• John Piassek
• June 21, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-4-1-3

The first race day of summer looms a hot and sunny one. #6 Formal Affair (4-1) set the pace and held third last out in what proved to be a very productive race. The top two finishers, Waldrip and Rainy Skies, both returned to win next out. Take out a disappointing race two starts back against much better, and he’s run brisnet figures in the 80s in each of his last three starts. The only one who can run close to his ceiling is #4 Margie’s Fun Son (8-5), who has run well at this level, but has no early speed and tends to leave himself with too much to do. Perhaps going to the Jamie Ness barn for the first time will put him over the top. #1 King Covee (6-1) made what looked like a winning move on the turn in his last start, but got caught late and settled for second. He hasn’t raced since February 2, so while he has plenty of upside, he might need a race in his first start off the Phil Schoenthal claim.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-2-15-12

#7 Chat Blanc (5-2) makes his second start off the layoff for the Tim Keefe/Forest Boyce team. He didn’t do much against a tough first-level field last out, but he’s run figures that would be competitive at this class, and he should enjoy the class relief. #2 Duckpins (4-1) came up the rail and just missed against gate-to-wire winner Jumpingjaggerflash in his last start. Still, he made good ground in the last eighth and beat a few of the rivals he’ll see today in the process. This looks like a prime spot to put it all together. #15 P Money (8-1) raced wide throughout against New York-bred allowance foes last out and, unsurprisingly, backed up. However, he’s run at least a 78 on the grass three times in his career. If he can save even a little bit of ground here, he’ll bounce back to his peak performance.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-3-4

At first glance, one might be the bit suspicious of the 0-for-11 career record of #5 Enemynumbernine (2-1). However, she’s faced much better in most of those starts, and now drops in for a $20,000 tag for the first time. She’s run int he 70s three times in her last four starts; anything in that range wins this race. #7 Storm Creed (9-5) crossed the wire first two races ago at Tamp Bay Downs, but was late disqualified due to a positive drug test. She’s had some time off since a flat try in her first start against winners, and should show speed from the outside. #3 Lucky Honey (9-2) switches back to dirt following a mild grass try last out. She ran a respectable 59 first time out two races ago, and has room to build off that effort.

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

5-1-2-3

#5 Eleleus (4-1) ran a big race first off a six-month layoff last out. He got a great trip just off the pace and responded when asked, taking the lead late before fading in the stretch. That might have been the layoff catching up with him, but he should run a much-improved race with a race under his belt. #1 Forceful (5-2) ran an impressive 79 first time out for Brittany Russell two races back, but was completely lethargic last out and made no ground off a slow pace. He takes a drop in class here , and will hope for a more honest pace to close into. If anyone does steal it, it may be #2 Marty’s Magic (6-1), who makes his second start on grass, and has plenty of early speed in a race without much of it. He got entangled in a duel last out and faded, but should have every chance to wire them here under Jamie Rodriguez.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-6-7

This is practically a rematch of the fifth race on June 1. #5 Mama G’s Wish (5-2) went off as the favorite that day, but couldn’t get by the victorious Mattitude and lost by a nose. Still, she easily won at this level two races ago, and has run ascending figures in each of her last four races. She’s likely to prompt #1 Lady Zeta (3-1), who has abundant early speed, from that one’s outside, and will be in a prime spot to strike on the turn. Lady Zeta goes first off the claim by Jamie Ness, for whom she’s run her best. She ran at least an 83 three times in four starts for the Ness barn over the winter, but struggled in her two starts for Mike Trombetta. Fellow Jamie Ness trainee #6 Brzina (7-2) was third behind Mattitude and Mama G’s Wish last out, in a nice bounce-back effort second off the bench. She’s take advantage if things get a bit too heated up front.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-ODLS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-3-5-1

#8 Barzini (12-1) was headstrong against better first off an 18-month layoff last out, and didn’t do much. He ran big races as a 2-year-old in the fall of 2022, winning back-to-back races between here and Gulfstream Park with figures in the mid/upper-80s. He’ll try to inch closer to that form second off the layoff. #3 Had to Have Him (2-1) has found his best self since switching to grass a few weeks back, with marks in the 80s each time. He ran down next-out winner and stakes-placed Tidewater two starts ago, then finished a game second against second-level foes last out with a career-best 85. #5 One Way Traffic (8-1) goes first time on grass for John Salzman Jr, and looks like the main speed of the field. He’s a half-sibling to two grass winners. He saddled Jumpingjaggerflash to a 32-1 upset win earlier in the month, who had a similar profile as One Way Traffic going in to the race.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

3-1A-8-4

#3 Augustine Red (3-1) has run subpar races in his last two outings, but had class and pace disadvantage sin both of those starts. He ships to his home state for the first time since Linda Rice, and has a high ceiling, having some of big races earlier this year at Aqueduct. He has great late pace figures, and will be a factor with any sort of pace to close into. #1A Irish Warlock (10-1) gets a much-needed cutback in distance, having stopped badly going 1 1/16 miles last out. He ran consistent mid/upper-80s figures against softer earlier this year, and now gets his class test. #8 Oneofthegoodguys (7-2) has improved with each recent start, and was a solid, chasing second in his most recent try. Penn National-based Angel Rodriguez comes in for the mount.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-1-2

#3 Ms. Bucchero (4-1) has always had the look of a filly on the precipice of a serious breakthrough, but hasn’t been able to run two big races in a row. Some of that might be attributable to not racing on lasix, but she’s also run some clunkers on medication. She capped her 2023 season with a determined in at this level, running a career-best 95 in the process, and faded to second after getting entangled in a duel at Parx first off the layoff last out. She’s worked very well since then, and looks primed for a big effort today. who knows what will follow? The ever-classy #4 Malibu Beauty (9-5) made her 2024 debut a winning one at Delaware Park last out, going gate-to-wire to win going a mile. This might be a bit too short for her, but she has lots of early speed and the class advantage. #1 Happy Clouds (12-1) rated off the pace and fought hard to win at Charles Town last out. She should get a nice trip stalking the pace on the rail, and gets regular rider Arnaldo Bocachica, who often connects when he comes here, in the saddle.