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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

13-3-1-6

#13 Tik Tok Daddy (6-1) has rallied well from off the pace in his last two starts at this level. He hasn’t broken through at this level yet, but he always turns in a good effort, and should go off at an overlaid price. #3 Shear Magic (3-1) broke his maiden on the lead two starts ago, then battled on the pace and held third in his first try against winners last out. The horse he dueled with, War Humor, drew off to win that day, and returned to win a first-level race at 19-1 next out over the hard-knocking Cactus. #1 New York Strong (7-2) was third against a similar field last out, finishing a neck behind one of his dueling partners; the other one finished up the track. He’s gotten caught up in his duels in his last two races and hung around well, but considering he’s breaking from the rail here, he may try to rate off the pace this time.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-2-5

#4 Preacha Meyers (2-1) finished third in his last dirt start behind a pair of very sharp next-out winners in Outdoor Cat and Wiffleball. He has great late pace figures and looks poised to take advantage of a fast pace in a softer field. #1 Brighty (5-1) ran well on dirt in some solid maiden races last year, then broke through to win on grass two starts back in a come-from-behind effort. If you look at strictly his dirt brisnet figures, they contend with these, and considering many of them were earned last year as a 3-year-old, it’s possible he can take another step forward late in his 4-year-old campaign. #2 Deterrent (6-5) cuts back around one turn, switches back to dirt from grass, and goes first off the claim by Anthony Farrior. He’s undefeated on dirt, having broken his maiden going a one-turn mile at Colonial Downs in August, albeit with a modest 71. He has a shot, but I wouldn’t want anywhere near his morning line. It’s way too low a number for me.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-5-4-7

#6 Tuck Check (7-2) has had a largely frustrating year against better, but gets much-needed class relief today. She’s run at least a 78 in each of her last seven starts, something many of her rivals haven’t won in a while, if ever. She beat first-level foes on this track in late April; the only Maryland winner this year for her trainer, Lindsay Schultz. #5 Divining Smile (12-1) closed strongly two and three starts back and ran figures of 78 both times. Last out, she lacked running room most of the way and was forced to check on the final turn. By the time she got clear, the top two had scampered well clear of the rest, and she managed no better than third. She should run better today with a cleaner trip, and that last line might drive up her price a bit. #4 I’m a Sure Thing (3-1) won at this level on September 20, but hasn’t been seen since. Horacio De Paz has done great work with his grass runners at the meet, with a 6-for-18 record.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-2-7-5

#1 Love Me Not (4-1) sat just off the pace and beat a pretty salty starter optional claiming field in his last grass start with a career-best 90. There’s a few others in here who like to run on the pace, but he’s got the best early pace figures, so he should be able to establish himself as the controlling speed. #2 McCullough (3-1) got up to beat second-level rivals on the Presque Isle Downs synthetic last out, in his first start for Brittany Russell and his first race off six-month break. He won twice on grass in New York last year and finished second in second-level races twice at Tampa Bay Downs this winter. He’ll take advantage if Love Me Not can’t get the easy lead he wants. #7 Wow Whata Summer (12-1) always gets overlooked in the betting, and though he seldom wins, he always closes well and is more than capable of shaking up the exotics at a good price.

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

5-8-6-3

#5 Hidden Rose (8-1) closed from last off modest fractions to win on debut at Delaware Park, as one of only two first-time starters in the field. Miguel Clement shipped this one from his Belmont Park base for this race, and he’s sending her back down I-95 for another try at a mile. Clement does well with his Mid-Atlantic shippers- he’s 13-for-15 in the money between Laurel and Delaware so far (though he’s yet to win a race here). #8 Lunar Buzz (10-1) also broke her maiden going a mile last out, but she did so here in a gate-to-wire effort. It was easily the best effort of her four-race career, and should be prominent on the pace once again. #6 In Her Glory (2-1) went off as the even-money choice last out on grass, and lost by a neck after drifting out in the stretch. She’s racing on conventional dirt for the first time, and though she’s never gone beyond six furlongs, her pedigree suggests she can handle the extra distance. Her dam, Zonda, was a stakes winner at 1 ⅛ miles, and her only sibling to race won at 7 ½ furlongs and a mile as a 2-year-old. The surface is the bigger question mark, but if she takes to it, she’ll be tough.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

12-7-5-13

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#12 Spoils of War (7-2) has beaten similar fields as this one in her last two starts, rallying from well out of it to win both times. As noted above, Horacio De Paz has had a great season on grass, and this mare is a big reason why. #7 Antonacci Girl (10-1) ran well in her grass debut last out. She closed for third behind Gift of Gab and Wonder Girl, a pair of classy mares who have won five times between them this year. She hasn’t gone this far on grass before, but she is a winner at this distance on dirt, and is worth a long look at a price in a wide-open contest. Another De Paz trainee, #5 Buzzaway (5-1), is a serious threat. She’s won twice on this track this year, closing from far out of it and just getting up both times. She’s proven she can win off of slow paces, so a potentially pokey tempo shouldn’t deter her too much.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

6-9-7-4

#6 Worth a Dime (10-1) made her first start around two turns a successful one last out, as she captured the Maryland Million Ladies with a career-best 85. Jorge Ruiz rode her for the first time that day and keeps the mount. Anything near her morning line would be very generous. #9 Tap the Champagne (9-2) took advantage of a sharp early pace to break her maiden last out in her second race off a year-plus layoff. She ran a huge 86 that day, a career-best mark by nine points, and looks like she has plenty of upside. #7 Mambo Queen (5-1) won her last two starts in exciting stretch battles and steps up in class first off the Brittany Russell claim.

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

6-3-5-2

#6 Sassafrassness (6-5) has won three in a row, with her last two victories coming around two turns. Last out at Delaware, she was forced into setting a strong second quarter of 23.57, but had enough left to give and fended off Atlantis Queen for the victory. She looks like she’ll be able to set an easy pace, and run away with it from there. #3 Intrepid Mo (4-1) is lightly-raced and has quickly improved with each start. She was third with an 85 going two turns for the first time two races back, then peaked at a 91 in a sharp win at seven furlongs last out. Gary Capuano, who’s had a fantastic meet, should have her ready to handle the extra distance. #5 Paradise Wins (8-1) has no early speed at all, which will likely compromise her if the early pace is as slow as forecasted. However, she’s finished third in her last three starts at this level while closing into slow paces each time, so you know she’s good for at least an underneath spot if she runs her race.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-6-2-4

As a 2-year-old, #1 Bucaro (2-1) was a stakes winner on synthetic and stakes-placed on grass. He ran a solid 84 in his lone grass start of the year, which came first off a six-month break in late July at Colonial Downs against a salty bunch. #6 Dalinar (3-1) popped the gate before his last start, and as such might not have turned in his best effort. He flattened out after showing his usual early speed, but at his best, he’s capable of going all the way. #2 Jolly Boss (5-2) raced evenly in two starts at this condition at the meet, getting third both times. His best hope is that Dalinar stops on the lead again and he gets the first jump.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-6-5

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