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) — $4,284
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $4,040
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $13,502

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-3-2-6

#1 Sweet Shenanigans (8-5) has finished second at this level to Peach Tie and Prosecco Rita, both of whom are better than any of today’s rivals. Look for her to make the early lead and go gate-to-wire. #3 Rerun Table (5-1) is one of two in here who has won against winners, having beaten $25,000 claimers easily in her last start after pressing the early pace. She was third behind Peach Tie and Sweet Shenanigans two starts ago. #2 Won Ton (8-1) was an easy stalk-and-pounce winner on debut at Charles Town. She’s worked very well since that October 25 victory. Don’t be too skeptical of her Charles Town form- if she improves even a bit off that race, she’ll win at a good price.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-3-4-5

#2 Wyoming Class (1-1) has run brisnet figures in the 80s in each of his last four starts, something most of these struggle to do at all, and has by far the best late pace figures in the field. He’ll swoop the field on the turn and win going away, albeit at a very short number. #3 Mo Says (7-2) runs his best races when he sets the early pace. He looks fast enough to make the front here, but the big question for him is the distance. He’s never gone past six furlongs before. #4 Brighty (9-2) was third in a better field at this level two starts ago, and adds blinkers first off the Rudy Sanchez-Salomon claim. 

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

3-1-4-2

#3 Indy Magic (7-2) was the overwhelming favorite at this level last out on the strength of three consecutive wins between Keeneland and Saratoga. However, he broke a bit awkwardly, dropped to the back of the pack, and was left reeling behind the impressive gate-to-wire winner, Mika, who finished second in the Cigar Mile next out. This one’s worked well since, gets a rider switch to Sheldon Russell, and should run an improved race at a much better price. #1 Group Ticket (3-1) is my preferred half of the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry, having already won four times around two turns this year. His last effort, a fourth-place finish at Parx in early November, was visually unimpressive. However, he ran a 90 that day, his best figure in months. #4 Night Time Nap (5-1) was a gate-to-wire winner going 1 1/16 miles three starts ago, and will be a serious threat at today’s slightly longer distance with the right trip.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-2-3

#1 Spencer Tiara (9-2) improved a bit to a 78 second off an eight-month break last out. She finished behind Itsamonstamash in both of her starts at the current meet. That one validated her form with a runner-up finish to Takethemoneyhoney in last Saturday’s Politely Stakes. This filly should benefit from the class relief third off the bench. #5 Meg (6-1) makes her first start since a seventh-place effort in the Maryland Million Distaff in early October. She hasn’t shown much early speed in her last few starts, but her lone career win came at this distance, and she’ll be a serious late threat if she can stay even somewhat close to the early pace. #2 Rina Is Fire (6-5) veered out at the start last out, lost early position, and ended up second to gate-to-wire winner She’s a Gem. This one was an impressive maiden winner two starts back and has loads of upside for the Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood dream team, but be wary of taking too short a price.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-6-3

#5 Bells Beach (6-5), a $675,000 purchase as a yearling, makes her first start since mid-May and her first start for Brittany Russell after starting her career for Chad Brown. She ran in the mid-80s consistently against better first-level types in New York earlier this year, and Russell is very sharp first off of long layoffs. Her usual race easily defeats these. We have another Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry here, and both merit serious consideration. I lean slightly towards #1 Pam Pam (7-5), off an impressive effort at this distance against similar last out, but either one is worthy of being my second pick. #6 Graceful Rose (30-1) struggled last out, but ran in the 80s in her prior two races, and will be a threat at a price with a rebound effort.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-9-8-3

#1 Krissi N (9-2) takes a big drop in class after facing first-level and second-level rivals for most of the year. She stopped and finished up the track in both starts since returning from a four-month break, but should improve with a class drop third off the layoff. #9 Ticklers (6-1) surged to win at this level on grass last out, for her second win in four career starts. She’s unproven on this surface, but will be tough if her form transfers over. #8 Anotherhope (5-1) steps up in class after winning three times against conditioned claimers earlier this season. She closed well for third going a mile last out behind Fitness and Ade, who finished 1-2 again yesterday.

RACE 7: GIN TALKING STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-2-4

The road to the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes winds on with this race, named for the 1999 Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly and 2000 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year. #1 Just Philtored (6-5) turned in a big bounce-back effort in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes last out, running away from the competition by 1 ¾ lengths for her third stakes win of the season. She has a very high ceiling; the only potential obstacle is a possible wet track. Her flat third in the Smart Halo Stakes two starts back was on a good track. #6 Slewperstitus (3-1) was second to Just Philtored twice in stakes company over the summer before the tables were turned on her last out. She has great late speed, adds blinkers, and will have every chance to wear down Just Philtored. #2 Dazzling Dame (5-2) won a pair of stakes races at a mile this year. She captured the Sorority Stakes at Monmouth Park and the White Clay Creek Stakes at Delaware Park, the latter with an impressive 90. After leaving the worktab for a while, she’s put in two drills since mid-December for Brittany Russell. She has plenty of talent, and we’ll see how she does first off the bench at a shorter distance than she’d maybe prefer.

RACE 8: HEFT STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

8-2-7-9

#8 Power Grid (6-1) impressively broke his maiden two starts ago with an 86, then followed it up with an 88 in a first-level win last out. He wore down longtime leader Bala de Plata and got up to beat him in the last jump. He’s been well-primed for this race by Jerry Robb, and should sit a great trip off the pace in the clear. Gary Capuano has entered four here. #2 Probably Dreaming (2-1) looks like the best of that group. He won a pair of stakes races at Delaware earlier this year, and makes his first start after being scratched from the far outside post in the Remsen Stakes a few weeks back. He regressed when second in the Nashua Stakes last out, but now returns to his home base, drops in class, and should turn in an improved effort. #7 Very Volatile (9-2) improved sharply to break his maiden at second asking with a 78. He soundly defeated stablemate Awesome Andy that day; that one returned to break his maiden last Saturday. Yedsit Hazlewood has been regularly riding three of the four Capuano trainees in this race (Carlos Lopez has always ridden Probably Dreaming); he keeps the mount on this one.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-4-6-2

#7 Work Hard (2-1) has hit the exacta four times in his last five starts, and is the only one of these to run at least a 76 in each of his last two races. He looks to turn the tables on #4 Bigtonten (3-1), who got a six-length jump start on him last out and beat him against similar rivals. Work Hard gets a slight edge in my book, as he’s won around two turns recently and races for the Capuano/Hazlewood dream team. #6 Happy Jaunt (4-1) stumbled at the start last out, was rushed up, and faded badly. He ran an 84 when third against better two starts ago, and looks for a return to that form stretching back out from six furlongs.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!