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) — $0
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $2,816
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

2-5-8-1

#2 Bellini Gold (5-2) was somewhat well-bet on debut at Tampa Bay Downs, going off at 8-1 as one of only two firsters in the field. She showed speed and faded in what’s proven to be a very salty field. The top three finishers all came back to win their next starts, while the fourth-place finisher was second next out. While this filly’s never raced on grass before, neither has anyone else, and two of her siblings won on the lawn. #5 Regal Flair (5-1) looks the best of the four first-time starters in the race. She’s put in back-to-back bullet drills for Jerry Robb, including a grass workout on April 12. Knowing how Xavier Perez tends to roll, she’s likely to be sent straight to the front and might not look back from there. #8 Loaf of Sof (6-1) also took money in her debut, but broke slowly and never got seriously involved. She made a strong, if somewhat invisible, move in that race, and may improve second time out with a cleaner break.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-5-6

This is the first 2-year-old race of the Maryland season, and naturally, Jerry Robb is well-represented. #4 Costa Linda (5-2) is the second foal out of the legendary Robb trainee Anna’s Bandit. She won early in her 2-year-old season as well, and her first foal, Tartabull, won in his freshman season (albeit not until October). Xavier Perez, Robb’s first-call rider, was named on this one. John Salzman, who also does well with early-season 2-year-olds, is represented by #1 Engage at Will (2-1). Her sire, Engage, does well with first-time starters, with his progeny winning on debut at a 16% clip. The other Robb runner, #5 The Stork Club (7-2), is from a win-early family. Of her five siblings who raced as 2-year-olds, four of them won, including 2024 Maryland Million Nursery winner Do It for Michael.

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

2-1-10-9

#2 King of Fog (15-1) showed speed and hung in until late in his first two starts on grass against New York-bred maidens last year. He spent the winter with new trainer Michelle Castillo in Florida, and looks primed for a big race in his first start since December. If he makes the front, and he’s poised to do so from his post, he’ll be tough to catch. #1 Potcake (2-1) is bound to sit close King of Fog off the pace and pounce should he falter. He pressed the pace last out, on October 19, and held the best of the early leaders, finishing second by a half-length. Italiano Kid, who was third that day, broke his maiden next out and beat non-winners of two rivals here on Sunday. #10 Gimme Two Shots (4-1) raced wide on the face and faded against tougher on dirt on debut. He now switches surfaces and barns, making his first start for Mike Geralis.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-3-2

#1 Susan’s Mule (5-1) improved 10 brisnet points to a 73 second off a 10-month break last out, finishing second to heavily favored next-out winner Back Forty. She has the most early speed in this race, and with further improvement in her third start off the layoff, she’s a serious gate-to-wire threat. #5 Shkhara Fire (3-2) drops in class after facing second-level allowance foes last out. She didn’t make an impact behind gate-to-wire winner Double Airo in her last start, and while Susan’s Mule could play that role here, this one should be able to pick up the pieces and outkick the rest. #3 Spencerian (2-1) was fourth to Double Airo in her last start, outfinishing Shkhara Fire in the process. She hasn’t won in a while, but she’s also been facing better at mostly longer distances. This looks like a perfect spot for her.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-4-9-2

#7 Hockey (12-1) just missed winning the first grass race of the season, battling in the stretch and ultimately finishing third after taking a brief lead. She likes to sit close to the pace and pounce, a good strategy in a race without much speed. #4 Queen Rocket (7-2) won twice on this grass course last fall, doing so once on the lead and once from well off the pace. Jorge Ruiz, who has done well with his grass mounts this year, may grab the bull by the horns and send her to the front. #9 Miss Pierre (8-1) makes her American debut after spending last year racing at Woodbine and Fort Erie. She tailed off towards the end of last year, but has worked steadily for new trainer Gina Perri, and her best efforts from last year contend in here.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/16 MILES

7-4-2-1

#7 Blue Kingdom (2-5) gets massive class relief after spending most of the winter tangling with Quint’s Brew. He’s run at least a 90 in each of his last four starts, something no one else has done at any point within their last four starts. Despite his outside draw, he’s good enough to make the front and keep going. #4 Tuff Luck (4-1) has been in slowly improving form, running an 87, his best figure in months, last out. He has good tactical speed and great late pace figures, making him a prime candidate to round out a chalky exacta. #2 Dolice Vita (9-2) raced evenly and finished third behind Tuff Luck last out. His only bad race this year came on a wet track, but that shouldn’t be an issue here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-3-8-1

#5 Incinerator (20-1) was bumped at the start of the King Leatherbury Stakes last out and didn’t show much from here. He closed well against similar types to these last year, and has by far the best late pace figures in this contest. His closing rally should play well against these types. #3 Normandy Hero (7-2) got some time off after a disastrous effort at Parx to cap his 2025 season, and returns in a spot where he looks like the main speed. His speed is especially potent considering he’s a Jamie Ness/Yedsit Hazlewood runner. Though he spent most of last year on dirt, he ran well in both of his grass starts last year, including a determined win against second-level allowance foes in November. #8 Where’s Ray (7-5) was elevated to victory in his 2026 debut via disqualification after losing an exciting stretch duel to promising 3-year-old Cairo Surprise by a nose. He’s facing a much better field this time, but he still has great tactical speed and is bound to improve further second off a six-month layoff.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-3

#1 Haileysfirstnotion (4-5) had a fantastic campaign last year, never missing the boar din eight starts while running fantastic figures every time. He set the pace and held third last out in the Maryland Million Sprint behind a pair of classy rivals in Slam Notion and Twisted Ride. #2 No Easy Days (7-2) has inconsistent form and doesn’t always turn in his best effort, but if he does, he’ll be a strong contender. He closed impressively to win at Parx two starts back with a career-best 97. #4 Howgreatisnate (4-1) closed gamely for third in his last start against similar. He tends to fall to far too behind the pace to make his closing kick a winning one, but in this short field, he might be able to stay close to the leaders and do some serious damage.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-5-3

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