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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 —
Jackpot Super High 5 —
Late Pick 5 —

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

1-2-9-8

#1 Rodina (9-5) has worked well in preparation for her debut for Graham Motion. She’s a half-sibling to three grass winners, including Nagirroc, a multiple stakes winner. She might want more distance than this, but she at least gets an inexperienced field at first asking, and if she’s ready at all, she should be tough to beat. #2 Gata Brazil (7-2) was entered for grass on debut at Delaware Park, and stayed in the race when it was washed off. She faded after a wide trip, and put in a strong grass workout since then, going four furlongs in 51 4/5 seconds, tied for the fastest of five times, this past Sunday. #9 Diane Lee (5-1) has three consecutive bullet workouts at Pimlico for Milan Milosevic, and has solid grass breeding.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-3-1

#4 Captain Cardo (3-1) goes first off the claim by Emanuel Geralis. He struggled going two turns last out, then finished a mild third at Pimlico two races ago, but has run well in his last few tries around two turns on this track. #6 Ego Man (7-5) flattened out after falling further off the pace than usual at Parx last out, but ran some big races earlier this year, and is a threat to improve for Jamie Ness and Jaime Rodriguez. #3 Aequor (7-2) might not have enough early speed to contend for a win spot, but he has the best late pace figures in the field, and flew to lose by just a length in his last try at this distance.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-6-2-5

#3 Mr. Hustle (5-2) led most of the way in his last try at a route, and was eliminated from contention at the start last out when he got squeezed back. There’s only one other serious speed threat in the field, and that’s Goodbye Note from the outside post. If Mr. Hustle lives up to his name and secures the rail and the lead, he could be long gone. #6 Crisper (5-1) ran a big race on this track last out, closing well for second behind odds-on choice Sir London, from the white-hot Graham Motion barn. This one probably hopes that Goodbye Note applies some pressure to Mr. Hustle and sets it up. #2 Storm the Court (9-2) stretched out around two turns second off a brief layoff last out, and closed for third behind Crisper. He’s shown a little more life since joining the Lacey Gaudet barn following an uneven 2023.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-1-6

#4 Lottie Deno (6-5) has run a brisnet figure of at least 75 in each of her three career dirt races. The rest of the field has combined for one figure over 75 in their 14 total dirt starts. If she runs her usual race, she’ll crush them. #5 Lance’s Smile (6-1) is the only other horse to top a 75, having run a 79 two starts back when a chasing second at Delaware Park. She was flat first off a 10-month break last out, but has room to improve in her second start of the season. #1 Stormy Irish Lass (7-2) has taken big steps forward with each start this year. She finished second last out to favored Skip Thru Da Fire in a merry-go-round affair.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

11-10-12-5

#11 Once an Eagle (6-1) is one of two in here who hasn’t lost against winners, and is clearly the fastest of the two. She put in a sustained bid to break her maiden second off the layoff last out, in her first start for the Mike Trombetta barn. She’ll likely work out a similar trip as last time, rating in midpack off the rail, and try and take a step forward to win it. #10 Romantic Story (3-1) led most of the way and just missed third first off the Charles Frock claim last out. Despite bouncing around between barns quite a bit in her five-race career, she’s run between a 72 and a 75 in every race. #12 Mary Katherine (7-2) closed well off modest paces in each of her last two starts, and if nothing else, looks like a dependable check-getter against these types.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-1-5-2

#6 Joya Del Sur (8-5) has abundant early speed and goes first off the Kerion Magee claim. With a clean break, she’ll leave them reeling. #1 Bourbon Wildcat (8-5) stalked the pace and won going away in her last try at this level two races ago, and should work out a nice trip from off the pace on the inside. 5 Tara’s Talent (5-1) ships in from Parx for Michael Moore, and has taken steps forward in her last few races. She would’ve crossed the wire first had she not been interfered with late two races ago (she was put up by the judges, as it turned out), then rallied for second last out in a race where she was the only one to make up substantial ground. Moore is a respectable 3-for-13 with his Maryland runners this year.

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

6-5-2-8

#6 Gift of Gab (10-1) improved to a season’s-best 80 last out at Penn National when she stalked the pace and kicked away to beat similar. There’s a pair of speedsters to her outside in Bondiva and Lady Serenity. If Gift of Gab lets them go and wear each other out, she’ll be in a prime spot to take advantage. #5 Nuwanda (12-1) rallied from well out of it to beat non-winners of two foes in her last start. Her only figure below 79 this year came when she got caught wide at Pimlico and flattened out. She could surprise against a relatively soft group for this level. #2 Sweeterthanwhiskey (3-1) blew the doors off a Maryland-restricted bunch two races ago, but flattened out after a wide trip last out. She’s worked since then, and will be tough if she rebounds.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-6-2-5

Jamie Ness has them surrounded in here; he trains both of my top two picks. #3 What Does It Take (4-1) set strong early fractions at Parx last out, and had just enough late to hold on. He looks fast enough to secure the rail and the lead here, and from there should get is ideal trip. #6 Search Engine (9-5) found himself on the lead at this level last out and held on to win, but he’s generally more of a stalker type. He should sit just off his stablemate and make a winning move if that rival falters. #2 Your Analysis (9-2) fought hard and just missed last out at Monmouth Park rounding back towards his low-90s ceiling. He has great late pace figures, and should get that jump on the rest of the closers.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-10-7-2

#8 Gingersraceday (5-2) came from well out of it to get third on debut on grass, then showed a new dimension on dirt last out, when she sat near the pace and lasted for second. #10 Magnolia Wind (8-5) has run in the 70s in each of her last three grass starts, and will try to make a better-timed move this time following a second-place effort at Delaware last out. #7 T C Neigh (4-1) has faded on the pace going two turns in her last few starts, and should appreciate the cutback in distance.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!