by Frank Vespe
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:30 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow 6 – $2,589; Super Hi-5 – $1,361
The Robbie Bailes trainee #6 Concordia’s Way (5-2) makes his first start in over eight months in the lid-lifter, and though he doesn’t win much, rates a legit shot to hit the ground with a win here; when last seen, he was keeping better company than these… One three-year-old will leave the maiden ranks in R2, and #7 Kitchen Soup (9-5) looks the most likely off a runner-up try vs. similar last out, and with the scratch of #2 Samadi Blue (3-1), he rates even stronger support. For a longer shot, take a gander at speedy #5 Mr. Chesapeakecity (8-1), who should appreciate a faster surface today and gets Lasix for the first time… #7 Journeyonthemove (4-5) rates solid favoritism in the third-race sprint, but we’re concerned he gets cooked in the early pace with a couple of other E types, setting up for the class dropper #5 Rein Supreme (3-1) to get the money on the cutback.
PICKS
Race 1
- 6-2-1-4
Race 2
- 7-5-3-6
- Scr: 2, 4
Race 3
- 5-7-1-3
The late-running #3 Papacho (9-5) looks to register a hat trick in race four, having won his last two at odds of 11-1 and 7-2, and you’ll be thanking your lucky stars if you get anything like either of those numbers today. The 1, 4, and 7 all look likely to be involved in the early scramble here, which leaves – you guessed it – Papacho under Victor Carrasco to picks up the pieces… Take a good look at R5: some of these runners are likely to retire as maidens, and others may win just a single career race. The solid morning line pick here is #5 By the Bay (7-5), and the Claudio Gonzalez trainee has done enough — including a third-place finish vs. better and speed figs in the mid-30s — to warrant the honor. But he also lost vs. similar and here tries a one-turn sprint for the first time after having been outfooted in a two-turn sprint at CT. So we conclude taking a shot against is the way to play this one, which gets us to #2 Lucky Leonard (5-2), making his career debut here for trainer Anthony Farrior, who’s 4-for-12 with debut maiden claimers… Little bit of LONGSHOT ACTION in race six, as we’re looking for #4 Icy Lady (8-1) to shake the blues and get back to her better form. The Mike Gorham trainee won at first asking and ran credibly in a NY-bred stake at BEL back in July before it all went sideways for her; #1a Caterina One (2-1) figures to do the early honors, with this one perched in mid-pack ready to pounce under top local pilot Trevor McCarthy…
PICKS
RACE 4
- 3-7-1-2
RACE 5
- 2-5-3-4
RACE 6
- 4-1A-8-6
- Scr: 1, 2, 7
The late-running #6 In Arrears (4-5) –today’s most appropriate name — gave a terrific accounting of himself in his last, which was also his first in the Claudio Gonzalez barn (shocker, I know!). But he doesn’t win a lot, and even on the stretch out he may have work to do late. We’re looking for a mild upset here in the form of #3 Apolodorodedamasco (7-2) for trainer Jamie Ness. This one makes his third start off a little break here and just missed against similar last out… For the third straight start, #6 Her Royal Highness (2-1) will break from the far outside here in race eight, but for the first time, that might figure in the outcome; with the short run up to the turn, jock Jorge Vargas, Jr. needs to make a split-second decision: go forward or take back. Horses breaking from the six-hole and farther out are 0-for-9 this year at 1 1/16 miles. We’re thinking that #4 Tightly Twisted (6-1) rates a solid chance here as the lone speed with Trevor McCarthy up… Nothing too adventurous in race 9, as we see the likely top two wagering choices — #1 Trusty Roll (9-5) and #4 My Chesa Charm (8-5) – as likely to occupy the exacta…
PICKS
RACE 7
- 3-6-1-5
RACE 8
- 4-6-1-2
RACE 9
- 1-4-5-3
