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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $4,114
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $6,949
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $35,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-8-4-10

#1 Punxsutawney Phil (6-5) raced wide all the way last out at Colonial Downs, but still closed well despite drifting in and finished second. The winner, Reckless, beat a slightly better field at this level as the even-money favorite on Sept. 13, for his fourth victory of the year. #8 Zevon (5-1) raced close to an extremely destructive pace in a better field last out, but just missed third by a nose. Although he was beaten eight lengths for the win, he was nonetheless the only one close to the early lead who didn’t finish far up the track. #4 Phil’s Prince (9-2) won going away in his second start off a nine-month layoff in his most recent start. The best may be yet to come for this relatively lightly-raced gelding.

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

4-5-6-1

#4 The Count is On (1-1) got a great trip off the pace and kicked on to easily win his most recent outing at Timonium. He looks poised for another excellent setup in his second start off a 2 1/2-month break. #5 Backnthewoods (5-2) may have benefitted from a speed and rail-favoring track two starts back, when he raced on the pace and held on for second. However, he proved he has some legitimate ability the following week, when he rallied for second against a slightly softer field than this one. #6 Heldish (5-1) was bumped at the break and came from further off the pace than usual to get fourth behind Backnthewoods last out. He has a decent late kick and should at least get a share.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-8-6-9

#4 Danner (2-1) went off favored at this level last out. He broke awkwardly, dueled for the lead with the very tough first-time starter Saltwater Cove, and hung around late for fourth. He’s lost a few times at this level at low odds, but he’s still in sharp form and gets a rider switch to Forest Boyce, who has started off the meet on a strong note. #8 Fortune Hill (3-1) has gotten better with every start this year, including a big runner-up effort at Colonial last out where he made a strong move, hit the front, and got caught late. Further improvement likely means victory. #6 Star Atlas (5-1) just got up for third over Danner last out in a blanket finish. He tends to run a similar race every time: he falls far behind early and closes well for a spot somewhere in the superfecta. That’s the most likely outcome here as well.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-7-1-5

#6 Military Grade (7-2) ran a big third in his first start off a 13-month layoff last out at Charles Town. He had little hope of catching the gate-to-wire winner, Rock of Ages, but he closed well from far off the pace and got up for third. Anthony Farrior is off to a hot start at the meet, with a 4-for-11 record so far. Jeiron Barbosa, who has done well on Farrior horses both here and at Timonium, gets the mount for the first time. #7 Make it Quick (4-1) raced on the disadvantageous outside portion of the track last out, and finished a clear-cut second to rail-riding Long Legged Luis. A fairer track would make his stalk-and-pounce style much more potent. #1 Tethered Soul (6-1) never got settled last out at Timonium and showed little, but ran a huge second two starts back at Penn National. He dueled for the early lead and sent his sparring partner to a 12 3/4-length defeat, while he was beaten only a head for the win.

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

6-11-9-10

#6 Gimme Two Shots (7-2) ran back-to-back brisnet figures in the 70s over the summer at Colonial, but struggled here last out, when he raced wide on the pace and faded. He’s one of the most serious speed threats in here, and if he can make his way to the rail, it’ll be a much different story this time. #11 Baltic (6-5) swooped the group to break his maiden two starts back at Delaware Park, and now drops into a non-winners of two field for the first time. He’s the only one of these to run in the 70s in each of his last three starts. If Fortune Hill wins race 3, it’ll boost the stock of #9 Airbrush (3-1), who beat that rival last out with a strong five-wide move. He’s shown steady improvement over the summer and will be tough with the right trip.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-5-6-8

#3 Ayni (6-5) stepped up big-time second time out. She dueled for the early lead with Silver Strings, who came back to win a maiden claiming affair on Sunday in impressive style. Ayni then put that rival away and opened up a clear lead, only to settle for second behind the great trip-sitting Talking Foolish, who we’ll see in Saturday’s Smart Halo Stakes. This one’s facing a soft, inexperienced field here and would have to regress significantly to lose. #5 Squeaky Sneakers (6-1) goes first out for Jamie Ness, who has won with three of his last eight first-time starters. She’s a half-sister to The Big Lep, who won first time out last year and has won four times in seven starts this season. #6 Sorica (20-1) was well-bet on debut at Timonium, but raced greenly and never got involved. She’ll look for second-time out improvement for Hugh McMahon, who is 6-for-11 at the current meet and 2-for-3 with his 2-year-olds besides Sorica.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-3-10

#1 Slippin Jimmy (4-1) snapped a long losing streak last out with a dramatic late burst against similar at Colonial. He has great late pace figures in a field where most of these have, at best, only a mild closing kick. #7 Derz Smart (8-1) ran a big race in his first race off a four-month layoff last out. He dropped far off the early pace and closed strongly to lose by 1 1/4 lengths. He’s stepping up in class after facing non-winners of two rivals that day, but he’s in improving form and may be capable of handling the jump. #3 Watch Out World (12-1) showed little against starter optional claiming rivals last out, but should be much more at home against these types.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-6

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-1-8-6

#2 Occupy (3-5) was in the mix and just missed against better last out at Colonial, improving ten points from her debut to a 71. She’ll be tough to beat against this soft group, albeit at a short price. #1 Victoria’s Song (6-1) drops in for a tag for the first time and will likely be sent for speed from the inside. She battled for the lead on debut at Monmouth Park and held second behind the winner and her dueling partner, odds-on favorite Philly Ruckus. #8 Shanghai Rose (15-1) made her grass debut last out at Delaware going two turns. She showed speed and stopped badly, but should improve cutting back around one turn.

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