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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $0
Jackpot Super Hi 5 (race 6) — $1,808
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-6-8-7 (DIRT: 8-1-2-4)

#10 Awesome Law (4-1) finished a game second against these types on debut at Colonial Downs, then regressed a bit when stepped up into Virginia-restricted maiden special weight competition next out. This group should be more to his liking. He’s one of two Brittany Russell trainees in here. The other, #6 Ready Set (2-1), drops in for a tag for the first time after finishing fifth following a wide trip on debut. #8 Imperial Chatter (4-1) turned in a much-improved effort second time on grass last out. He raced on the pace, opened up a clear lead, and held on for fifth. I’m not sure how much he wants this distance, considering he tired going a mile in that last race. However, he has some speed and is in ascending form, and that might be enough against these.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-5-2

#6 Frustrated (1-1) has been working for a while for Brittany Russell, including three bullet workouts since the beginning of September. These Repole-owned, Russell-trained runners are often boom-or-bust types. However, this is a pretty soft field, so this one should be tough as long as he shows any ability. #1 Card Shark (2-1) went off as the second choice on debut at Colonia. He chased gate-to-wire Overtime Rules and finished a very respectable third. Overtime Rules returned to win a non-winners of two allowance next out at Keeneland, while second-place finisher Eleos was a solid third against maiden special weight foes at the same track. #5 Mythical Magic (6-1) makes his first start since November, when he raced in midpack and stopped badly in the last eighth. He returned to a steady worktab in mid-August, and has worked well since then. He’ll hope to improve with the time off, Lasix, and blinkers.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-10-8-2 (DIRT: 9-1-2-6)

#9 Big Earn (2-1) never looked comfortable in her last grass start at Colonial. She was forced to check a few times on the far turn, was angled wide in the lane, and never got truly clear sailing, ultimately fading to last. Her last race was washed off to dirt, but she still ran well, establishing a clear lead and holding second. She now returns to a track she’s won on three times, including a dominant win against Maryland-restricted first-level rivals on May 31. #10 The Magic Ofmovies (5-1) also saw her last race taken off the grass, and she proved no factor, finishing well up the track. In her last start on the lawn, 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. #8 Mezcal Mama (4-1) made an impressive last-to-first rally to break her maiden at second asking last out. Third-place finisher Mischievous Twins and seventh-place finisher Brikeli have both won since.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-2-7-3 (DIRT: 2-5-7-11)

#4 Do the Right Thing (6-1) improved significantly on debut, improving ten brisnet points to a 66. He raced on the pace three-wide and was hanging in there late, then lost all chance of contention when eventual winner Moneta Agenda came in, causing Do the Right Thing to check sharply. #2 Bet Me (10-1) stood little chance of catching runaway winner Winslow on debut, but rallied well from far off the pace to get fourth. Hammy Smith-trained runners tend to do much better second time out. He hits at only 6% on debut, but 26% at second asking. #7 Matt’s Venture (6-1) is a first-time starter for Phil Capuano, whose horses do fire at first asking. This one’s a half-brother to Daring Venture, a winner on grass, and his aunt, Boudica, also won on this surface.

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

1-3-2-4

#1 In Honor of Jeff (6-1) showed improving form over the summer, running in the low/mid-70s two and three dirt starts back, but was no factor against better last out. We’ll see if the drop in class will wake him up. If he runs his best race and shows his closing kick, he’ll be hard to hold off. #3 Veneto (2-1) is the main early speed of this field, and has led all the way in two of his last four races. He’ll get a bit of a class test after clearing his non-winners of two claiming condition in his last win, but his usual trip could give him a major advantage. #2 Pencil Me In (5-1) outfinished In Honor of Jeff for sixth in his last start against better, and is the only one to run in the 70s in each of his last three races.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-10-3-6 (DIRT: 2-8-5-7)

#7 Divine Mousse (2-1) ran well on debut last out. She closed off an early duel and rallied for second behind Meadowlark Drive, who has better late speed than most of today’s rivals. This is a slightly better field than the one Divine Mousse saw on debut, but any sort of improvement will help her cause. #10 Penelope’s Gift (4-1) was one of those early duelers, holding on for third behind Meadowlark Drive and Divine Mousse in an impressive effort. Her draw isn’t great, as there’s speed to her inside and she might get caught in a wide duel. However, she’s in great form, and she’s run well from off the pace in the past, so she doesn’t have to gun for the lead if she doesn’t have to. #3 Sota Summers (3-1) led almost the whole way and faded going two turns last, the first time she had shown that much speed in her four-race career. This will be her first one-turn start.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-9-7-8 (DIRT: 5-3-6-8)

#1 Fuerteventura (1-1) 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. #9 Dynacito (4-1) raced on the pace and fought hard to win a first-level allowance contest last out. He made the early lead, conceded it up the backstretch, then fought back for his second win in his last three starts. While he’s yet to be tested for class, he’s shown promise and has early speed could prove dangerous. #7 Can Group (10-1) doesn’t win too often, but he has great late pace figures and is more than capable of rounding out the exotics at a good price.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-4-3-6

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