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) — $10,958
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $5,882
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)

6-8-2-13

#6 Sin Boldly (3-1) broke her maiden with a strong rally on this track in June, then ran sharp brisnet figures of 76 and 77 against better in her next two starts on this surface. This will be her first start in a non-winners of two claiming race on grass, giving her the speed and class edge over these. #8 Light de Night (5-1) showed off her tactical speed to break her maiden at ninth asking at the Meadowlands last out. She might want to go a bit further than this, but she’s in great form and is bound to get a perfect setup under Jorge Ruiz. #2 Queen of Wands (2-1) closed for second at this level last out, outfinishing several of these in the process. She’s run well in both of her starts at this condition, and should get up for at least a share once again.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-4-5-7

#1 Happy Encounter (8-1) consistently ran in the 50s around one turn to begin her career, then regressed figure-wise when stretched out to a mile last out at Delaware Park. It was still a promising performance, as she showed speed for the first time and hung around for third. She should run much better cutting back to a shorter distance. #4 Shanghai Rose (6-1) runs very similar races every time: she shows speed and fades. She’s dropping to a career-low level on dirt, and if no one behind her fires, her early speed will prove a major asset. #5 Paris by Night (6-5) is the most talented horse in the race, but she’s burned a ton of money lately, finishing second four times in a row at 3-1 each time. I’ll let her beat me at another short price.

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

5-10-3-8

#5 Diva Ready (5-1) surged and just missed against similar in her last start, a marked improvement from her flat effort two races ago. She’ll be hard to hold off with the right trip. #10 Chitchatchitchat (5-1) ran by far a career-best race last out, earning a 90 by converting a four-wide sweep to an easy, impressive win. Third-place finisher Diane Lee returned to win an off-the-grass conditioned claiming event as the 3-1 second choice in her next start. #3 Americandreammaker (9-2) goes first off the claim for Phil Capuano and gets Forest Boyce aboard; both trainer and jockey are having tremendous seasons. She raced on a pressured pace throughout and held second going 1 1/16 miles last out; we’ll see if her speed is just as potent going one turn.

RACE 4: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-1-6

#5 Madonna of Loreto (9-5) is plunging in class after facing tough allowance rivals in Kentucky in her last few starts. She led almost all the way in a second-level allowance contest at Churchill Downs two races ago, and if she can beat the horses who usually populate those races, she’ll have no trouble handling these. #7 Eclair Blanc (6-1) turned in a nice bounce-back effort at Parx last out, closing between horses in an open claiming field and losing in a blanket finish. She has the best late speed in the field, and trainer Michael Moore has done well with his runners here this meet (including Maryland Million Distaff winner Takethemoneyhoney). #1 Drink This Cup (5-1) ran a game, pace-chasing second to gate-to-wire winner Embrace the Moment in her most recent dirt race. She’ll get a good setup rating off the pace on the inside, and should have every chance to track down the leaders.

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

6-10-4-3

#6 El de Larry (8-5) stayed in the race last out even when it was washed off, and it proved a shrewd move, as he led all the way in a drama-free win. He’ll now get to stay on his preferred surface and has a massive speed edge over these. He’ll likely be able to walk on the lead; from there, it’s a matter of how long he can last. #10 Mo Rewards (8-1) won three races in a row earlier this year, and was a game second to favored Take Me to Church in his most recent grass start. He also stayed in El de Larry’s last race, and wasn’t a factor, but he’ll also improve on the surface switch. #4 Souper Crunchy (9-2) beat similar two races ago at Delaware, and gets Jorge Ruiz aboard for the first time.

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

10-5-9-8

#10 Divine Mousse (4-1) ran well on debut two starts back. She closed off an early duel and rallied for second behind Meadowlark Drive, a better closer than most of these rivals. She stayed in a washed-off affair next out and was terrible, but that line is a total toss; she’ll run much better switching back to grass. #5 It’s Fine (7-2) angled out for a shot in the stretch last out, but flattened out and ended up fifth. Still, she’s lightly-raced and can consistently run in the 60s, an asset in a field like this, and she’s bound to improve first off the Anthony Farrior claim. #9 Appealing Girl (5-1) has run no worse than a 65 in her four-race career, and now drops to a career-low level while adding Lasix.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-1-9

#6 Vekoma Moon (6-1) lived up to his 3-5 expectations on debut. He dueled for the early lead and drew away to victory, outfinishing his rival on the lead by 7 1/2 lengths. This Gary Capuano trainee gets the slight nod from me in a wide-open affair. #8 Time to Groove (4-1) demolished Jersey-bred maidens at second asking at Monmouth Park, cruising to a gate-to-wire win. This half-brother to multiple stakes winner Cairo Surprise is also likely to be a factor on the early pace. #1 Prince of Peace (5-2) chased gate-to-wire winner Walt’s Notion last out, who returned to finish second as the odds-on choice in the Maryland Million Nursery. He’ll likely rate off the aforementioned two, and take advantage if they fade.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-10-3-1

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

5-6-1-3

#5 Hurrah (5-2) closed well for second in her first dirt start against winners last out despite getting into some traffic trouble in the stretch. The winner, Disney Belle, returned to finish second next out behind prolific winner Last Gift. #6 Profound Change (9-5) went off as the slight favorite in her first race off an eight-month break last out. She was floated wide on the turn and flattened out to third behind Big Earn, who won a washed-off race at this condition in her next race. This one wasn’t too far off from her career-best that day, running a 77, and any improvement second off the layoff would be enough to beat these. #1 Kentucky Mule (5-1) was an impressive maiden winner two starts back on the lead at Timonium, and looks to bounce back after stopping badly on the lead going a mile last out.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-1-10

#4 Nano Man (8-1) won three races in a row from well off the pace, including next-to-last-to-first wins in a pair of races at Timonium. He’ll try to make that same punch in his first start off the Cesar Nambo claim. #3 Paralegal (4-1) has the opposite style: he’s gone gate-to-wire in each of his last two races, including a big win first off a 3 1/2-month layoff last out where he never got a breather on the lead, but still had enough to prevail. #1 Sheriff Ronnie (7-5) took advantage of a speed-favoring surface last out and held third after battling on the pace the whole way. He still has plenty of class and a good draw, but he might not be as good as that last race would indicate.

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