RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-5-1-7

The focus of the mid-Atlantic racing day may be about 200 miles south in New Kent, Va., but there’s still a great card on deck at Laurel today. #10 Tijuana Brass (6-1) has raced just once in the past 11 1/2 months, but it was a strong effort. He was a game-closing third behind Sir Terre and Gunslinger, who finished 1-2 against $20,000 starter optional claiming foes on July 29. Denis Araujo, who rode him regularly at Colonial Downs, has been lured in for the mount. A repeat effort from last time wins this race. #5 Battalion (2-1) ships from New York first off a long layoff for Bob Klesaris. He ran brisnet figures in the 80s consistently last year – in fact, he’s the only one in this race who has run in the 80s in his last three grass starts – but hasn’t raced since a dull effort on dirt in early January. Still, he’s been working for a while in anticipation of a return, and Klesaris is sharp bringing horses back off a long break. This one can’t be overlooked. #1 Titrate (10-1) improved sharply second off the layoff at Colonial Downs, rallying to win against softer with an 81, not far from his lifetime-top. He runs the risk of getting caught in traffic with his post and running style, but a clean trip could mean a surprise.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-5-6

#3 Need a Marker (3-1) broke a bit slowly in her last start, and it ended up costing her. Two starts back, when she began cleanly, she took charge on the turn and beat some of the horses she’ll see here easily. If she gets off to a clean start, which is no guarantee given some of her other recent races, she’ll be tough. #2 Illusion of Hope (5-2) just missed against similar in her last two starts. Take out her 2023 debut, where she was checked hard early on the rail and showed little from there, and she consistently runs figures that contend with these. #5 Away to Return (8-5) made her first dirt start in more than a year last out. She raced wide every step and displayed only a mild stretch kick, getting swallowed up by two fast-closing rivals and ending up third. She ran in the 80s consistently in the first half of last year and now takes a further drop from the $16,000 level. This looks like a field she can handle if she improves even a little bit.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-8-6-2

#9 Beltane (8-1) is the only one in the race with grass experience, having held fourth after sitting off the pace on debut at Colonial Downs. He’s a half-sibling to four grass winners. #8 Neat (5-2), a $200,000 purchase at last September’s Keeneland sale, ships from New York for Rob Atras for his debut. Atras has done well with his shippers to Maryland as of late. This one is a half-brother to Louder Than Bombs, a stakes winner on grass. #6 Legendary Phantom (7-2) was flat on debut over wet ground at Monmouth Park and looks to improve with the surface switch.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-6-1-8

It’s not a class drop on paper, but #5 Riccio (5-2) has faced some nice horses in his last two starts. In his grass debut two races back, he set honest fractions and ended up third behind the promising The Addison Pour and stakes-placed Crabs N Beer. Next out, he turned the tables on Crabs N Beer but was outkicked by Circling the Drain, who we’ll see in tomorrow’s Bald Eagle Derby. There’s no one on that level here, so he should find things much easier. #6 Reel Well (5-1) ran a career-best 86 last out against Riccio. That day, this one was well behind early on and closed strongly, but ultimately left himself with too much to do. He adds blinkers and gets a rider switch to Axel Concepcion. He’ll hope to stay closer to the pace this time. #1 Consultant (2-1) was very wide throughout last out at Saratoga, but now returns to more familiar waters. He won twice on his track to cap his 2022 season and was a solid fourth in the same race as Riccio and Reel Well.

RACE 5: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

2-4-5-7

#2 Paradise Pride (9-5) has won three in a row, all by open lengths after similar stalking trips. He’s never been this far before, but he handled 1 1/16 miles with ease last out, so this shouldn’t be a problem. #4 Gran Andrews (3-1) has hit the exacta five times in his last six starts and goes first off the claim by Anthony Farrior. He showed some early speed in his most recent victory over a fairly salty group, and could find himself back on the front end here. #5 Never Change (6-1) stepped up dramatically to win a conditioned contest at Delaware Park last out. He struck the front before the far turn and held off all challenges to win with a career-best of 95. He hasn’t come anywhere close to that in any other recent start, but his regular form should be good enough for at least an exotics spot.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-7-2-8

Saffie Joseph Jr. will send out English Painter in tomorrow’s Bald Eagle Derby, but he’s first giving himself a Laurel Park appetizer with #4 Love Mami Love (2-1). She’s had some near-misses at Gulfstream Park with figures of at least 76 in her last three grass starts. She has good tactical speed and should work out a great trip near the pace. If there’s ever going to be a spot where she can win, it’s this one. #7 Little Josie Wales (3-1) has improved drastically in each of her last two starts, peaking at a career-best 82 when she finished a fast-closing third at Colonial last out. She’ll take ample advantage of the long stretch run here. #2 Tea Rose (6-1) chased the pace and held third on debut at Pimlico. She’s worked well in preparation for her first start since June 4.

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

8-4-1-6

You don’t see too many horses ship to Laurel following a win at Saratoga, but that’s the case with #8 Diva Ready (5-1). She came from off the pace to win her 2023 debut on that track last out, and should be even better with a race under her belt. #4 Gift of Gab (15-1) faltered on the lead in the Jameela Stakes, but rebounded with a solid pace-chasing second in her most recent. Take out that poor Jameela effort, and her figures fit with these. #1 Queen Olly (5-2) couldn’t hang with stakes company in England, and now heads to these shores in search of some easier competition. She’s had some good workouts at Fair Hill for Graham Motion, but Motion runners usually need a stateside race before showing their best.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-7-4-2

#6 Northern Glow (7-5) broke her maiden in style on debut, then improved further second time out when she ran an 89 behind 11-10 favorite Parish Belle. Her figures are much the best in here and should get even better third time out. #7 Mama G’s Wish (6-1) exits the same race as Northern Glow, where she got caught up in a three-way speed duel and backed up. She ran an 80 in that race while racing second off the layoff, right in the range she ran last year. If she can avoid getting caught up in a duel, she can hang around for a slice at an overlaid number. #4 Italian Dressing (20-1) closed stoutly to beat Maryland-bred allowance runners a few starts ago and has one of the best late punches in the field. She’s another viable exotics candidate at an even better price.