RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-2-14-15

As baseball broadcaster Ralph Kiner once said, to all you fathers out there, happy birthday. #6 Awesome Strike (8-5) chased the pace while wide against better last out and flattened out, but held on to run a very impressive brisnet figure of 78. That’s far and away the best last-out grass number in the field, and the second time in his last three starts on the surface that he’s run at least a 77. His usual grass effort beats these soundly. #2 Solomon’s Choice (3-1) showed little in his first start of the season sprinting on dirt, but now returns to his more preferred conditions here. He showed different dimensions last year in two runner-up finishes on the lawn. #14 Sage Runner (3-1) is a lightly-raced runner with a pretty high ceiling, having most recently closed for second in his grass debut at Delaware Park last out.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-5-1-4

Before this race starts, I would suggest locating the nearest emergency exits at Laurel or wherever you’re watching this race from, because if #2 I Have Courage (3-5) loses, it’s a sure sign the apocalypse is nigh and you should take cover. She’s run a 77 and an 83 in her last two starts. No one else has run within eight points of that in any of their last three starts. Take the free square in the pick 5 and move on. #5 My Boss (7-2) showed speed and tired first off the bench last out, but ran some promising races last year, albeit with inconsistent form. She should set the pace. #1 Elle Victoriana (12-1) returns to dirt after a grass try last out and is in improving form. She’ll need to take a big step forward to seriously contend, but can at least hang on for a share.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-4-8-2

#7 Samui Sunset (9-2) improved nicely second off the layoff last out, running an 83 when second in an exciting stretch duel. He ran in the mid-80s consistently last year and is trying to round himself back into career-best form. #4 Two By Two (7-2) won the battle over Samui Sunset, coming from well off the pace to wear him down. While he’s shown great grass form in the past as well, he had the benefit of plenty of races earlier in the year, unlike Samui Sunset. #8 Battalion (6-1) ran in the 80s five times from his final six grass starts last year, and while he’s making his first start in five months, Bob Klesaris is pretty sharp with his trainees off the bench.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-5-3

#1 Erawan (2-1) closed well while wide tor grab second behind odds-on Northern Thunder last out. While a lot of his rivals have in-and-out form, this one is pretty consistent, having run at least a 77 in each of his last four starts. #4 Crownedcountcristo (5-2) drew off after light pace pressure to win going six furlongs last out. Although he’s unproven at the distance, with the right trip he could steal away. #5 Bahama Channel (3-1) led most of the way against similar last out and has run in the 80s in his last four starts going a mile or over.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-10-4-3

#9 Krone (4-1) has started to put it together since switching to grass, running two sharp figures in a row. Last out, she came from well off the pace to lose by less than a length. #10 Gold Digging Broad (3-1) exits the same race as Krone. She was on the pace and while she finished well clear of her dueling partner, she couldn’t hold off the odds-on winner or Krone. This one will hope for an easier time of things up front here. #4 La Befana (12-1) ran on well late in her debut at Gulfstream Park and goes around two turns for the first time.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

4-3-9-10

The form of #4 You Must Chill (4-1) was validated somewhat yesterday, when Doctor Davis, who he lost to two starts ago at Pimlico, won a third-level allowance race. This one was second last out in the With Anticipation Stakes at Penn National behind the very impressive Buy Land and See, running a career-best 95. Look for him to stalk and pounce. #3 Wicked Prankster (9-2) ran well on the lead last out second off the layoff, holding on until the last sixteenth and settling for third. He’s a serious threat to wire these. #9 Siege of Boston (5-1) has run an 89 and a 90 in his last two starts on grass, his highest marks on the surface, and will try to improve after a wide trip at Churchill Downs last out.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-6-3-7

#5 Never Change (8-1) gets some class relief after finishing a well-beaten fourth against much better last out. He closed well after sitting near the pace in his prior two starts. #6 Dixie Drawl (5-2) also takes a class plunge after facing second-level allowance foes for much of this year. He was well-beaten against better in his last two dirt starts but improved a bit on grass last out. His ceiling is very high, with figures in the 90s earlier this year. #3 Brilliant Chase (2-1) goes first off the claim by Jamie Ness. He was impressive in victory last out, running a 94 while drawing off late, but might be better-suited for one turn.

RACE 8: STORMY BLUES STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-5-7-4

The first stakes of the summer meet is named for the winner of the 1994 Selima Stakes. #2 Bosserati (3-1) has found herself since switching to grass, winning back-to-back sprints at Pimlico with figures in the low 80s both times. She battled through honest fractions and held on against first-level rivals last out, and her numbers fit in with these. #5 Caroline Krystyna (4-1) has raced just once, but it was an impressive effort. She blew the doors off the field on Black-Eyed Susan day, winning by 2 1/4 lengths with an 83 after setting fast early fractions. She’s worked well since then for Keri Brion and is eligible to take a big step forward. #7 Sweet Harmony (8-1) showed lots of promise as a 2-year-old, winning the Colleen Stakes in a game front-running performance, but hasn’t raced since last October.