Laurel Park picks and ponderings September 26, 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 — $1,962 Super High 5 –$1,147 Late Pick 5 — $0

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/156MILES

3-4-2-6
We’ll have an eight-pack of races on the final Sunday of September. #3 L’Artiste (5/1) has raced twice in his career, both times against better competition in New York. On debut, he was knocked around at the start and faded, although he ran a decent brisnet figure of 75. Last out, he got parked wide the whole way and subsequently backed up badly. Takes a career-low drop in class and should work out a cleaner trip here. #4 Transfer the Funds (9/2) made a strong move into a slow pace last out, but ended up flattening out. Still ran a career-top figure of 66. If the pace is more honest, a similar move might work out. #2 Jestful (2/1) has lost at this level at low odds several times recently. Last out, he never changed leads, which may have cost him the win. He’ll likely run a good race, but be wary of betting him at low odds.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $32,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-5-6-2
#7 Current (5/2) goes first off the claim for Ray Handal, who ships him down here from New York. He’s run four consecutive figures between 84 and 88. Last out, he flew from way behind off a slow pace to lose by less than four lengths. #5 Be Yourself (6/1) improved sharply last out when he tried this level for the first time. He has great late pace figures and is sure to be rolling late. #6 B Determined (7/2) also doesn’t have any early speed, but won at this level three back and outkicked Be Yourself last out.

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

4-6-2-1
#4 The Walk (5/2) has won his last three starts, with figures in the 90s every time. His last win was his first start in more than five months, but he sat his usual rating trip and drew off late. Based on how he ran, you’d never know he was coming off a break. #6 Royal Number (9/5) makes his first start since May 14 for the Mike Trombetta barn. He ran a big race in the Tesio Stakes two back, where he got third off a slow pace. Cuts back to 5 1/2 furlongs after a string of routes, so this might just be a prep for other spots down the road. #2 Kingston Pike (7/2) also has good tactical speed and just missed against a decent open claiming field last out. He had a very tough trip in his last try at this level on this track, but it’ll be hard to find that kind of trouble here.

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-11-10-1
#9 Badger Tooth (3/1) is lightly-raced and drops to this level for the first time. He’s had traffic trouble in both his races, but has still run good figures in the 60s both times. He should be able to stay in the clear and avoid too much traffic this time. #11 Romantic Man (2/1) ships down from New York and cuts back in distance. He improved mildly in 1 1/16-mile race last out; we’ll see how he does sprinting. #10 Sachmo (9/2) has shown speed in some of his recent tries and should enjoy today’s distance.

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

5-7-8-10
#5 Dare to Try (4/1) has raced great in both of her first two starts off a long layoff. Both those starts came against similar at Colonial Downs. She stretched out to a mile last time and led almost the whole way before tiring in the stretch. This should be a bit more in her wheelhouse. #7 Americas Woman (5/1) was a fast-closing second in her first start on this track last out. She has a strong closing kick that should continue to play well here. #8 You’re Doing Fine (9/2) gets back to the grass, a surface where she’s earned some figures in the 70s against better. Should get a good trip rating off the leaders.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-5-6-3
#1 Closer Look (7/2) went gate-to-wire in his last dirt start, earning a figure of 96 in the process. Goes second off the claim for Kieron Magee after a disappointing try on grass last out. Will be a factor on the early pace. #5 Shackled Love (3/1) made a big move to the lead and just held on to win a Maryland-bred allowance last out. He pulled off a 21/1 upset in the Private Terms Stakes on this track earlier in the year. #6 The Poser (6/1) just missed at this level last out at Timonium. He ran in the 90s last fall and winter over this track, and looks for a peak performance in his third start off the layoff.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-5-9-7
#1 Federale (7/2) made his grass debut, and almost lasted through a fast early pace. He got caught late, but it was still a big race, and he’s one of the controlling speeds here with a good post position. #5 Hay Boy (6/1) races third off the layoff, and ran a big race last out when he stalked the pace and led briefly in the stretch. He improved to an 84 last out, and earned a career-best 89 over this track last June. #9 Slippin Jimmy (3/1) won a conditioned claimer going away as much the best last out, and has run the figures needed to be competitive with these in the past.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-12-6-5

#4 Hello Gracie (5/1) ran a career-best figure of 82 last out, losing by just half a length with a strong move up the inside. She made a similar move in her first grass start in May, when she had some traffic trouble and lost her momentum. #12 Stefanie On Fleek (9/2) ran a decent third in her last try going this short at Monmouth Park and has steadily run figures in the 80s. #6 Claire’s Darling (4/1) went gate-to-wire at this level last out, and has enough early speed to do it again.