In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…

First post time: 12:05 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $13,613
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $7,235
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

2-15-3-14

#2 Smokeshow (4-1) showed the most early speed she ever has in her last start. She was pressed on the pace throughout but held on gamely for second behind Dream Overture. That one came back to win a conditioned claiming event as the slight 5-2 favorite in her next start. #15 Kool Kay (12-1) came out of nowhere to break her maiden going away two starts back at 48-1, winning more like an odds-on favorite. She closed well off of those slow fractions and got fourth behind Dream Overture and Smokeshow in her last start, and she’s a prime candidate to rally and get a share at a good price here. #3 Lucky Esther (7-2) drops in class first off the claim for Rick Sillaman, who hits at 23% with that angle.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-5-3

#6 Runsweetly (2-1) opened up a clear lead and held sway as the odds-on choice at Delaware Park last out, in her second start off a 4 1/2-month layoff. That was the most early speed she’s ever shown, and in a largely paceless race, it may behoove Raul Mena to once again be aggressive. #1 Tea Rose (6-1) is als coming off a win at Delaware, overcoming a wide trip to clear her non-winners of two condition. The second and third-place finishers in that race, Sweet and Feisty and Eimear, returned to finish first and second in their next race. #5 My Dear Antonia (5-2) took a step forward with a runner-up performane in her second race off a five-month layoff last out. She seldom runs a bad race on this track.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-5-9-3

#10 Let’s Be Frank (3-2) consistently ran brisnet figures in the 80s earlier this year against better maidens in New York and Kentucky, and now makes his debut for the Ned Allard barn. Allard hits at 29% with horses making their first start for him. #5 Daring Grace (7-2) has been washed off twice, but finally looks ready for her American debut. She ran well in Ireland towards the end of last year, including a near-miss in her last start there in December, and catches a largely blank field and adds blinkers for Arnaud Delacour. She’s got an excellent chance to beat the boys. #9 Coach Michael (30-1) pressed the pace and held third in his grass debut last out. It’s a step up in class on paper, but a duplication of that race would put him in contention here at a big price.

RACE 4: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<75), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-7-1

#5 National Law (4-1) has done his best work going further than this, but his ceiling is so much higher than that of the others, it shouldn’t make the distance that much of an impediment. He ran a 97 and a 98 two and three races back, respectively, and should improve in his second start off a five-month layoff. He may have been fourth in his last race at Parx, but in addition to it being his first race off that rest, all three of the horses he lost to are better than any of his rivals here. #6 Lost My Shoe (9-2) is lightly-raced with plenty of upside. He peaked at a 93 fifth time out last out at Delaware, finishing a pace-chasing third against first-level allowance foes. #7 Rampagius (9-2) has somewhat in-and-out form, but he’s run well against better in his recent lines, and will be a late threat if he brings out his best self.

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

11-2-5-8

#11 Yo Adrian (5-2) has run similar races in her last four races, hitting the board in all of them while putting in impressive rallies from well off the pace each time. She should be able to mow these down. #2 Contra (7-2) has run career-best figures five times in a row, peaking at an 83 in a determined pace-pressing victory last out. She runs the risk of getting caught in traffic from the inside, but will be a late threat with a clear trip. #5 Pretty Lavish (8-1) stayed in a washed-off affair last out, got absolutely clobbered, and was claimed from that race by Phil Schoenthal. She closed well against better in her last few starts around two turns in New York. This could be a very interesting claim if she takes to the shorter distance.

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

8-6-2-4

#8 Tasty Time (6-5) went off favored against slightly better last out, and made what looked like a winning move before flattening out. She ran a 76 and a 77 in her previous two races, so if she can bounce back to that kind of form here, she’ll live up to the expectations set by her low morning line. #6 Elsie’s Smile (5-1) took advantage of a class drop at Delaware last out and led through most of a pressured pace before fading. She should be able to establish clear command in this field and have every chance to last. #2 Share Success (5-2) got involved in a three-way early duel last out and held on the pace of the pacesetters, ending up a clear-cut second behind a perfect trip-getting rival. She’ll be able to sit off the pace and still have a chance at a big one.

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

2-4-7-8

#2 Chimney Sweep (6-1) hasn’t run a bad race in two starts at the meet, including a game near-miss effort against a similar group last out. You won’t get the 18-1 you got last time, but he nonetheless looms as a great value. #4 Biscuitwiththeboss (9-5) has run similar races in his two starts here this meet. Both times, he opened up a long early lead and got caught. In his first start, he got beaten by multiple stakes winner Mopo; next out, he was caught by Clawless Brit, who returned to win an open allowance contest at Colonial Downs. #7 Rye Diggitydog (10-1) closed for fourth behind Chimney Sweep last out, and is a great horse to key underneath in vertical wagers.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-2-7

#3 J C’s Boys (2-1) was a determined second on the lead last out to the classy Kalea Bay. He’s the only one of these to run in the 80s in each of his last three races. #5 Sometime (9-5) was an easy winner against much softer in his last start, and a determined victory against another easy group two races back. He’s getting a big class test here, but the ability’s there. #2 Intogage (9-2) was second after an overland trip in his last start, and should get a more ground-saving journey this time just off the leaders.

RACE 9: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<75), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

7-6-3-4

#7 Can Group (6-1) was outkicked by better in his last few starts at Colonial, and makes his first start for Katy Voss, who’s 6-for-13 with her runners off a 46-90 day layoff in recent times. #6 Regalo (1-1) has early speed for the Brittany Russell and Sheldon Russell dream team. He’s raced here twice: he went gate-to-wire against a third-level allowance field last June, then ran a determined second to Siege of Boston earlier this year. #3 Vaya Jeffe (5-1) led all the way against softer last out, and can sit just off of Regalo and grab a share.

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