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) — $5,111
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $0
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, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

7-5-4-3

#7 Dynaflame (8-1) pressed the pace and held fourth against a better non-winners of two field at Colonial Downs last out. He looks to get a perfect trip off the pace, as the other primary speed looks like he’ll be quick to fold. #5 Shakin My Head (8-1) was an impressive maiden winner two grass starts ago, then struggled against a very salty group last out. This class looks like a much better fit, and getting Jorge Ruiz up for the first time will help. In his last start, #4 Grey Biggsy (4-5) took command from embattled early leaders while headstrong, opened up a long lead, and got caught late. If he can get settled here, he’ll be tough, though you might not get much value.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-3-4

#1 Master Schemer (6-5) was the best horse in the race last out, and almost certainly would’ve won on a fair track. He made a strong three-wide move and looked poised to pull away, but Majestic Blue, who rode the favorable rail, fought back for the victory. This one’s facing a much easier field this time, and looks to have them over a barrel. #6 Golden Descent (5-1) ran a big second against similar two dirt starts back at Colonial, running a career-best brisnet figure of 84. He led most of the way and held third on grass last out, and will likely be sent to the front from the outside post. #3 Red Spitfire (7-2) struggled in his last two starts elsewhere, but returns to a track on which he’s always done well.

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

7-1-11-6

#7 Plenty on Tap (10-1) has finished second or third five times in a row, including a hard-luck third last out. He was completely blocked at the top of the stretch and closed well once clear. He just missed second by a half-length to All Fruits Ripe, who returned to break his maiden in an off-the-grass affair on Sunday. #1 Paid Vacation (5-2) always runs well against these types, but tends to fall just short no matter if he runs on or off the pace. He keeps Jorge Ruiz, who rode him to a fourth-place finish against Virginia-restricted maidens last out, in the saddle. #11 Target Market (4-1) would’ve been a big favorite in a $16,000 maiden claiming race on Sunday, but was scratched when the race was washed off the grass. He improved ten points to a 78 second time out last out, finishing a mild fourth against better at Colonial. He’s had two months off since then, and looks poised for a big effort.

RACE 4: SMART HALO STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-2-1

It’s not likely that #4 Harper’s Corner (4-5) would run here, instead of on the Belmont Park grass in the Matron Stakes. If she opts for this spot, she’ll be a deservingly overwhelming favorite. She crushed the field on this track on debut, then followed it up with a Schuylerville Stakes win and a Spinaway Stakes runner-up finish. She’s getting better with each spot and would likely crush this group if she keeps it up. #5 Welovemollynteddy (5-1) has a high ceiling, but isn’t yet class-tested. She broke her maiden by 15 lengths on debut at Parx with an 87, and has worked well since that August 25 effort. She may be the most interesting horse in the field, given her big debut and her potential. #2 Piggybunz (6-1) was an impressive gate-to-wire maiden winner last out at Colonial, and is in very similar boat as Welovemollynteddy for the ever-dangerous Brittany Russell barn.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-3-5

#7 Aldene (2-1) closed well for shares in her last two starts, both times against better horses at this level at Colonial. She’s the only one in the race to run in the 80s in each of her last two races, and should enjoy getting to race in the clear after getting stuck behind horses on the rail, particularly in her two-back race. That day, she didn’t get clear until the eighth pole, but closed well for second at 23-1 behind the 6-5 chalk. #9 Moonblaze (5-1) is lightly-raced and took a needed step forward second time against winners last out at Monmouth Park, losing by a length with a strong rally while matching her career-best mark with an 81. She’ll make her presence felt late with Aldene. #3 The Magic Ofmovies (4-1) surged to beat Virginia-restricted rivals last out with a career-best 82, replicating the promising form she showed in her maiden-breaking win here last fall.

RACE 6: JAMES F. LEWIS STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-5-7

#4 Walt’s Notion (1-1) broke his maiden in impressive style at Delaware Park two starts back, then finished second following a long, hard effort behind the victorious Strong Suspicion. He’s already class and battle-tested, and a repeat of either of his two previous races would make him a (short-priced) winner. #6 Prince of Peace (5-1) finally broke through for his first career win at fourth asking, leading all the way. Two starts back, he lasted through a duel with favored Fission in the Hickory Tree Stakes and held fourth, almost seven lengths clear of his pace partner. He’s the main speed, along with #5 Grind it Out (5-2). That one led all the way despite lugging out in a debut score. Third-place finisher Winslow returned to break his maiden on the lead here last Friday.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-5-10-2

Both halves of the Jamie Ness-trained entry looks very potent. My preferred half is #1 Fuerteventura (6-5) who has done well at this level all year long. He was second in his last two starts against these types, running in the upper-80s/low-90s both times. He’ll look to sit off the pace towards the inside and convert. #5 Tee at One (9-2) has gotten better with each start since joining the Steve Klesaris barn earlier this year. He’ll prompt the pace on the outside and make a well-time move under Jorge Ruiz. #10 What Say Thee (5-1) won at this condition on this track on April 17, and gets class relief after unsuccessful tries against better in his last three races.

RACE 8: TWIXT STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-9-5-3

#6 Especially (5-1) was an easy winner in her Laurel debut on the Preakness Preview day undercard, crushing a first-level field at this distance with an impressive 88. She most recently came from off the pace to clear her second-level allowance condition at Colonial. While she hasn’t yet been tested for class, she’s in career-best form with a high ceiling. The other Brittany Russell trainee, #9 Waveless (7-2), ran a big second in her first start for the Russell barn in the Maggie Walker Stakes at Colonial. She surged wide and overhauled the early leaders, including Pink Ruby, who returned to win the All Brandy Stakes in her next start. While this one was caught late by Miss Authentic (who’s in the Delaware Handicap later today), it was nonetheless a promising performance. #5 Anna’s Promise (5-1) couldn’t make the front last time at Indianapolis and was visually unimpressive, but still ran an 89, a season’s-best mark and her second consecutive improved figure. She should clear to the lead against these.

RACE 9: POLYNESIAN STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-5-3-7

#4 Stronsino (7-2) led all the way in his first start off a 12 1/2-month break three starts ago, then ran big races on the lead against better stakes competition at Parx. He’s a safe bet to make the front, and if he can get the trip, he’ll be hard to catch. #5 Mr. Ripple (4-1) was tested for class last out in the Governor’s Day Handicap at Delaware. He emphatically answered the question, stalking the pace and drawing off despite drifting out. If Stronsino can’t last on the lead, he’ll get first crack. #3 Winterfell (3-2) was a respectable third first off a seven-month layoff last out. He closed for third behind two well-bet favorites who never wilted; a similar situation to what could play out here. Even if Stronsino and Mr. Ripple lead all the way, this one will be able to hold clear of the others and round out the trifecta.

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

3-8-4-10

#3 Linette (3-1) made her career debut last out as the only first-time starter in the field, and ran a huge race. She was wide throughout, checked and stumbled a few times up the backstretch, but still closed strongly and lost by a head. As long as she gets anything resembling a clean trip, she’ll be hard to beat. #8 Bree Cola (6-1) ran in the mid-60s twice at Colonial over the summer, and is lightly-raced with respectable closing speed. #4 Mended Heart (30-1) has similar recent speed figures and is in for a career-low tag, at a potentially very appetizing price.

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