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) — $356
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,053
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

12-3-8-5

#12 Over My Cents (7-2) finished third in her last two starts against $25,000 maidens and now takes a career-low class drop. She ran a brisnet figure of at least a 69 in both of those efforts, which is better than almost any of her rivals have ever run on dirt. The outside draw is the only potential deterrent. #3 Justtakethecannoli (3-1) was claimed out of her last start at Keeneland, in which she showed speed and stopped badly, by Jamie Ness. He puts Yedsit Hazlewood aboard for this one’s Maryland debut, and she’s likely to show speed with a good draw. She ran much better two starts back at Churchill Downs, where she sat just off the pace, pulled clear late, but got caught in the final stages. #8 Irish B Goode (20-1) was no match for heavily favored Destination last out, a Brittany Russell plunger who won by 11 lengths. This one got up for second after a wide trip with a respectable 65, and has consistently run in the 60s throughout the year. She’s worth a look if you get near her morning line.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-7-6

#4 B Dawk (2-1) ran a solid 82 first off a 3 ½-month layoff last out, getting third behind a pair of next-out winners in Uncle Irish and Passioned (both of whom won as the favorite). This one’s run in the 80s throughout the year and should turn in an improved effort second off the bench. #1 Masakado (3-1) goes first off the re-claim by Anthony Farrior, who had him earlier this year and won with him at Mahoning Valley. This one looks like the primary speed on the rail. #7 Hay Chief (5-2) took a big drop to this level last out, and overcame some early traffic to get third behind Passioned. He has the best sustained speed in the field, and may prove tough to hold off with a clean trip.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-5-6-2

#3 Pont Aven (7-2) was scratched sick from a similar spot two weeks ago and resurfaces here. 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. #5 Gotta Get it Right (5-1) also went off favored on debut, and finished fourth in a grass race despite some traffic trouble. Graham Motion runners tend to do better at second asking than first. #6 Awesome Andy (8-5) was heavily bet second time out after a huge debut effort. He actually improved a bit to an 80 that day, but was no match for a pair of impressive first-time starters in Hometown Bound and Crossingthechannel. He’ll have a good chance to break through as long as no one else jumps up significantly.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

10-8-4-1

#10 Rina is Fire (3-1) crushed a maiden field first off an 8 ½-month layoff last out, running in the 80s for the second time in as many starts. She faces a pretty easy field for her first start against winners, and looks fast enough to cross, clear, and draw away. #8 She’s a Gem (8-1) set an ambitious early pace last out and held second behind Pinotslilgirl, who’s much better than almost everyone in here. This one won twice in a row earlier in the year with stalk-and-pounce trips, and might be best off trying to work out something like that again. #4 Society Ball (10-1) races first off the Jamie Ness claim, and is one of two in here for the Ness barn. I give her the edge over her stablemate, Yo Adrian, considering this one’s more experienced on dirt and has good closing speed that should get her at least a share.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-7-4-2

#3 Armando R (5-1) struggled for a while against stakes-quality competition, but he’s found his niche at this level, with back-to-back wins. Look for him to sit well off the early pace, as usual, and time it just right to win. Note that his regular rider, Horacio Karamanos, is not aboard. However, he gets a very capable replacement in Yedsit Hazlewood. On the other side of the coin, #7 Tidal Forces (2-1) has the best early pace figures in the field, and has shown the ability to run well from on or off the pace. He’s likely to be put into play early by Mychel Sanchez. #4 Dolice Vita (9-2) rallied well for second in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap last out, his second start off a 5 ½-month break. He won twice here over the winter against slightly softer, but his recent form fits with these.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-9-2-1

#6 Only Maria (5-1) ran no worse than a 58 in three dirt starts to begin her career, all against higher-priced rivals. She regressed in her last two starts on grass, but should improve switching back to the main track. #9 Back Wall Bandit (3-1) takes a career-low drop in class with a similar figure pattern as Only Maria. She ran a big race on the lead two starts back, holding second while outfinishing dueling partner Fiesta La Luna, who broke her maiden next out. #2 Spring Training (10-1) won a blanket finish for second on debut behind the aforementioned Fiesta La Luna, a strong effort considering she was the only first-time starter in the field. She’s facing a tougher bunch than she did last time, but has room to improve second time out.

RACE 7: SAFELY KEPT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

2-4-7-1

3-year-old fillies meet to pay homage to the Maryland-bred winner of the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, among other stakes races. Note that Mega Mil ran at Parx on Wednesday, so she’s highly likely to be scratched. #2 Reputation (3-1) ran away with the Tyson Gilpin Stakes at Colonial Downs two starts back, then held her own against older rivals with a third-place effort in Gulfstream Park’s Princess Rooney Stakes in her most recent start. She looks primed to get a great trip and draw away with ease. #4 Onyx Ten (4-1) scratched from last Saturday’s Willa On the Move Stakes in favor of this race. She took the step forward she needed to take second off the bench in the Maryland Million Distaff, rallying down the center of the track to earn her third stakes win at Laurel this year. She should be even better third off the layoff for the incredible duo of Gary Capuano and Yedsit Hazlewood. #7 Grayson’s Girl (15-1) has hit the board in each of her eight career starts, including a determined win last out against first-level Maryland-restricted rivals. She hasn’t run a bad race on this track this year, has great late pace figures, and should be a great price, especially by Brittany Russell-trained standards.

RACE 8: CITY OF LAUREL STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

8-9-5-6

Note that Saxton ran against older rivals yesterday, so he’ll be a no-go for today. #8 Slam Notion (5-2) sat off the pace and pulled away in the stretch to win the Maryland Million Sprint last out, running in the 90s for the third consecutive dirt race. He loves this track and has improved throughout his sophomore campaign. #9 Chipotle (12-1) looked like a star in the waiting for most of the year, winning five of six races with improving figures. He finished a game fourth in the New Castle in September, then got some time off after a flat fifth in early October. Considering his figures aren’t that far off from those of Slam Notion, but he’ll be a much better price, he’s very intriguing. #5 Bold Diversion (10-1) was fourth to Slam Notion in the Maryland Million Sprint, then came back to swoop a Maryland-restricted group last out. He has the best late pace figures in the race and could prove especially dangerous with the right trip.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-3-7

#5 Monday Morning Qb (9-2) improved 12 points to an 87 second off an eight-month layoff last out, where he rallied well and just missed against a similar field. This classy veteran looks poised to put it together this time. #6 Magic Spin (5-1) was fifth behind Monday Morning Qb last out in a game effort. He closed down the center of the track and briefly had his nose in front, only to be done in by the effects of his overland journey. Still, he’s been consistently sharp all year, and should pack a stronger punch with a better trip. After starting the year 0-for-8, #3 Freeze the Fire (5-2) has found his best self lately with back-to-back wins. He defeated B West in his last start, who returned to beat a field that, even though it was a lower class on the surface, was quite similar in quality to this one.

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