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) — $19,082
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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

1-2-3-5

#1 Focusyn (4-5) sat off the pace and got up to win two starts back at Churchill Downs with a career-best brisnet figure of 85, his third consecutive figure in the 80s. He struggled next out and went to the sidelines for a few months, but looks primed to run well first off the bench for Rick Dutrow. He gets Yedsit Hazlewood up for his local debut. #2 Robert’s Moon (4-1) took advantage of a speed-favoring track to go gate-to-wire last out, but his last few races on this track have been sharp and he once again looks like the main speed. #3 Brindano (8-1) has a powerful closing punch, but may leave himself with too much to do to win. Still, he’s worth using underneath. 

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-2-5-4

#3 Elusive Sionna (5-2) broke her maiden at today’s distance at Delaware Park last September, and has run well in both starts since coming back from a 3 ½-month break. She looks ready to put it all together in the third start of her sophomore season. #2 Barbados Bulldog (1-1) easily beat a $25,000 field three starts back, has held her own in her last few races, and now faces a soft field even by the standards of this level. While most of her recent figures would crush these, she’s also never been beyond six furlongs. The old adage “never bet a favorite doing something they’ve never done before” comes into play. #5 Kittyup (4-1) opened up a long lead and held on to break her maiden last out with a career-best 66, the best last-out mark in the field by three points. She may be able to clear to the lead even from her outside post, and that last-out win was at this distance, so we know she can handle it. 

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

4-3-5-1

#4 Kiss the Ring (4-1) showed speed and faded to fifth against a tough field on debut last out. He dives into what appears to be easier waters here, and looks poised to improve second time out. #3 Dr. Buzzy (9-5) has worked well recently for Anthony Farrior, who is 3-for-13 with his first-timers in Maryland since the beginning of 2025. He should run at least respectably at first asking, but he’ll have to run in the mid-70s to beat these if any of his experienced rivals run their usual race. What kind of price are you willing to take on that idea? #5 R J’s Ice (6-1) finished a pace-chasing fourth on debut at 23-1 and now adds blinkers. The only one who finished ahead of him to run back, Greyline Station, broke his maiden as the favorite on Sunday.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-3-2-6

This race rematches the top three finishers from the fourth race on March 8. #5 Sugar On Fire (6-1) set the early pace, was forced to take back and dropped well behind on the far turn, then rerallied and lost by a neck. It was a strong and professional effort for his first start against winners, and he looks poised to turn the tables. #3 Feels So Right (9-5) battled for the early lead and gave way last out, but drops from $40,000 rivals and should be a serious factor on the early pace. #2 Laysen (5-2) sat just off the pace and won going away to break his maiden at second asking last out. He looks like yet another live runner for the Jamie Ness/Yedsit Hazlewood dream team. 

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-3-2-7

#4 Enigmatic (3-1) never had an anxious moment in a dominant gate-to-wire victory last out, and once again looks like the main speed. #3 Ade (9-2) hasn’t been quite as sharp as usual in her last few races, but she’s facing an easier field than usual, and her late kick should be enough for a share. #2 Rowsie Express (5-2) is another one in need of a wake-up call. She was very sharp here last fall, but hasn’t duplicated that magic in either of her two starts this season. She’ll at least be able to sit a good trip off the pace on the rail.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLD, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-3-4-1

#8 Kelsey Hill Girl (5-2) was overwhelmed by an impressive winner in Bella’s Password in her 2026 debut last out. She rallied well for third, outkicked only by a well-meant Turfway Park invader, and faces a much easier field this time than last. #3 Eimear (3-1) got some time off following a dismal effort on January 17. She ran in the 60s twice in her prior three dirt starts; both of those efforts would put her in this mix. #4 Fastfeld (2-1) has hit the board in her last four starts, and closed well for second behind Kittyup last out. If that one runs well earlier today, it’ll boost this one’s stock.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-5-4

#2 Don’t Wait Up (3-1) has finished second in each of his last four starts, but has run at least an 88 in three of those races. He’s the only one here who can run that fast that consistently. #3 Bushido (3-2) blew the doors off the field first off the Lacey Gaudet claim last out. He’ll definitely set the early pace barring something completely unexpected, and hopes to have a long enough lead to hang on at a short price. #5 Radical Right (2-1) drops in class after several tries in a row against second-level allowance foes. He should sit off the pace on the outside and get first jump should Bushido falter.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-3-5-2

#1 Railroad Inn (8-5) has had plenty of chances, with seven in-the-money finishes in 13 career starts. However, he’s in quickly improving form and has both the best early and late pace figures in the field. This looks like a “now-or-never” spot. #3 Edelweiss (6-5) makes his first start in just over two months. He has a strong closing kick, but will have to stay closer to the early pace than he might like in a race without much speed. Speaking of, #2 Sooo Handsome (6-1) has raced somewhat close to the pace in his last few races, and it’s possible he takes the early lead by default.

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