• John Piassek
• June 29, 2024

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —$1,541
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,095
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-2-7-8

This race is a rematch of the top two finishers at this condition on June 8. #1 Doctor Jeff (7-5) rated off the pace, took the front without much drama, and outkicked #2 Mid Day Image (3-1) to the wire, while that rival held second. Mid Day Image is in improving form and might take another step forward third off the layoff, but Doctor Jeff’s mid-pack punch and affinity for this track (2-for-3 lifetime on it) should be enough as long as he gets the jump on Mid Day Image early. #7 By the Sey Shore (6-1) was fifth in that June 8 race, which marked his first trip to the track since November. He ran a subpar figure first off the bench last June (even though he still managed to win), then improved seven brisnet points at next asking. Improvement like that here likely means victory.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-7-1-3

Take out his poor line in the Tesio Stakes two starts back, in which he bled, and suddenly #2 Malinois (8-1) looks a lot better. He’s run in the 80 four times in a row excluding that race, he’s won his last three starts over this track, and he should get a great trip just off likely early leader #1 Magical Monarch (7-2). That rival does well when left alone on the lead, which could happen here if he gets a heads-up ride from Jaime Rodriguez, but if Magical Monarch pressures him, he falters. #7 Tee at One (10-1) has shown promise on grass, including a big runner-up effort in the Kent Stakes last July at Delaware Park, and now tries dirt for the first time in his 2024 debut. It’s no guarantee he’ll take to the surface, but if he does, he’s potent at a price.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-6-2-4

#1 Flamenco Star (5-1) showed speed for the first time at Delaware last out, getting pressed all the way. He outfinished his pressing partner, odds-on favorite Roundtrip, but couldn’t withstand the charge from a well-bet Christophe Clement firster and ended up second. Still, it was an improved effort, and he should be put into play from the rail. #6 Gettleman (9-2) showed some promise on grass in the midwest last year, and ran on well to get third over jumps at Percy Warner in his 2024 debut last out. He should put in a solid late rally for the Jack Fisher/Forest Boyce combo. #2 Cinder Block (2-1) improved at second asking last out, getting up for second over next-out winner Mission North, and is eligible to take another step forward for another tough trainer/jockey combo; in his case, Graham Motion and Jorge Ruiz.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-7-4-5

#1 Shell Belle (7-2) went gate-to-wire to win at Parx two starts back first off the Jamie Ness claim, and now gets Jaime Rodriguez, who’s an expert on riding one-turn mile races, in the saddle. As long as she breaks well and gets into position, she’ll go coast-to-coast. #7 Heleonortiz (8-1) rated just off the pace and got up to win at Delaware last out, running a solid 75 for the second consecutive race. She’ll press Shell Belle from her outside and try to wear her down best she can. #4 Sweet Heidelberg (3-1) was flat at Charles Town last out, but tends to run better on a big track, which she’ll get here. She’s faded after getting pressed on the pace in each of her last two starts, but can rate if need be.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

12-10-7-5

#12 Joya Del Sur (4-1) led almost for whole way last out, setting very fast early fractions in the process, but drifted out late and finished second. No one else in here has much early speed, so she should be able to cross over, set softer fractions, and hang on. #10 Instinctive (8-1) sat the trip and kicked way to win at Parx last out. She showed solid closing kick on this grass course last year, but often left herself with too much to do. She’ll hope Joya Del Sur is forced into setting faster fractions than she’d like. #7 Diva Ready (3-1) ran a credible fourth first off a four-month layoff in her most recent tr, and has run other big races on this track.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

8-1-6-5

#8 Kiss Cam (5-2) is easily the most experienced runner in the field, having already made more starts (3) than the rest of these combined (2). She dropped in for a tag for the first time at Churchill Downs last out, and chased the pace while wide and held third, matching her career-best 68. The draw doesn’t do her any favors, but as long as no one in here’s a world-beater, even slight improvement off that last race wins this. #1 Grayson’s Girl (2-1), a $50,000 purchase at last October’s Midlantic Yearling Sale has a solid six-workout tab for Brittany Russell, including two bullet drills. If anyone steps up at first asking and beats Kiss Cam, it’s most likely her. #6 Fifth Gear (5-1) has also worked well for Phil Capuano, who is quietly very sharp with first-time starters. I’ll watch the board on this one.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-7-6-3

#2 Swill (7-2) returns to the Brittany Russell barn after getting claimed away from her two starts back. He’s run into some tough rivals in his last few starts against mostly better, but now gets some class relief. He’s run at least an 88 in his last five dirt starts; no one else in here has pulled that off. #7 Five Dreams (6-1) is the only one in his ballpark figure-wise, having improved in each of his last four starts. He lasted through a duel at Parx last out, outfinishing his dueling partner by a head, but lost by a neck to a rival who sat a great trip well off the battle. #6 Arden’sluckytobe (5-1) lasted almost the whole way against similar last out, and is always a threat to go gate-to-wire with his blazing early speed.

RACE 8: STAR DE NASKRA STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

7-4-1-5

This race is named for the 1979 Eclipse Champion Sprinter and Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fam inductee. #7 Quint’s Brew (8-5) made a big impact in his first two starts, winning both by open lengths with big figures each time. He stretched out to a mile for the first time last out and answered the distance question with an easy win. He missed some time after that race, but has worked well since coming back to the worktab in late May, and should be ready to fire a peak effort, which would bury these. #4 Play Harder (4-1) is, possibly, a bad break away from being a perfect 5-for-5 lifetime. He tends to rate off the pace and grind it out with game stretch battles, which he is what he did last time in his first start beyond six furlongs. He probably won’t be able to outkick Quint’s Brew late, but he’ll be able to hold second over whoever challenges him for that spot. #1 The Band Runs On (6-1), the 2022 MHBA Yearling Show Grand Champion, just missed to Play Harder last out, and has shown imporved late punch in his last few starts. He’s eligible to take a stpe forward at fourth asking and is must-use underneath.