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) — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,069
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

4-1-8-5 (DIRT: 1-3-10-2)

#4 Contra (3-1) was a sharp winner against non-winners of two company last out, rating off the pace and kicking away to win as the favorite. She’s likely to get a similar trip here, potentially as the favorite once again. #1 Gripen (2-1) set the pace and faded going two turns against better last out, but ran well against similar rivals to these earlier this year. She’ll be on the lead from the rail, and if she can set even somewhat modest fractions, she could prove tough to catch. #8 Carolina Sun (20-1) closed for third at 35-1 in the Glen Petty Stakes at Colonial Downs last out, and has been in steadily improving form since returning from her winter break. She’s very capable of rounding out the exotics at a good price.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

7-6-1-2

#7 Righteous Dip (2-1) made his debut going a two-turn mile at Indianapolis last out. He didn’t have much kick in the stretch, but still managed to hold third, making him the only one in the field who’s hit the board going two turns in his career. Any improvement in his first start for the Brittany Russell barn would make him tough to beat. #6 Budthegreatone (5-2) was a mild fourth on debut at Timonium in what’s proven to be a pretty salty maiden race. The winner, Metallican, has already won twice. Runner-up Engaged is Better was second next out and third in the start afterwards, while third-place finisher Pig Trail broke his maiden $25,000 tag next out. This should be an easier group, although the distance is a major unknown, considering he’s never gone beyond four furlongs. #1 Concho (9-2) was fourth in a blanket finish at Delaware Park, and will be a threat if he can handle the extra distance.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-3-9-6 (DIRT: 9-8-5-6)

#5 Mega Moxie (6-1) was a sharp-closing second on debut at Delaware, but failed to build on that effort last out when she was a flat ninth on a yielding track. If the rain holds off today and she can catch a firmer surface, she should run a big race. #3 Cat’s Meow (4-1) finished a much-improved second in her second career start last out when she chased runaway gate-to-wire winner Sun Valley. There doesn’t look to be any speed nearly as dangerous as that one here; if anything, this filly could end up controlling the pace. #9 Motocross (12-1) should also be a serious speed factor, as she set the pace and held most of the way last out, securing second at 21-1.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-7-4-5

#2 Sheriff Ronnie (9-5) showed no rust at Timonium last out, leading all the way at Timonium over a better field than this one. If he can protect the rail and the lead, he’ll be tough to get by. #7 Beach Cowboy (5-2) took a big step forward in his second start off a three-month break last out. He was collared after opening up a clear lead, but fought back and managed to secure third. He should run a big race third off the bench on a track he loves. #4 Backnthewoods (3-1) hasn’t run a bad race in three starts at the meet, running second after racing on or near the pace every time.

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

6-4-12-2 (DIRT: 8-11-4-7)

#6 Wetherby (4-1) and #4 Awesome McKinzie (6-1) were second and third in the same race on September 20. Wetherby outkicked Awesome McKinzie for second in her first race against winners. She’s one of two in here to run brisnet figures in the 70s in each of her last three starts, and has some of the best late pace figures in the race to boot. Awesome McKinzie was bumped and forced to check a few times in the stretch last out, but still managed to close for third behind a favored winner who got a great trip. She’s been in improving form in her last few starts, and the best might be yet to come. #12 It’s Nancytime Now (6-1) stalked and pounced to break her maiden two races back, then closed well for fourth despite traffic trouble in her first start against winners last out. She might also be sitting on a big effort.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

10-1-8-9

#10 She’s the Moament (9-2) closed well for second on debut at Colonial, finishing a clear-cut second behind Piggybunz, who returned to win the Smart Halo Stakes in her next start. This one didn’t show much on grass last out, but should benefit from switching back to dirt. #1 Souper Taylor (7-2) went off favored around two turns on the Delaware lawn last out, and was blocked in traffic at the top of the stretch before closing for fourth once clear. #8 Jesse Marie (6-1) is the only one to run in the 70s twice on dirt, most recently doing so when closing for fourth behind a runaway winner at Delaware.

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

11-1-10-9 (DIRT: 4-5-7-6)

#11 Dandy Vandy (7-2) has recent figures that tower over these. She’s run at least an 82 in each of her last three starts. Only two of her rivals have run that fast at any point within their last three grass races. She was third against better last out, when she wore down the clear early leader, but got outkicked and ended up third. #1 Stop Watch (3-1) won a first-level allowance contest on this track last year with an 83, then closed for third against second-level competition in the following start. She was no factor against a tough group at Delaware last out in her second start off an 8 1/2-month layoff, but looks well-positioned for a big race here. #10 Sleepwalker (9-2) has been outkicked by better in her last few starts, but was a two-time winner against similar rivals to these on this track last fall.

RACE 8: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<75), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-5-1-3

#7 Assume Nothing (9-2) sat off the pace and hit the front at the top of the stretch last out, but couldn’t hold off the closers and finished third. He has the best early pace figures in a race without much of it, so he should be able to make the front from the outside post, set comfortable fractions, and have enough left to hold off the closers. #5 Shaft’s Bullet (9-5) has tons of backclass and gets to drop in class after hitting the board against borderline-stakes quality competition in three starts this year. He’ll be especially tough to hold off if the pace ends up contentious. #1 Forrest City (3-1) battled for the lead just about the whole way and ended up second to his dueling partner, Honor Mags. We’ll see if he can protect the rail and the lead from Assume Nothing.

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

6-5-3-1 (DIRT: 3-8-5-6)

#6 Don’t Tell Susan (6-1) debuts in a blank field for Phil Capuano, who does well with first-time starters, particularly on the grass. He’s a half-brother to a grass winner, and second dam Who Did It and Run was a two-time graded stakes winner on the lawn. #5 Replicate (9-5) showed speed and faded against maiden special weight rivals on dirt, and that kind of speed will be an asset against these as long as he takes to the surface at all. #3 Williston Wizard (6-1) has hit the board twice in three dirt starts, chasing a loose leader in his last race and holding on for a clear-cut show spot. He was entered for grass in that last race before it got washed off, and now hopes to make his debut on this surface in an easier bunch.

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