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) — $644
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $11,974
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 6-10) — $0

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

2-4-11-7 (DIRT: 3-4-11-9)

#2 Nothinglesswilldo (4-1) came from off the pace to beat a similar field three starts back at Colonial Downs. She improved to a career-best brisnet figure of 79 in her most recent grass try when she was a pace-sitting third against Maryland-restricted allowance rivals next out. #4 Miss Ellary (6-1) hasn’t had much of a closing punch in her last few dirt starts, but finished a respectable second in her most recent start on this surface at Gulfstream Park in December. She could be poised for an imporved effort on the surface switch. #11 J Candy (9-2) ran in the 80s in each of her three grass starts at Delaware Park this summer, and should find herself on or near the pace.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-2-3-4

#7 Three Polks (2-1) overcame a wide trip to get second first off the Jonathan Maldonado claim last out at Delaware. She won two of her prior three starts against better, and now drops a notch from starter optional claiming rivals. #2 Susan’s Mule (6-5) ran a gutsy race on the lead and held third in her most recent try on the New Castle oval. She looks like the commanding speed from the inside, but if her morning line is any indication, she’s bound to be overbet. #3 Always Forward (8-1) might want to go further than this, but still has the best late pace figures in the field and is a great type to use underneath.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $35,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

8-4-3-6

#8 Herecomesthecptn (2-1) was well-bet on debut going a mile at Delaware. He set the pace and faded to fourth, but he’s at least shown some life going two turns, unlike his rivals. He’s loaded with two-turn pedigree, including his older brother Let’s Go Lando, who won a similar race at this time last year. #4 Mischief Mind (9-2) improved sharply to a 73 second time out when he finished a pace-chasing third. He’s run well in both starts, but they were at six furlongs, and he’s a completely unknown commodity at this distance. #3 Jack Rabbitness (5-2) ran a career-best 70 going a one-turn mile last out. He rated off the pace, hit the front, and flattened out to second. Still, he’s gotten better with each race, and should move forward again first off the Brittany Russell claim.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-9-1-8 (DIRT: 9-1-7-2)

#2 Betterpartofvalour (5-2) raced wide near the pace and held third in his debut at Colonial. He went off favored in a washed-off maiden special weight affair last out and faded, but now gets tons of class relief and should only improve. #9 Mojohnnymojohnny (2-1) didn’t fire against much better than these last out; however, he showcased his speed and managed to hold second first time out at Timonium. That kind of speed will be a major asset against these types. #1 Coach Holtz (6-1) is an interesting first-time starter for the ever-dangerous Cal Lynch barn. He’s worked well over the past few weeks at his Delaware base and doesn’t have to be a world-beater to get a share of this on debut. Watch the board.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

10-1-3-5

#10 Task Force (2-1) hasn’t raced in 247 days, and that was his only race in the past year. However, he’s the only one of these to run in the 70s in each of his last three starts, and Anthony Farrior should have him ready to go against this substandard group. #1 Better Than Lotto (6-1) wasn’t visually impressive in his last few starts, but still ran a career-best 71 in his most recent outing. He’s shown speed in the past and is lightly-raced enough to make me believe a bounce-back is possible. #3 Coco No Loco (7-2) opened up a clear lead in the stretch against these types two starts back, but flattened out and settled for second. Still, he’s in consistently sharp form as of late, and will be a late threat with a well-timed move.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

13-3-16-7 (DIRT: 6-5-13-11)

#13 Walker (3-1) has been no worse than fourth in four starts on the Presque Isle Downs synthetic, and makes his debut on a surface he looks well-suited for. All four of his winning siblings won on this surface, including graded stakes winner Departing. #3 Awesome Law (1-1) ran in the mid/upper-60s in both starts against better earlier this year, and now plunges in class from Virginia-restricted maidens for Brittany Russell. If the also-eligibles don’t get in, he’ll be almost impossible to beat. #16 Royal Authentic (8-1) closed for second behind a gate-to-wire winner in his last grass start, running a career-best 77 in the process. It’s an outlier compared to the rest of his races, but we at least know the ability’s in there somewhere.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-1-3

#5 Can Am Winner (3-1) pressed the pace and drew away to break her maiden at second asking last out with a much-improved 64. She looks like she’ll once again be tough on the lead. #4 Weaver (2-1) is the only multiple winner in the race, having drawn off against starter optional claiming rivals in her first race off a 2 1/2-month break two races ago. She stopped badly against a tough first-level allowance field last out and hasn’t worked since, but this is a prime opportunity for her to rebound. #1 Sr Seventyone (7-2) was a well-beaten fifth against that tough field last out, outfinishing Weaver in the process. She’s dropping in for a tag against winners the first time, having previously broken her maiden for $40,000 in impressive gate-to-wire fashion at Churchill Downs in May.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-8-12-2 (DIRT: 9-4-6-2)

#9 Gripen (5-2) set the pace and faded going two turns against better in her last grass start, but ran well against similar rivals to these earlier this year. She has a chance to make the lead and clear to the inside despite her draw, and if she can set even somewhat modest fractions, she’ll be tough to catch. #8 Dream Overture (9-5) won her last two starts here going away, including a stalk-and-pounce win at this condition last out. If Gripen gets caught in a duel, this one will take full advantage. #12 Katarzyna (12-1) was a game fourth against slightly tougher in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap last out, and won three races ago after leading all the way.

RACE 9: RATINGS OPTIONAL CLAIMING (<75), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-6-5

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-12-10-2 (DIRT: 12-10-3-4)

#4 Continentaldrifter (4-1) is a first-time starter in a blank field sired by Rainbow Heir, whose progeny win at 21% first time on the grass (albeit in a small sample size). #12 Take On the Jewels (10-1) was well-bet in her grass debut last out, but got knocked around at the start, then was forced to check again. She’ll be a bigger threat with a better trip, and you’ll get a better price if you still believe. #10 Dash Dash Dot (15-1) has gotten much better with each start, and showed speed and held second in her last start at Charles Town.

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