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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $7,524
Jackpot Super High 5 — $6,906
Late Pick 5 —

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-1-2-4

#3 Big Hambone (7-2) makes his return to Laurel Park after a pair of solid efforts at Charles Town. He went gate-to-wire there last out, and has the most early speed in this field. If he breaks well, he should get tot he rail and the lead under apprentice rider Rajiv Chatrie. #1 Kbcya Later (4-1) won going away at 1/16 miles at Penn National last out, but he’s done solid work at shorter distances as well. He’ll rate of the pace on the rail and take advantage if Big Hambone tires. #2 Luv Ya Bye Bye (8-1) won against similar last out at Delaware Park, in nice rebound effort following two consecutive double-digit defeats against better fields at this condition.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-3-2-4 (DIRT: 2-10-12-11)

#9 Rye Diggitydog (5-2) broke his maiden as much the best first off a 7 1/2-month layoff two starts ago despite a wide trip. Last out, he tried to press odds-on choice Neilson, and though he couldn’t outkick that rival, he held clear of the others and secured second after pressing that favorite. These look like easier rivals. #3 Corrected Pedigree (6-1) broke through for his first career victory at 12th asking last out, and has shown an improved kick with each start down the 5 1/2-furlong stretch. #2 Piccolo Diavolo (9-2) makes his grass debut for George Weaver, and is a half-brother to a grass winner. He showed speed to break his maiden at Aqueduct two starts back, but showed little after a wide trip first time against winners last out.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-1-5-4

#6 Bill of Rights (7-5) races first off the claim by Lacey Gaudet. He made his first start off a 6 1/2-month layoff last out, and was well-bet, but flattened out later after battling on the pace and pulling clear. He should improve with a race under his belt. #1 Buckin’ Dreamer (8-5) was pressed on the pace and held on for a clear-cut second- in his most recent. It was the second straight race in which he improved his brisnet figure by multiple points. #5 Without Pretence (5-1) broke his maiden going away from off the pace in his last dirt start, and might be in a prime spot to make a big move in a race with lots of early speed.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-2-3-1 (DIRT: 9-7-3-4)

George Weaver lost with a 2-year-old shipper yesterday, but he’ll try again here with #8 Surf’s Up (9-5). He’s a half-brother to Maryland-bred stakes winner Gale, also a winner on grass, and turned in a recent bullet workout from the gate at Saratoga on July 19. It’s interesting that Weaver would rather ship him down here than try him in a maiden race up there, but I suppose he figures his chances of winning against these are better than against the New York heavyweights. #2 Catalina Storm (6-1) is a half-brother to three grass winners, including graded stakes winner Strike Charmer, who once defeated Lady Eli. This one worked on the grass on Sunday, suggesting that he’s been prepped with this surface in mind the whole time. #3 Dats Tap (6-1) has worked well for the Jerry Robb barn and is an offspring of grass stakes winner Plus One.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

8-2-6-1

#8 Brady Bear (9-2) returns to dirt following a string of grass tries. His most recent dirt start was unimpressive, but he got knocked around at the start and never got involved. At his best, he’s a serious speed threat. #2 Minxzluckystarfyre (5-2) has run in the 80s in each of his last six dirt starts. No one else in the race has run in the 80s twice within their last six races. He won going away against non-winners of two types last out, and though he had a claim on him voided that day, he’s worked well since then. #6 Ascendance (6-1) was in contention until late last out, but his wide trip ultimately did him in. His best is a few points behind the peak of Minxsluckystarfyre, but if that one regresses off the voided claim, he could be in a prime spot.to pull off the upset.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-5-12-7 (DIRT: 11-9-7-8)

#3 Stressed (6-1) was scratched from a planned local debut twice, and finally made her bow for the Lacey Gaudet barn at Colonial Downs last out. She led most of the way and finished third, a respectable effort for her second start in four months, and her first start in a grass sprint in five months. She ran in the 80s regularly in California last year, and will be tough to beat if she keeps improving. #5 Theodora Grace (7-2) finished a solid third behind a pair of next-out winners in her last start at this level, and should thrive on the class relief. #12 Whiteknuckleflyer (3-1) ran a career-best 89 last out when third against better, improving sharply on the cutback from a flat tray at a mile. I don’t know if she can repeat that last effort, but her usual mid-70s race contends against these.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-2-3

#6 No Easy Days (6-5) ran a big race at this level last out, battling with Freeze the Fire every step of the way and losing to him by nose. He’s held his won against better in other recent races, and has run in the 80s in each of his last three starts. That’s a barrier no one has reached at any point in their last three. #4 Disputed Claim (9-2) finished a mild fourth first off a 2 1/2-month layoff last out, and has shown multiple dimensions in other starts this year. He had shown tons of early speed towards the end of last year, but he might be better off coming from off the pace against these. #2 Suga Steve (4-1) is a perfect 3-for-3 on dirt this season, climbing the class ladder with ease. He should get a great trip from off the pace and make a sweep to the lead in his biggest class test yet.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-1-9-3 (DIRT: 1-3-4-5)

#7 Jolly Boss (4-1), a full brother to grass stakes winner Bosserati, is one of two in here going first off the claim by Damon Dilodovico. He lasted through pace pressure to win his first start on gras last out. Runner-up Corrected Pedigree came back to win next out; if he wins earlier on the card, it would boost this one’s credentials. #1 One Whirlwind Ride (7-2) got caught in a brutally fast duel and held second in his last try on grass, outfinishing his dueling partner by four lengths while finishing ahead of odds-on choice Doctor Jeff. #9 Shape Note (8-1) was also taken out of his last race, a gate-to-wire win against conditioned types, by Dilodovico. He’s won three of four lifetime on grass, with his only defeat on this surface coming at this level second off an eight-month break. He’s improved since then, so we’ll see how he handles the class test.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-7-3-4

#1 Samyaza (4-1) hasn’t raced on dirt on a while, but has run in the 80s in four of his last five starts on grass. He gets a fairly easy field in his return to this surface, and has a good recent workout at Delaware Park under his belt. #7 Gambling Tzar (3-1) faded against better around two turns last out, but ran a big race to win his last try at this distance, and has a late punch that looks well-suited for the one-turn mile. #3 War Novel (8-1) makes his local debut for Anthony Farrior, having previously won two straight at Thistledown on the front. He’ll make his way to the rail and the lead and try to wire them.

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