• John Piassek
• May 4, 2024

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

Post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$13,894
Jackpot Super High 5 — $599
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-7-3-2

We’ve got 10 races on the Derby day slate. Note the early first post. #1 Margie’s Fun Son (8-5) was a chasing second behind pacesetting Mosler Time in his most recent start at this level, then finished a respectable third against better after a wide trip last out. He’s the only one in the field with brisnet figures in the 80s in each of his last three starts. #7 Nico Lucky (10-1) sat the trip and drew off to break his maiden two starts back, then got involved in a pace battle last out and faded to third. He might be better off trying to rate off the leaders here; if he does, he can showcase what looks like a high ceiling. #3 Hurrying Home (5-1) made an early move into the pace last out and held in until late. He might find himself on the lead from towards the inside here.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-2-5-3 (DIRT: 5-1-2-3)

#6 Storm Force (12-1) is the only one in the field to run on grass this year, giving him the edge in a race where half the field is coming off 100+ day layoffs. He improved slightly to a 60 last out at Fair Grounds when trying to close off a slow pace while wide, and looks ready to run an improved race against these types. #2 Hard Traveler (6-5) ran in the 70s and low 80s with regularity on grass last year, even though he didn’t make much of a dent against straight maidens last year. He got some time off since clipping heels at the start at Aqueduct out, and should be heard from late as long as he gets any kind of pace to close into. #5 Simon’s Choice (8-1) improved sharply to a 71 second off the layoff last out sprinting on dirt, and sat closer to the pace than he had in a while. Tactical speed could be an asset in this field.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-4-3-5

#7 Maddie Ten (9-2) has won two straight, with figures in the mid-70s, against softer, She fought on after racing on the pace and eked out narrow wins in those spots; this will be her biggest class test yet. #4 Ree Nee’s Six (8-5) was outkicked in the stretch last out, and now takes a drop from the $40,000 level. She sat further off the pace than usual that day, while the winner and runner-up got a two-length jump start on her. #3 Lisa’s Palace (8-1) won impressively at this level two starts back, and has worked well since a flat try last out.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-5-4

We’ll kick off 2-year-old racing in Maryland with a field of six blank slates. #2 Biscuitwiththeboss (7-5), a full sister to stakes winner Bosserati, has worked sharply for Brittany Russell at Fair Hill, going three furlongs in a strong 36 seconds on Tuesday. #1 Pure Majestic (5-2), a $100,000 purchase for No Guts No Glory Farm last fall, also has a recent bullet drill under her belt, going three furlongs in 36 seconds from the gate on April 21. Her older half-sister, Tonalist’s Shape, won on debut and went on to be a three-time stakes winner; the Robbs are hoping this one follows the same path. #5 Belmontis (8-1) has the deepest worktab of anyone in the race, having turned in six timed drills at Three Diamonds Training Center in Kentucky for James Chapman. She’s by Thousand Words, who has had two starters so far: maiden winner The Queens M G and Vodka With a Twist, fourth, beaten two lengths, on debut.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-12-9

#4 Von Hoff (6-1) cleared his non-winners of two condition two starts back, with a big 87, then popped the door of the gate before the start last out and was visually unimpressive from there, even though he ran a respectable 78. The first and third-place finishers in that race have both returned to win. #1 Guaponess (5-1) also broke awkwardly in his last start, with spelt doom for this pacesetter. When he’s able to get to the front, he tends to run much better, and he should control things from the rail under Jaime Rodriguez. #12 Thataway (6-1) missed by a just a length with a solid 77 in his last start, his third off nearly a year’s break, While it’s obviously not a great draw, at least we know he can handle an overland journey.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-5-2

#4 Work Hard (2-1) has tried to rally off of slow paces in his last few, without much success, but he has positive two-turn experience, a rarity in this field. Hot-riding J.G. Torrealba gets the call for the first time, and should try to keep him close to the pace. The SF/Starlight team and Brittany Russell teamed up to win a maiden race yesterday, and they’ll try it again with #3 Westeros (6-5). He went off favored in his debut going six furlongs, and finished a churning fourth. The winner, The Band Runs On, came back to finish second in a tough first-level field next out. This one looks like he’ll appreciate more distance, but will be a hard price to swallow. #5 Passioned (10-1) came from off the pace to win a place photo, with a career-best 70, in his last start on this track in October, and showed brief speed before fading in his 2024 debut at Gulfstream Park last out. He’s had a local workout since coming back up here in mid-April, and should show some improvement.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

11-7-9-5 IDIRT: 11-5-1-12)

#11 Tempest (8-1) was a sharp winner on debut at Charles Town last out, sitting the trip and kicking away under a drive. He’s never run on this surface before, but his sire, Twirling Candy, is a respectable 15% with horses making their first start on grass, and he’s a sibling to a grass winner. Plus, it’s not like this field is loaded with grass ability. #7 Upsidedown Man (2-1) takes a drop from first-level foes, where he was outkicked after racing off the rail in his most recent. He dealt with traffic trouble in his last two starts of the season, but still ran solid figures, and should improve second off the bench. #9 Sir Lance (4-1) ran a career-best 77 in his 2023 finale last October, and has worked well in preparation for his return. He looks like the controlling speed of this field.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-3-5

The form of #1 Lottie Deno (3-1) got a shot in the arm yesterday, when Kilo Road, whom Lottie Deno finished ahead of last out, broke her maiden yesterday. This one recovered from an awkward start and just missed in that race, and has a big edge over this largely inexperienced group. Fellow Brittany Russell trainee #6 Biscuit (2-1), one of three first-time starters in the race, is a sibling of four winners, including two-time stakes winner Bella Aurora. This one rejoined the worktab in mid-March and has done good work in the morning, including a five-furlong bullet drill on April 24. The board will tell the story with her. #3 Striker Has Dial (5-2) also has a decent worktab since coming back on it in mid-March. She’s a half-sister to two winners, both of whom won in their first season of racing.