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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $1,548
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $13,068
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-8-13-11

#5 Quadratic Formula (3-1) was roughed around at the start and got caught wide at first asking last out, but managed to make a bit of late headway and grabbed sixth. She’s taking another drop in class from the $35,000 level here and looms a serious contender in this washed-off group. #8 Hoppertunistic (8-1) was better-bet than Quadratic Formula in that $35,000 race got caught even wider, and flattened out. She’s also a prime candidate to wake up here. #13 Money Queen (5-2) has shown speed and faded in both starts, but now gets to race for a tag for the first time.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-1-5-7

#2 Alvy (3-2) was completely flat in his first start off an 8 1/2-month break last out, but ran huge brisnet figures at about this time last year, including a 95 three starts back. He’s taking another drop from starter optional claiming rivals, and should take a step forward in his second race off the long layoff. #1 Aztec (2-1) outkicked Alvy for fourth in his last start while running an 84, his best figure in seven months. He’ll come from well off the pace and try to ride the rail in the stretch for victory. #5 Morning Thoughts (8-1) has steadily moved forward with each start since returning from a seven-week layoff in late August, and is also bound to make some noise from off the pace.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

11-10-1-5

#11 Nantucket Love (3-1) is lightly-raced and in very sharp form, having run a 78 and a 79 in his last two races. Last out, he was second to Love Yourself, who returned to win a Maryland-restricted allowance race in his next start. #10 Live Like Jeff (10-1) had little chance after a wide trip against better at first asking, but gets to drop in class and switch to dirt for his second time out. #1 Putter Man (7-2) has early speed from the inside and gets Lasix for the first time. He dueled for the lead and held third two starts back; runner-up Plenty on Tap won by four lengths as the favorite at this level next out.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-1-6

#4 Pneumo Warrior (3-1) has a rather unsightly 0-for-11 career record, but she’s run well against better throughout that stretch with some hard-fought efforts along the way. She’s taking a career-low drop in class for her first start since an enormous third-place effort on May 14. #3 Hurricane Lynn (2-1) led and got caught in the final jumps in each of her last two races. She’ll almost certainly make the rail and the lead, barring an unexpectedly poor start. #1 Kinda Krazy (9-2) has finished second or third in each of her last five races against maidens, and should drop back and get up for a share against these as well.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

10-7-9-5

#10 Mr Flowers (9-5) chased the pace and held second on grass last out, and looks fast enough to make the front and hold sway from there. #7 Sneaking Suspicion (15-1) seldom wins, but he has a decent late kick and could chase Mr Flowers down the lane to round out the exacta. #9 Babble (12-1) raced off the pace and held third in his last dirt start, and broke his maiden on this surface going away in late April, taking advantage of a great setup off the pace. He’ll hope that Mr Flowers can’t last on the pace and pounce should he tire.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

12-11-3-2

#12 Gypsy Dream (6-1) broke slowly in a five-furlong affair on debut at Penn National, which put him at a disadvantage right away. He made up for it as best he could, closing with great interest to grab fourth. Trainer Cal Lynch won with a 2-year-old here on Saturday and is always dangerous with these types. #11 Max Push (4-1) went off favored on debut, and hung around late despite a wide trip. He ran a respectable for this level 63 that day, and looks primed to move forward second time out for the ever-dangerous Gary Capuano barn. #3 Imperial Charter (3-1) has shown more and more early speed with each race. With a clean break, he’ll be able to make the rail and the lead and try to lead all the way first off the Robby Bailes claim.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-2-4

#1 Start the Clock (6-1) joined Brittany Russell’s barn a few weeks ago, and has worked well since as he preps for his debut. Russell is 3-for-6 with her first-timers at the meet, including the dominant 11-length winner Oval Office on Oct. 17. #6 Bet Me (8-5) took advantage of a speed-favoring track last out, setting the pace and digging in to hold second. Even though the track helped him, it was still a big improvement from his debut, where he broke slowly and made ground to get fourth. #2 Jerry Inspires (10-1) races for another barn that does well with firsters; in this case, Phil Capuano. He’s by Engage, who has become one of the best win-early stallions in the region.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-2-7-14

#8 Sota Summers (3-1) blew the doors off the field last out, winning by 15 lengths on that aforementioned speed-favoring track. She’s probably not as good as that race would indicate, but she’s still lightly-raced and looks promising against another washed-off group. #2 Diane Lee (10-1) sat two lengths off the early lead and converted the trip to win last out. She was the only one who made up even that much ground from off the pace on a very speed-favoring strip that afternoon. With a fairer track, she should have every chance to chase down Sota Summers. #7 Tacit Value (8-1) opened up and held on to win against a similar group last out in her first race off a 4 1/2-month break. She’s also bound to sit close to the pace and pounce.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-6-7-3

#2 Mountain Mamba (6-5) has already finished stakes-placed three times, including a game-closing second in the Maryland Million Lassie last out. She’s an unknown quantity at this distance; she’s never raced beyond six furlongs, and most of her siblings did their best work around one turn. However, if she takes to it, she’ll be tough to hold off. Fellow Joe Murphy trainee #6 Nial and Pray (7-2) closed with a rush and just missed in her second dirt start last out. She’s also very live, and will likely be a much better price than her stablemate. #7 Jesse Marie (8-1) ran a huge second going a one-turn mile last out, making up ground on a very speed-favoring strip. She’s the only one of these who has hit the board at a mile or longer.

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