Laurel Park picks and ponderings September 10, 2021

Dirty. Photo by Allison Janezic.

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

Post time: 12:40 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0 Super High 5 –$719 Late Pick 5 — $0

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-1-3-8
The weather looks lovely for day two of the summer/fall season. #6 Dominating Buyer (4/1) has earned both her victories in gate-to-wire style. She’ll have to contend with several others on the front end, but she’s got great early pace figures and is in career-best form. #1 Shikaka (5/2) has good tactical speed and will take full advantage if the pace ends up melting down. She just missed in her last two races against similar at Colonial Downs, but now races third off the layoff and will take full advantage of Laurel’s long stretch. #3 Alluring Rumba (6/1) makes her second start at this condition and will also be attendant to the early pace.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-5-1-2
These cheap races can sometimes produce funky results, so I’ll try to ferret out a longshot here. #6 Ichigo (12/1) drops to this level for the first time, is fairly lightly-raced, having made just five career starts, and adds lasix for the first time. He showed some decent closing kick on grass; we’ll see if that translates in his second start in a dirt route. #5 Wick (7/5) was claimed by Jamie Ness out of his last start, at Churchill Downs on May 7. He finally returns here, and will be tough if he can recapture his steady upper-60s/low-70s figures from earlier in the year. #1 Royalian (5/2) is the only one in the race with back-to-back figures in the 70s, and has been pounding on the door lately. He lost his last two starts in a photo finish.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE GRASS)

7-11-12-9
#7 Ms Boombastic (7/2) broke her maiden in sharp style earlier in the year at Belmont Park, rating just off the leaders and drawing away to an impressive win. She’s never faced a field of winners softer than the one she’ll see today. Some of her best figures have come around two turns, although her maiden-breaking win was a one-turn affair. #11 Fox Force Five (8/1) broke her maiden impressively on debut at Pimlico in July, but stopped badly on the pace last out at Colonial. This is the first time she’ll face n/w2L claimers. If you still believe, the price is right. #12 Bless and Honor (6/1) got bet at this level last out, and pressed the pace before fading. Looking for her to hang on to a piece of the exotics.

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-6-2
This is the first of two 2-year-old races for the boys on dirt today. #1 Von Hoff (5/2) is a Brittany Russell firster who sold for $335,000 at the OBS Summer Sale earlier this year. He’s been ramping up his workouts, getting a five-furlong drill in last Saturday. Another one to watch the board with. #8 Souper Royal Moon (6/1) also cost a pretty penny, having sold for $270,000 earlier this year. He’s had some bullet workouts at Fair Hill for Mike Trombetta. #6 Home Brew (7/2) is a homebred for Gary and Mary West. He’s been working at Monmouth Park for Kelly Breen, but has shipped down here to make his debut. His older half-brother Air Strike was a graded stakes winner.

RACE 5 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-10-9-8
#6 The Man to See (8/1) had an intriguing bullet workout on the grass here, going four furlongs in 51 4/5 seconds. He outworked some other two-year-olds, as well as last year’s Maryland Million Lassie winner, Miss Nondescript. #10 Capt. Candy (3/1) crossed the wire first at Colonial Downs in his first start on grass, but was disqualified for drifting out. It was an impressive effort, however, as he broke slowly and recovered to draw into contention in the stretch. He got run off his feet last out, but held on for second while always clear of the rest. #9 Senson (6/1) was entered in a spot against fillies yesterday, but will try the boys here instead. She improved sharply in her grass debut last out and will likely draw into contention turning for home.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-9-8-6
#2 The Cairo Kid (5/1) ran an ambitious race in his first start off a long layoff last out. He opened up a long early lead with fast fractions, and hung in there until the last sixteenth. Makes his second start of the year here and could prove tough to catch on the front end. #9 Spotted Bull (9/2) had a terrible trip last time, in a race that saw him snap a two-race winning streak. IN that race, he earned back-to-back figures of 87. His post draw isn’t ideal, as he’s susceptible to getting caught wide again, but I’m hoping Jaime Rodriguez learned his lesson from that race. #8 As Seen on TV (6/1) also makes his second start off the layoff and will likely challenge The Cairo Kid for the lead.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7 – MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-2-3
The Wests and Breen are back with another 2-year-old from Monmouth in #7 Maximum Impact (5/2). He drilled a five-furlong bullet at Monmouth last Saturday, outworking a bunch of other 2-year-olds in the process. #6 The Clam King (2/1) is the slight morning line favorite for Brittany Russell, who has worked this one as far as a mile both here and at Pimlico. He was a $90,000 purchase for Robert LaPenta, who doesn’t have too many horses based around these parts. #2 Natagar (6/1) had the misfortune to run into a beast on debut, as H P Moon crushed him and everyone else in the race. This one got some wagering action and recovered nicely from a bad start.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-5-1A-10

#4 Town of Gold (8/1) makes his second start of the year, and his first one since June. He showed lots of promise as a 2-year-old, finishing second in a stakes at Aqueduct, but was flat in his lone race this year. He adds lasix for this start, and has been working well since his last start. Worth a look at a price. #5 Prince Pere (6/1) was in consistently good form earlier in the year, both here and at Delaware Park. He’s had some time off since his last outing, on July 19, and will likely save ground just off the leaders. #1A Fair Catch (9/2) wired a lesser field last out and will be a major factor on the early pace.
RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
6-12-7-1
#6 Fake I D (8/5) just missed in his first two grass races against better, now takes a career-low drop in class. He has a solid figure edge over his opponents, and has lots of room to improve in his fourth career start. #12 Virginia Fib (10/1) has decent closing speed and competitive figures in the upper 60s. He cuts back around one turn, where he’s done some of his best running. #7 Hair of the Dog (4/1) has been close at this level, but the 0-for-13 record is indictive of a horse who struggles to break through.