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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $2,195
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $969
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-9) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-6-10-12

#8 More Than a Notion (8-1) finished a game second in his last try on grass. She raced just off the pace and was outkicked only by an odds-on Brittany Russell trainee. Her last start on dirt wasn’t that great, but she’ll at least switch back to her preferred surface while making her first start for trainer Joseph Woodit. While Woodit’s overall numbers aren’t great, he is a solid 3-for-12 in recent times with horses making their first start in his barn, with a huge ROI. #6 Beware of Ooh Lala (6-1), one of three first-time starters in the main body of the race, has worked very well as of late for Mike Trombetta. She went three furlongs in 36 ⅗ at Fair Hill last Saturday, outworking mostly fellow 2-year-olds. Trombetta is usually not known for his prowess with debuters, but he’s hitting at 5-for-16 in grass races in which he has a first-time starter this year. #10 Common Sense (20-1) was third behind More Than a Notion two starts back and also switches back to dirt. She’s the only one in the race to run a brisnet figure of at least 69 twice on grass, and yet is one of the biggest longshots on the morning line.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-10-9-3

#1 Forward Move (7-1) and #10 Amusing Mischief (5-1) raced against each other at Delaware Park on October 16. Forward Move, who went off at 1-5, did the dirty work that day. He battled with second choice Cathedral Beach through an opening quarter of 22.77, sending Cathedral Beach to a sound defeat. Meanwhile, Amusing Mischief sat a perfect trip off the duel and easily rolled by to win by 3 ½ lengths, while Forward Move settled for second. Still, there’s little doubt as to who was best that day considering their respective trips. Forward Move hasn’t raced since then, while Amusing Mischief won next out at Penn National with another good stalking trip. Amusing Mischief is in sharp form right now and cannot be discounted. However, Forward Move can also sit off the pace, has some big wins on his card this year as well, and gets the slight nod. #9 B West (8-1) has hit the board five times this year in eight starts, but hasn’t won this season. He tends to sit just off the pace and hang around for a share, while lacking the needed winning punch. A similar scenario is likely here.

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

10-3-9-7

#10 Sugar Magnolia (7-2) was one of only two first-time starters in the field in her debut last out. She made her way to the rail from her outside draw and made solid ground late to get fifth with a 73, tied for the best last-out mark in the field. She’s facing an easier field than she did last time and gets a rider switch to Yedsit Hazlewood. #3 Khokela Miss (8-5) drops for a career-low tag after four tries against straight maidens or high-priced maiden claimers around two turns on grass. She’s shown tactical speed, a strong late kick, and gets Mychel Sanchez up for the first time. That said, I don’t know if she’d be worth her low morning line. #9 Katarzyna (5-1) set the pace and held fourth last out, in the same race Sugar Magnolia also exits. She’s the main speed in this contest and will be dangerous if she can set a slow pace.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-8-7

Many of these come out of the same race at this condition on October 26. #3 Worker Bee (6-1) was an easy maiden winner on debut in late May, then went to the sidelines before resurfacing that day. There was enough confidence in him in-house that Yedsit Hazlewood picked him over the other, better-regarded Gary Capuano trainee in the race; Capuano later scratched the other horse. He made decent ground late and finished fourth. He’s worked very well since then and should improve second off the bench. Max Capacity ran them off their feet in that October 26 race, but #5 Blue Forty Two (5-2) rallied from off the pace and finished 1 ¼ lengths clear of the rest, improving further to a career-best 82. He’ll need pace to close into, but there’s enough speed in here that he should get it. #8 Lundi Loot (2-1) couldn’t outrun the speedy Max Capacity in the James Lewis Stakes last out, then was overwhelmed by runaway winner Balboa. This is a much easier spot, and he looks fast enough to clear to the lead despite the outside draw.

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

3-13-12-14

#3 Uncle Dar (3-2) went off as the 7-10 favorite from the outside post in a similar spot last out. He looked poised to blow by them in the stretch, but Tough Workout, with Jorge Ruiz aboard, dug in and wouldn’t let him take the lead. Now, he’s drawn much further inside, Ruiz doesn’t have a mount, and his recent figures tower over these. I don’t know if I’d bet him to win at low odds, but he’s a good horse to build a pick 5 play around (especially considering this race is in both sequences). #13 Kohoutek (9-2) has won his last two starts with almost the same great trip in both races. He looks primed to get another great setup in the clear on the outside. Ruiz, who rode him in those two victories, isn’t here today. Raul Mena has the call in his place. #12 The Count Is On (8-1) made a well-timed move to win at this level at 23-1 last out. He won that race despite getting fanned very wide in the stretch, so we know that he can overcome traffic trouble.

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

8-5-1-9

#8 Hoof and Boots (15-1) made her dirt debut last out and dealt with adventure as soon as the gates opened. The horse to her direct inside veered out and tossed her jockey, who landed right in the path of Hoof and Boots. As such, Hoof and Boots was forced to check sharply to avoid that rider, then was forced to check hard again after a quarter-mile when the loose horse caused chain-reaction interference. In spite of everything, Hoof and Boots closed well once she was clear and lost second in a photo finish. Fourth-place finisher Fiesta La Luna returned to beat low-priced maiden claimers in her next start. This one is stepping up in class, but it looks like a fairly soft maiden field, and she should run much better without all the shenanigans she encountered last time. #5 Watch Me Sparkle (5-1) rallied strongly up the rail to get second on debut last out with a 73, the best last-out figure by seven points. She’s also taking a paper jump in class, but the bigger question to me is the distance. That last effort was at a mile; will her rally be as potent going six panels? #1 My Girl Back Home (8-1) is by win-early stallion Great Notion and trained by Phil Capuano, who does well with first-time starters. She’ll be a threat as long as she shows anything at first asking.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-4-7-10

#5 Somnium (5-1) won twice in a row at Penn National over the summer, then almost pulled off a 70-1 upset in the Glen Cove Stakes at Aqueduct last out. She rallied from off the pace and drew into contention late, ultimately getting fourth with a career-best 88. These are assuredly easier waters. #4 Simply Stated (3-1) made her first start off the Jamie Ness claim in the Crowd Pleaser Stakes at Parx last out. She was pressed on the pace and finished well up the track, but now drops in class and switches back to her preferred surface. She won twice at this level over the summer at Colonial Downs. #7 Independenceavenue (8-1) is also a recent winner at this condition, having taken a second-level grass sprint on Tesio day in April. She went off as the big favorite next out at Delaware in June, did nothing, and went to the sidelines. Her recent workouts have been strong, and Arnaud Delacour looks to have her ready for a big effort.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-7-4-2

#6 Parkes (15-1) gobbled up ground to win on debut at 11-1 in mid-September, during a stretch where her trainer, Suzanne Stettinius, was white-hot. He finished a respectable third in the Laurel Futurity next out, was horrible going two turns on dirt in his most recent start, and now gets to sprint on grass again. Those recent lines might drive up his price straight to overlay city. Mike Trombetta sends out a dangerous pair. #7 The Magic Ofmovies (9-2) is my preferred one, having broken her maiden with a strong rally last out in her third consecutive in-the-money finish. #4 Aldene (2-1) led briefly in the stretch as the favorite last out, but got caught late and was second by a nose. She has plenty of speed, but I’m not sure if she can hang around if pressured. That would set it up nicely for her stablemate.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-6-7

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