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

First post time: 11:57 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $7,890
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 $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-2-7-3

The unusual starting time is to avoid direct conflict with Gulfstream Park. #4 Sincerito (6-1) went off as one of the favorites at this level last out, but raced wide throughout and ended up well-beaten. He’s put in two good workouts at Delaware Park since then, and has every chance to rebound here. He ran brisnet figures of 81 two and three starts back; those kinds of races win this. #2 Docsgotallthecandy (9-2) faded going 1 1/16 miles last out, but cuts back around one turn here and looks like the dominant speed. If he’s allowed to coast on the front end, he might not get caught. #7 Agent Kelly (9-5) returns to Maryland after a pair of starts at Turfway Park. He had a string of near-misses on grass last year, and he’s racing up a level, as he’s won just once in 22 career starts. However, he was in sharp form in Kentucky, including a near-miss in a blanket finish last out.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-2-4-1

#3 Lord’s Lady (9-2) and #2 Blo by the Field (5-2) come out of the same race at this condition on January 17. They finished second and third, respectively, in a blanket finish. I think Lord’s Lady ran the better race of the two. She fell very far off of moderate fractions, but closed well and missed by a neck in just her second start since early July. Blo by the Field is lighter-raced and should get a more ground-saving trip than last time, where she got caught three-wide on the pace. #4 Why Not Grace (4-1) raced near the pace and hung on gamely for second last out. She looks to improve first off the Kieron Magee claim.

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

6-5-1-3

#6 My Girl Back Home (3-5) set a pressured pace last out and stopped badly. She’s taking a massive drop in class after facing the likes of Momaxie and Juniper’s Jubilee in her last two races, and should make the front and go gate-to-wire. You won’t get much of a price, however. #5 Amama (6-1) has put in some decent late rallies in her last few starts at Charles Town. None of her rivals have shown much late speed (three of them are first-time starters), which gives her an edge. #1 Turkish Breeze (2-1) has a light but solid worktab and debuts for a Kieron Magee barn that has had a strong meet. The board may offer some clues.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP 7 FURLONGS

5-4-2-3

#5 Woodline (4-1) has gone gate-to-wire against similar fields in his last two starts. There’s some speed to his direct outside in Daifuske Island, but no one with his sprint speed is drawn to his inside, so he should be able to once again run them off their feet. #4 Rob the Rich (2-1) has done most of his best work going long, but he flattened out going a mile and 70 yards at Parx last out. A cutback to a sprint might be what he needs. #2 Mister Agent (8-1) chased Woodline all the way in his last start and finished second. A similar situation may unfold here.

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

6-5-2-4

#6 Hello Newman (5-2) ran in the 70s in each of his first two dirt starts, then regressed a bit after a wide trip last out at Aqueduct. Still, the 64 he earned that day is the second-best last-out figure in the race, behind only chronic maiden Tell ‘Em I’m Comin. #5 Kitty’s Son (4-1) finished well up the track in his 2026 debut last out while chasing Albert Finnegan, who returned to win a non-winners of two claiming race on Sunday. This one put in a bullet four-furlong drill on Saturday, outworking many of his barnmates.#2 Bold Mirage (20-1) showed some mild late interest in an improved effort last out, and could easily rally for a share at a decent price.

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

2-7-1-5

#2 Schrader (7-5) ran an 86, his best figure in almost a year, when second to gate-to-wire winner Who’s the King last out. This pace scenario looks much more favorable for him. If anyone will take them gate-to-wire, it may be #7 Paralegal (10-1), who ran a gigantic race on the lead in his first start off a 336-day layoff last out. He set the pace and fought hard against the challenge of pace-stalking Breezing Up, ultimately finishing second by a neck to that rival. #1 Trulli Warrior (5-1) also ran a big race on the lead last out. He’s very pace-dependent and is likely to deal with pressure, but should at least hang around for a slice.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

5-2-1-6

#5 Bigtonten (6-1) has run back-to-back career-best figures, including an impressive 91 when he easily defeated a conditioned claiming field last out. The added distance is a bit of a question mark, as he hasn’t won going further than a mile before. However, he did run an 86 two starts back at 1 1/16 miles, so the extra sixteenth shouldn’t be that big of an impediment. #2 States United (5-1) has won his last two starts going away from just off the pace, and should work out another great trip stalking the pace on the rail. #1 Bold Endeavour (2-1) made the front fairly early on and held sway last out at Parx. He has a bit of early speed, and may be sent to the front in a race without a ton of pace.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-8-2-3

#4 Cairo Surprise (7-2) won the battle but lost the war in the South Mountain Stakes at Penn National last out. He battled for the lead with Bootleg Runner in the early stages and outfinished him by 1 ¾ lengths, but could not shake favored Tough Guy Tony, who got a perfect trip off the duel and won. Still, Cairo Surprise held second, just missing his career-best mark with an 82. He got some time off and came back to the worktab in early February. He’s posted three timed workouts at Cal Lynch’s Fair Hill base, including a bullet four-furlong drill last Saturday. He looks like a serious speed threat, in spite of his 94-day layoff. #8 Buds Notion (4-1) is also coming off of a break; he hasn’t raced since his debut win at Delaware on Sept. 20. He broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style that day, defeating Power Grid, who won his next two starts. This one has also worked well in recent weeks, including a four-furlong workout in an impressive 47 ⅗ seconds last Saturday. He was the fastest of 29 workers that day by ⅖ of a second, including stakes winner Celtic Contender and the very promising Lonesome Road. He also outworked #2 Our Day Will Come (9-2), who takes a step up after three consecutive wins against $40,000 claimers. If the aforementioned two can’t last off the layoff and tire, he’ll be right there to pick up the pieces.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-6-2

#5 Manseeyasway (8-5) has run in the 70s four times in his last five starts. None of his five rivals have run that fast in a while, if ever. He was third last out to Zio Lino, who finished second to $40,000 non-winners of two claimers on Sunday. This one now takes a career-low drop in class. #4 Railroad Inn (5-2) closed well for second last out behind 3-5 favorite Run Tzu, who was making his local debut for Jamie Ness and ran them off their feet. This one held second over Souper Vinnie, who returned to break his maiden in gate-to-wire style last Saturday at Charles Town. #6 Riley’s Cry Baby (12-1) hasn’t raced since last April, but showed speed both times in his two-race career, and should be able to cross and clear against this soft bunch.

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