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) — $1,080
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $611
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, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

14-5-1-9

#14 Ready Set Twirl (6-5) will need some help to get in this race, considering he’s buried at the bottom of the also-eligible list. However, he’ll be very tough if he does draw in. He’s run a brisnet figure of at least 77 in each of his last three starts in New York, something only one of his rivals has done at any point within their last three. Rudy Rodriguez and Julio Hernandez don’t have great stats at the meet, but they did team up with a 7/2 winner on grass last Friday. #5 Keen Surge (7-2) makes his first start off the Rick Sillaman reclaim and switches back to dirt after a near-miss on that surface last out. He often lives up his name, as he’s known for making big rallies hat often fall just short. However, most of those efforts have come against better than what he’ll see here. A well-timed move should be enough to get the job done, as long as Ready Set Twirl doesn’t draw in. #1 Better Watch It (3-1) has finished second twice at this level this season. He lost to Koru and Bourbonator in those races, both of whom are better than anyone he’ll have to deal with today.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-6-3

This race features several promising maidens. It wouldn’t be surprising to see the winner of this race come back in the Maryland Juvenile on December 6. #5 Code of Silence (5-1) recovered well from a very poor break in the Maryland Million Nursery to grab sixth. He ran a 78 and an 82 in his first two career starts at Delaware Park, rallying from well off the pace both times. Tim Keefe puts blinkers on him for the first time. #1 Pont Aven (3-1) is also first-time blinkers. He was bet like a good thing on debut and went off as the 11-10 favorite. He battled on the lead and sent one of his dueling partners to a sound defeat, but ended up third behind the well-regarded Tartabull, the first foal out of Anna’s Bandit. This one should show speed from the inside and has a chance to take a big step forward second time out. Speaking of Anna’s Bandit, her trainer, Jerry Robb, sends out an interesting first-timer in #6 Make It Quick (6-1). He’s a half-brother to 2018 Woody Stephens Stakes champion Still Having Fun and two other stakes winners. He’s been working for a while and finally looks ready to go for a win-early family and a barn that does well with 2-year-olds (Robb is 9-for-22 in 2-year-old maiden races at Laurel this year).

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-2-5-12

#1 Modern Master (15-1) returned from a 13-month layoff two starts ago, and finished a very respectable second behind runaway winner Bay of Bengal, who won a starter optional claiming race next out at Aqueduct at 23-1. This one showed little in a tough maiden field last out, but should enjoy the drop in class. #2 Nogradi (12-1) ran in the same two races as Modern Master; both of them were also his first two starts of the year. He had a bit more of an excuse last time, as he got caught wide near the pace and flattened out. He should also be a good price. #5 The Hero Code (9-2) has run into trouble in his last few starts, including last out where he was rank in the early stages as the favorite. Martin Chuan gets the call for the first time. Chuan has slowly started to heat up at the meet, including four wins with his last 16 grass mounts.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-4-1-2

#5 Where’s Ray (5-2) beat several of these as the 7-10 favorite two starts back, then exploded late after a rough break to win against next out. He’ll be able to run down this group as well, barring an extraordinarily rough trip. #4 Noble Jon (8-1) was second to Where’s Ray last out, sitting a similar trip and closing well only to get outkicked by that rival. He’s raced against very nice horses all year long and more than held his own, and while it’s his misfortune to deal with Where’s Ray again, he looks the best of the rest. #1 Great Idea (3-1) also has a strong closing kick, losing third by a nose last out against second-level sprinters. The draw isn’t ideal for a horse with his style, but if he can work out a trip, he has a chance.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-9-5

Because #6 Anotherhope (5-2) is a 3-year-old, she can stay in this class all year long. She’s taken full advantage, winning at this level in back-to-back starts with figures in the mid-70s both times. She looks poised to work out another great stalk-and-pounce trip. #2 Lost River (8-1) battled on the pace and held on to beat a similar field at Charles Town two starts back. She tries first-level foes there last out, couldn’t make the front, and showed little. She’s the primary speed in here, so she should be able to make the front and take them as far as she can, as fast as she can. #9 Thunder in Paris (7-2) won with a dramatic last-to-first sweep in late May, then finished second next out to Dissolute, who won her next start. Antonacci Girl, whom Thunder in Paris finished ahead of by a neck that day, won at Timonium two starts later. This one goes first off a 3 1/2-month layoff and is reunited with Yedsit Hazlewood. He rode her in late March, before the form cycle started for either horse or rider.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-11-6-12

#7 Hall Monitor (5-2) consistently ran in the mid-70s throughout the summer between Delaware and Colonial Downs against better rivals than these. Those kind of marks aren’t enough to beat higher-priced starter optional claiming foes, but it certainly makes him a contender in this spot. Furthermore, he’s lightly-raced in a field where many of them have lost many, many times against winners. #11 Where’s Charlie (8-1) made what looked like a promising move against similar last out, but ultimately left himself with too much to do from off a slow pace and missed by a length. He returned from a year-long layoff in August and his form has been consistently solid since. #6 Agent Kelly (6-1) ran a subpar race after getting caught in a duel last out. However, he’s run well around one turn for most of the season, and is unproven at this distanc. That’s not ncessarily a bad thing, considering we know how much many of these struggle over a route of ground.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-3-7-11

#1 Lady Zeta (6-1) was an easy winner in her lone start on the Laurel grass, and ran an impressive 87 in victory in July at Colonial, defeating some of these rivals in that spot. #3 Afterneath (4-1) has gone gate-to-wire twice on grass this year; her only defeat on this surface this season came when she couldn’t make the early lead. She drew well today and will have every chance to establish position and get the trip she wants. #7 Wonder Girl (9-5) finished behind Lady Zeta twice earlier this year, but has since rebounded to win twice at the meet and finished second last out to the classy Gift of Gab. She’ll have every chance to sit a great trip just off the pace and turn in her best effort.

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

4-7-3-1

#4 Indy Magic (7-5) has won his last four races on dirt, his last three by open lengths with increasingly impressive figures. He was claimed out of his last easy win at Keeneland by Anthony Farrior, who, while not having a great meet by his standards, is always dangerous first off the claim. A repeat of any of his recent races wins this one for fun. #7 Rhythm ‘n Blues (15-1) broke his maiden at ninth asking last oit, lasting through consistent pace pressure to deliver at Parx as the 3-10 choice. He has some early speed and great late pace figures, which means he could be especially tough with the right setup. #3 Mika (2-1) led all the way in a muddy first-level race at Delaware last out, running by far a career-best mark of 87. He hasn’t been seen since that late May effort, but as we’ve seen time and again, Brittany Russell has her runners ready to go off of long breaks.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-6-3-2

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