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) — $1,761
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-7-8-12

#2 Uniwinner (9-2) was an easy winner against non-winners of three types last out, finally breaking through after four consecutive runner-up finishes on dirt. He was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior, who hits at 26% first off the claim and a very impressive 41% when dropping a horse in claiming price after claiming them. #7 Laddie Dance (6-1) chased gate-to-wire winner Moncrief in his last start, closing ground in the last eighth and losing to him by  neck. He won easily against similar three starts back, defeating P J’s Song, who came back to finish second next out, and It’s Sizzling Time, who won here against similar on December 14. #8 The Wolfman (4-1) sat a great trip off a duel last out and pulled clear in the stretch. However, he was worn down by Yedsit Hazlewood-ridden Pudge Boy Palace and settled for second. This one’s rounding back into form since getting claimed by Kieron Magee in late October, and should sit another great trip just off the leaders.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-5

#2 Chilly Girl (9-5) drops in for a tag for the first time after five tries against maiden special weight rivals. She’s run well in her last two starts after sitting just off the pace. That tactical speed will come in handy here, as #1 Nit Witness (7-5) and #4 She’s Not a Lad (2-1) dueled each other last out and ended up second and third, respectively, to a rival who sat just off the early lead. If those two battle again, it’ll set up perfectly for Chilly Girl. If either of the latter two will sneak away, it’ll most likely be Nit Witness, who has slightly better early pace figures, the inside draw, and Yedsit Hazlewood in the saddle.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-7-5

#3 Ade (8-5) and #2 Fitness (9-2) rematch with each other after finishing 1-2 in the same race on December 7. Fitness set the pace that day and almost pulled off a 29-1 upset, but Ade wore her down after a stretch battle and won by a nose. Ade is the only one in the field to run a brisnet figure in the 80s in back-to-back starts, and has by far the best late pace figures in the race. Fitness hadn’t shown early speed in a while prior to that last race, but did win on the lead at Pimlico in May, and will have every chance to secure the rail and the lead with a good draw. #7 Qualified Hire (7-2) won three in a row between Penn National and Delaware Park earlier this year. She stopped badly in her last two starts against first-level foes at Penn and looks to rebound on the class drop.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-5-7-8

#3 Only Maria (8-5) sat off the pace and kicked away to break her maiden at seventh asking last out. Even though she’s stepping up from $12,500 maiden claiming company, it’s not a huge jump in class, considering the recent figures of today’s rivals. #5 Hotmessness (4-1) and #7 Pichu (3-1) are coming out of the same $25,000 claiming race on November 23. Hotmessness ran down to her competition that day, flattening out to fourth after racing off the pace. She didn’t have a workout leading into that race, so she might have been a bit short. She put in a good drill at Delaware Park on December 6 and adds blinkers, so she should improve off that last effort. Pichu dueled for the lead, shook off her dueling partner, and ended up third behind two rivals who got past her in the last few jumps. She’s the only one in the race to run in the 60s in each of her last two starts.

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

3-8-1-6

#3 Melt With You (5-2) is one of two in here going first off the Jamie Ness claim. Two starts ago, while in Ness’s barn, he won by nine lengths with an impressive 90. His only poor race in the past few months came when he got caught up in a duel four starts back, but there’s enough speed in here to provide a target. #8 Tops the Chart (3-1) chased gate-to-wire winner Feeling Woozy last out and ended up second, about as good a race as he could’ve run given the circumstances. He’s got by far the best early pace figures in the field, so he could end up as the loose leader whom the others chase. #1 Dolice Vita (9-2) pulled clear in the stretch and ended up second to the ever-classy and very hot Armando R in his last start. Two starts ago, he was second in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap to Formal Affair, who was in the midst of a three-race win streak.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-7-12

#4 Quahog Republic (12-1) rallied from well off the pace to grab third in his last dirt start, and has run on well late in his recent grass starts as well. He has every chance to pick up the pieces at a very good price. #6 Final Offer (20-1) went off as one of the favorites in his first start off a 11 ½-month layoff last out. He chased the pace and ended up well up the track. Before going on the sidelines last year, he ran a 63 and a 73. If he comes back to that form second off the long break, he’ll be a serious threat at, potentially, another good price. #7 Superlastingsecret (7-2) stalked the pace, pulled clear, and held second in his first start at this condition last out. He’ll get first jump at any embattled leaders. 

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-3-8

#6 Stanza (4-1) closed for third last out in his dirt debut, beaten by runaway first-time starter And Sum (who’s entered later today) and next-out winner Neverworkedaday. He’s been getting better throughout the year, and he’s proven he can run at least credibly well on dirt. #5 Lonesome Road (4-1), a half-brother to Mindframe, makes his first start since September 12 and his debut on dirt. He ran a much-improved race at second asking, and catches a fairly easy field for his first start on dirt. He’ll be a threat if he shows any aptitude on this surface. #3 Summerinthecountry (5-1) was second to the aforementioned Neverworkedaday last out, and looks to take a step forward second off a three-month break.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-6-9-1

#2 Wickeddivine (8-1) set the early pace, reengaged for the lead, and ended up second at this level last out with a career-best 93. The winner of that race, Intrepid’s Legacy, beat an open first-level field next out as the 7-10 favorite. This one’s run at least an 86 three times in four starts this year; the only time he didn’t was when he was outclassed in the Maryland Million Sprint. The aforementioned #6 And Sum (9-2) was a dominant winner on debut, battling for the lead and kicking away to win with an impressive 92. This will be a stiff class test, but still, his ceiling is clearly very high. #9 Great Heavens (4-1) is the only runner in the field to run at least an 85 in three consecutive dirt starts, and has great middle and late speed. However, he doesn’t always have the finishing touch, as evidenced by his five runner-up finishes in 12 starts on the season. He’s the perfect type to key underneath.

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