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) — $2,874
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,467
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-2-3

I liked #6 Middleburg (7-2) back on April 26, but unfortunately, he was on the also-eligible list that day and couldn’t draw in. He would’ve been much the best in that non-winners of two claiming contest, but still has a big chance against tougher. While he didn’t show much aptitude over jumps earlier this year, he ran some huge brisnet figures on the flat earlier in his career, including an 85 last summer against first-level allowance foes at Colonial. That kind of race puts him squarely in the mix against this. #1 Patrick’s Promise (5-2) went off as the favorite against softer last out. He fell further off the pace than usual, and while he closed admirably, he was no better than third-best. If he can stay closer to the pace, watch out. #2 Desperate Proposal (10-1) was well-beaten on dirt in his last two starts, but showed solid closing speed last summer on grass in New York. He’s had some time off since his last race on February 19 and has worked steadily over the past month. Hopefully, the time off did him some good and he’s ready to run his peak race.

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

3-4-2-1

#3 Gallo (5-2) drops to this level for the first time since his debut. He dueled for the lead that day and stopped badly. There’s no speed to his inside and he has much better early pace figures than any of his rivals, so he should have an easier time on the lead. If he gets entangled in a duel, #4 My Captain (6-1) would be poised to take advantage. He made mild late ground on grass on debut, and now switches to dirt while dropping to a career-low level. In cheaper races like this, those are two potent angles. #2 Gimme Two Shots (1-1) is also lightly-raced, makes his first start at this condition, and has good tactical speed.

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

2-10-7-8

#2 Meredithslightning (3-1) ran well second off a five-month layoff last out. She raced wide throughout but still closed with interest and was beaten only a length, with the winner of that race getting a perfect ground-saving trip. This one improved 15 points from her other grass start to a 65. I’m interested in how she does should she work out a trip closer to the rail. #10 Zeta Jones (6-1) ran a respectable fifth against better in her last grass start last November. She switches back to this surface after a pair of double-digit length defeats on dirt, and the change may serve as a wake-up call. #7 Hysterics (2-1) was fourth behind Meredithslightning last out, rallying wide from further off the pace in her first start since mid-December. She’s run the type of race that would win this many times, and while her 0-for-14 record is cause for pause, many of those defeats have come against better.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-3-4

#5 Beach Cowboy (6-5) has been uber-consistent as of late, running a 76 in each of his last three starts while hitting the board against similar every time. He dueled for the lead and held second in his last start; his dueling partner, who was not one of the longshots, lost by 12 1/2 lengths. #1 Cut Glass (7-5) ran in the 80s consistently in his last few starts, most of which came on the Turfway Park synthetic. He also has sharp early speed from the rail, so he’s a serious threat to break on top and lead all the way. The only downside with him is the class drop: he’s competed at claiming tags ranging from $12,500 to $30,000 all year, and suddenly takes a plunge. #3 Sin Permiso (20-1) struggled towards the end of last year. Something may have been bothering him, as he went to the sidelines after a sixth-place try on September 19 and hasn’t raced since. He’s historically done better going longer, so this might be merely a prep for a spot down the road. However, the best version of him is still a serious contender.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-3-1-2

#13 Frye Island (5-2) closed strongly for second in his first start off a three-month layoff last out, losing only to a rival who got a five-length jump start on him. This lightly-raced Anthony Farrior trainee is bound to improve with the extra race under his belt. #3 Call Me a Cab (7-2) finished fourth behind Frye Island that afternoon. He broke his maiden from well off the pace two starts back, keeps Yedsit Hazlewood aboard, and is also eligible to take a big step forward. #1 Tik Tok Daddy (8-1) hit the board six times in seven starts last year without a win. Look for him to make a move and just miss like usual. Still, he’s a good horse to use underneath at a decent price.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-8-15-3

#9 Tasker (3-1) ran a 76 and an 83 in his first two starts last year, both of which would easily win this race. In his season finale, he showed the most early speed he ever has and promptly backed up badly. He hasn’t raced since that September 3 effort, but he’s worked well over the past month and takes a career-low class drop. #8 Win Street (7-2) didn’t show a ton visually in his last two starts at Gulfstream Park, but he ran in the 70s both times, and keeps the white-hot Jorge Ruiz in the saddle. #15 Vaya Jeffe (2-1) has early speed from the outside and a very grassy pedigree. His dam, Gotta Have Her, was a five-time graded stakes winner on grass, and four of his siblings have won on grass (although none more than once).

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-3-4-7

The 1-for-30 career record of #1 Party With Smarty (2-1) isn’t great, but he’s also in career-best form. He’s un in the 80s in his last three starts, which are his three best figures. Last out, he was second to Rhythm ‘n Blues, who was the only horse in that race capable of beating him. There’s no one in here of that rival’s caliber. #3 Long Legged Luis (4-1) broke his maiden on debut in last-to-first style two starts back, then finished third behind a pair of promising runners in Pont Aven and Higher Sense last out. This 3-year-old is getting a class test against his elders, but at his best, he’s got a closing kick that can mow them down. #4 Call Me Victorious (8-5) has good tactical speed and has improved with each recent race. With the right setup, he’ll be hard to hold off.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-2-6

#5 Making Daisys (4-5) sat the trip and converted to break her maiden at Colonial Downs in March. Runner-up Tahlequah returned to break her maiden next out at 1 1/16 miles at Oaklawn Park (note about third-place finisher depending on result). This one has the highest ceiling in the field, though the fact that Wesley Ward trains her will assuredly cause her to go off as an underlay. #1 Tacit Value (7-2) set the pace and held third going 1 1/16 miles two starts back behind a pair of future stakes winners in Miss Fulton Gal and Ivy Girl. She didn’t show much going six furlongs last out, but the extra distance here should be beneficial. #2 Diamond N Dress (8-1) has already won twice at this distance, albeit against softer fields than this one. She has plenty of early speed and adds blinkers.

#5 Too Loose La Trek (3-1) was outkicked in the stretch as one of the favorites last out, but drops in class from the $35,000 level into a spot where any of her recent grass figures would be enough to get the job done. #6 Kinda Krazy (6-1) showed nothing going a mile on dirt, but ran in the mid-60s consistently in her prior races, and is an interesting prospect in her grass debut. #3 Zen Dreams (10-1) checked on the turn last out, then raced behind horses in the stretch and never really got clear. She’ll hope for clearer sailing today; if she gets it, she could pull the upset.

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