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) — $7,342
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,177
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $17,063

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-5-3-4 (DIRT: 10-9-7-11)

#1 Bucaro (9-5) takes a drop in class for his 2026 debut after facing better for most of last year. He showed plenty of promise as a 2-year-old, winning a stakes race at Presque Isle Downs and placing in another at Woodbine. There’s a very talented horse in there somewhere; we’ll see if this race can serve as a launching pad for a renaissance season. #5 Elvis Himself (7-2) ran a huge race on the lead last out. He set ambitious fractions and hung around until the last eighth, ultimately losing by 1 3/4 lengths. He’s the clear-cut speed of this race and will certainly be sent to the front by Xavier Perez, and it would be no surprise at all if he can’t be caught. #3 Kohoutek (2-1) won twice on this track last fall, and was second last out to Uncle Dar, who wired the field at 3-10 and came back to win next out against starter optional claiming foes at Penn National. He’ll sit off of Elvis Himself and get first crack should that rival falter.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-1-2

#5 Overspent (3-1) pressed the pace and drew away to win at Colonial Downs last out, breaking his maiden after four runner-up finishes in his first six starts. He’s shown more speed as of late and has worked very well since his last race, suggesting that he could be a prime example of the “lightbulb” angle. #4 Zio Lino (9-2) beat Lannister, who has since been sharp, in his maiden-breaking win two starts ago, then was second tot he impressive gate-to-wire winner Galpin Sunday last out. He’s also hoping to sit close to the pace and pounce. #1 Neverworkedaday (7-5) is the only runner here to run brisnet figures in the 80s twice in his last three starts. While he has the highest ceiling in the race, he hasn’t raced since December 26, and was scratched on April 3, with only one middling workout since. He still might not be at his best, and he’s bound to be a very low price.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-9-2-13 (DIRT: 13-2-1-6)

#12 Star Atlas (5-1) showed less than nothing in a pair of dirt starts over the winter, but ran a 70 and a 68 in two grass starts last year, and a return to that type of form would win this race. #9 Dad Joke (6-1) overcame a poor start and gobbled up ground in his grass debut last June. He hasn’t raced since June 27, but he at least gets to face a soft field in his comeback. #2 Golden Descent (7-2) also hasn’t raced in a while, making his first start since October 18. He has lots of speed and a good post, and in lower-level races, sometimes speed is all you need.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-9-5-4

Yedsit Hazlewood was named on my top two picks in this race, and he picked #9 Lighten (2-1) over #6 Maggie’s Moon (6-1). The former won’t offer much value, but drops in for a tag for the first time and showed some promise on debut at Turfway Park in December, rallying late to grab fifth. She’s been working for new trainer Jamie Ness for a while, and looks primed for her debut after being scratched twice at Parx. The latter took a big step forward at second asking last out, improving 13 points to a 67 when second despite some stretch traffic trouble. While Hazlewood’s pick of Lighten is powerful, Maggie’s Moon will almost certainly offer too much value for me to resist. #5 Cupid’s Choice (5-2) has plenty of early speed, and almost wired the field as the 7-10 favorite out. She’s bound to make the front again and take them as far as she can, as fast as she can.

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

8-9-2-5 (DIRT: 5-2-8-1)

#8 Great Heavens (9-2) hasn’t shown much in his recent dirt races, but he closed very well in both of his most recent grass starts, and his price should be good with his dirt form muddying up the picture. #9 Virginia Fitz (5-1) also has great late speed and keeps Jorge Ruiz for his season debut. He beat open first-level foes at Colonial in August, and though he tailed off towards the end of last year, the time off might have done him some good. #2 Enduring Gold (7-2) impressively broke his maiden here almost ayear ago to the day, and showed improving form throughout last year.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

15-4-5-2 (DIRT: 6-10-13-1)

#15 Middleburg (2-1) didn’t show much aptitude over jumps earlier this year, but ran some huge figures on the flat earlier in his career, including an 85 last summer against first-level foes at Colonial. It’s a big drop compared to what he’s used to, but it should serve as a nice confidence-booster. #4 Italiano Kid (9-2) ran a career-best 77 in his maiden-breaking win last November. He hit his best stride towards the end of the season after scuffling for most of the year, and should sit close to the pace and take advantage. #5 Blackthorne Brusca (15-1) has some of the best late pace figures in the field, and it’s rare to get such a good price on a Jorge Ruiz-ridden runner on the grass.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-1-3

#6 Creed’s Vision (2-1) returned from a nine-month layoff in December for new trainer Arnaud Delacour, and has run in the 90s in every start since. He’s fast enough to cross and clear from the outside post, and from there will be hard to catch. #5 Lost My Shoe (4-1) is 2-for-2 with impressive figures both times, but gets a stiff class test after facing much softer in his last few starts. Something around his morning line price would be fair value. #1 Paco the Taco Man (9-5) was claimed by breeder Jamie Ness last out after going on an impressive run for Annette Eubanks. He has a high ceiling but in-and-out form, and right now, he looks like he’s on the wrong end of his form cycle.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-2-1-8 (DIRT: 9-3-7-5)

#6 Determind Princess (6-1) showed sharp form way back in her day, but hasn’t raced this year and made just three starts last year. She rallied well despite a very wide trip in her last grass start at Aqueduct, and was a game third after racing on the pace in her last try here in October 2024. #2 Juniper Juice (3-1) hit the board in her last three starts on grass last year, showing her typical close-but-no-cigar type of rally. However, she faced better in most of those races, and this might be a spot she can handle. #1 All Gas No Brakes (7-2) showed steady improvement towards the end of last year and has very strong late pace figures.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-6-1

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