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) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

2-3-6-12

#2 Whatsyourbigidea (2-1) lasted a long way through very honest fractions last out, ultimately holding second behind a rival who gobbled up ground from well off the pace. She’s the dominant speed here, and there’s no great closers behind her, so she should be able to lead all the way. #3 Sonic Sass (4-1) certainly outran her odds last out, rallying for second behind the high-ceiling Keri Brion trainee Planet Clare at 77-1. She ran some decent races around one turn earlier in the year, and her last race proved that two turns isn’t a problem. #6 Cheese (15-1) was completely flat first off a seven-month layoff last out, but has showed good tactical speed and a solid closing kick in her previous grass races. She’s poised to take a big step forward in her second start of the year.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-4-2-3

#6 Divulge (8-5) showed pressed the pace and hung around for small shares against straight maidens earlier in the year. She has the most early speed in this contest and takes a big drop in class, racing for a tag for the first time. #4 Ashweee (5-1) made what looked like a promising move on debut two starts back, only to flatten out and settle for third. She didn’t do much against better on grass in her last race, but this lightly-raced filly should benefit from switching back to dirt. #2 Chestertown Jane (5-2) has early speed and a very high ceiling, but has had gate problems in her last few starts. If she can get away well and make the lead, watch out.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-7-2-4

In her last start, #6 Come to Mama (8-1) was forced to check severely in the early stages and didn’t get settled until the midway point of the one-mile contest. From there, she didn’t get seriously involved. She’s making her second start off a seven-month layoff and cutting back around one turn, which is more in her wheelhouse. With a clear trip, her closing rally will be hard to hold off. #7 Bahamian Moon (1-1) has run brisnet figures in the 80s in her last four starts, the only one in this race who’s done so. She’ll press the pace on the outside and be in prime position to kick away. #2 Don’t Tell Kelly (10-1) was third, ahead of Come to Mama, last out despite a similarly unsettled, headstrong journey. The only downside is that she’s never gone this short on grass before, and it’s hard to tell how her form will translate to the shorter distance.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-2-3-1

#4 Runsweetly (5-2) has great closing speed, and gets a much-needed stretchout after previously competing at six and seven furlongs on dirt. This looks like the perfect spot for her to run her peak race. #2 American Select (6-5) has run a 78 in each of her last two starts, by far the best recent figures, and has the most early speed in the field. She was claimed out of her last start at Keeneland by Harold Wyner, and those Kentucky and Fair Grounds lines might drive down to her price to a nearly unbettable point. #3 Margaret P (9-2) was a chasing second to She’s Not a Lad last out, who returned to finish a game second to odds-on favorite Vanilla last Saturday.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-7-5-1

#2 Dancing Denae (3-1) won easily from off the pace four starts back, and has closed well against better in his last few races. He should mow down this field without much trouble. #7 Boss Mode (6-1) checked sharply at the break last out and never got involved from there. He finished a chasing third two starts back when he failed to change leads. Take those two lines out, and his form makes him a serious contender. #5 Impressiveness (2-1) has won two of his last three starts for the Jamie Ness/Yedsit Hazlewood dream team and looks for a rebound after a dull try last out where he raced wide and never got involved.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-16-4-8

#6 Class Photo (9-2) is one of two well-regarded Suzanne Stettinius trainees in this race. He hasn’t made a pari-mutuel start since November 1, when he made a promising move against these types and flattened out. However, he won at the Cheshire Hunt Point-to-Point on March 29, capturing a seven-furlong training flat race. That effort should set him up well for this spot. #16 Bold Advance (20-1) is a recent arrival from Florida for Michael Jones, who has done well with such horses at Charles Town. This one led all the way on the Gulfstream Park synthetic last out, and his good tactical speed could lead to him working out a perfect trip. He’ll likely chase #4 Masen (2-1), who ran a game fifth going 5 1/2 furlongs last out despite being severely compromised, and should have every chance to wire this bunch.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-10-2

#7 River Tay (5-2) won three races in a row between here and the Meadowlands to cap her 2025 season. She’s coming off of one of the longest layoffs in the field, but still, she has the most ability, and keeps Jorge Ruiz, who’s 5-for-23 with his grass mounts so far this meet, in the saddle. #9 Wonder Girl (3-1) stalked the pace and outkicked most of them for second last out. She lost only to heavily favored Gift of Gab, a classy mare who’s earned over $250,000 and is better than anyone in this race. That qualifies this spot as a class drop. #10 Lady Zeta (9-2) was freshened a bit after getting claimed by Lacey Gaudet in early February, and returns to a surface on which she’s previously done well. She ran as high as an 87 last year before tailing off, but the time off might have done her some good.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-3-1-2

#6 Goodbye Note (7-2) didn’t do much last out, but that was against second-level allowance company going six furlongs, which isn’t in his element. Dropping class and stretching back out to a mile should do him some good. In his last try at this distance, he was third with an 85 behind Raise Cain and J D Factor, both much classier horses than these. #3 Aztec (5-1) closed very well despite a poor break last out, and ran in the 80s consistently prior to that race. He was claimed from Jamie Ness by Ferris Allen in that race; we’ll see if he can transfer his form to the new barn. Ness is still represented by two runners in here. My preferred half of his coupled entry is #1 Love Me Not (6-5), who has faced better at Parx in his last few starts and has early speed with a good post. Ness runners with a hint of speed in largely paceless affairs are very dangerous.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-8-5

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