Laurel Park picks and ponderings October 13, 2019

Anna’s Bandit. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

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

Post time: 1:10 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,170; Super High 5 — None; Late Pick 5 — $4,820

Notable: 

ANALYSIS

RACE 1 

1. #3 Jag (3/1): Had a clear lead against a similar field last out, before getting run down in the last stages. He’s been competitive in his last five races, all of which have come since August 2.
2. #1 Gunslinger (8/1): He’s got early speed in a race that’s otherwise devoid of it. If he gets a loose early lead, he’ll be dangerous.
3. #7 The Walk (4/1): Makes his first start since early July, where he sat a great trip and lost a stretch battle. Grass form has been improving, but might need a race off the vacation.
   

Selections: 3-1-7-6

RACE 2 

1. #8 Lady Kim (9/2): Sat a great trip and rolled on to beat a similar group last out. In fact, four of her rivals from that race have returned here. She’s been in consistently good form, and, as a 3-year-old filly, has the option to keep winning at this level without worrying about her conditions expiring.
2. #2 R True Sensation (8/1): Delaware Park shipper was knocking on the door at this level over there in her last few. Should be forwardly placed from the inside, and can at least hang around for the minors.
3. #14 Group Text (5/2): The morning line favorite would likely be an even heavier choice if not for the brutal outside post. As is, she won impressively from an outside post last out, and gets Trevor McCarthy to ride. Must be respected, regardless of post.

Selections: 8-2-14-9

RACE 3

1. #4 Golden Gary (8/5): Absolutely smoked the field in his lone grass try two starts back. If he runs back to that race, the rest of these are running for second.
2. #6 Muchmorethanthis (3/1): Speedy colt broke his maiden two starts back in gate-to-wire style, then finished third in a stakes at Colonial Downs. He’s proven to have good form over the grass, and looks to be the best of the rest.
3. #8 Rookie Salsa (6/1): A bit of a mystery here. He won the Kentucky Juvenile back in May, then struggled against stakes company in his next two, now tries grass for the first time. He might be classy enough to win anyway, but I would need to get a price before betting him to win.

Selections: 4-6-8-7

ANALYSIS

RACE 4

1. #4 Onarock (5/2): He was fanned extremely wide in his first try at the level last out, but still closed well and ended up third. It was also his first try at a route, and he certainly raced pretty well.
2. #9 Eddy Dirt (5/1): Makes his first grass start since May, when he was a bumbling sixth against better at Belmont Park. I’m counting on the class drop to wake him up.
3. #5 Hazaspittin’ Image (12/1): Tries this level for the first time, and is lightly-raced, with just four races to his name. His speed figures were decent in those races, and now cuts back from 1 ½ miles.

Selections: 4-9-5-6

RACE 5

1. #4 Yess Pec (6/1): Broke his maiden in dominant fashion last out, now tries winners for the first time. Trainer Anthony Pecoraro is 35% with second-time lasix.
2. #2 Bricktop (7/2): He’s been running steadily good figures, and was hung impossibly wide last out against similar. Hopefully, he can save more ground here with a rail draw.
3. #6 Makemie Park (10/1): Tries winners and dirt for the first time, after a strong maiden-breaking win over grass last out. Has enough upside to be worth a look.

Selections: 4-2-6-3

RACE 6 

1. #1 Alleria (9/5): Battled gamely down the stretch last out and just missed in a good battle. That was her first try at this class; I’m expecting another big effort in try number two.
2. #6 Echo of Victory (6/1): Drops to a career-low level, and got involved in a pace tussle last out before fading. Looks to be the primary speed of the race.
3. #3 Barton Hall (3/1): She’s shown steadily good form in her four career races, and rallied decently to finish fourth last time.

Selections: 1-6-3-8

ANALYSIS

RACE 7 

1. #2 Long Point Beach (8/5): Chased the winner around the oval on debut, but finished second, well clear of the rest. She was well-bet on debut, and should be supported even more here.
2. #7 Lady Fox (12/1): Showed good closing kick in her first two races, and now gets lasix for the first time in her dirt debut.
3. #1 Best Moon Ever (6/1): Has a steady series of good workouts getting ready for this race, including a good four-furlong bullet drill last Saturday.

 Selections: 2-7-1-8

RACE 8 

1. #6 Casper Slew (2/1): First-time gelding goes out for the first time since June for the Trombetta barn. Works have been solid, and was in consistent form, if somewhat even, prior to the vacation.
2. #8 Start with Yes (5/2): The 0-for-9 record is alarming, but at least he’ll cut back in distance and drop in class.
3. #1 Vee’s Super Star (3/1): He was in good form prior to his vacation; now returns for the first time in more than eight months. While he’s been good in the morning, I’ll need to see a race out of him.

Selections: 6-8-1-2

RACE 9

1. #10 Audacious Quality (9/2): Had to make up an impossible amount of ground just to get into contention last out. Hopefully will be more forwardly placed this time.
2. #1 Pinar (4/1): Another one who showed good closing kick; his good performance was at Colonial Downs. Should improve second time on grass.
3. #8 Gray Gary (8/5): He’s got speed, but remains an unknown quantity around two turns.

Selections: 10-1-8-6

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