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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $1,096
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $4,211
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-2-4-8

#1 Mezzo Soprano (8-1) dramatically improved at second asking last out. Although she couldn’t make up much ground off a contested pace, she managed to get up for third while improving almost 28 points on the brisnet scale to a 63. She’s taking a step back up in class, but this bunch isn’t overly scary. #2 Bigshot Ness (3-1) was scratched from a similar spot on January 23, has worked twice since then (including on the 23rd), and is now re-entered for his debut. As is often the case with these types, the board will tell the story. #4 Master Schemer (5-1) is one of a few in here coming out of that aforementioned January 23 race. He rallied for second in a race that completely fell apart. He’s shown steady improvement throughout his three-start career and has easily the best late pace figures.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-4

#2 Formaggio (1-1) ran in the 80s in her first two starts for Keri Brion, but completely fell apart last out at Aqueduct and finished well up the track. She’s cutting back in distance from a mile, dropping in class, and has by far the best early pace figures. She’ll make the early lead and not look back. #1 Caprichosainfront (3-1) went off favored in her local debut last Thursday at Charles Town and ended up a mild fourth. She showed promise last summer and fall at Gulfstream Park, so it wouldn’t be surprising if she jumped up to win second off a three-month break. #6 Chilly Girl (7-2) was third behind the heavily favored Handsintheair last out, and now drops in for a tag for the first time in her bow for Horacio de Paz.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-1-6

#4 Don’t Wait Up (9-5) has run at least an 89 in each of his last three races. Only two of his six rivals have run that fast at any point in that stretch. He has the best average late pace figure in the field by ten points, and there’s plenty of speed to his outside who could set it up perfectly. #7 El Divino Nino (5-2) is one of the aforementioned speeds, but managed to rate off the pace and finish third last out behind gate-to-wire longshot winner Uncle Cat and odds-on favorite Freeze the Fire. He might be able to work out a nice stalking trip just off the leaders. #1 Top Blood (12-1) looked like a 28-1 winner until the final strides in his last start, when he was nailed on the wire by deep closer Aztec. This one has very in-and-out form, but his best puts him in contention.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-2-5

#1 Rhodes (9-2) blew the doors off the field in his local debut, dismissing his dueling partner to win a maiden claiming contest with east. Runner-up Close the Gate validated that impressive performance when he came back to break his maiden next out and followed it up with a near-miss in the Spectacular Bid Stakes. #4 Top Manipulator (8-1) also exits a sharp maiden score in which he came from well off the pace to win going away despite not changing leads. Another step forward third time out will make him a serious contender. #2 Worker Bee (7-5) is the only one of these who has beaten winners. He did so at this level last November, and gets Yedsit Hazlewood back in the saddle off an improved fourth-place effort last out.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

8-2-1-9

#8 Ribbonsinherhair (4-1) was third behind better last out and makes her first start since that December 7 race. She won going away two and four starts back against similar fields to this one, and will take full advantage if the pace is even somewhat contested. #2 Isabella’s Glory (8-1) came from well out of it to win at this condition three starts back. She showed little against better last out, but this group looks more to her liking. #1 Watch Your Tone (9-2) was second to Ribbbonsinherhair two starts back and ran her best figure in a long while, an 81, when second in a determined stretch duel last out.

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

7-2-1-3

#7 Campaign Mischief (6-1) closed well for third on debut at Turfway Park and was claimed out of that race by Jonathan Maldonado. It’s a step up in claiming price, but probably not that much tougher of a field than the one she saw for $15,000 last time. #2 Kinda Krazy (5-2) turned in a pair of solid runner-up efforts last summer at Colonial Downs, including a 68 in early August, before going on the sidelines. She’ll be hard to beat if she improves at all first off the bench. #1 Princess Azar (3-1) went off heavily favored last out, engaged in a three-way duel, and held second behind fellow dueler Disney Belle, who ran a gigantic race. There’s much less speed in this contest, so unless one of the first-time starters decides to engage, this one will likely have an easier time on the lead.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

7-3-2-6

#7 Boss Mode (6-1) is the only multiple winner in the field, having beaten $16,000 foes last Wednesday in a much-needed rebound race. He’s getting Lasix for the second time; trainer Brandon MacFarlane is a perfect 3-for-3 with that angle in recent times. #3 Tactics (3-1) was no match for the very impressive Let’s Go Lando last out, but won going 1 1/16 miles with a rail-skimming rally two starts back and now gets to drop in class. The move from first-level allowance company to claimers worked for Boss Mode last time, and it could work for this one as well. #2 Fowl Mouth (9-2) has run well in his last few tries at this condition and gets Yedsit Hazlewood up for the first time. The distance is the biggest question; he finished up the track in his only start at a mile.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-6-4

Many of these are coming out of the same race at this condition on December 27. #5 Bells Beach (1-1) was the odds-on favorite in that race, having held her own against better in New York last spring. However, she raced wide throughout in that race and could do no better than fourth. That was also her first start off a seven-month break, and she should improve second off the layoff. #3 The Goddess Factor (15-1) got up to win in a mad scramble of a finish last out against starter optional claiming foes, and should sit close to the pace in a race without much speed. That lack of speed could hurt #6 Audibly (6-1), who has run well in her last few starts at this level despite being severely pace-compromised each time. There isn’t much speed in this field, either, so her punch might be good enough for only her usual small share.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-6-4-5

#2 Guaponess (8-5) set the pace and held second against a similar field last out, finishing behind Fear Nothing, who returned to finish third against open first-level rivals next Friday. He looks like the controlling speed from the inside. #6 Wickeddevine (9-2) has gotten checks without winning at this level for a while. He’s been very consistent in that stretch, however, running at least an 86 in each of his last four starts at this condition. #4 Suremeanttoobe (7-2) sat a perfect stalking trip to win against open first-level foes at 17-1 last out. He’s bound to take advantage if Guaponess falters on the front end.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-1-2

#7 Meg (5-2) drops in for a tag for the first time since her maiden-breaking win last April. She’s run at least a 75 in each of her last four starts; no one else has run that fast in each of their last two races, let alone four. #3 Destination (2-1) absolutely demolished a maiden claiming field last out with an impressive 84. She hasn’t raced since that November 8 effort, but she’s still the dominant speed of this field and will have every chance to take them gate-to-wire. #1 Scarlet’s Dream (3-1) finished second to odds-on, gate-to-wire winner Elegant last out, and cut into that rival’s margin quite a bit in the last eighth. Like Bells Beach earlier in the card, she’s making her second start off a seven-month layoff, and showed promise against better last year.

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