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

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9 — $5,148
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-1-5

#3 Uncle Jake (8-1) makes his third start off an 11-month layoff and his second start for the Zoe Valvo barn. He set the pace and faded in his first two starts of the year against better, his last one in a particularly salty third-level race at Colonial Downs. However, he now drops in class and should have an easier time on the lead. #8 Into It (7-2) converted a perfect stalking trip to victory at Monmouth Park last out, and was claimed out of that race by Kelly Breen. He tends to sit just off the early pace and pounce. While Uncle Jake is going to be tough on the lead, there’s a few horses who can press him. If he ends up faltering, Into It will take advantage. #1 Massif (3-1) was outkicked against better in his last few starts at Colonial, but he’s also dropping in class, and has the best late pace figures in the race. He got fanned wide and flattened out in his most recent start, but will be especially potent if Sheldon Russell can save ground with him. 

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-6-4-7

#1 Naymar (6-5) ran brisnet figures in the 60s in his first two starts in June, and makes his first race off a 97-day layoff. He faced, if nothing else, well-regarded foes in his first two races against straight maidens. He’s also taking a drop in class, and has put in good recent workouts, including a drill at a mile last Saturday. That should’ve prepared him well for his first start beyond 5 ½ furlongs. Fortunately for him, none of his rivals have shown much aptitude at this distance. #6 Cruisetheforest (6-1) got involved in duels in his first three starts and faded. He clearly has plenty of early speed, so we’ll see if he can last if left alone on the front end. #4 My Boy Bud (5-1) has run in the 50s in each of his last three starts. While I don’t know if he has enough late kick to hang around and win, he looks good enough to at least hang around for a share. 

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-5-2-12

#9 The Bullion Bomber (5-1) is the only one in the race to run in the 80s in each of his last three starts, and has hit the board in his last four races on the lawn. In his last start, he drafted off the pace behind an odds-on favorite and was boxed behind him most of the way. He got room to run in the stretch, but by then, the favorite had kicked away, and The Bullion Bomber couldn’t catch up. Still, he held on for second, and may be able to work out a better setup off the pace on the outside, minimizing the chances of getting trapped. #5 Noble Jon (5-2) was third against a very salty starter optional claiming field last out, and now drops into an easier race. He should also be a late threat if he can work out a trip. #2 Slippin Jimmy (4-1) was third behind The Bullion Bomber last out, rallying wide and just missing second. His only subpar races this year came when he tried stakes company two starts back and when he raced around two turns.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-7-4-1

#2 Still Game (8-5) goes second off an eight-month layoff, and switches back to dirt after a flat grass try last out. She ran a 77 in her last dirt race, the best last-out figure in the race by 12 points, and consistently ran in the mid/upper-70s earlier in the season. If she has anything left in the tank, she’ll handle these easily. #7 Catarina (3-1) faded badly in her first start against winners last out, but was in improving form prior to that race, and gets the hot-riding Ismerio Villalobos aboard again. #4 Map to the Moon (6-1) has hit her best stride in her last three races, with her three best figures coming in that span. She’ll race near the pace, and might be able to kick on late for at least a small slice.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-9-2-10

#8 Stylish Gem (6-5) ships from New York for George Weaver. She went off as the 13-10 favorite in her dirt debut last out, and pressed the pace in the three-path throughout. She faded to third, but still ran a career-best 65, making her one of two in the race to run that fast at any point in their careers. #9 Holy Storm (8-1) also took a step forward at second asking last out. She made a big, wide move to the front and opened up a clear lead late, but got run down late and finished second. She outran a few of the rivals she’ll see today in the process. Her late kick has gotten better with each race, and might be ready to put it all together. #2 Final Engagement (12-1) was fourth behind Holy Storm last out after setting the pace. She took a step backwards from her debut, in which she led most of the way and held second. However, she’s still the main speed, gets a good draw, and gets Xavier Perez aboard for the first time. As a No Guts No Glory homebred, that’s a particularly encouraging sign.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-7-8-9

Live Oak Plantation and Mike Trombetta teamed up to win last Saturday’s Selima Stakes with Ultimate Love. They may have another promising 2-year-old grass filly on their hands in #5 In Her Glory (2-1). She ran a huge race to break her maiden at Saratoga two starts back, improving 11 points to an 83. Runner-up Sadie Earp won next out at Kentucky Downs, while third-place finisher Bibi Dahl returned to win a maiden race at Monmouth. In In Her Glory’s next start, she surged late and just missed in the Presque Isle Downs Debutante Stakes, improving further to an 87. She switches back to grass and drops in class. #7 Dancingwithdestiny (9-2) went gate-to-wire to break her maiden at second asking last out at Aqueduct. Her figure declined a bit from her debut effort, but she broke better and lasted through pace pressure, so it can still be considered a step forward. #8 Ballykeefe (30-1), who would’ve been a contender in next Saturday’s Maryland Million Lassie, opts to stay on grass for her first try against winners. She’s also coming off a gate-to-wire maiden win, in her case at Delaware Park, in which she improved by more than 20 points.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-4-3

#6 Intrepid Mo (5-2) is the lightest-raced horse in the race and one of the most consistent, having never run worse than a 75 in her four-race career. She jumped up to run a career-best 85 last out, in her first race beyond six furlongs. She’s cutting back slightly from a mile and looks well-spotted. #1 Seaside Road (6-1) was second at this level last out in her second race off a two-month break. She chased gate-to-wire winner Esroh, who blew the field away, and held on for second with a respectable 79. She’s run well against these types throughout the season. #4 Devastating (2-1) broke her maiden going two turns on grass last out at Indianapolis. Jamie Ness and his partners liked her enough to purchase her for $40,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale a few weeks back. It’s interesting that she’s being switched back to dirt, a surface she showed nothing on in her first three starts. Still, she’s in overall improving form, and any horse making their first start for Ness cannot be dismissed. 

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-2-7-6

#9 Elusive Image (12-1) won the first race of the Laurel fall season, sitting the trip off the pace and kicking away impressively. He’s rounded into career-best form, and looks primed to sit another great trip. #2 Phil’s Prince (6-1) took advantage of a swift second quarter to come from well off the pace and win at second asking at Colonial. He’s trying winners for the first time here, and is, if nothing else, an interesting candidate for the exotics at a good price. #7 Hold Out (5-2) has shown speed and faded in his last few starts, but he’s at least improved with every start since returning from a six-month layoff in early April (he ran at the Old Dominion Hounds point-to-point, in a race not listed on the past performances).

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-4-6-13

#3 Then What Time (8-5) broke his maiden with an impressive 84 two starts back at Colonial, and now tries one turn against winners for the first time. He has early speed and is in improving form, both important qualities in a rather scattered field. #4 New York Strong (7-2) tends to loom large off the pace and flatten out. His career record tells the tale: 14 starts, one win, five second-place finishes. However, he’s shown a solid kick in his last few starts at Monmouth, including back-to-back figures in the 70s. If he gets even a decent setup, it may be enough to win over these. #6 Summer Vibes (6-1) cuts back around one turn and tries winners for the third time. He’s facing an easier field than he saw in his last two, and is also primed to work out a trip.

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