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) — $3,611
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $14,663
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

8-15-4-14

#8 Notion in Motion (9-5) finished a chasing third behind a pair of much better rivals last out, in dominant gate-to-wire winner Life Boat and odds-on runner-up Repurpose. This is a massive class drop for him, considering he’s run well against better maidens all year long. #15 Mantua Man (8-1) overcame an awkward break to rally strongly from far off the pace and lose by less than three lengths. He looks primed to take another step forward in his third race off a 16-month layoff. #4 House of David (4-1) dueled with the favorite in his first start off the Cal Lynch claim last out at Delaware Park, and ended up outfinishing him by less than a length. He’s gotten better with each start this year and drops back to a level at which he’s run well.

RACE 2: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-3-1-8

#7 Real Macho (9-2) stumbled at the start in his local debut at Charles Town last out and never got involved, but ran brisnet figures in the upper-80s and low-90s consistently prior to that. He’s stretching back out to a route from seven furlongs, which looks to be more in his wheelhouse. #3 Brindano (10-1) takes a slight drop in class from higher-rated ratings optional claiming runners and has been in quietly improving form, matching his career-best figure with a 90 in his last race. He’ll come from off the pace and grab a share at a decent price. #1 Majestic Blue (4-1) lasted all the way on the lead in his last dirt race. The only other serious speed in here is Secret Zipper, who hasn’t been able to last in his last few starts. As such, this one looks like the horse they’ll have to catch.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

3-8-2-11

#3 Frazil (15-1) showed ability while racing greenly in her last start, a much-improved effort from her debut. She came in on a rival in the stretch and couldn’t keep a straight path in the final eighth, but ultimately crossed the wire third. She won’t be able to get away with such antics here, but if she can put it all together, she could surprise these. #8 Good Wishes (2-1) hopes to finally get on grass after being washed off twice in her three-race career. She’s shown tactical speed and the glimpses of a closing kick, and will try to put it all togther in her first start on this surface and first race for a tag. The other Mike Trombetta trainee, #2 Air Kiss (4-1), has tired late against straight maidens in her last few races, and should also benefit from a class drop.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-3-8-4

#5 Bubbling (5-1) went off favored on debut last out. She dropped 12 lengths off the early pace and closed with a rush in the stretch, only to flatten out and end up third. She’s facing another largely inexperienced field here, and will be a threat if she can stay somewhat close to the pace. #3 Perpetual Notion (2-1) is a half-sister to three runners who are stakes winners or stakes-placed. She looks well-meant for Gary Capuano, who’s an absurd 9-for-20 with his 2-year-old maidens this year. #8 Ronnarock (15-1) ran a big second in her dirt debut last out. She rated off the pace and opened up a clear lead in the stretch, only to end up second to the impressive last-to-first winner, Momma Oma. This one should sit close to the pace once again and hang around.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-5-9-8

#4 Lady Ensign (15-1) fought hard on the lead to win two starts back at Colonial Downs, then lost by a nose next out to Hark Theangelssing, who returned to finish third in the Glen Cove Stakes at Belmont Park in her most recent race. With the ever-aggressive Xavier Perez keeping the mount, she’ll be a tough customer on the lad at a hopefully good price. #5 Quiet Confidence (10-1) rated off the pace and led briefly last out against a borderline stakes-quality group at Belmont. She has great early and middle speed, but oftentimes has problems sustaining her bids. We’ll see if Angel Cruz can time it right and pull off the mild upset. #9 Mopo (7-5) continued her breakthrough season with a sharp Maryland Million Ladies win last out, her fifth victory of the campaign. She’ll be tough in here as well, but won’t offer much value.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-4-12-3

#5 World On Fire (5-2) won against similar two and three races back, then came from off the pace to finish third in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last out behind a pair of classy rivals in Whenigettoheaven and Tidewater. He’ll drop back in class here, and a repeat of any of his three recent grass tries would win this. #4 Jessica’s Eyes (9-2) has a similar profile as World On Fire: he was an also-ran in the Turf Sprint, and beat Maryland-restricted allowance foes in his previous grass start. He’s been rounding into his best self throughout the season, and we may not have seen his peak yet. #12 Big Bolton (10-1) doesn’t have a great draw for his running style. Still, he’s run big races on the lead in each of his last two starts, and looks fast enough to work out at least a decent trip.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-3-2

#5 Winning Trip (9-2) took a needed step forward to run fourth with a career-best 93 last out at Delaware, his second start off a near six-month layoff. In a race where many of the contenders are coming off of long breaks, his recent good races give him the edge. #6 Southern Gentlemen (2-1) is one of those horses. He looked like a potential star when he broke his maiden with a 95 at Santa Anita Park in May 2025. He was off the board three months later at Del Mar, and hasn’t raced since then. The ceiling is high, and his recent workouts for Mike Stidham have been sharp, but it’s hard to take a shore price on a horse coming off of such a layoff. #3 Surgical Precision (5-1) has shown glimpses of promise in his scattered three-race career. He ran a career-best 90 in his first race off a 12 1/2-month layoff in March, and was most recently fifth behind some very classy rivals at this level on Preakness week.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-6-1-8

#9 Mad Misty (3-1) outran her 30-1 odds last out, coming from midpack to get second, losing only to the very impressive last-to-first winner Charliblu. You won’t get that kind of price here, but she’s trending in the right direction and should be able to handle this soft field. In fact, it says a lot about this field’s quality that the only first-time starter, #6 Steel the Moment (3-2), is the comfortable morning line favorite. She has some sharp recent workouts, including a bullet drill at Fair Hill last Saturday. There’s not much about her pedigree to suggest she’s the win-early type, but it’s the type of race where as long as she shows anything, she’s got a shot. #1 Lux (9-5) led briefly last out and flattened out to third behind Charliblu and Mad Misty. She tends to race on the pace and fade; expect a similar result here.

RACE 9: THIRTY EIGHT GO GO STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-8-10

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-7-1

#4 Cool Customer (6-5) has vastly superior figures to those of the others, having run a 74 and an 82 in his last two dirt races. A repeat of either of those efforts win this easily and caps the card on a chalky note. #2 Atlantic Cat (2-1) ran a huge race first off a 14-month layoff last out, racing on the pace and opening up a clear advantage in the stretch, ultimately holding on for second. He hasn’t raced since that December 21 performance, but at least we know he can run well off of long breaks. #7 Hoppeygot (10-1) takes a career-low class drop and has early speed. He’s an upset threat if he can work out a trip.

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