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) — $2,331
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $13,069
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

2-11-5-7 (DIRT: 6-3-1-13)

#2 Dandy Vandy (2-1) makes her first start since August 30, when she went off favored against better around two turns at Colonial Downs and finished third after getting outkicked in the stretch. She was an impressive winner from off the pace two and three races back, making similar closing moves each time. Whatever may have ailed her last out has likely passed since then, and her best effort would make her a winner. #11 Horsing Around (5-2) sat a great trip, kicked on four-wide, and drew off to beat a non-winners of two field in her last try on this surface at Colonial. Runner-up Contra has won her next two races since. This one showed little as the odds-on favorite on dirt last out, but should benefit from the switch back to her preferred surface. #5 Conceptualize (20-1) turned in a game performance on the lead two races back, in her first race off a 16-month layoff, and looks like a serious speed threat in her third race off the bench.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-1-5

#6 Holiday Express (3-2) was fourth behind some of today’s rivals last out. He broke poorly and was forced to steady not long afterwards, but managed to get going late and finished only 1 1/2 lengths behind the runner-up. He’s had some time off since that Sept. 19 effort, and looks like the most dangerous closing threat in the field. #8 Railroad Inn (3-1) doesn’t like to win, but loves getting smaller checks. He’s finished second or third 11 times in his career, compared to just one victory. However, he ran respectably well in hi three tries against winners, and now drops to this condition for the first time. #1 King Puck (5-1) closed for second in his dirt debut last out behind odds-on gate-to-wire winner Tethered Soul. He’s bound to move forward off of that race.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-12-15-1 (DIRT: 7-5-4-10)

#4 Scorchy Torchy (5-1) chased a gate-to-wire winner last out at Delaware Park and ended up a solid fourth in his grass debut. He ran a solid brisnet figure of 75 that day, better than anyone else in here has run on grass, and is eligible to take a step forward second time on the lawn. #12 Aloha East (20-1) stopped badly as one of the favorites at Presque Isle Downs last out. He came from off the pace to get fourth on debut in a grass race at Delaware two starts back, and should improve switching back to grass. Trainer Graham Motion has won twice with 2-year-old maidens at the meet. #15 Meshach (10-1) has gotten better with each grass start, and hit the front in his last two races on this surface before fading. We’ll see if he can, at long last, sustain a winning move.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-3-1-2

#7 Master Schemer (7-2) turned in a dud behind better in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap last out. However, he was first or second in each of his prior four starts, running at least an 85 three times in that stretch. That type of effort would be enough to beat these. #3 No More Calls (3-1) came from last to win around two turns last out, beating some of today’s opponents in the process. He’s in slowly improving form and has the best late kick in the field, which has played well on the one-turn mile in the past. #1 Beale Street Blues (9-5) was a game fourth after a wide trip on a rail-favoring track two races back. He stopped badly as one of the favorites at Parx last out, but looks to be on the positive side of his form cycle.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

7-3-2-1

#7 Penny Loafer (3-1) was an easy winner here against similar two races back, and looks for a rebound off a flat effort going two turns at Mahoning Valley last out. Jeiron Barbosa, who has ridden him to victory three times this year, gets back aboard. #3 Prom Knight (20-1) came from well off the pace and just missed third last out. This closer has been running at six furlongs for a while, and I’m interested to see how his late kick plays with an extra eighth of a mile to work with. #2 Let’s Have a Party (7-2) sat the trip and overcame moderate fractions to win at Delaware last out. He’s on a career-best form spree, having run no worse than a 79 in his last four races.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

9-4-12-7 (DIRT: 2-10-7-4)

#9 Write Off Jerry (1-1) hasn’t run a bad race in three tries for the Jamie Ness contingent. He closed fourth down the long Belmont Park stretch in his last grass start. He just missed third that day behind Sherlock’s Jewel, who returned to win at this level at Belmont over heavily favored Risk Tolerance. #4 Dynacito (7-2) raced on the pace and fought hard to win a first-level allowance contest last out. He made the early lead, conceded it up the backstretch, the dug in and won for the second time in his last three starts. His early speed makes him especially dangerous against these. #12 Tee at One (6-1) came up empty behind Sherlock’s Jewel and Risk Tolerance last out in his first race off a seven-week break. He ran well in his previous starts at Gulfstream Park, and should get a good trip and improve in his second local effort of the year.

RACE 7: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-6-4-7 (DIRT: 10-7-8-2)

#10 Where’s Ray (6-1) won at this level three races back, then just missed behind the speedy and determined Bushido last out. The speed horses in here aren’t as tough as that rival, so he should get a contested pace that sets up perfectly for his closing kick. #6 Warheart (15-1) crossed the wire first against a slightly softer field last out, but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch. He’s gotten better in each of his four starts for Ferris Allen, and should also get a great trip and kick on. #4 Fierce and Strong (15-1) was a flat fifth behind Where’s Ray last out in his first start off a seven-week break. He was a traffic-filled fifth in his previous start at this condition, and should have a better late punch with that race under his belt.

RACE 8: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-2-3

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-3-5

RACE 10: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-2-4-5 (DIRT: 4-3-9-7)

#3 Enzo (6-1) has run well against better all year, and now takes another class drop after a tough trip against better non-winners of two claimers at Belmont last out. He’ll have his way with this group as long as he has anything left in the tank. After a few near-misses, #2 Fortune Hill (9-2) finally broke through to break his maiden at eighth asking last out, lasting through a race-long duel and holding on to win by three-quarters of a length, while outfinishing his dueling partner by 1 1/2 lengths. We’ll see how bright the lightbulb can turn on for him. #4 Life Boat (1-1) dazzled in an impressive gate-to-wire score to break his maiden at third asking last out, running a very strong 90. He clearly has lots of ability, but he’ll be a very low price.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!