Laurel Park picks and ponderings December 1, 2019

Anna’s Bandit. Photo by Laurie Asseo.

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $7,765; Super High 5 — $669; Late Pick 5 — None

Notable:

RACE 1

2-5-1-6
2, Saar’s Image (3/1): I still think she might be better on grass than on dirt, but had a tough trip against better horses in her dirt debut, so I’m willing to give her a shot here. Gets first-time lasix as well
5, Princess Anne (5/2): Keeps knocking at the door at this level, with three in the money finishes without a win. Her figure has sharply improved each time, though, so maybe she’s coming into form.
1, Gypsy Girl (6/1): Finished an even fourth in her first race on dirt last out, outkicked by Princess Anne. Ran a career-top figure by a good margin in that race, so this could be the surface she wants. Looking to use her underneath.

RACE 2

4-2-1-5
4, Kateandlillian (7/5): Speedy filly couldn’t get to the lead last out, but still held on to finish second in her first start off a long layoff. Looking for improvement second off the bench.
2, Honorable Profit (4/1): Got a good trip last out, but couldn’t capitalize and finished fifth. Drawn a bit further to the inside this time, so maybe that’ll improve her a bit.
1, One Odd Story (7/2): Drawn to the inside, and has lots of speed, so she’ll try to take this field as far as she can, going as fast as she can.

RACE 3

6-4-3-2
6, Top Hat Warrior (9/5): He’s been in good from as of late, with two straight wins at Penn National going long. Ran his career-best races earlier in the year at this track, and should enjoy his return to this track.
4, King Leo (7/5): Won easily at this level last out with a great stalking trip. The trainer/jockey combo of Claudio Gonzalez and Alex Cintron has been sharp as of late.
3, McLean House (8/1): Two-turn form at Penn National has been good, but struggled badly in his two recent races at this track. Is it the turns, or the track itself?

ANALYSIS

RACE 4

5-2-1-7
5, Sheza Handfull (9/2): Pressed the pace to win two of her last three races at Charles Town. She was a competitive third in her only recent race at a mile or longer, and Sunday Diaz Jr. comes in from West Virginia for this mount.
2, Hey Mabel (5/1): Deep closer was hopelessly compromised in her last race, but made up strong ground late to finish fourth. Jorge Ruiz will have to keep her close to the pace to have a chance.
1, Life in Flash (6/5): Managed to win by 22 lengths after an excellent pace setup. Should be prominently placed once again.

RACE 5

6-7-9-4
6, Blueridge Mountain (9/5): Was well-bet on debut, had a rough trip, but finished a solid second, with a great figure. Looking for a cleaner trip this time.
7, Antipoison (3/1): Fell way behind a ridiculously slow pace last out, but closed well for third. He’ll almost certainly get a more honest setup this time.
9, Cash Again (5/1): Makes his first start since a sixth-place effort at Gulfstream Park in February. Races for the first time for Dale Capuano, with a string of works under his belt. Interested to see how he comes back off the break.

RACE 6

1-4-6-3
1, Panthera Onca (9/5): Pressed the pace and faded last out, in a tougher field going longer. Gets a lot more favorable set up this time out. Broke her maiden impressively going six furlongs at Penn National two races ago.
4, Punk Rock Princess (7/2): Two-time winner at the track cruised to a gate-to-wire win last out, with minimal pace pressure. It won’t be easy for her to get an easy trip this time, but she should still be a pace factor.
6, Paisley Singing (7/2): She’s been steadily improving all year long, and showed good punch late to lose by half a length at this level.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7

1-5-3-2
1, CM Runaway (8/5): Makes his third start off a long layoff, and has shown good closing kick in his two races this year. Just has to stay closer to the pace early on.
5, Voodoo Valley (7/2): Another deep closer, he’s making her third start against winners. Victor Rosales, the only jockey to win on him, jumps back aboard.
3, Make the Rules (4/1): Stretches out in distance for the first time in more than a year, after some indifferent races in sprints. Lightly raced enough (seven starts so far) to give me optimism

RACE 8

4-3-7-1
4, Devilish Affair (3/1): Slow-breaking filly recovered well and finished second last out at 20/1. She improved 21 points in that race, and has a chance to take another big step forward.
3, Long Point Beach (9/5): Runner-up in her two races at the level. Turned in a bullet workout on November 20, going four furlongs in 48.3 seconds. Should be in razor-sharp form.
7, Quiet Imagination (2/1): Checked in the stretch late, but still came on well to finish second against similar last out