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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $3,718
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-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

5-4-7-1

#5 Kittyup (2-1) opened up a long early lead in her last start at a mile. Though she couldn’t last the distance, she managed to hold second. She’s cutting back by a furlong here, and though there’s some speed to her inside, she should have a better shot of lasting here if she gets the trip she wants. #4 Fastfeld (4-1) rallied up the inside to get third behind Kittyup in her last start. She’s improved in each of her three career starts and, given her form at a mile, shouldn’t have any problem with this distance. #7 Stroll Trippin (3-1) takes a career-low drop in class second off a four-month layoff. She was well-bet against better last out but never got seriously involved, and looks to improve on the class drop.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-6

After working consistently since mid-November, #3 Tuned to the Moon (2-1) is ready for her first race in just over six months. In her last start, going six furlongs at Delaware Park, she raced off the early pace and finished second behind the determined favorite Sassafrassness, who came back to win her next two races. That was a recurring theme throughout last year, as she spent most of the spring and summer finishing second to rivals better than the ones she’ll see here. #1 Devastating (3-1) stormed to win from off the pace two starts ago, then finished fourth last out to stakes winners Safe Trust and Shkhara Fire. Even though she stays at the same level in her first start off the Anthony Farrior claim, these look like easier rivals. #4 Runsweetly (6-1) was second to Devastating in her last race. She has the best late pace figures in the field, and though her late rally often falls short, she should at least get a small share.

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

7-3-4-2

#7 Sir George (7-2) is another coming off of a long break, having not raced since September 11. He went off as one of the favorites in a six-horse field which featured five first-time starters. He finished a clear-cut second to Big Cuddle, who went on to win the Maryland Million Nursery in his next start. This one may be at a disadvantage having not raced in so long, but he’ll be very tough if he’s matured in the past five months. #3 Pont Aven (3-1) finished second to Close the Gate last out, who came back to finish second in the Spectacular Bid Stakes on Wednesday. He was claimed out of that race by Mike Trombetta and looks to move forward off of his career-best 76. #4 Ballinaclash (9-2) has finished second in his last two starts with figures in the mid/upper-70s both times. He hasn’t kicked on at all in those races despite great trips, and if he can’t move forward, the best he can expect is another runner-up finish.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-3-6

The top three finishers from race 5 on December 28 are back here. #1 Our Day Will Come (7-5) pressed the pace on the outside from post 6, rallied wide in the stretch, and won a stretch battle with groundsaving #2 Palacios (3-1) for his second consecutive win. Now, Our Day Will Come will break from the rail and should work out a better trip. Palacios has lost to Our Day Will Come twice in a row (he finished third to him two starts back), but he’s taking steps in the right direction and will have every chance to turn the tables for the hot John Salzman Jr. barn. #3 Mister Roscoe (6-1) sat just off the pace and rallied to beat $25,000 rivals last out. His ceiling doesn’t appear to be as high as those of the aforementioned two, but he’s in career-best form and should get another good setup.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-5-4-3

#1 Kitty’s Son (4-1) ran decent races against maiden special weight types last winter and spring, running brisnet figures in the mid/upper-70s twice on dirt. He went off favored in his first start at this level on October 12. However, something must have gone amiss that day, as he finished well up the track and disappeared from the worktab for 2 ½ months. He’s gotten in four timed drills since early January. Although Jose Corrales isn’t great first off of long layoffs, he’s bringing this one back in a fairly easy field, so he’ll have every chance to boost that stat. #5 Albert Finnegan (7-2) got some play against these types last out, as he looked like the main speed. Unfortunately for him, he lost his jockey at the start. Once again, there’s absolutely no speed to his inside, so he’ll have the opportunity to cross and clear as long as he breaks well. It’s impossible to pick #4 Tell ‘Em I’m Comin (2-1) on top, given his 0-for-30 record with many spots he should’ve won along the way. However, he has great recent speed and pace figures, so he’s worth keying underneath in exactas and trifectas.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-3-6

#7 Pit Stop Man (10-1) won his 7-year-old debut in impressive style last out. He raced wide on the pace and kicked away to win with an 89, his best figure in a long while. Even though it’s a better class on paper, this looks like an easier field than the one he saw last time, and by moving him up, Ferris Allen can avoid putting his recent claimant in for a tag. #1 Spotted Bull (9-2) split horses and kicked on late to win going away last out. Woodline, who finished third in that race, came back to win yesterday as the favorite. #3 Quick Tempo (3-1) has a very fitting name, as he has blazing early speed. Sometimes, it’s his downfall, such as last out at Parx, where he faded after getting caught up in a duel. However, he generally hangs in tough after setting the pace, including during a four-race win streak last year.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-2-1

#5 Caseofthemondays (8-5) was third last out behind Skillian and Code of Silence, both of whom came back to win their next starts. This one hasn’t raced since mid-November, but he turned in a bullet five-furlong workout in his lone timed drill since joining the Kieron Magee barn, and gets to take a class drop. #3 Flirty Bajan (5-1) went off as one of the favorites last out in a race where he was one of only two first-time starters. He chased the pace and faded, but ran a respectable 65 and should improve second time out. His full brother, Falcon Blue, took a while to break his maiden, but when he did, he rattled off four wins in five starts. In addition, he’s a grandson of Saucy Countess, who has produced 14 winners from 16 starters. #2 Call Me Victorious (9-2) showed some mild late punch at first asking in what looks like a much better $25,000 field than usual.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-7

#1 Fear Nothing (5-2) has been on a tear as of late, having won four of his last five dirt starts. He’s run at least an 89 in each of his last three starts. Only two of his rivals have run that fast at any point within their last three races. He sat off the pace and rallied up the rail to win last out, and he looks poised to do the same thing here. To win this race, he’ll have to run down #2 Built by Khozan (9-2), who has frantic early speed and is bound to open up a long early lead. He did so last time and held second behind longshot winner Suremeanttobe. #4 Dewy’s Beast (4-1) showed little behind Built by Khozan last out, but lost by a nose at 38-1 at this condition in his previous effort.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-2

#6 She’s Not a Lad (1-1) has set the pace and given way reluctantly in her last two starts, and she’s never run worse than a 67 in her three-race career. She has by far the best early pace figures in this spot, so she’ll have every chance to get away with easier fractions this time. #4 Lovely Lookin Lili (4-1) was third behind She’s Not a Lad on debut, making good ground in the center of the track. She’ll be poised to take advantage if She’s Not a Lad can’t last once again. #5 Ithadtobeblu (9-2) showed speed and stopped going 1 1/16 miles last out, and now gets to race around one turn for the first time.

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