. #4 Miles Ahead (5-2) swooned earlier this year, but appears to be rounding back into his best form, including a season’s-best 86 in a game second-place performance last out.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-3-7-2

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-8-3-7

#6 Maybe Gold (9-2) was a sharp winner going six furlongs on debut at Colonial Downs two races ago. She didn’t fire going 1 1/16 miles in the Selima Stakes last out, but he’s bound to improve cutting back around one turn. #8 Scabiosa (2-1) was an impressive gate-to-wire winner in her grass debut two starts back, running an eye-opening 86. Last out on dirt, she battled for the lead and outfinished her dueling partner by a head. She looks fast enough to make enough to early lead without much of a challenge. #3 Bellablaze (9-2) dug in front just off the pace and held to win at first asking two starts ago at Colonial, and now switches back to grass after an unimpressive try in the Smart Halo Stakes on dirt last out.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $7,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-7-4

#6 Say You Love Me (3-1) went off as one of the favorites in a similar, wide-open field last out. She was forced wide on the turn and managed to kick on for second. She’s the only one in the field to run at least a 65 in each of her last two races; in fact, she ran a 69 in both of those outings. #5 Danni’s Rhythm (5-2) was no factor last out, in just her second start in the past year. However, she’s worked well since then, and should work out a great trip on or near the pace. #7 Final Engagement (6-1) got involved in a three-way early duel last out and ended up fourth behind Say You Love Me. She’s had many chances against these types and couldn’t deliver, but should at least be able to hang on for a share.

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