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) — $12,150
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-6-3

#1 Gaelicheartofgold (6-1) ran an impressive race to break his maiden in his dirt debut last out. He rallied from 17 lengths out of it to win by open lengths with a dramatic rally towards the inside. Runner-up Superlastingsecret returned to win as the 11-10 favorite next out. This one hasn’t raced since that November 30 effort, but he’s facing a soft field for the level and will be tough with anything close to an effort repeat. #5 Derz Smart (3-1) broke his maiden in impressive style here about 13 months ago, but didn’t win for the rest of the year while facing better on dirt and grass. He hasn’t raced in 211 days and probably wants more distance than this, but his ceiling is nevertheless very high. #6 Robert’s Moon (2-1) just missed against a better field at this condition two starts back and should get a great pace-stalking trip.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-5-3

#2 Watch Your Tone (6-1) was second to the very speedy gate-to-wire winner Engimatic last out. She’s now the main speed in a race where no one has particularly great early pace figures. #4 Ribbonsinherhair (4-1) made good late ground after a terrible break last out. Draw a line through that race, and her recent form looks much better. She won a pair of races against these types by open lengths last fall. #5 Genieinabridle (2-1) won four races in a row towards the end of last year and drops in class for her 2026 debut. She should also race close to the early pace.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

1-4-2-6

#1 Lannister (9-5) went off heavily favored at this condition last out. He recovered from a bad break to get second behind the improving Zio Lino. These rivals look easier, so with a clean start, he’ll be especially potent, albeit at a short price. #4 Divine Swagger (10-1) was third behind Lannister last out in his first start off a 194-day break. He’ll hope for a fast pace to close into, which may be provided by #2 Majorca (7-5). He hasn’t raced since last June at Aqueduct, but has worked well since early January for Annette Eubanks and has a very high ceiling.

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

4-1-3-2

#4 Rerun Table (3-1) has won at this level twice, converting a stalking trip to beat similar types last out with a career-best brisnet figure of 79. She’s always been a very promising type since she broke her maiden last August at Timonium, and is currently in peak form. #1 Barbados Bulldog (5-1) was third to Rerun Table last out, continuing a solid form spree of her own. She’s run at least a 75 in each of her last three starts; no one else has run even a 70 in each of their last three. #3 Curlene’s Spirit (8-1) was an easy winner going 1 1/16 miles last out, and hopes to get an idyllic trip off of what could be a very contested pace.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES

6-1-4-3

#6 Moon Cache (2-1) ran a big race to defeat a Maryland-restricted field in her first race off a five-month break last out. She showed promise last year, crossing the wire first in the Beyond the Wire Stakes only to be disqualified for interference. She’ll be very tough if she takes another step forward second off the bench. #1 Audibly (8-5) hopes that the early pace isn’t too slow.. She has tremendous late speed, but always comes from way, way off the pace, which explains why she hasn’t won in so long. She’s the perfect type to key underneath in exactas and trifectas. #4 Old Bay (7-2) hit the board in her last two starts going two turns against these types, and should get a great trip just off the pace.

RACE 6: CONNIVER STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

5-6-1-3

This stakes is named for the Maryland-bred mare who was named the champion older mare of 1948. #5 Takethemoneyhoney (3-5) always either wins by open lengths or wins (or loses) a desperately close photo. She was on the losing end of an exciting stretch duel in the Barbara Fritchie Stakes last out, where she gave the victorious Passage East a very hard fight until the end. She was an easy winner in her last start against restricted types in the Geisha Stakes, and while she’s clearly the most likely winner, she won’t offer much value in the late pick 5. As such, if you want to make a big score, you’ll likely have to try and beat her. The most logical ones to try that with are #6 Grayson’s Girl (3-1) and #1 Dwelling Legacy (7-2). The former was an impressive winner of a second-level sprint last out, eating off of a contested pace to win as much the best. She won the Safely Kept Stakes last November with a similar move. The latter finished a game second to Passage East in the What a Summer Handicap two starts back, and represents a rare opportunity to get value on a Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood runner.

RACE 7: NOT FOR LOVE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-3-2

Today’s other stakes affair is named for the legendary Maryland stallion. #6 Blue Kingdom (8-5) ran a game second to the impressive Point Dume in the General George Stakes last out, proving that he can run well from on or off the pace. He may try to sit just off the pace on the outside and convert. #1 Quint’s Brew (1-1) called on all his class to wear down Blue Kingdom and win the Jennings Stakes two races back, then was third in the General George last out. He’ll likely be the favorite, but he isn’t quite the same horse he was last year and not as dependable at a short number. #3 Twisted Ride (4-1) ran huge races on the lead at Parx one and three races back, and lost all chance when he broke very poorly in the Fire Plug Handicap in the race in between. He has tons of backclass and is a six-furlong specialist, which the aforementioned two are not.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-6-3-2

#5 Party With Smarty (9-5) ran a big third in his first start against winners last out, which was also his first start for Jamie Ness. He was second to Robert’s Moon, who’s running earlier today, in that race. If Robert’s Moon does well, it’ll flatter this one. #6 Baytown Bruiser (3-2) has faced better in Kentucky for most of the past year, and closed well for third at Turfway Park last out with an 85, the best last-out figure in the field by six points. #3 Be Tha Judge (10-1) is by far the lightest-raced runner. He broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style at fourth asking last out, and may be sent for speed again in his first try against winners.

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