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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $9,772
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,138
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-5-7-3

#6 Serenity Song (5-2) is a first-time starter for Brittany Russell, who is 5-for-12 with her debuters at Laurel Park since the beginning of the fall meet last September. This filly is by Vekoma, one of the best first-time out sires in the country, and faces a largely inexperienced field (four of her six rivals are also making their first start). If she can run at all, she’ll likely beat these, though the price is not likely to be great. #5 Grande Voix (7-2), one of those other firsters, debuts for Mike Trombetta. He’s not quite as good with first-time starters as Russell, but this filly is by Yaupon, another great first-out sire. She also gets Mychel Sanchez aboard, who has done well on Trombetta horses as of late. #7 Nattie’s Boss (30-1) has the experience edge on the aforementioned two. She ran a big race on the lead at first asking, albeit against  maiden claimers, and looms as a very interesting alternative.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-5-6

#3 Elusive Sionna (5-2) went off as the even-money favorite at this level last out, her first start off a 113-day layoff. She checked on the first turn, was angled wide on the far turn, and came up empty. She looks to improve cutting back in distance second off the break for the Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood duo. #1 Pichu (9-5) won at this level three starts back, and was third last out against a better field at this condition. Last Gift, who won that race, finished second in a $25,000 claiming race on Sunday. #5 Fiesta La Luna (9-2) broke her maiden in impressive style three starts back, and has had some time off following two flat efforts. She has a high ceiling; we’ll see if she can reach it in her first start for this price since that victory.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-7-5-4

#6 Skip Thru Da Fire (7-2) was blown away by gate-to-wire winner Enigmatic in her last start. She won three races back with a great stalking trip, and there’s enough speed in here that she should get a similar winning setup. #7 Sapphire Beauty (15-1) finished second in her last two starts against these types, including a solid effort behind frontrunning winner Royal Seamstress in her most recent race. She’s in a similar pace boat as Skip Thru Da Fire. #5 R Averie Lynn (2-1) snapped a long streak of near-misses in a gate-to-wire win last out. She’s in the sharpest form of anyone in here, but might not get as easy of a lead as she’d like.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

5-4-1-6

#5 Watch Me Sparkle (9-5) has already crossed the wire first. She did so two starts ago with an impressive brisnet figure of 77, but was disqualified for causing interference in the stretch. She’s had some time off since a third-place effort behind a runaway winner on opening weekend. Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode her in that two-back effort, gets back aboard. #4 Yau Majesty (8-1) was little factor first off a 156-day break last out, but did run a 69, the best last-out figure by a point. She’ll try to take a step forward in a largely uninspiring bunch. #1 Image of Grace (9-2) improved ten points to a 68 second time out at Gulfstream Park last out. She’s had one local workout since joining Todd Beattie’s barn about a month ago after previously racing for Riley Mott. She has a high ceiling and has a big chance to take her local debut, albeit at a possibly underlaid price.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-2-3-5

#4 Ecumencial (5-2) cleared his non-winners of two condition last out, wearing down longshot leader D Hopper to win as the 3-2 choice. He’s shown he can run well on the pace or from just off of it. At his best, #2 City Panda (9-2) has a strong closing punch that would be hard to hold off if he can stay close to the pace. However, he’s broken slowly in his last few races, and he must get away better to beat these. #3 World On Fire (5-1) easily beat Ecumenical two starts ago and looks for a rebound after a flat effort following a wide trip last out.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-6-1

#4 Catatumbo (6-1) and #5 Mistical Curlin (5-2) dead-heated for second last out in a similar field. Catatumbo closed well down the center of the track, while Mistical Curlin rode the rail in his rally. Because of that, I give a slight edge to Catatumbo, but both merit respect in a wide-open race. #6 Be Better (5-1) worked out a ground-saving trip of his own to get second last out to States United, who returned to finish third against better yesterday. He has plenty of back-class and great late pace figures, so he’ll be heard from if he can save some ground.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

3-2-7-5

As long as #3 Certified Loverboy (1-1) gets an uncontested lead, he’s almost impossible to beat. He flaunted his speed and crossed the wire first two starts back, but was disqualified for interference at the gate. Last out against a better field, he was forced into setting faster fractions and held on for third. Indy Charges On, who won that race, came back to finish second in a third-level race on Friday. He’s by far the dominant speed in this race, so he should get his ideal trip. #2 Hagrid’s Flame (3-1) showed little in his last two starts out of town, but won at this condition on this track in mid-November, and is reunited with Martin Chuan for his local return. #7 Take the Pledge (6-1) was in sharp form at Penn National last spring, and has shown that he can run well from off of moderate fractions. The layoff is the biggest question; he hasn’t raced in 247 days.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-3-4

#2 Tea Rose (3-1) has had plenty of chances and hasn’t capitalized, but did run a big second two starts back in her last two-turn start. She’ll stretch back out from six furlongs in her second race off a 49-day break. #1 Zen Dreams (1-2) has rallied for shares in her last few starts, including a third last out at Parx where she ran the best last-out figure in the race, a 56. However, she’ll have to stay closer to the pace than usual to be a serious threat, and based on her morning line, she almost certainly won’t go off at a bettable price. #3 Spice Gal (9-2) raced close to the pace at Penn National last out and finished third behind Mega Charger, who came back to win as the favorite on that track last Friday. This one may be able to take control of a largely paceless affair.

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