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) — $6,220
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $5,121
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-5-8-9

#6 Cordova (3-1) went off as the favorite second time out last out at Colonial Downs and closed well for second, losing only to a well-meant first-time starter who got about a two-length jump start. Her and #5 Gold Brew (4-1) are the only two who have already hit the board at this distance. This one finished third in her two-turn debut last out, closing from off of impossibly slow fractions (only her and the very impressive winner were able to make up much ground). It was a much better performance than her brisnet figure of 58 would indicate, and she’ll run better here as long as the tempo isn’t agonizingly slow again. #8 Motocross (20-1) was fourth on debut on the Delaware Park dirt, and now switches to grass for Madison Meyers, who has a tendency to win with horses with similar profiles at big prices.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-5-3

#4 Sweet Honey Bee (6-1) finally cleared her non-winners of two condition three starts back, and finished second in her last two races against similar types as these. Last out, she battled gamely in the stretch and lost by a neck. #1 Why (4-1) rated off the pace on the rail and wore down the clear stretch leader to win last out at Colonial, continuing her improving form with a career-best 77. She’s bound to get a similar trip here. #5 Tasty Time (2-1) was a dominant 13-length winner when last seen here in early May, and has since run well against better at Delaware and Colonial. While her draw isn’t great, she nonetheless appears to be the sturdiest of the speeds.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-8-9-3

#5 Souper Cha Ching (9-5) went off as the second choice as the lone first-time starter in the race last out at Colonial. He rallied well from last to get third despite stretch traffic trouble, making up four lengths in the final eighth. #8 Executive (10-1) was the favorite in that aforementioned Colonial race, but never got involved after racing in tight quarters in the early stages. In his prior start, he lost by a neck at Aqueduct after racing off the rail about the entire way. #9 Rio Grande (7-2) showed promise on grass last year at Del Mar, finishing second in his first start on the surface in between a pair of next-out winners. However, he showed little in his next two starts, and now races for the first time since March 8 for Brittany Russell, who got this horse from Bob Baffert in February. We know he has plenty of ability; can he still find it?

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

2-4-6-7

The usually speedy #2 Copernium (3-1) showed a new dimension last out. Usually, he likes to race on the lead, but last time, he rallied and got up in the last few strides on the Monmouth Park grass. That opens up new possibilities; there’s not a ton of challenging speed, so if he wants to set the pace, he can. However, he’s also proven that he can still run well if something goes amiss. #4 Tiz the Great (12-1) was no threat after racing wide at Timonium last out, but won his prior two starts by open lengths. He’s likely to get a much better trip this time and return to his best form. #6 Leonidas Stand (5-1) showed little against better last out at Penn National, but takes a slight class drop and looks to show speed from the outside.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-9-7-2

#10 Futile Gesture (6-1) ran a big race on the lead in the Jamestown Stakes last out. He pressed the favored early leader and wore him down to a last-place finish. This one ultimately got outkicked by an 18-1 winner who rallied from last and prevailed by a neck. Still, it was by far the best race anyone in here has run against winners. #9 Montour (9-5) delivered as the odds-on chalk at first asking despite early traffic trouble and stretch drifting. Any mental progression since that August 23 race would be a massive help. #7 Joke Teller (4-1) was an easy gate-to-wire winner on debut at Parx last out, and now switches surfaces for a Michael Pino barn which tends to do well with that angle.

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

7-9-14-13

#7 Yo Adrian (5-2) hasn’t run a bad race in three starts since the Brittany Russell reclaim, including a non-winners of two victory two starts ago with a five-wide rush. As long as she doesn’t get caught in traffic, she’ll be tough to hold off. #9 Chitchatchitchat (9-2) has had gate trouble in her last two starts and wasn’t much of a factor in each of them. She was in better form earlier in the year, including an impressive win on this track on the Preakness preview undercard. The draw doesn’t do #14 Just Add Water (8-1) any favors, but she consistently runs in the 70s and gets class relief shipping from New York.

RACE 7: RATINGS HANDICAP OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-5-1-3

#7 Citana (9-2) won a grade 3 on dirt in her native Argentina, and has shown a solid late kick on grass in her three American races. This isn’t the strongest field, so as long as her dirt form can translate, she’ll roll down the long one-turn mile stretch and get up. #5 Ineedyoubabe (5-1) was one of many Timonium winners for Anthony Farrior and Jeiron Barbosa. She closed from off of moderate fractions to win a starter optional claiming route over the classy Ginger Girl, and won her previous dirt start at Thistledown as well. #1 Kissedbyanangel (3-1) is probably at her best going shorter, but she’s done well against softer going a route of ground, and has tactical speed from the inside.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-3-6-4

RACE 9: RATINGS HANDICAP OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<75), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-2-4

RACE 10: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-6-9-4

#10 Molly the Great (8-1) was a headstrong second in her grass debut at Monmouth, losing only to 2-5 favorite Hop to It. She put it all together last out with a sharp maiden-breaking win at Colonial. Cipriano Gil, who rode her to victory, gets back aboard. This is the only mount he’s listed on all day. #6 Ambria (5-2) sat the trip and just missed in her second race off a nine-month break last out. She was taking a gigantic drop in class that day, and gets to stay in against similar. #9 Wetherby (5-1) is like a combination of the aforementioned two. She broke her maiden last out in her second start off a long break. Jorge Ruiz keeps the mount on this lightly-raced, improving mare.

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