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) — $8,128
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $4,795
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

5-1-6-8

#5 Saltwater Cove (8-1) ran a huge race on the lead at this level on debut. He lasted through an early duel and held on for second, beaten less than a head. He wasn’t as sharp against maiden special weight runners at Delaware Park last out, but he should bounce back on the drop in class. #1 Tamarin (4-1) takes a career-low class drop in shipping in for Miguel Clement, gets blinkers on, and adds Jorge Ruiz. He’s chased the pace and faded in both career starts, but should last longer in this spot. #6 Fortune Hill (5-1) has rallied and just missed in his last two starts against similar. Last out, he lost to Tax and Tags, who returned to clear his non-winners of two condition on Friday.

RACE 2: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-2-4-3

#6 Perfect Force (3-1) makes his first start for the Jamie Ness enterprise after a flat effort against second-level allowance rivals at Saratoga. He held his own against better for most of the year, running a brisnet figure of at least 85 three times in his last four starts. That kind of race would beat these. #2 Re Markably (2-1) was entered and scratched from a similar spot a few weeks ago, in favor of a third-place effort behind multiple stakes winner Dean Delivers last out. He beat similar rivals a few times earlier this year, and looks poised to bounce back here. #4 Grand Opening (9-2) was a total dud against fellow New York-breds in his most recent outing, which was only his second race in the past year. He consistently ran in the 90s towards the end of last year, and while it’s not clear if he still has that ability anywhere, he’ll be a threat if he does.

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

10-6-5-4

#10 Vesting (9-2) hasn’t raced in over a year, but ran at least an 87 in each of his last four starts last summer and fall. He’s worked well since getting back on the worktab for new trainer Keri Brion in late September, and if he can shake off the rust in his first start off the bench, he’ll win. #6 Duchessa (4-1) was a game second in each of her two starts against these types at Colonial Downs. She gets a rider switch to Jorge Ruiz for an Arnaud Delacour outfit that has done fantastic work all meet long. #5 Reckless (2-1) sat great trips and converted to win each of his last two starts. Two starts ago, he defeated Punxsutawney Phil, who won at this level next out as the favorite.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-2-10-1

#5 Putter Man (8-1) has taken steps forward with each of his three starts. Last out, in his dirt debut, he showed speed for the first time and managed to hold third going a mile. He should improve dropping further in class and cutting back in distance by another eighth of a mile. #2 President Camacho (2-1) ran a career-best 77 against better last out, setting the pace and holding third. The winner of that race, Love Yourself, returned to capture a Maryland-restricted allowance sprint in his next race. #10 Regency Tale (8-5) got some time off after a dull try in late June at Colonial Downs. He’s the only one in the field to run in the 70s in each of his last three starts, and is also getting some class relief, but doesn’t promise to offer much value.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-9-12-11

#1 Instant Stardom (1-1) battled for the early lead and managed to hold third in her two-turn debut last out at the Meadowlands. She outfinished her dueling partner by 14 lengths, and lost only to rivals who got great trips off the pace. #9 Panning for Gold (12-1) looks like the most interesting first-time starter in a largely blank field. She has plenty of grass pedigree, as four of her six winning siblings on on this surface, and races for a Justin Nixon barn that has done well all meet long. Even if Instant Stardom blows them away, this one wouldn’t have to be a world-beater to secure second. #12 Maria Elena (3-1) was well-bet in her first outing against maiden special weight foes last out, but broke awkwardly and never got involved. We’ll see if she improves with the addition of blinkers.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-3-11-6

#9 Citrine (3-2) was an impressive maiden-breaking winner two starts ago, then was beaten three lengths in his first start against winners last out by, among others, a pair of next-out winners. He looks tough in here for Graham Motion and Jose Vargas, though you won’t get much value. #3 Daw Samaa (8-1) broke his maiden at 16th asking two starts back, but couldn’t make the lead and faded badly last out. He looks fast enough to make the lead here, and from there, he’ll have every chance to lead them all the way. #11 Dynaflame (15-1) pressed the pace and held fourth against a similar group to thi one at Colonial last out. He’ll try to work out a trip off the pace and take advantage if Daw Samaa can’t last.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-7-1

#8 Ayni (7-5) is a bit of a dangerous horse to bet. She’s lost as the favorite three times in as many starts, including a half-length defeat against similar last out. Still, she’s run in the mid-70s in each of her last two starts, and adds blinkers and Jorge Ruiz as she faces a very inexperienced field. If she’ll ever win, it’ll be here. #4 Bubbling (9-2) has worked well for Jamie Ness as she prepares for her career debut, with Jaime Rodriguez getting the call. Watch the board. #7 Purely Assured (12-1) managed to close for third, five lengths behind Ayni, at first asking last out. She could bridge that gap second time out, at a much better number.

RACE 8: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<65), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-1-10-9

#8 Cactus (6-1) has run big races on the lead in each of his last two starts, including a game third against asimilar group last out. You’re likely to get a better price today than usual if you still believe. #1 Incinerator (8-1) made a dramatic nine-wide brush and got up for second over Cactus last out. He always has the best late pace figures on paper but seldom wins, so putting him so high on my selections feels a bit like falling into a trap. Still, he can’t be discounted for underneath spots. #10 Congrats On Fire (5-1) couldn’t make the front and ended up second last out at Delaware, but he looks fast enough to cross and clear these and outfinish the rest.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

7-5-6-4

#7 Dr. Steve (6-1) has a not dissimilar profile to another Michael Moore trainee, Alani, who won last Sunday. Both have lots of backclass and both were coming off of poor efforts in their first start off a break. Can lightning strike twice? #5 Zero Blitz (8-5) ran about as well as one could’ve expected last out in the Polynesian Stakes. The way the race played out, Winterfell had a massive advantage and was almost impossible to catch. However, Zero Blitz still closed gamely and secured second, bouncing back from a poor effort two races ago. He was an easy winner against a tough bunch in his last start at this distance. #6 Derbyness (3-1) couldn’t draw into the Maryland Million Classic yesterday, but looks plenty live here. He almost wired the field two starts back, and has proven he can run well from on or off the pace.

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