LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: july 22, 2023
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:25 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,348 Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,981 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1
1-4-10-2
OFF THE TURF. Second off the bench for top choice #1 Gogo Chanel, who has run six consecutive races with Beyer speed figs in the 60s, including one on dirt. Anye one of those races wins here…
RACE 2
3-5-2-1
A couple of these 2yo have run before and run pretty well, but we’re going to give the nod to a firster. #3 Viennese Waltz (3-1) was a pricey yearling for Mens Grille Racing and for good reason: she’s a half to stakes winners Cordmaker, a millionaire, Las Setas, and Corvus. The last of those won the Maryland Million Nursery at first asking, and trainer Jerry Robb can get them ready to win first out… Another well-bred firster is #5 First to Arrive (8-5), who has a lot of name to live up to; the Liam’s Map filly, out of a Scat Daddy mare, comes from the hard-hitting Brittany Russell barn, though it’s interesting to see her put Charles Town ace Arnaldo Bocachica up… The other Robb runner, #2 Remember Me (5-2), was a perfectly good second, albeit behind a runaway winner, on debut — but one person who seems not to remember her is her rider that first race, as Xavier Perez leaves for #3….
- This week’s Midlantic stakes scheduleWhich stakes are taking place this week around the Mid-Atlantic? Answers within.
RACE 3
5-4-2-8
OFF THE TURF. Gotta respect the main-track-only entrants in off-the-turf races, and #5 Hashtag Lucky is the only one of those in this heat.
RACE 4
1-3-5-2
Speedy #1 Need a Marker (2-1) ran big in last after a stumbling start and might be able to double up. As in an earlier race, gotta respect a horse who’s already won a condition, as this one has… #3 Performanceanxiety (9-5) has speed figs that rank right at the top of this group, but her two tries in the never-won-three condition have been just so-so. She’ll be running late but may have a lot of ground to make up… #5 Victorian Riviera (5-1) lost the duel to Need a Marker in last but ran on willingly…
RACE 5
9-2-11-3
OFF THE TURF. The cutback in distance and the modest company ought to do the trick for #9 Pride of Payton, who was eased in last after a bad break in a race that’s produced a next-out winner…
RACE 6
6-2-4-7
It wasn’t a great debut, but #6 Doris’ Slaying It (8-1) showed good speed on debut and stuck with it into the final furlong. She’ll be fitter today and could go farther… #2 Too Many Kisses (3-1) didn’t show a ton on debut, backing out fairly readily but did hold fourth and the show horse returned to graduate. This miss, by Arrogate, is a half to G2 winner Still Having Fun and note that she was well bet in that first start… Solid works for first-timer #4 Noble Belief (7-2), and trainer Damon Dilodovico has had some success winning at first asking. Former MJC president Sal Sinatra is the owner…
- “Miracle” horse All Caps wins first in two yearsAll Caps nearly died from an infection two years ago. So how did she get to the winner’s circle at Charles Town Saturday? “A miracle,” says her owner.
RACE 7
5-3-6-1
OFF THE TURF. #5 Paper Mansion has mostly run on the main track, and her dirt form should be too much for these…
RACE 8
4-1-3-5
Prior to a yearlong break, #4 SIlent Malice (6-1) had thrashed similar rivals to these in three straight.. His return was just middling, but he has the right to improve second time off a break, and he owns six wins at the trip… The speedy #1 The King Cheek (5-2) keeps running good races without winning and should be on the engine again here… #3 Alpha Chi Rho (7-2) has been pretty formful and likes it at Laurel (four wins in eight starts) but will be stretching out to a mile for the first time…
RACE 9
4-3-2-5
OFF THE TURF. #4 Looking for Water (2-1) nearly overcame a troubled trip to graduate in last on the main track. Against this group, a repeat makes her a winner…
LATEST NEWS
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 21, 2024
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 20, 2024
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 15, 2024
- Charles Town picks and analysis: December 14, 2024
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 14, 2024
- Laurel Park picks and ponderings: December 13, 2024