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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 5-10) — $1,788
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,156
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER ALLOWANCE $20,000, 3-YEAR OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-4-6-3

#1 It’s Hot in Here (15-1) was little factor in her second start off a 16-month layoff last out at Gulfstream Park. She was transferred to the barn of Tom Garner a few weeks ago and adds blinkers in her first start for the stable. She ran some big races with Chad Brown in 2023 and 2024, and will be tough in here if she can recapture that form. #4 Diane Lee (7-2) always closed well against these types last year and should be good for at least a share. #6 Gripen (7-2) was an impressive winner at this distance last out. She was scratched from a 1 1/16-mile race last Saturday when it was washed off the grass, but now gets to stay at a friendlier distance.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-4-5

#6 Flying to Work (3-2) closed with great interest and just missed behind the very loose leader, Karma’s Inthehouse, last out. No one else in here has much closing speed, so he should be able to pick up some pieces here. #2 Gimme Two Shots (2-1) went off favored in his first start at this level last out, but didn’t fire after chasing the pace. We’ll see if he improves with experience and blinkers for the first time. #4 Q Got Hops (9-2) hasn’t raced since April 4, when he stumbled badly at the start and didn’t get involved from there. He ran brisnet figures in the 60s three times in a row prior to that race; that kind of effort would win this.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-6-2-4

#1 Sweeterthanwhiskey (7-2) closed for second in her season debut last out despite drifting in and out in the stretch. She hasn’t won in a while, but also hasn’t faced a field this soft in some time. Her usual rally should win this. #6 Granuaile (8-1) took advantage of a class drop to win third off the bench last out. She should also show great late interest. #2 Roadrunner the Cat (2-1) hasn’t raced since August 1, when she led almost the whole way at Colonial Downs and finished third. She ran a huge race in her last start on this track, which came just over a year ago. She battled on the pace all the way, but dug in to win. Look for her to hit the front early and last a long way.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-7-4

#6 Estilo Magico (2-1) ran in the 80s three times in his last four starts, and now faces a field in which most of his rivals struggle to ever run that fast. He hasn’t raced in 29 days, a very long break by his standards. He’s made 29 starts since the start of 2025, but hasn’t missed many beats. #5 City Panda (5-2) 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. He was scratched from a 1 1/16-mile race last Saturday, a race that might’ve been too far for him anyway. This appears to be more in his wheelhouse. #7 Ecumenical (9-5) didn’t fire against a fairly tough starter optional claiming field last out, but ran an 87 in a determined win two starts back. The drop back in class might bring out the best in him.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-3-1-5

#6 Frappart (5-2) ran a career-best 75 when a respectable sixth against first-level allowance foes last November. She drops in class for her first start of the season, and she’s the only one to run in the 70s in each of her last three races. The only downside is that Katy Voss-trained runners tend to need a race off of breaks; she’s 1-for-21 first off a 90+ day layoff in recent times. #3 Niecey (4-1) was elevated to her maiden-breaking win after the fact when the winner was disqualified several weeks later. She made a decent wide move and finished second on dirt that afternoon, but has also run well on grass in the past, packing some strong punches around two turns over the winter at Gulfstream Park. #1 Bellini Gold (7-2) led all the way in her maiden-breaking score last out, which was also her grass debut. Martina Rojas, who rode her that day, is back in to ride, for her only mount of the day.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-7-9-8

#5 Fightertown (2-1) went gate-to-wire two and three starts back, then finished third to the very sharp Kerness K, who won for the fifth time in a row on Wednesday at Delaware Park, last out. Without that rival in the way, this one should have an easier time on the lead. #7 Norfie (12-1) hit the board five times in six starts over the winter at Tampa Bay Downs with great late speed each time. Trainer Renaldo Richards sent out a longshot winner who had wintered in Florida on Friday; can lightning strike twice? #9 White Series (5-1) goes first off the Phil Capuano claim – who hits at 22% with that angle – and should sit a great trip in the clear off the pace.

RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-4-9

Contrary to his past performances, #3 Class Photo (5-2) is 2-for-2 on the year. He won a seven-furlong training flat race at the Cheshire Hunt point-to-point in late March, then scored a pari-mutuel victory at Laurel Park last out against a field like this one at a mile. He ran a strong second going 1 1/4 miles last year, so the distance shouldn’t be a concern. #8 The Last Scip (8-1) raced wide all the way and just missed behind stablemate Class Photo last out. He had numerous near-misses last year, but his closing style can get the job done with the right setup. #4 Put a Rock On It (7-2) was a two-time winner on grass in Texas over the winter and spring, and returns to the Kieron Magee barn for which she’s previously done good work.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-4-1-5

#7 Big Earn (8-5) finished a respectable second last out, outkicked only by favored Mopo. This is an easier field than she saw last time, so she should handle them with any improvement second off a 2 1/2-month layoff. #4 Clawless Brit (7-2) beat an open first-level allowance field last out, and looks fast enough to make the rail and the lead. She’s lightly-raced and races for the powerhouse Brittany Russell barn, so further improvement and a gate-to-wire score would be no surprise. #1 Juniper Juice (6-1) might want more distance than this, but she’s always good for a share against these types.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-5-8

#2 Guaponess (2-1) hasn’t won in a while, but he has early speed in a race without much of it, and Jamie Ness trainees are extraordinarily dangerous when left alone on the lead. If he’s ever going to break through this year, it’ll be in this spot. #4 Hixon (5-2) showed mild interest when well-beaten in the Federico Tesio Stakes last out. He won under a drive against a fairly easy first-level allowance field two starts back, so while the potential’s there, he hasn’t really proven much yet. Still, it wouldn’t be a total shock if he jumped up. #5 Tuff Luck (9-2) ran a career-best 91 last out when he crossed the wire first in a starter optional claiming field, only to be disqualified for interference. He’ll take advantage if someone can press Guaponess on the pace.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-9-10-7

#3 Golf Cart Ryder (4-1) closed well despite a traffic-filled trip last out at 5 1/2 furlongs. He’s an unknown around two turns, but if anyone will get him to go the distance, it’s Mike Trombetta and Jorge Ruiz. Ruiz picked this one over #9 Flamenco Star (8-5), who led almost the whole way last out. He ultimately lost a stretch duel to longshot West Mountain, who came back to win on Saturday. He may finish the job second off the 9 1/2-month break, but if the morning line is any indication, you won’t get much value. #10 Wickham Lane (12-1) also ran on well despite traffic trouble last out, and it was even more impressive considering it was his first start.

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