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) — $3,928
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,646
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4-YEAR OLDS AND UP, 2 1/8 MILES (STEEPLECHASE)

10-4-12-2

#10 Double Clutch (7-2) showed tons of precocity on grass last year in the Midwest, consistently running brisnet figures in the 80s. He made his jump debut for Neil Morris on May 17 at the Potomac Hunt Races, where he finished fourth. He’s shown enough general aptitude to make me give him a second chance. #4 Lucky Prince (20-1) has finished second in his last three starts against similar. He tends to sit second and chase throughout, so I wonder if Jack Power will be more aggressive and try to put him on the lead this time. #12 Roundtop (15-1) has shown steady improvement in his last few jump starts and could be on the verge of a breakthrough effort.

RACE 2: RATINGS HANDICAP, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 2 1/8 MILES (STEEPLECHASE)

9-3-1-5

#9 Ranger Thunderbolt (5-1) has gone gate-to-wire in his two steeplechase starts this season, including a two-length win against a similar (albeit slightly softer) field last out. He’s bound to be sent for speed by Elizabeth Scully. #3 L’Avvocato (10-1) won a ratings handicap contest two starts back and drops back in fairly quickly after falling on May 9. He was beginning to gain ground when he fell. #1 Doctor Love (8-1) led all the way on the lead two starts back and may try to challenge Ranger Thunderbolt for early control.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-7-1-2

#4 She’s a Canny Lass (9-5) ran a big race first off a six-month layoff last out. She chased early leaders Hylla and Naomi an Ruth, and didn’t have much of a chance the way the track was playing. However, she still closed gamely for third. That race was further validated when Naomi an Ruth came back to win a non-winners of two claiming race in gate-to-wire style last Saturday. #7 Zen Dreams (2-1) has shown little on grass in her last few starts, but hit the board in her last three dirt starts against similar to these. #1 Loaf of Sof (8-1) is lightly-raced and showed some late interest when well-beaten last out.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-8-2-6

#9 Lendalfoot (5-1) led briefly and managed to hold fourth in an exciting stretch duel two starts ago. She previously finished fourth in a 1 1/2-mile training flat race at the Green Spring Valley point-to-point in late March, a big effort for a 3-year-old filly at that time of year. #8 Firestreak (9-2) looks poised to finally make her grass debut for the year after a gigantic effort on the surface last September at Delaware Park. She finished third in a washed-off race last out, chasing the pace and fading to third behind Lendalfoot. Still, it was encouraging to see her back on the track, and she should run much better on her favorite surface. #2 Magic Beam (7-2) has shown great closing speed in both career starts and gets reunited with Jorge Ruiz, who rode her well on debut.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-4-1

#7 El Junior (9-2) drops to a career-low level on dirt and has the best average late pace figures in the field by a good margin. That makes him a worthy alternative to likely heavy favorite #8 Fayes Heart (7-5). That one narrowly missed his career-top in his first start of the year last out, showing speed and holding fourth against better with a 72. He’s worthy of respect, and Xavier Perez should work out a trip for him from the outside, but it’s still hard to take a low price in a field like this. #4 Clavin (5-2) battled for the lead and hung around until late last out. That was an improved performance from his first two starts against winners.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-13-6-9

#11 Hot Boss (3-1) got a perfect trip and opened up a clear lead in the stretch last out before getting run down by Stay in Tune. That rival validated that form with a win around two turns in her next start. She’ll win this one if she can repeat that effort second off the bench. #13 Frappart (3-1) ran a career-best 75 when a respectable sixth against first-level allowance foes last November. She was entered and scratched from her season debut on May 31, turned in a bullet workout two days late, and is the only one to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts (as she would’ve been last time). #6 Over My Cents (5-2) just missed at this level two starts ago and was a respectable fifth against a very salty allowance group last out

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-5-2

Both halves of the Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry are very formidable. My slightly preferred half is #1 Lookin at Mac (7-5), who has been a dominant winner in his last two starts against softer foes, including an 8 1/2-length win against his elders last out. He ran an 88 and an 89 in those two big wins, both of which would beat these. #3 No More Calls (10-1) capped Black-Eyed Susan day with a 16-1 upset win at this condition two starts back over stakes-placed Close the Gate. He returned to finish a strong-closing fourth behind gate-to-wire winner Guaponess last out. With any kind of pace to close into, he’ll be dangerous. #5 Lundi Loot (5-2) has slowly been rounding back into form and should get a good trip on or near the pace.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

8-1-2-3

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1-2-5

#4 Preacha Meyers (2-1) has won four in a row on or near the pace. He answered the two-turn question in splashtastic style last out, leading all the way to win his first start at this distance. He’s shown the ability to stalk and win, which could be an asset in a race with suspect speed. #1 Derbyness (9-5) ran a career-best 95 third off a 10-month layoff last out to Majorca, who was in the midst of a three-race win streak. This one also has tactical speed and is likely to sit a great trip. #2 Secret Zipper (5-1) has seen better days, but there’s a few reasons to believe he’ll run his best race in a while. He’s held in better after showing speed in his last few starts, a Gary Capuano-trained runner with a similar profile, Shaft’s Bullet, ran well on Friday, and Yedsit Hazlewood picked this one over Preacha Meyers.

RACE 10: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-10-9-1

Many of these are coming out of the same race on May 31. #3 Tiz No Clown (30-1) had horse but nowhere to for most of the running, ultimately grabbing fourth once clear. It was his best race in a long time, and if he can show that run that kind of race with a cleaner trip, he has a chance to pull off a shocker. #10 Boat’s a Rockin (7-5) has tons of class and loves this track, but the 9-year-old veteran tailed off a smidge in his last few starts at Gulfstream Park. His recent races might be good enough to beat these anyway, but buyer beware at a short price. #9 Upsidedown Man (20-1) overcame a rough start to gobble up ground and get second in that May 31 race. He ran a 78 that day, his best figure of the year, not far from what he was running consistently last year, and enough to potentially upset these.

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