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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,203
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,572
Late Pick 5 —

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RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-6

#3 Indian Lake (8-5) got the job done against better first off a two-month layoff and in his first start for the Kieron Magee barn in his most recent. He came up the inside and scored over Arden’sluckytobe, who came back to win next out at Colonial Downs in his usual front-end manner. Thine one has lots of back-class and will hope for a pace to close into. #1 Nifty (4-1) cuts back round one turn in his first start off the claim by Jamie Ness. He ran some big brisnet figures towards the end of last year, but tailed off in his last few starts. Ness gave him some time off after getting claimed on June 7, and he’s worked well since then. He looks primed for a return to his peak form. #4 B West (3-1), another Magee trainee, finished third against better last out, and won at this level two starts back on the front end. He’ll try to secure the rail and the lead.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-10-1-5

#2 Borletti (7-5) ships down from New York for Rick Dutrow, whose shippers were potent over the winter and spring. This one came from off the pace and just missed in his last grass start at Aqueduct behind Power Attack, who won next out at Monmouth Park for his fourth straight victory. For Borletti, a repeat of his last race wins this easily. #10 Claudee Boy (7-2) has lost in photo finishes in his last two starts at this level, representing dramatic improvement from his first start off a nine-month layoff three races ago. He hasn’t faced anyone as tough as Borletti in that stretch, but he should at least be able to outkick the rest and round out the exacta. #1 Sir Lance (8-1) went gate-to-wire to win second off a seven-month break last out, and now tries this level for the first time after clearing his non-winners of two condition. He’s sure to be sent for speed from the rail.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-4-3

#5 Walk Away Joe (9-2) rated off the pace, made a move into a strong second quarter, and kicked away to beat similar types at Delaware Park last out. He’s the only one in the race to run at least an 85 in each of his last three starts. #1 Morning Thoughts (9-5) went gate-to-wire first off the claim by Anthony Farrior last out, beating some of these rivals in the process. Farrior’s go-to rider, Arnaldo Bocachica, keeps the mount, and is sure to send this one for speed. #4 Trash Talkin Larry (10-1) was third behind Morning Thoughts last out after a wide trip, and has taken steps forward in his last two starts after a winter/spring swoon.

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

3-7-1-6

With the 8-race card, the late pick 5 starts here. #3 Kake’s Tap Dancer (5-2) has run an 81 in each of her two starts this year. She sat the trip and pulled clear late, but failed to stay on the same lead and ended up second to next-out winner Krone. Third-place finisher Magic in the Park has also since broken her maiden. She’ll get another nice trip under new rider Jamie Rodriguez, and as long as she can stay on the correct lead, she’ll be tough to reel in. #7 Compass Rises (9-2) has great late pace figures, but often finds herself stuck behind slow pace and leaves herself with too much to do. If the pace is somewhat honest, she might be tough to hold off; however, that’s no guarantee. #1 Dead Sexy (8-1) has closed well behind Kake’s Tap Dancer and Compass Rises in her last few starts, and is lightly-raced enough to give one reason to believe in a step forward.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-2-5-11

#8 Faith and Liberty (8-1) broke her maiden on the lead at second asking two starts back, but couldn’t get to the front next out and faded. her draw isn’t ideal, but she has plenty of raw early speed, and if she’s used hard enough, she could get the trip she wants. #2 Bali Hai (10-1) was sent for speed for the first time in a while last out, and it worked well, as she pulled clear in the stretch at 56-1 and lost by a neck with a career-best 70. She has broken poorly in her prior two races, so that early speed might not be a fluke. We’ll see if she can break cleanly here. #5 Skip Thru Da Fire (7-2) broke her maiden at nineth asking last out, having previously lost to a few of the rivals she’ll see here. She ran a 76 that far, a lifetime-best by 13 points, but she can afford to decline a few points and still contend.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

12-2-8-7

There’s not a lot of speed in this race, and #12 Helms Deep (20-1) could find himself on a very lonely lead. He went gate-to-wire to win on dirt four starts back, and has since gotten better with each grass race. He was pressed into setting fast fractions at Delaware last out, but will probably not have to go 46.61 for an opening half this time around. #2 Summer Anthem (8-1) has run in the 80s in both of his starts this year. He converted the trip to win against conditioned rivals last out, and is sure to get first jump if Helms Deep falters on the lead. #8 Graded On a Curve (6-1) rallied and just missed at Monmouth Park last out behind a rival who got a three-length jump start on him. He’s making his first start for the Lacey Gaudet barn here, and he’s turned in a solid grass workout since arriving here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-3-8-1A

#7 Sherlock’s Jewel (5-2) was completely flat in the Salvator Mile last out, but ran some big races over the winter at Tampa Bay Downs, with a pair of figures in the mid-90s. Vincent Cheminaud, Shug McGaughey’s top–call rider at Monmouth, comes down here for an encouraging sign. #3 Bob Marco (3-1), the speed demon of the winter, makes his first start since a flat third-place effort on March 17. He’s well-known for setting long early leads and darning the rest of the field to catch him. He gets a new rider in Ederick Robles, and while he’s done his best work around two turns, he also does well at shorter distance. If the best version of him shows up, the rest of these will be hard-pressed to catch him. #8 Murray (4-1) also makes his first start off a brief layoff, and made mild ground to get fourth in his last start. He’s run in the 90s in each of his last four starts on this track, and has great late pace figures that will make him especially tough if Bob Marco can’t last.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-1-9-4

#5 Now Yus Cant Leave (9-5) has been uber-consistent against better over the past year, with figures of at least 77 in eight consecutive races (and her only subpar figure in her last ten races coming over a soft grass course at Delaware). She chased the pace and got third first off a three-month layoff last out, and should improve against these. #1 Crimson Princess (2-1) made a premature move into the pace and held until late last out at this condition. she should improve with a more ground-saving trip than she’s gotten in her last few races. #9 Hazelmoor Beach (6-1) ran a much-improved second third off a brief layoff, in what was easily her best start of the season. She should make another step forward here.

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