Laurel Park picks and ponderings December 19, 2021

Horses race down the stretch at Laurel Park. Photo: The Racing Biz.

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,944 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0

ANALYSIS

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

• 4-3-10-11

• Plenty more big fields on today’s card as we get ready for the final day of racing before Christmas. #4 Moon Biz (9/2) returned from a brief break last out and was relatively impressive, getting up for second after a long stretch battle, with a brisnet figure of 66. Makes just her third dirt start here. #3 La Aitana (12/1) adds blinkers and drops to a career-low level. Looks for a rebound after a wide trip last out. #10 El Bochinche (12/1) was well-backed at this level last out for the Robb/Perez duo, and opened up a long early lead before tiring late. She once again looks like of the main early speed horses, and you’ll get a much better price if you still believe. 

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-6-1-3

#5 Heavenly Trip (5/2) goes second off the claim by Richard Sillaman. He’s improved in each of his last four races, including a 76 earned in defeat last out. He closed well in the stretch and lost a three-horse photo to Dontcrossfuzzy, who came back to finish fourth at Charles Town, and Crabs N Beer, who was seventh in the Maryland Juvenile Championship yesterday. This one should set the pace and run another big one in his second try against winners. #6 Stronger Than Dex (3/1) exits the same race, and was fifth after being rushed up at the start. When he broke cleanly two back, he sat the trip and rolled to victory with a 77. #1 All For Love (9/2) finally gets to face claimers in a sprint, which is probably just what he needs. Broke his maiden impressively three starts back going seven furlongs. The only concern today is that this might be a bit too short for him. 

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

• 8-10-9-11
• #8 Nobody’s Secret (7/2) improved fifteen points in her first start off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez, chasing stakes-placed Mama G’s Wish around and finishing second. There’s no one in here as tough as that rival, which should make things easier. #10 Kymmies Chardonnay (2/1) has shown speed in all three of her starts, but can’t quite finish the deal. In her last start at 5 1/2 furlongs, she got caught in a speed duel but held on for third. Will try to get a clear lead here. #9 Joe Mike Jim (6/1) made mild ground on debut at Penn National and ended up with a figure of 64, not far off the lifetime top of the major contenders. This’ll also be her first start for a tag, although probably not much of a class drop when compared to the straight maidens in central Pennsylvania. 

ANALYSIS

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

• 8-9-2-1
• #8 Nashvegas (5/2) would’ve crossed the wire first in his last start if not for Fix Me a Sandwich (who is also in here) drifting out and interfering. Nashvegas ended up getting put up as the winner, and was claimed out of that race by Kieron Magee. He’s improved with every start since coming to the mid-Atlantic. Even though this is technically a jump in class, it’s a very similar field as last time. In fact, #9 Baptize the Boy (5/1) crossed the line third behind Nashvegas and Fix Me a Sandwich last out. He ran his best race in months in that spot, earning a figure of 85. Will rate right off the leaders on the outside, and will there to capitalize should Fix Me a Sandwich fade. #2 Pascal Chant (12/1) got up to win against conditioned claimers last out, and has run in the low 80s pretty consistently this year. That should be good enough for an underneath spot at a decent number. 
• RACE 5- CLAIMING $5,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
• 5-1-2-6
• #5 Pet’s Night (3/1) has been improving with every start at this level, including a near-miss after a bold, wide bid last out. His most recent mark of 75 is tied for the best last-out figure in the race, along with #1 Pepe and Haywood (5/2), who just missed against a tough n/w2L field. He led briefly in the stretch and ended up third; the top two finishers in that race both came back to win. Stay In, the runner-up, came back to beat a higher-tagged n/w2L field. #2 Just Pick One (9/2) closed off a slow pace to just miss two races back. Although he was not as visually impressive last out, he improved a bit to a 69. 
• RACE 6- CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES
• 2-4-6-7
• #2 Lucky Ramsey (7/2) has been competing on grass for most of the year, but recently switched to dirt and made decent ground off a slow pace against better last out. Will be tough if he comes close to replicating that effort. #4 Solomonic (4/1) is also dropping from the $12,500 level, after a non-effort last out. He raced much better in other recent tries, including an impressive 85 two races back. #6 Glengar (6/1) was a speed threat earlier in the year but hasn’t shown much of it lately. Perhaps the drop in class will wake him up.

ANALYSIS

RACE 7– MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

• 10-5-6-8
• #10 Winked (7/2) was well-beaten by an impressive winner on debut, but outkicked the others, including three first-time starters, for second. Should enjoy the extra furlong. #5 Twelveo’clockrock (6/1) closed well in both her grass starts, now tries dirt for the first time. Interested to see how she’ll handle the distance. #6 Canoodle (5/2) returns to the maiden claiming level after finishing a well-beaten third against straight maidens last out. She chased Miss Chesapeake around the track two back and ended up second with a 74. Miss Chesapeake won a Maryland-bred allowance race yesterday. 
• RACE 8 — ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

• 7-3-2-1
• #7 Fille d’Esprit (7/5) has been slowly rounding into form since coming off a long layoff, most recently getting second behind stakes winner Don’t Call Me Mary, who was a heavy favorite in that spot. Last fall, she won six times in a row on this track. #3 Coconut Cake (6/1) is also rounding back into form after a break, and made decent ground behind Fille d’Esprit last out. #2 Bluefield (5/1) ran in the 80s steadily over the summer, and has had some time off since a disappointing October 29 try. 
• RACE 9 — MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES
• 6-8-7-3
• #6 Krug (6/5) made a dramatic improvement in his second start, jumping up 21 points in a determined second-place effort last out. Stretches out around two turn and will try to take them gate-to-wire. #8 Majestic Frontier (4/1) makes his second start off the layoff and his first for the Jerry Robb barn. He ran his best race in his lone start around two turns two races back. #7 Power G (5/1) improved to a 59 with a solid fourth-place effort in his first try at the level, and should make decent ground. 

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