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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $0
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $0
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

Weather Forecast:
Partly Cloudy, high in the low 80s, FAST/FIRM expected

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

5-7-1-6

#5 Gimme Two Shots (2-1) has hit the board in his two recent starts at this level at Colonial Downs, both times at big prices. He raced near the pace and was outkicked both times, but he’s somewhat lightly-raced, in improving form, and might be able to make the lead with his early pace figures. #7 Flying to Work (10-1) flew from off the pace to break his maiden in his grass debut two starts ago, and gets class relief after showing little against Virginia-restricted allowance foes last time out. He has easily the best late pace figures in the race, and should be heard from in the stretch. #1 Hoppetosse (9-2) crossed the wire first on this track three starts back, but was disqualified after the fact for a medication violation. He ran well against these types at Colonial over the summer, and looks poised to sit a great trip off the pace on the rail.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-1-5

#3 Veneto (7-5) ran a huge race on the lead last Saturday at Timonium. He dueled for the top spot, outfinished his dueling partner by 2 ¾ lengths, and was beaten only by a 17-1 shot who rallied from last off the hot pace. The primary speed here is the blazing fast Karma’s Inthehouse, so if that rival sets the pace and wilts, this one will be there to pick up the pieces. #4 Hard Stance (3-1) stopped badly last out at Charles Town, but broke his maiden in sharp style at Charles Town in his prior race. Anthony Farrior and Jeiron Barbosa, who enjoyed great success at Timonium, team up again. #1 Long Legged Luis (8-1) broke his maiden on debut in early March, then finished third next out to stakes winner Pont Aven and stakes-placed Higher Sense. He’s tailed off since then, but at least takes a career-low drop in class and has a high ceiling.

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

5-2-3-7

#5 Wora (9-2) has blazing early speed, which is somewhat obscured in his recent lines by a series of bad and unusual circumstances. He should have every chance to wire this field. #2 Tiz No Clown (2-1) chased the pace and was second to a gate-to-wire winner last out at Colonial. Even if Wora leads them all the way, this one could get a similar setup as last time and outkick the rest for second. #3 Claudee Boy (4-1) always closes well against these types, but often leaves himself with too much to do. He’s a better type to key underneath in exactas and trifectas.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-5-6

#4 Without Pretence (8-1) sat off the pace and won going away two races ago at Finger Lakes, then ran an improved brisnet figure of 83 against a better field at that track last out. With plenty of speed signed on, he should get a great setup. #1 Do It For Michael (8-5) hasn’t raced since January 9, but has worked well as of late at Colonial for Lacey Gaudet, who takes blinkers off. She hits at 27% with that angle, and may enable this one to sit off the pace on the rail, rather than go straight for the lead in his first race off the long break. #5 Miles Ahead (3-1), a multiple stakes winner and earner of over $1.1 million, has definitely seen better days. However, while his recent form is inconsistent, he can still occasionally pop up and run a race that can beat these. He’ll be the first starter of the fall meet for Jamie Ness, who captured the winter and summer training titles.

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

11-9-13-4

#11 Red Sea (3-2) has been un improving form all year long, including back-to-back runner-up finishes in his last two starts after stalking the pace. He’s the only entrant to run in the 70s in each of his last two starts. You likely won’t get much value by the standards of a field like this, but he nonetheless looks tough to beat. #9 Plenty on Tap (4-1) has been a frustrating sort as of late; he’s finished second or third four times in a row, but of course hasn’t won. He did at least run a career-best 77 when Jorge Ruiz jumped aboard for the first time last out, and he’ll keep the mount here. #13 Forget the Rules (10-1) drops to a career-low level after facing maiden special weight types for most of the year and adds blinkers.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

7-5-8-2

#7 Put a Rock On It (5-2) has finished first or second eight times in 13 starts this year and always puts in a good rally against these types. Although she was visually unimpressive in the Claiming Crown Tiara Qualifier Starter Handicap last out, she matched her career-best figure with an 85. #5 Juniper Juice (6-1) is a frustrating sort. She always looks like a contender on paper in these races and often runs well, but hasn’t won in almost exactly two years. She does have the best early pace figures in a race without a ton of speed, so if Taylor Kingsley elects to send, it could be a different story. #8 Arise My Love (15-1) has a very powerful late punch, but must stay at least somewhat close to the early leaders, lest she get pace-compromised.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

6-5-3-8

#6 Zero Blitz (9-5) is a perfect 6-for-6 on this track, with his most recent win here coming in last November’s City of Laurel Stakes. He won two out of three starts at the Colonial meet while rounding back into form off a long break. The distance is the only question mark; while he’s excelled at seven furlongs, he’s never gone a mile. #5 Worcester (7-2) loves this track and hasn’t run a bad race in a long while. He was a game second despite a wide trip last out. #3 Shaft’s Bullet (6-1), who’s entered both here and in the Lewes Handicap on the Delaware Park grass today, has run well in both starts since coming off a year-plus layoff in June. He has some early speed and may be able to make the lead and the rail from his draw.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-3-5-7

Midwestern shipper #1 Unbeatable (1-1) started his career 2-for-2, and has run decent figures while being outkicked against better in his last few starts. His usual race would win this without much trouble. #3 Marvelous Mo (5-1) has early speed and is very sharp form on dirt, but he hasn’t raced on this surface before. Michael Pino hits at 23% with his runners going first time on the grass, albeit in a small sample size of 18. #5 Luca Machine (6-1) is 4-for-5 in the exacta on this track and looks for a rebound after being forced to check on the turn last out at Delaware.

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