• John Piassek
• June 22, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$587
Jackpot Super High 5 — $756
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

5-6-1-2

It’s a Buster Poindexter type of day: hot, hot, hot. We’ll have accelerated post times all day long. #5 Thunder in Paris (5-2) and #1 Pure Majestic (3-1) are both coming out of the third race at Pimlico on May 25. Thunder in Paris didn’t get much wagering action on debut, but she closed strongly late after kicking off the rail late, and lost by a neck. Pure Majestic, sent off favored, improved sharply second time out, but just missed and got caught late by Thunder in Paris despite getting a front-running target to run at. She has to be respected, but she has the vibes of a horse who will always take money and always fall just short. Sandwiched in between those two for me is #6 Sharedeshenanigans (2-1), the first foal out of future Maryland-bred Hall of Famer Sharing. She’s worked well for Graham Motion as she prepares for her debut, but it is interesting that Motion would debut her here in a five-furlong contest, rather than wait for a spot at Colonial Downs or Saratoga. It’s not impossible that he thinks of this race as a prep, rather than a race she must win. The board might tell the story with her.

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

6-15-2-4

#6 Momentous Miss (4-1) makes her first start since October 27, where she loomed large in the stretch but ultimately did no better than fourth. She ran brisnet figures in the mid/upper-70s consistently last year, including a big race at Colonial last July where she lost by less than a length first off a near-two year layoff. That gives me confidence she’ll be ready to roll today despite the break. #15 Atmidnight (5-2) takes a big drop in class from first-level foes, against whom she’s generally run big figures, but not good enough to compete with the rivals she’s been facing. She should be able to make up plenty of ground against these. #2 Momma’s Lino (2-1) made her grass debut over 1 1/16 miles last out, and led most of the way while being pressed through honest fractions, ultimately ending up second behind trip-sitting Catch the Kitten. She’ll be a serious threat on the lead once again in this spot.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-6-7-5

#1 Maclin (2-1) ships back here for Steve Klesaris, having spent most of his career in Florida. He won two in a row at Gulfstream Park this sprint with stalk-and-pounce trips, but was no factor in his first start at this level last out after a rough break, even though he matched his career-best 85. Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time, and he should work out a great trip. #6 Dance for Green (5-2) was pressed on the pace and drew off in each of his last two races. The track was playing toward speed yesterday; if it does so again, he could prove tough to catch. His most serious competition on the lead may come from his direct outside in #7 Find Faith (9-2), who led most of the way last out, but tired and settled for third. That was the first time he showed speed in a while, after showing it plenty of times in the early stages of his career. We’ll see if Jean Alvelo is able to put him into play early.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-5-4

#2 Play Like a Raven (7-5) went off as the 2-1 third choice on debut at Delaware Park last August, and ran a big race on the lead, battling on the pace and holding third behind the two chalks. He returned to the worktab in mid-April for Brittany Russell, has had three bullet drills within his last seven, and faces a fairly easy field in his return. #1 Skylar’s Brother (3-1) improved to a 75 at second asking last out, making a bold move to the lead in the stretch and ultimately holding third. He gets another rider switch here to Jaime Rodriguez. #5 Wisecrack Warrior (9-5) has also had a bunch of bullet workouts for Mark Salvaggio in anticipation for his debut. His last three four-furlong drills at Penn National have all been sub-48 seconds. I’ll watch the board.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-2-5-6

#3 Charmed (5-2) makes his first start of the year for Patrick Neusch, who has solid numbers first off a 90+ day respite. This one ran a big 88 in his 2023 bow last out, just missing third against better types at this condition. He’ll be tough if he runs back to his best first off the bench. #2 Shofar (10-1) ran in the 80s in his first two starts of the year, and now cuts back around one turn. I’m interested in how he does going a shorter distance. #6 Smitten Enough (8-1) couldn’t last against better sprinters last Saturday, but gets a class switch from first-level company, and is a threat to run them off their feet.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-6-8-10

#5 Workin On a Dream (7-2) looks like the mains peed in a race that doesn’t have a lot of it. He set the pace and drew off to beat a similar conditioned bunch two starts ago, then finished a solid third against better in his most recent. The only serious pace pressure might come from #6 Fortune’s Fool (2-1), who ran back-to-back marks of 88 and 90 earlier this year, but was no match for gate-to-wire winner Helms Deep last out and faded to third. He could find himself in a similar spot behind Workin On a Dream. #10 Loose Goose (6-1) has the best late pace figures in the field, and should at least close and grab a slice.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-1-10

#7 Princess Lucia (6-1) gobbled up ground on debut against similar, losing third in a very close photo. Once she kicked to the center of the track, he really got going, and should improve further with a race under her belt. Four of her siblings won on grass, and one of them, Debbie’s Tude, was a stakes winner on this surface. #9 Tea Rose (3-1) ran a respectable 69 first off the bench two starts back, and even though her figure declined sharply last out, she still made good ground as the favorite against better. If she can stay closer to the pace, she’s a threat to rebound. #1 Intel Agent (4-1) exits the same race as Tea Rose, which was also her second race off the bench. She improved sharply that day, getting a jump on Tea Rose and winning a show photo. he’s showed inklings of promise on the lawn, and will try to put it all together today.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-2-3

A solid field of 3-year-old meets for today’s feature. #1 Waldrip (9-2) has improved since joining the Jamie Ness barn in late April, winning back-to-back starts with marks in the 80s. He was pressed on the lead throughout at Parx last out, but held on for a game victory. He should control the pace from the inside under Jaime Rodriguez, who has previously ridden him to victory. #4 Workislife (2-1) finished a strong second to Quint’s Brew two starts back, then faced softer rivals last out and dew off to win at this level despite a wide trip. If Waldrip can’t hang on the lead, this one will take full advantage. #2 Rainy Skies (4-1) finished a game second to Waldrip two starts back, and has taken steps forward with every race.