Laurel Park picks and ponderings September 19, 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 –$0 Late Pick 5 — $0

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

10-3-11-8
Today’s opener is the first of six grass races on the card, which will be conducted under perfect skies. #10 Frat (5/2) broke his maiden two races back with a career-best brisnet figure of 78, then pressed the pace and faded late against New York-bred allowance horses last out. He steadily runs figures in the 70s and has good tactical speed. #3 Putin Online (3/1) has raced just four times, and just once in the past seventeen months. That lone race came in his first try against winners at Tampa Bay Downs, where he ran a game race and finished second. Cuts back in distance here and looms as an interesting contender. #11 Boondoggle (15/1) ran a 75 last out, and has run other figures in the 70s in the past. He can spice up the exotics at a decent price.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-6-2-5
#3 Bust ‘Em Kurt (6/5) ran a huge race on debut. He battled on the lead with Sailor Speed, who already had some experience, and dug in until the last few strides. He lost by a neck, finishing 7 3/4 lengths clear of third place. He’s a question mark at this distance, but if can run back to that race, he’s going to be tough. #6 Bold Leader (9/5) was well-beaten by the very impressive H P Moon in his first start, but he managed to outkick the others with a wide move and get second. #2 Candy Cool (10/1) got bet on debut, going off at 6/1, but got hung wide and didn’t do much. He’ll try to save ground here and sneak into the underneath spots.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $32,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-4-6-1
#7 Wicked Mercury (7/5) has finished runner-up in his last three starts, most of which have come against better horses than she’ll see here. He’s had to close off slow paces in many of those races as well. With a more honest setup, she’s got a big chance. #4 No Down Days (4/1) has won two of her last three races, and has finished in the top two in five of seven lifetime. She’s going to be a factor on the early pace. #6 Kitten With a Whip (5/2) goes second off a brief layoff and drops in class from the n/w1x allowance level. She drew away impressively to win two in a row earlier in the meet, and will have to find that form against to win this one after a few dull efforts.

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-4-5-6
#3 Chambo (7/2) made his first start off the layoff a winning one, getting up to score at Colonial Downs with a bold, wide rally. Should be seven better second off the bench. #4 Deshackled (7/2) drops back to this level and switches back to dirt. Expect him to try and take them gate-to-wire. #5 Lost Uncle (6/1) also had abundant early speed and has improved in each of his four starts. His best race was last out, when he went gate-to-wire and earned a figure of 69.

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

5-10-6-4
#5 More Abundance (5/2) has won his last two starts, including a game race at Colonial last out where he grinded past the leader in the stretch and got the win. He runs in the 80s almost every time. The one recent time he didn’t, he got stuck behind a slow pace going two turns at Indiana Grand, and still won. #10 Call Wil (2/1) earned a giant figure of 101 last out in a win at Parx. Even if he can’t return to those heights, he has steadily competitive figures, running in the high 70s and 80s numerous times. He’s been showing more speed each time recently. #6 Backwoods Boogie (9/2) cuts back around one turn and has great closing speed. He’s never been worse than second in three tries over this track.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

4-5-1-11
#4 Tankerville (3/1) made up good ground in his last start, but flattened out late and wound up second. His only bad performance recently came when he stepped up to the n/w1x level. He should have an easier time here. #5 Trouble Coffee (5/2) has been up and down the class ladder this year, and now finds a spot where it looks like he fits. He ran a big race two back, when he earned an 82 despite getting stuck behind a slow pace in a 1 3/8-mile race. #1 T Minus Ten (6/1) adds blinkers and exits a race where the top two finishers came back to win. He got stuck behind a loose leader and didn’t have much of a chance after that, but hung around until late anyway.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-5-2
#6 Rock and Fellers (2/1) has gone gate-to-wire in his last three races, as he’s begun to find his best form again. He beat a similar bunch on the lead two races back, and if he keeps up his speedy ways, he’ll be tough regardless. #4 Air on Fire (5/2) just missed at this level two races back after a wide trip. He got third last out behind Rock and Fellers, as he was unable to catch that rival on the front end. #5 Cape Lookout (4/1) was done in by a bad break last out, but ordinarily has good tactical speed. He hasn’t been around one turn in a while, but he’s done well in two-turn sprints at Charles Town.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-1-9-2

#4 Beacon Hill (5/2) made his first start at this level last out at Saratoga, after an impressive first-level allowance win two back. He earned a career-best 95 after rating wide off the pace and hanging around until late. Looks like he has lots of potential. #1 Rohrbacher (5/1) ran a big race last out at Colonial. He battled on the lead, dismissed his dueling partner, and finished ahead of him by several lengths while securing third. He’ll be dangerous on the lead once again. #9 King Bubble (8/1) has won three of four this year and has a dramatic closing style well-suited for the long stretch run here.
RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)
12-10-6-3
#12 My Girl Blue (4/1) closed stoutly in her last two starts at Colonial, and ran back-to-back figures in the 70s for the first time. She’s a threat to win it from behind if she draws in. #10 Monster Rising (4/1) has been taking steps forward in her last few starts and now takes a career-low drop in class. Forest Boyce gets the mount for the first time. #6 My Dream Girl (7/2) has been getting plenty of wagering action at this level in her last few, and while she’s been getting checks, she hasn’t yet put it all together for a win. Will try to change that here.