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

First post time: 12:15 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $27,262
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,613
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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

4-3-7-6

First post time has been modified to avoid conflict with Florida Derby day at Gulfstream Park. #4 Tactics (9-5) closed very well from off of slow fractions last out, a strong showing for his first start at this level. He was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior, and hopes for a more honest pace to close into this time. #3 Hoppetosse (9-2) chased the pace and held fourth in his first start off a ten-week layoff last out. He was hitting his best stride towards the end of last year, and could run an especially big race second off the bench. #7 Boss Mode (3-1) has won twice for this tag this year, but he’s gotten great trips both times. He may well be able to work out another one, but that’s no guarantee.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-5-2

#4 Lannister (3-5) may have lost as a heavy favorite three times in a row, but he’s never looked as dominant on paper as he does here. Anything close to his best form wins this race, albeit at a very short price. #1 Regency Tale (9-5) drops for a career-low tag in his first start off a 7 1/2-month break, and gets Yedsit Hazlewood back aboard. He’ll get a nice setup on the rail off the pace and should outkick the rest. #5 Divine Swagger (6-1) ran a strong third behind Lannister in his first start off a long break two starts back. He was completely flat on a wet track last out, but could improve switching back to a fast surface.

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

7-2-1-3

After struggling in her first three starts, #7 Eastcoastgirlsrhip (6-1) took a much-needed step forward last out. She chased a contested pace and got up for third with a career-best brisnet figure of 56. She should get another good setup and gets the slight nod at a good price. #2 Stylish Gem (6-5) was second, ahead of Eastcoastgirlsrhip, in her last start. Her figures are consistently the best in the field, but it’s hard to take another potentially low price on a horse who’s lost as the favorite twice in her last three starts. #1 Red Drapes (9-2) takes a career-low drop in class and showed some promise at the start of her 2-year-old season last spring. She may have the highest ceiling in this field.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-1-5

#4 The Goddess Factor (9-2) crushed a first-level field last out with a career-best 88. She’s trending in the right direction and should get another great setup just off the pace. #2 Late Nite Call (4-1) stopped badly in the snow at Colonial Downs last out, but has run well in her last few starts on this track, and looks like the main speed of this contest. #1 Kilo Road (5-2) rallied well off of modest fractions for third in her most recent try, and now gets her two-turn test after several strong tries around one turn.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-4-5

#3 Bells Beach (6-5) reappears in the box after being scratched from a similar race on Feb. 13. She was the odds-on favorite in her last start on Dec. 27, having held her own against better in New York last spring. However, she raced wide throughout in that race and could do no better than fourth. That was also her first start off a seven-month break, and she’s worked well over the past few weeks, suggesting that an improved effort could be in the offing. #2 Stress Reliever (12-1) walked on the lead and won in gate-to-wire style last out. While she had an easy trip tat day, there isn’t much speed in here, either, so she may have another good setup on the front end. #4 Audibly (7-2) will hope the pace is at least moderately fast. She has a great closing kick, but has been at the mercy of slow tempos in her last few starts.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-2-8-4

#6 Waldrip (5-2) couldn’t catch gate-to-wire winner Hope’s Alive last out at Penn National, but managed to hold sway over the others and finished second. He’ll look to rate off the pace once again, but the speed doesn’t look as tough this time, so he’s unlikely to be as pace-compromised. #2 Bigtonten (9-2) made a bit of a premature move last out and flattened out, but kicked away to win easily two starts back (albeit against a slightly softer bunch). He’s in career-best form and, like Waldrip, should get a great setup. #8 States United (6-1) has run in the 80s in each of his last five starts, including a sharp win from just off the pace two starts ago.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-5-2

After struggling for most of last year, #4 Sunny Breeze (3-1) got back to his winning ways last out with a sharp gate-to-wire win last out at Penn National with a 97, his best figure in a year and a half. He’ll try to use this race as a springboard for a redemption campaign this year. #3 Petingas Twin (6-5) laid an egg in the General George Stakes last out, but has worked very well since and has done incredibly well against these types on this track. #5 No Cents (6-1) turned in a gutsy effort to beat Prince of Jericho last out, and, like Sunny Breeze, appears to be on the upswing.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-2-3-1

#4 Isabella’s Glory (4-1) has run in the 70s in each of her last five starts, something that most of her rivals struggle to do at all. She’ll be coming from well out of it, as usual, but should be able to mow down this group. #2 Lady Charlotte (5-2) ran an unusually flat fourth last out, but gets Yedsit Hazlewood up for the first time and looks to get first crack at what could be a very contested early pace. #3 Skip Thru Da Fire (7-2) got caught up in an early duel last out and faded. Look for improvement on the class drop and cutting back from a mile.

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