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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

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

1-12-8-9 (DIRT: 2-4-10-9)

#1 Sweet Summer Love (6-1) tries winners for the first time following an impressive maiden win third off the bench last out. She sat a similar trip two starts back and couldn’t quite complete the winning move, but did so last time, and should improve further with the extra half-furlong. #12 Lita (7-2) ran a solid second in her return to grass at Colonial Downs last out, surging and just missing against front-running favorite Waittillmidnitehour. She should rate off the pace on the outside and will hope it melts down. #8 Shared Authority (2-1) drops in class for her second start against winners, and looks fast enough to make the rail and the lead.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-5-6

#1 Stormy Midnight (2-1) got a much-needed class drop to this level last out, and finished second after dealing with numerous early pace challenges. That kind of performance at least gets her a big check against these. #2 Duela Dent (3-1) showed speed and faded first off a brief layoff on grass, now switches back to dirt and should be a pace presence. She’s not a need-the-lead type, which should minimize her chances of getting into early trouble. #5 Rumint (5-2) goes first off the claim by Jamie Ness and gets Lasix for the first time, both of which usually lead to dramatic improvement. She broke her maiden in gate-to-wire style on debut in January at Aqueduct, but has faded after racing near the pace in her last five races. We’ll see if the change of scenery improves her stamina.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-5-1-2 (DIRT: 1-4-8-2)

#8 Italian War Cry (9-2) made her second career start on grass last out, and it was a much-improved effort from her first try on this surface. She opened up a long early lead, set fast fractions, and held third. She shouldn’t have much other early pressure here, so if she can turn things down a bit on the front end and set more moderate fractions, she’ll be tough to catch. #5 Channel Loop (9-5) surged and and just missed at this level last out, and will hope for another strong pace to close into. She made ground into slow fractions two starts back and managed third. #1 Short Skirts (6-1) makes her grass debut for Shug McGaughey, who is always potent with his grass starters down here. She was entered for grass at Colonial Downs last out, and was 9-2 on the morning line, but the race was washed away. She stayed in , pressed the pace, and held third. Her damsire, Caleb’s Posse, is a potent grass sire, with his progeny winning at a 20% clip first time on this surface.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-4-2

#6 Stickwiththecolors (9-2) made her first start off a three-month respite last out, and finished a game second to the very impressive Susan’s Mule. She showed promise against similar over the winter and spring, and should improve second off the layoff. 5 Bondiva (7-2) was scratched out of a grass race on Friday to run here. She showed plenty of promise towards the end of last year, capping her 2023 with a dominant gate-to-wire win against non-winners of two foes last out, but hasn’t raced since November 24. She’s put in five workouts this year (although none since July 10), so while she has plenty of upside, she might need a race. In her last dirt try, #4 Buckin’ Great (5-2) just missed against Goodnightngodbless, who closed for fourth against better while outfinishing next-out winner Bourbon Wildcat in her next start. She didn’t show much on grass at Colonial next out, but should improve with a return to the Laurel dirt, on which she’s never missed the exacta in six starts.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-1-2-4

#3 Princess Indy (3-1), last year’s Sorority Stakes winner, ran a big race first off a seven-month layoff two races back, chasing gate-to-wire winner Continentalcongres and holding second. She may have been in a bit over her head in the Delaware Oaks last out, where she faded after a wide trip, but has tons of upside, positive experience around two turns, and should keep getting better third off the layoff. #1 Respectfully (2-1), the more acclaimed half of the Jamie Ness entry in my eyes, has gone gate-to-wire in two of her last five races, and held second in the other three. She’s 2-for-2 on this track, and won by 9 1/2 lengths the last time Jaime Rodriguez rode her. #2 Golden Charm (8-1) has broken out of her seconditis streak with back-to-back open-length wins against first-level foes. She gets a stiff class test here, but should be able to at least work out a trip.

RACE 6: SEARCHING STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

4-3-6-7 (DIRT: 5-1-2-3)

Today’s first stakes race is named for the great Phipps-bred mare of the 1950s. #4 Madame Mischief (8-5) ran her best race yet against similar in Monmouth Park’s Boiling Springs Stakes last out. She led most of the way, disposed of her pace challenger, and held for a clear-cut second, losing only to a last-to-first winner who came over the top. She should get away with easier fractions this time. Her main pace challenge may come from #3 Distorted d’Oro (5-1), who led every step to beat first-level foes at Delaware Park last out, showing dramatic improvement from her first start. She’s getting another class test here, but could shake things up on the front end. #6 Belle of Rights (2-1) chased the pace and finished second in the Christiana Stakes last out, and looks to sit the trip from just off the leaders.

RACE 7: CAESAR’S WISH STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLEIS AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-6-5-8

We’re heading back to dirt to pay tribute to the great Maryland-bred filly of the late 1970s. #7 Saddle Up Jessie (8-5) most recently finished a solid second at Delaware Park, and has shown an affinity for this track. She’s won on it twice, and the one time she didn’t, she ran a career-best brisnet figure of 104. #6 Intrepid Dream (12-1) is 3-for-3 on this track, including a victory in the Heavenly Cause Stakes in April second off a 17-month layoff. She was flat in her last start, her first in two months, and on a wet track, but should improve with a change of scenery and a fast track. #5 Continentalcongres (8-1) went gate-to-wire in her last dirt start, and if she can outrun Malibu Beauty from her inside, she should find herself on a lonely lead.

RACE 8: BALD EAGLE DERBY, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

2-5-3-1 (DIRT: 7-5-6-4)

The final stakes race of the day is named for the two-time winner of the Washington D.C. International. #2 Wine Collector (8-1) ran a game third in the Boston Stakes first off a six-month layoff last out, and won on this track in late October, defeating future stakes winner Tocayo in the process. He’s poised to take a step forward at a price. #5 Desvio (5-2) has run career-best grass figures in his last two starts, including an impressive win in the Kent Stakes where he brushed his way to the front and got up for the victory. He’ll be in a prime spot to brush and crush these. #3 Elevated Game (4-1) has gone gate-to-wire in two of his last three starts, and should be sent for speed by Jaime Rodriguez.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-5-4

#7 El Mayo (5-2) regressed at second asking last out when he got caught up in an early duel, but should improve with the addition of blinkers. Look for him to be asked for early speed and then sustain it. #3 Flashy Dude (2-1) was well-bet on debut, and managed to make mild ground to finish fourth with a respectable 66. A repeat of that effort may well win this. #5 Fear Nothing (4-1) improved sharply to a 66 at second asking, and should be heard from late after rating in midpack early on.

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