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) — $1,083
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/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

2-8-4-1 (DIRT: 6-2-10-8)

#2 Fridayswithmurray (9-5) took a step forward second off a nine-month layoff last out, when he closed well and missed by less than a length at Monmouth Park despite getting blocked at the top of the stretch. He has consistently good closing speed in a race without a ton of it, and will be hard to hold off with the right trip. #8 Green Beans (8-1) has speed from the outside, and held well in similar spots last year despite being forced into very fast fractions. If he’s able to slow it down somewhat, he could prove tough to catch. #4 Owhatanite (5-1) rallied for third off a slow tempo last out behind heavily favored Dairago and Summer Vibes, who came back to win next out over Fridayswithmurray.

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

4-6-3-1

#4 Remember the Word (8-5) didn’t want to go in the gate on debut last out, but once the race started, he wanted to run. He overcame a wide trip and got up second. If he’s more cooperative at the gate this time, he could run even better. #6 Magic Elixir (12-1) has worked well since late March, and all three of his siblings who raced as 2-year-olds won as 2-year-olds. #3 Island Bandit (3-2) went off favored on debut, and closed well up the inside for third behind Call Me Mick J and Remember the Word. He looks poised to take a step forward at second asking for the ever-dangerous Jerry Robb/Xavier Perez duo.

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

3-6-8-7 (DIRT: 7-8-1-3)

#3 Star Atlas (6-1) didn’t show much in his first start of the season last out, as he tried to come from off the pace in a race where the speed never wavered. However, he ran well against better towards the end of last year, with brisnet figures of 68 and 70. He’s fairly lightly-raced and has great closing speed. #6 Goodluck Road (5-1) chased the pace and finished third in his season debut, outkicking Star Atlas in the process. He’s improved with every start and should once again get a great trip chasing the pace. #8 Karma’s Inthehouse (8-5) will almost certainly set that pace; he has blazing early speed and has historically shown slightly more stamina on grass than dirt.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-4-5-2

#3 Freedom Maker (7-2) has run an 82 in each of his last two starts, much better than anyone else has run in their recent races. He was elevated to victory last out after being interfered with near the wire by Brighty, who hit the board against better in his next two races. #4 Speedy Alex (6-1) was third against a slightly better field going 1 1/16 miles last out. He should benefit from the cutback to a one-turn mile; he’s hit the board three times in five starts at the distance. #5 Blo By’em (2-1) was an easy winner against non-winners of two types at this distance two starts ago, and was fourth after getting into a bit of trouble behind Speedy Alex last out.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-2-4-5

#3 City Panda (9-2) got up to win two starts back over Searcy, who returned to win his next two starts. Last out, he was fourth behind the classy Be Better and next-out winners Collection Day and Self Taught. If he ran well against those runners, he should handle this softer field. #2 Formal Affair (8-5) hasn’t been much of a factor against better in his last few starts, but his recent figures are competitive with these, and he should appreciate the class drop. #4 Morning Thoughts (5-1) comes out of the same race as City Panda. He got caught wide in the early stages that day, couldn’t make the front, and had little punch from there. On his best day, he’s a serious speed threat.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

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

#5 Ready for Trouble (20-1) was no threat in her first grass start of the year two starts back, but closed with interest to get third behind Somnium, who finished a respectable fourth in The Very One Stakes next out. Yedsit Hazlewood gets back aboard this Jamie Ness trainee. #9 Mopo (8-5) sat the trip and converted to beat a Maryland-restricted allowance field three starts back for her first win in almost a year. She ran well against these types throughout last year, but couldn’t break through. Has the lightbulb gone on? #1 River Seine (6-1) ran a career-best 85 first off a seven-month layoff last out at Gulfstream Park. She’s likely to show serious speed from the rail.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-7-8-2 (DIRT: 8-7-3-5)

#4 Rye Diggitydog (7-2) ran his best figure in a while in his first start of the year last out. He ran an 82 when a strong-closing second to Big Tankness, who won at this level as the favorite on the Black-Eyed Susan day undercard. He’s the only one to run in the 80s twice in his last three grass races. #7 Enduring Gold (5-1) comes out of the same race as Rye Diggitydog, but was no factor at all. He was in improving form towards the end of last year, so he may have just needed a race in his seasonal bow. #8 Creed’s Vision (3-1) has been in very sharp form on dirt lately, running in the 90s in his last four starts on that surface. He’s never been on grass before, but there’s a hint of grass ability in his pedigree. Two of his aunts won on the surface, and great aunt Hookedonthefeelin, a Maryland-bred multiple grade 1 winner on dirt, also won on grass. If he takes to the sod at all, he’ll be hard to beat.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-4-5

If Creed’s Vision does well, it’ll boost the stock of #3 Change My World (4-1), who was third to that rival last out. He hasn’t won this year with a string of near-misses, but he’s also faced much better fields than this one. He’s run at least an 84 in each of his four races this year, and if he runs his usual race, he’ll handle these. #6 Easy Action (1-2) saw his six-race win streak snapped at Parx last out, when he couldn’t make his usual spot on the lead and faded. He’s had a bit of time off since his last race on April 7, and if he runs back to his usual race, he’ll be a serious speed threat. #4 And Sum (7-2) was completely flat last out, but ran some big figures while showing speed last fall. We’ll see if he wakes up in his first start for Mike Trombetta.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-4-7-1 (DIRT: 1-6-5-2)

#3 Lien on Her (2-1) was a very impressive winner in her first start for Hugh McMahon last out, coming from off the pace to break her maiden at third asking. Her and #4 Gripen (7-2) are the only two in the field who haven’t lost against winners. The latter was an impressive winner as the heavy favorite last out, but has yet to race beyond six furlongs, while Lien on Her is already a winner at this distance. #7 Minari (4-1) closed well for third first off a nine-month layoff in her last race, and won from off a slow pace on this track last June

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