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) — $1,602
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $5,177
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-8-2

#5 Back Wall Bandit (3-1) was scratched from a similar spot on January 17, worked five furlongs last Friday, and is now ready for her 3-year-old debut. She lacked racing room most of the way last out, and by the time she got clear, pacesetting Kuaga had kicked away from them en route to a dominant 12-length victory. Still, this one ran on well and got up for third in a blanket finish, losing second by half a length. She gets to stay at six furlongs after previously being entered for a mile. #3 As the Bell Toles (2-1) was well-beaten against better last out, but has had some time off since that late December effort. She ran brisnet figures of 61 and 68 two and three starts dirt starts back, and she’ll be a serious threat if she runs back to that form. #8 Izzy’s Rock Star (7-2) was originally entered for her debut on January 24, and now finally gets to debut after that card’s weather cancellation. She’s had a short but stout worktab at Delaware since late November.

RACE 2: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-5-6-3

#1 Mighty Lindsey (7-2) was also originally entered to run on the 24th in a $40,000 claimer. Now she returns in a first-level contest, but still looms large despite the class hike. She overcame a stumbling start to win going away on debut at Parx. She moved to Jamie Ness’s barn following that big win, and looks eligible to improve further at second asking. #5 Miss Fulton Gal (9-2) has finished second twice at this condition, including last out where she matched her career-best mark of 81. #6 Ivy Girl (2-1) was no match for much better last out in the Demoiselle Stakes, but did break her maiden impressively at Aqueduct two starts back and should improve while swimming in easier waters.

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

1-2-8-7

#1 My Girl Back Home (5-2) has been scratched and had a race cancelled on her since her last start on December 19. She was fourth on debut with a very solid 69, then finished second next out to Momaxie, who came back to win a first-level route on January 10. She looks fast enough to take control of the pace and potentially lead all the way. #2 Juniper’s Jubilee (1-1) drops for a tag for the first time after hitting the board against straight maidens five times (three times as a heavy favorite). Most of her recent efforts win this, but it’s nonetheless hard to swallow a low price on a horse like her. #8 Hoof and Boots (8-1) set the pace and finished second last out behind Barbados Bulldog, who came back to win next out against $16,000 claimers. She’s likely to sit just off of My Girl Back Home and hope that she falters.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-1-8-2

If Hoof and Boots wins the prior race, it’ll boost the stock of the aforementioned #6 Barbados Bulldog (7-2). She ran a 77 and a 78 in her last two wins; no one else in here has run nearly that fast in each of their last two races. #1 Kuaga (6-1) ran a 77 in an impressive maiden-breaking win two starts back, then led most of the way and just missed in her next start on the lead. She’ll set the pace on the rail and should at least hang around for a share. Brittany Russell shipped #8 No Mo Muffins (5-2) to Charles Town to break her maiden. The plan worked to perfection, as she pressed the pace and won by open lengths. Runner-up Peaceful Union came back to break her maiden at Charles Town in her next start.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-12-10-2

#5 Bigtonten (6-1) was an easy winner against non-winners of three types two starts ago, then finished third next out behind Work Hard, who beat starter optional claiming rivals in his next start. Bigtonten and #12 Quincannon (12-1) are the only ones to run in the 80s in each of their last two starts. The latter was second against these types in his last two starts, finishing in between Spotted Bull and Woodline. The former was fourth against much better next out, the latter returned to win at this condition as the favorite. #10 Catatumbo (8-1) drops in class after struggling last out. He ran much better two and three starts ago with figures in the upper-80s; we’ll see if the class drop wakes him up.

RACE 6: NELLIE MORSE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-6-5-4

Today’s first stakes race is named for the 1924 Preakness Stakes-winning filly. #7 Complexity Jane (8-5) has piled up plenty of stakes wins of her own, winning three stakes races on this track in the past twelve months. She’s shown that she can win from on or off the pace, and has been in razor-sharp form as of late. #6 Atlantis Queen (9-2) was an easy winner with an impressive 94 two starts back on this track. She showed little against fellow New York-breds in the Bay Ridge Stakes at Aqueduct last out, but she’s worked well since then, and looks dangerous for the Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood combination. #5 Late Nite Call (8-1) led most of the way in the Carousel Stakes two starts back and almost held off the challenge of Complexity Jane, ultimately losing to that rival by a neck. She’ll at least be close to the lead, and might set the pace if Complexity Jane elects to take back.

RACE 7: POST TIME STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-2-6-1

This race honors the recently retired 2024 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year. Note that Cadet Corps will be scratched. #5 Call Me Fast (3-2) makes his local debut off of back-to-back stakes wins at Parx. He made up tons of ground to win the Kris Kringle Stakes last out with an impressive 105. He defeated Point Dume that day, who returned to win the Fire Plug Handicap in his next race. #2 Otter Mischief (4-1) almost wired the field in the City of Laurel Stakes two races back and looks like the main speed. Horses with speed in short fields are particularly dangerous. #6 Warp Nine (9-2) won going away against second-level foes on this track three starts back, and wore down Otter Mischief to win at Parx in his last start.

RACE 8: BARBARA FRITCHIE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-7-2

We’ll cut back around one turn for the annual Presidents’ Day weekend co-feature, named for the Maryland Civil War icon. #4 Takethemoneyhoney (9-5) lived up to expectations and then some in the Geisha Stakes last out. She crushed the field by 6 ¼ lengths while barely being asked to run, running in the 90s for the fifth time in as many starts on this track. She’ll face perhaps her stiffest challenge yet from #1 Dry Powder (5-2), who will make her first start since an up-the-track finish in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. She showed promise in her prior starts, finishing a game second in the Cotillion Stakes and easily winning the Cathryn Sophia Stakes three races ago. While she broke her maiden going one turn, she’s done her best work around two turns, and Chad Summers might see this race more as a prep for a spot down the road. Takethemoneyhoney, on the other hand, has been targeted for this race. Still, Dry Powder has too much class to be dismissed. #7 Passage East (9-2) won the What a Summer Handicap last out in a determined effort for her seventh win in her last eight starts. Her ceiling isn’t as high as that of the aforementioned two, but she could still shake up the exotics at a decent price.

RACE 9: GENERAL GEORGE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-4-7-2

The other co-featured stakes race honors the country’s first president. #5 Point Dume (4-1) turned in a heroic effort to win the Fire Plug last out. He was constantly challenged on the lead, but fended everyone off to win with a 103, his second consecutive triple-digit figure. He has by far the most early speed of anyone in here, so look for him to hit the front and keep going. #4 Quint’s Brew (9-5) called on all his heart to win the Jennings Stakes for the second consecutive year last out. He rallied from off the pace and nailed Blue Kingdom in the last jump. He won this race last year in impressive style, and he may well be ready to turn in a peak effort again. #7 Slam Notion (9-2) defeated Quint’s Brew in the Bender Stakes last out, following a similarly sharp Maryland Million Sprint victory. He’s in improving form and loves this track, so a peak effort would certainly put him in the mix.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-9-3-2

#6 Twelve Nelson (5-1) showed some late life in his first start off an 18-month layoff last out. He closed well late and finished second with a career-best 65, the best last-out figure in the race by ten points. As long as he doesn’t take a step backwards second off the long break, he’ll be very tough to beat. #9 Run Tzu (6-5) showed speed and stopped badly in his first two starts against maiden special weight rivals in Kentucky. He’s bound to improve in his first start for a tag and his first start off the Jamie Ness claim. #3 It a Lee (15-1) got some action in his first dirt start last out, but stopped badly after chasing the pace going 1 1/16 miles. He’s making his first start for the Kelly Deiter barn and has a chance to improve cutting back around one turn.

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