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

First post time: 10:30 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 8-13) — $60,854
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 13) — $26,107
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 9-13) — $0

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

2-7-1-3

#2 Boujee Bubblez (7-2) got up to beat a Maryland-restricted allowance field last out despite not changing leads. She’s worked very sharply over the past few weeks for Hugh McMahon and looks ready to run a big race in her first outing since November 14. Yedsit Hazlewood gets the mount for the first time, which certainly doesn’t hurt. #7 Epic Style (8-5) came from well off the pace to get second last out behind Italian Soiree, who was the only rival of her caliber in that field. She took advantage of a contested pace that day, and the pace could be just as hot here. #1 Sally’s Gold (8-1) was fourth behind Italian Soiree and Epic Style last out. She ran the best of the early speeds that day, with her fellow pacesetter finishing well up the track, and should prove a similarly tough customer on the lead in this spot.

RACE 2: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-1A-6-12

#3 Wickeddevine (6-1) has won his last two starts in similar stalk-and-pounce style. He’s spent most of his time racing against Maryland-restricted allowance foes and now faces the best group he’s ever seen. However, he’s in good enough form to handle them if he runs his race. There’s no doubt that #1A Blue Kingdom (6-5) is the best horse in the field on pure ability. He engaged in a series of duels with the classy Quint’s Brew over the winter and spring, and defeated a Maryland-restricted field as much the best last out. This is a shorter distance than he usually runs at, but he was a game second to Quint’s Brew in the six-furlong Not For Love Stakes in March. While he merits respect, he’s likely going to be a very low price, which is hard to take in such a big field. #6 Radical Right (12-1) lost by a half-length at this level last out after a wide trip, while the winner, Sacred Thunder, rode the rail the entire way. This one hasn’t won in a while, but he’s in very sharp form and will likely be a great price.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-6-4-3

I may not have picked Mike Stidham on top in the opener, but I’ll try him here with #1 Limo (5-2). This one showed speed and faded in his grass races in New York last year. He ran an improved third on dirt last out at Colonial Downs, and if he hits the front here, they might not be able to catch him. #6 Munny Problem (9-2) ran a much-improved race at second asking last out, closing from far off the pace to get second behind stablemate Copper Ghost. He’s broken a bit awkwardly both times, but now adds blinkers and has had a gate workout since then. We’ll see if he can break cleaner in this race; if he does, he may prove especially tough. #4 Master Sommelier (4-1) drops in class following a 4 1/4-length defeat at Keeneland second off a year-plus layoff last out. He ran a brisnet figure of 81 that day, the best last-out figure in the field by three points, and can easily take another step forward third off the bench.

RACE 4: SKIPAT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-7-1

#2 Passage East (3-1) had a very impressive winner here, taking the What a Summer Handicap and the Barbara Fritchie Stakes while displaying her heart and class. She ran a respectable third going a mile in the Sandy Bottom Stakes at Colonial last out, and now cuts back to a distance that’s much more in her wheelhouse. #3 Kappa Kappa (5-2) is undefeated around one turn, including an upset win in the Raven Run Stakes last October at Keeneland. She hasn’t raced since December 7, but Butch Reid is a sharp 25% with horses coming off a 90+ day layoff in recent times. #7 Modo (9-5) beat Texas-breds easily in her last two starts, hitting the front and never looking back both times. She may have enough speed to clear from the outside; the bigger concern is that she will not race with Lasix, and her only bad race in the past year or so came in her only start without the medication.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-4-6-14

#7 Mambo Queen (5-1) closed with a rush for second last out behind the promising Coach Mazzula with a career-best 82. As long as she gets clear sailing, she’ll be hard to hold off. #4 Sassari (5-2) was bet like a good thing on debut last out and ran like it, overwhelming an overmatched maiden group as the 7-10 favorite. This is, of course, a tougher spot, but she has early speed and a good draw from which to flaunt it. #6 Synergism (15-1) closed strongly while wide last out and just missed to gate-to-wire winner Bay Street. Yedsit Hazlewood, who rode her to victory on dirt three starts back at Parx, gets back aboard. She represents a rare chance to get a price on a Jamie Ness/Hazlewood runner.

RACE 6: SIR BARTON STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-4-6-1

This race was dealt a curveball on Friday when it was announced that heavily favored Reagan’s Honor would scratch. That leaves #3 Let’s Go Lando (6-1) as the only one who has won around two turns. He gave Taj Mahal all he could handle in the Miracle Wood Stakes three starts back, and was third in the Private Terms Stakes and Federico Tesio Stakes in his next two races. At worst, he’ll sit off the pace and hang around for a share. #4 Final Story (2-1) was an easy maiden winner going seven furlongs at Keeneland last out, running in the 90s for the second time in as many career starts. There isn’t much in his pedigree to suggest he can go this distance, but if he can, he’ll be tough. #6 Pont Aven (30-1) battled on the lead all the way and drew off to win a first-level allowance contest at a one-turn mile last out. He’s in career-best form and has early speed, so it wouldn’t be a complete shocker if he got the trip and pulled the upset.

RACE 7: CHICK LANG STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-5-6

#3 Buds Notion (12-1) has looked like a promising sort ever since he broke his maiden easily at Delaware Park in September. He ran a career-best 93 last out when he shook off pace challenges and won a first-level allowance on the Federico Tesio undercard. He’ll have to deal with stiffer challenges here, but he has the most early speed in the race and is in improving form. #4 Obliteration (6-5) indeed obliterated the field in the Renaissance Stakes two starts back at Oaklawn Park, then ran a strong second in the Saudi Derby next out. He has tons of upside and great tactical speed, but likely won’t be much of a price. #5 Igniter (5-2) has won three of his last four races, and like Obliteration, will sit off the pace and get first jump at Buds Notion should he falter.

RACE 8: MARYLAND SPRINT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-3-4

#8 Slam Notion (5-1) makes his first start since a flat fourth-place performance in the General George Stakes last out. However, he was very sharp prior to that race, having taken three races in a row, including a win over Quint’s Brew in the Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes two starts back. With lots of speed signed on here, he should get a great setup. #1 Bring the Smoke (10-1) broke his maiden by 18 lengths here in February with a 91. He was privately purchased following that race and improved further to a 94 next out at Keeneland, finishing second to 2-5 chalk Senior Officer. He’s lightly-raced and hasn’t yet been tested for class, but has tons of potential and will also take advantage of all the speed. After a long stretch of seconditis, #3 Faust (8-1) has broken through with back-to-back wins at Oaklawn. Max Got Excited, who was second to Faust last out, returned to win an allowance contest at Oaklawn next out at 10-1. His trainer, Steve Asmussen, has won four of the past seven editions of this race.

RACE 9: JAMES MURPHY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-3-6-5

#4 Attfield (9-2) looked like a promising sort following his win in the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct last fall. He was flat in the Transylvania Stakes at Keeneland last out, but he’ll add blinkers here and could improve third off the layoff. #3 Zihnal (6-1) looks like the buzz horse of this field. He doesn’t have many virtues on paper, with his lone start a fourth-place finish on dirt at Santa Anita Park. However, his trainer, Jonathan Thomas, hits at an impressive 32% with horses making their first start on grass. This one’s pedigree also suggests he’ll like the surface. His dam, Theodora B., was a two-time stakes winner on turf, his lone sibling to race to date has won three times on the lawn, and second dam Dyna Waltz was graded stakes-placed on this surface three times. It’s a tall task to face a field like this, but he appears more than capable. #6 Turf Star (5-2) has also struggled to find his best self this year after a promising freshman season, but he’s staying somewhat local for the dream team of Graham Motion and Jorge Ruiz, and as such could get a wake-up call.

RACE 10: DINNER PARTY STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-6-7-4

#3 Cruise the Nile (9-5) answered his latest class question with authority last out. He rallied from further off the pace than usual to win the Henry Clark Stakes on this track, running in the 90s for the second consecutive race. Two starts ago, he beat Burnham Square at Gulfstream Park; that performance was validated when Burnham Square won the Elkhorn Stakes at Keeneland. Graham Motion said this one might be better at a mile than a mile and an eighth, but considering how easily he won at 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream, I don’t think the extra sixteenth will be a huge impediment. #6 Dresden Row (7-5) sat the trip and converted to win a stakes-quality allowance race at Keeneland last out. Third-place finisher Integration, who was grade 1-placed three times last year, returned to win a second-level allowance contest next out at Aqueduct. This one, in his second start for the Todd Pletcher barn, should get a good trip just off the pace and kick on. #7 Harrow (12-1) has great closing speed, but often leaves himself with too much to do late. Nonetheless, he’s a good bet for the underneath spots at a good price, and could provide some value to the trifecta if the two favorites run 1-2.

RACE 11: GALLORETTE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-8-2-7

#5 Austere (7-2) ran well first off an eight-month layoff at Keeneland. She led most of the way and hung on until the last eighth. She ran in the 90s twice last year, including a second-place effort in last year’s Gallorette. She chased gate-to-wire winner Charlene’s Dream on a course that was playing towards speed, and it was about as good a race as one could’ve expected given the circumstances. #8 Awesome Czech (5-1) has great tactical speed and the best late pace figures in the field. She hasn’t raced since a third-place effort on the Gulfstream synthetic in January, but ran well off a long break last year, so this layoff shouldn’t be much of a deterrent. #2 Ribaltagaia (6-1) ran well as the favorite last out in the Dahlia Stakes and may try to establish early control from the inside.

RACE 12: JIM MCKAY TURF SPRINT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-8-3-11

#1 Run Curtis Run (4-1) gobbled up ground to get second in a third-level allowance sprint at Churchill Downs last out, in a race where he was the only one who made up much ground. He runs the risk of getting buried towards the rail, but if he gets clear sailing, he’ll be hard to hold off. The rail opened up for #8 Outlaw Kid (5-1) in the King Leatherbury Stakes, and he took advantage, surging up the inside to win his 2026 debut. He’s not likely to get as good a setup this time, but he ran in the 90s consistently and can easily improve off the 85 he ran last out. #3 Jean Valjean (5-1) ran a much-improved race second off a year-plus break last out when he beat a third-level field with authority. He came from just off the pace that day, but at his best, he’s a threat to lead all the way.

RACE 13: PREAKNESS STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 3/16 MILES

2-1-12-7

#2 Ocelli (6-1) picked a good time to run a career-best race. He closed from off a hot pace to finish third in the Kentucky Derby with a career-best 97, and briefly held the lead until Golden Tempo and Renegade came charging. While he benefited from the race dynamic that day, the pace here could also prove very hot, which would set up for his closing kick. #1 Taj Mahal (5-1) hasn’t run a bad race in his perfect three-race career, the entirety of which has taken place on this track. He ran a gigantic race in the Federico Tesio Stakes last out, clearing from the outside post to open up a long early lead and hold on from there. He’ll have to deal with more pace competition this time than last, but he’s proven he can hang on through pressure and can come from off the pace (albeit against much softer). #12 Incredibolt (6-1) also closed with interest in Louisville, which came on the heels of a big effort in the Virginia Derby. He’d also take advantage if the early leaders can’t last.

RACE 14: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-8-3-9

#4 Bruno (4-1) ran a huge race on debut last out. He battled for the early lead in the two-path, sent his dueling partner into a sound defeat, and finished a clear-cut second to a rival who got a perfect trip. The stock of #8 Holy Moly Mitole (9-2) got a big boost on Thursday, when Mizner, who beat him on debut, came back to win a first-level allowance sprint. He chased that rival throughout and ran a gigantic second at 44-1. #3 Love Yourself (6-1) closed well for second at second asking last out, improving five points to an 81. He’ll take advantage if the aforementioned two can’t last near the pace.

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