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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 6-11) — $16,729
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $4,230
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-4-5

#2 Armed N Dangerous (9-5) ran a huge race first off a seven-month layoff last out. He rallied well from off of very slow fractions and finished second to odds-on choice Tuff Luck. He should run much better second off the bench and with an even slightly faster pace to close into. #1 Schrader (2-1) was beaten less than a length in a blanket finish last out going six furlongs. He’s run well at a mile or longer in the past, and he has the best early pace figures in a race without much speed. #4 Summer Vibes (7-2) set the slow early pace that Armed N Dangerous closed into in his most recent start. He ultimately couldn’t last and finished third. He’s unlikely to have as easy a time as he did last out, but he’s bound to hang around for a slice. 

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-4-5-6

#3 Hotmessness (9-2) battled with Diamond N Dress for the lead last out. She won the battle, outfinishing Diamond N Dress by nine lengths, but finished second to Curlene’s Spirit, who got a perfect trip off the battle. That race was validated when Diamond N Dress returned to win a $25,000 claimer of her own on Friday. #4 Campaign Mischief (12-1) broke her maiden going way from off of hot fractions two starts back. She showed nothing against slightly better last out on a very wet track, but has a chance to rebound at a good price. With plenty of speed signed on, she might get a similar setup as she did in her maiden victory. #5 Last Gift (7-2) is the only multiple winner in the field, and will be very dangerous late as long as she doesn’t get too caught up in the early pace. 

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-4-1-5

#3 Greyline Station (6-5) has run steadily improving brisnet figures, earning at least a 73 in each of his last three starts. He ran into some relatively tough rivals in his last few starts at this condition; these look like easier waters. #4 Vino Gray (6-1) made decent late headway to get third at Parx last out in a career-best performance. He also looks to be on the upswing, albeit with not as high a ceiling as Greyline Station. #1 My Pal Bill (6-1) debuts for Anthony Pecoaro, who hits at a sneaky 17% with first-time starters in a maiden claiming race with a positive ROI.

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

4-3-6-2

#4 Sunflower State (9-5) was a sharp winner against non-winners of two types second off a nine-month break last out, then finished second to the very speedy Cocktail Humor in her first try at this condition. These look like easier rivals. #3 Centsamilla (5-2) is the one she’ll have to run down this time. This one cruised to a gate-to-wire win last out, a much-needed rebound race after a very dull effort that sent her to the sidelines for almost two months. #6 Bond’s Belle (9-2) was third to Cocktail Humor and Sunflower State last out, her seventh consecutive second or third-place finish. She’s likely to once again chase the pace and get a small share.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-7-6-1

Patience was a virtue for #2 Crab Daddy (5-1) last out. He rated off a pace battle on the rail, came up the inside, and won a first-level contest going away. It was his first win in a while, but he showed plenty of promise on the Tesio trail last year, and it looks like he’s rounding back into his best self. #7 Rampagius (6-5) was scratched out of a starter optional claiming race on March 6 to run here. was an easy winner two starts ago, then was elevated to victory against first-level foes last out after crossing the wire second by a nose. He has great tactical speed, so he should get an excellent setup on or near the pace. #6 Cadeau d’Argent (10-1) was very sluggish in his first start off a seven-month layoff last out, but got the picture late and made ground when well-beaten. He ran in the 80s twice to begin his career last year, so, much like Crab Daddy, the ceiling is very high. 

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-3-5

#4 Ms Notion (4-1) made what looked like a promising move last out in her first race in over a year, but the layoff caught up to her and settled for third. She should run much better with a race under her belt. #7 Sassafrassness (8-5) outkicked Ms Notion to win last out, showing a new dimension by coming from far off the pace. Her best race will make her tough to beat, albeit at a short price. #3 Fabia (10-1) ran a career-best 85 last out when she was second in a blanket finish at this condition. She came from off the pace and wore down one of the early leaders, Shout to the Lord, but was swooped and was beaten by Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood runner Phlying Phyllis. She’s run well all meet long and should provide great value. 

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4-6 YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-2-4

#1 Momentum Files (4-5) hung in tough in a three-way stretch duel at Aqueduct last out. He ended up second by a neck to Kavanaugh, who won his next two races and was second in a starter allowance race last Sunday. He was scratched on Feb. 21, has worked well since, and looms large in here at a likely short price. #5 My Military Hero (5-1) may have received a discharge due to an acute case of seconditis. He’s finished second in his last three starts, including an effort behind runaway winner Bring the Smoke last out. He has great early speed but can’t always sustain it. Look for him to set the pace and round out a (low) exacta. #2 Upshot (10-1) is a half-brother to Cordmaker who has shown some promise in the morning for breeder, owner, and trainer Katy Voss. No one in here outside of Momentum Files is too scary, and I’ll be watching the board on him.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-5-1

If Crab Daddy wins earlier in the day, it’ll further validate the form of #4 Prado Road (3-2). He ran a much-improved race second off the bench last out, battling for the lead and holding off his dueling partner, Winning Trip, by a neck. He ran some big races here last winter and spring, and it looks like he’s rounding back into his best form. #2 Fear Nothing (3-1) sat a perfect trip to win two starts back, and has worked well since a flat third last out. The horse who crossed the wire second in that race, Rampaigus, is entered for earlier today, while the winner, #5 Built by Khozan (4-1), is back in here and once again looks like the main early speed. He crossed the wire first that day, but was disqualified for drifting out in the stretch.

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