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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $5,206
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,205
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-4-9

Graham Motion-trained first-time starters tend to be overbet, but #3 Amaretto Queen (6-1) is a particularly interesting debuter. She’s facing an easy field at first asking, and is by Caracaro, whose progeny win at a 23% clip first time on grass. If you’re ever going to bet a Motion first-time starter, now’s the time. #8 Have One More (15-1) hasn’t shown much in two dirt tries, but those may have just been preps for a spot like this one. Her pedigree leans more towards grass. Her dam won on this surface, as did two of her three siblings who tried the lawn. #4 Seger Songs (9-5) closed well off of impossibly slow fractions in her final few starts of last year, and has worked well for Keri Brion in preparation for her return.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-9-10

#6 City Panda (9-2) hasn’t made much of an impact in his last few starts, but he was also facing better non-winners of three fields than this one. He runs a brisnet figure in the 70s every time out, and none of his rivals can do that nearly as consistently. #8 D Hopper (6-1) led all the way going 4 ½ furlongs at Charles Town last out. Both of his victories have come at the bullring oval, but he has run well here before as well while displaying his blazing early speed. #9 World On Fire (8-1) was bumped a bit at the start last out, lost early position, and never got involved from there. He’s worked well since then, and his previous races make him a serious contender.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-2-1-6

#8 Where’s Ray (1-1) ended his 2025 on a hot streak, winning three consecutive races on this track while running no worse than an 86. It took him a little while to find his best self last year, but he’s coming back in a fairly easy spot, so something at least close to his best race should be good enough. #2 Warheart (7-2) has received some time off since he backed up badly going a mile at Fair Grounds in late January. He won an open allowance at this distance at Colonial Downs last July, and has a strong middle punch that will be hard to hold off with the right trip. #1 War Humor (4-1) also found his best stride towards the end of last year, with two wins in three starts. His best is a few points below that of the aforementioned two, but any improvement puts him in the mix at a decent price.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-8-7-6

#5 Agreed (3-1) ran a career-best 91 first off an 11-month layoff last out at Colonial Downs. He rated off the pace, got by the early leaders, and finished second to the odds-on favorite, Multiverse. He shouldn’t have much trouble with these, albeit at a short price. #8 Wickeddevine (8-1) has been consistently sharp against these types for a long time, running at least an 86 in six of seven starts since coming back from a long break last September. Last out, he rated off the pace and kicked on to beat a decent Maryland-restricted first-level field. He’s bound to work out another good trip off the pace in the clear. #7 Fear Nothing (9-2) has also been solid for a long time, hitting the board in his last five starts at this condition. He never gets much respect at the windows, so he’s bound to add some value to any vertical ticket.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-10-7-4

#1 Without Borders (5-1) showed little first off a 10-month layoff at Fair Grounds last out. However, since then, he’s put in a pair of strong workouts for the Brion contingent. He ran in the mid/upper-80s earlier in his career, and if he rediscovers that form, he’ll be very tough to beat. #10 Parkes (8-1) gobbled up ground in the stretch and got second in his freshman finale last out. It won’t be easy to beat older rivals in his 3-year-old debut, but he’s shown plenty of promise in his brief career. #7 Contemplation (6-1) found his best stride at Fair Grounds this winter, with three consecutive figures in the 80s. Those races were at a mile or longer, but he won twice at this distance last summer at Colonial, so we know it won’t be a problem.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-3-8

It’s not written as a Maryland-bred maiden race, but 12 of the 13 entrants were born here. #2 Love Yourself (4-1) showed some good late foot on debut, getting second behind heavily favored Flirty Bajan. Third-place finisher Greyline Station came back to break his maiden next out as the 4-5 choice. #4 Country Bumpkin (5-2) was well-bet on debut last September, and crossed the wire in second with an impressive 82. He hasn’t raced since then, but has worked steadily well since early March. Even a slight decline first off the layoff makes him a serious threat in a largely inexperienced field. #3 Paintmymasterpeace (6-1) has been pounding on the door between here and Charles Town, hitting the board in three of his last four races. Hisebst effort may have come last out, when he rallied from off of slow fractions and missed by less than a length.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-4-2-6

As you may have noticed, Mike Stidham has many live runners in grass races on this card, including this one. #9 Epic Style (9-2) has a tremendous late kick in a race that’s absolutely loaded with speed. As long as she shows up with anything close to her best, this race will fall into her lap. #4 Italian Soiree (2-1) is a grade 3 winner, having taken the Coronation Cup last summer at Saratoga. She has good tactical speed and adds Lasix for her first start off a 183-day layoff. #2 Boujee Bubblez (5-2) won her last start against Maryland-restricted types last November. She’ll sit off the pace on the rail, and while her late kick is dangerous, she also runs the risk of getting caught in traffic.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-5

#6 Double Airo (9-2) made her second start off the bench a winning one last out, cruising to an easy win at Charles Town. She has by far the best early pace figures in the field and should have every chance to take them all the way. Yes, she was ninth at 150-1 at this condition two starts back, but that was a much better field than this one. #2 Kilo Road (4-1) would rather this race be a furlong or two longer. She has a fantastic closing kick, but often leaves herself with too much to do. She’s the perfect type to key underneath in an exacta or a trifecta. #5 Shkhara Fire (2-1) didn’t do much in the Stellar Wind Handicap last out, but has done great work on this track and is bound to benefit from a return home.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-3-2-5

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