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) — $4,159
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $4,039
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

5-2-8-15

#5 Contra (8-5) was a sharp gate-to-wire winner the last time she was here, and ran well in three starts against similar or better over the summer at Colonial Downs while running improving brisnet figures every time. She can work out a trip sitting just off the pace on the outside and take advantage should the leaders tire. #2 Clowning Around (12-1) has struggled this year, but looked like a promising sort in Kentucky last season, including a maiden-breaking win at Churchill Downs. She has lots of early speed from a good post. #8 Say You Love Me (15-1) showed little in her first start off a 21-month break last out, but she showed promise on grass as a 2-year-old, and is bound to improve here.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-7-5-1

#4 Bernie Goes Boom (15-1) battled in the stretch and missed by a half-length last out at Timonium, getting back to the solid form h showed earlier in the summer. He’s a solid alternative to the likely heavy favorite, #7 Edelweiss (6-5). This one has run at least a 78 in each of his last three starts, something no one else has done at any point within their last three. However, he’s lost as the odds-on favorite in his last two races against similar, and is bound to be another low price in this spot. Buyer beware. #5 Tell ‘Em I’m Comin (6-1) closed from off of slow fractions to win at Delaware Park two starts back, and takes a drop in class after showing little against starter optional claiming types last out.

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

3-6-2-1

Amateur riders take center stage here. #3 Cool Hard Breeze (3-1) closed with a rush to break her maiden at sixth asking last out at Colonial, following a few near-misses with similarly intense rallies. She’s gotten better with every start this year, and should put the swoop to this group. #6 Rylnnslookinlucky (5-1) broke her maiden on the lead two starts ago on this track after getting away with soft early fractions. She’s the main speed in this contest, and may be able to slow the pace even further. #2 Hop to It (2-1) also has a decent late kick, and should be able to rally for at least a share.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-3-6-1

#5 Unbridled Justice (8-1) managed his speed a bit better last out, and splashed away to a gate-to-wire maiden breaking win at third asking. He’ll try to lead this field for as long as he can. #3 Holiday Express (3-1) showed a decent late kick against Jersey-breds throughout the Monmouth Park summer, and should close well even if Unbridled Justice wires them. #6 Biker Baley (8-5) made waves here last fall when he broke his maiden on debut in a $16,000 maiden claiming race by 15 lengths. He showed little against first-level allowance foes next out, went to the sidelines for 5 1/2 months, and hasn’t shown the same form since. However, he’s taking a drop in class from Virginia-restricted allowance company and clearly likes this track, so a wake-up effort is certainly possible.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-4-2

#7 Weekend Storm (3-1) showed some late interest after sitting off a duel to get second on debut at Delaware. The horse she lost to, My Hometown Gal, was the even-money favorite and the only one in that field with experience. She previously finished second to Martiniwtithatwist, who returned to win the Small Wonder Stakes last Friday. #8 Latte (7-2) is a Repole homebred debuting for Brittany Russell, who needs no introduction when it comes to 2-year-old first-time starters. All three of this one’s siblings won as 2-year-olds, including one first-time out winner. This doesn’t look like the strongest field to debut in, either. #4 Legend’s Girl (15-1) has shown peeks of promise in her five-race career, including a solid-rallying third last out. She’s a good one to use underneath at a decent price.

RACE 6: RATINGS HANDICAP OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-7-10-1

#9 McCullough (7-2) got the job done from just off the pace in his first start off the Jamie Ness claim last out. He’s one of three in here to run in the 80s in each of his last two starts, and has the best late kick of any of them. Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time. #7 King Size (4-5) led all the way to win on the Black-Eyed Susan undercard two starts back. He was no threat in the Connaught Cup at Woodbine last out, but drops in class and looks like the most dangerous speed. #10 Timshel (30-1) ran a career-best 81 in his Mid-Atlantic debut last out. This lightly-raced gelding has gotten better with each grass race, and will be heard from late as long as he can avoid traffic trouble.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-5-7-3

#6 Scarlett’s Halo (3-1) has been closing and just missing on grass in her last few starts. She ran an 88 and an 84 in her two dirt starts last year, and a return to that form would mean an easy win. She’s coming here for the high-profile Chad Brown barn; Brown is 1-for-5 with his runners in overnight races at Laurel since the beginning of 2023. #5 Run Wild (9-5) showed speed and held on to win going two turns at Monmouth last out. If she can get a somewhat uncontested early lead, she’ll be dangerous. #7 Audibly (20-1) doesn’t have enough early speed to win, unless the pace completely melts down. However, she has excellent late pace figures, and is usually good for a share at a decent price.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-8-1-3

#7 Voladora (3-1) closed strongly for third on debut at Colonial, missing second by a nose, despite drifting out a bit in the stretch. She should roll from off the pace once again. #8 Mountain Mamba (7-2) has already finished stakes-placed twice, and has hit the board in all four career starts while going off at least 10-1 each time. You won’t get that kind of price here, but she’s also a dangerous late threat. #1 Air Kiss (7-2) was little threat behind Voladora last out, but gets a big rider switch to Jorge Ruiz, who did excellent work on grass on opening weekend.

RACE 9: WEATHER VANE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-1-8

Saturday’s featured event is named for the 1998 Maryland-bred champion older mare, who won 14 stakes races between 1997 and 1998. #4 Sneaky Good (2-1) has yet to win this season, but has finished graded stakes-placed three times. She’ll hope for a strong early pace to close into. #6 Slewperstitus (5-2) doesn’t win too often, but rarely runs a bad race and should sit a great trip just off the leaders. If she runs well here, the Maryland Million Distaff is likely next. #1 French Fiction (7-2) is 2-for-2 lifetime at six furlongs, winning those two races by a combined 11 3/4 lengths with figures in the 90s both times. She’ll be sent hard for speed from the inside.

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