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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $619
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

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

1-3-5-7

We’re kicking off a very busy final weekend of the season with conditioned claimers on the grass. #1 David’s Prospec (20-1) turned in some solid efforts towards the end of grass season last year, racing near the pace and holding on for shares at good prices. He didn’t do much at this level first off an eight-month break last out, but that was at 5 1/2 furlongs, suggesting that that race was being used as a prep for a spot like this one. He should run much better going longer, and has some speed in a race without much of it. #3 Silverbullettwenty (5-2) finished a hard-charging third in his grass debut last out, in a race where he got a hot pace to close into. Even though there isn’t as much speed this time around, he’s shown some tactical foot in the past, suggesting that he can sit near the leaders and strike. #5 Class Wizard (6-1) gets his sixth different rider in his last six starts; in this case, Jevian Toledo. He exits the same race as Silverbullettwenty, and closed only mildly off that hot pace. That said, he’s a very consistent sort who rarely turns in a bad effort, and should get up for at least a slice.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-7

#2 Kiss Me More (8-1) makes her first appearance on dirt here, in a race where no one has shown much ability on that surface. She showed promise against better in her first two races, running brisnet figures in the 70s both times, but struggled badly against a tough field at 1 1/8 miles two starts back. She might have been a tad spooked by that race, as she was completely flat when cut back to a mile next out. I’m interested to see how she does going shorter on dirt. #1 Lance’s Smile (9-2) was a bit too eager to get to the front last out first off a 3 1/2-month layoff, and backed up after battling for the early pace. She might be better off racing just off the leaders on the rail. #6 Stormy Irish Lass (9-5) has improved with each recent start, and finished a solid second behind 1-5 Brittany Russell trainee Lottie Deno in last out. Fortunately for her, there’s no one of that rival’s caliber in here.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-4-8-9

#7 Zihuatanejo (4-1), one of two in here for the Parx-based Guadalupe Preciado barn, made his first start for that stable, and this first start on the east coast, two races back. He set the pace and held almost the whole way, but got caught late and lost by two lengths. He returned to grass here after getting washed off last out, and could lead them a long way. #4 Pietrelcina (3-1) showed some good punch in the final strides last out in his fourth start off the bench (counting a point to-point race in late March), and now gets some class relief from the $45,000 level. He’s one of two in here, along with Zihuatanejo, to run in the 70s in each of heir last three grass starts. #8 Owhatanite (20-1) broke awkwardly in his last grass start and showed little, but he’s dropping to this level for the first time on grass, he’s lightly-raced, and has a fairly grassy pedigree.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

5-3-8-9

#5 Stellar Lute (8-1) ran a career-best 84 when he closed gamely and got third last out. He’ll need a pace to close into, but there’s enough speed on paper that he should get it. #3 Luigi’s Spirit (8-1) is in strong form on dirt, having run at least an 86 nine time sin his last ten starts. The only time he didn’t run that fast was in the Pimlico mud off a layoff three races back. He’s never raced on grass before, but he is a half-brother to two grass winners, including Sensitive, the winner of the 2019 Ellis Park Turf Stakes. #8 American Unity (3-1) won at this level on this track last fall as much the best, and has room to rebound off a flat effort on a soft course at Delaware Park last out.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGDS

6-1A-7-3

#6 Anotherhope (2-1) has run a 60 in each of her two starts, but showed a bit more life last out, racing near the pace and holding on for second. She’s worked well since then and is more than eligible to take another step forward. #1A Ferociousness (9-5), one of two Jamie Ness homebreds in the field, has a long, steady worktab at Delaware Park, and is a full sister to Rowsie Express, as takes-placed filly and a winner at 2. #7 Hiya Love (6-1) has two bullet workouts at Pimlico on her lines, and Milan Milosevic occasionally pops with firsters at big numbers.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-1-3-4

#7 Tidewater (2-1) led almost every step in the Ben’s Cat Stakes, but lost the stretch battle to Whenigetotheaven by a neck. Still, he ran a career-best 92 that day, and hasn’t run a bad race on this track this year. #1 Swill (5-2) closed good ground against third-level rivals first off the Jamie Ness reclaim last out, and now takes a drop in class. There’s some speed drawn to Tidewater’s inside, and if he’s sent and can’t get himself free, Swill will take full advantage. The same is true for #3 Had to Have Him (5-1), who beat Tidewater on the money four starts back, and most recently finished a respectable fifth in the Ben’s Cat. He’s found himself outkicked by better in his last few, but should at least get up for a share here.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-1-4-6

#2 Aliferous (2-1) raced wide most of the way at this level last out, but managed to pull clear late before feeling the effects of his trip and losing by a neck. Still, he’s rounded back into peak form since coming back from a long layoff in late February, and might benefit from a distance cutback from 1 1/16 miles. #1 Zoomer (9-5) chased the pace and finished third behind Aliferous last out, improving his figure for the third consecutive race. He’s lost 19 races in a row, but he’s gotten plenty of checks in that timeframe, and should at least get up for a share against these. #4 Artistic Reason (8-1) has gone gate-to-wire in his last two starts, and looms as the primary speed once again.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

10-2-8-14

#10 Two by Two (5-2) has won his last two starts at this level, both times closing from way out of it to get up and win. His only possible roadblock is the distance; he’s won at 1 1/8 miles and 1 1/16 miles, but a mile might be too short for him. #2 U S Constitution (7-2) got outkicked by Two by Two in his last start and lost by a nose. He has a little more early speed than that rival, and should race near the early pace while covered up on the rail. The only thing that can slow him down is getting hemmed in traffic. #8 Prince Khozan (8-1) was flat against first-level foes last out, but finished second at good prices in his two prior outings.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-1-8

#4 No Easy Days (2-1) is one of two in here to run in the 90s in each of his last four starts. He pressed the pace and drew off to win at this level last out, defeating Suga Steve, a three-time winner on the year who finished a close second next out. He was beaten a length in his last try at this level, but ran into the likes of Indian lake and Arden’sluckytobe, both of whom are tougher than anyone he has to deal with here. #6 Take a Hint (5-2) has also run in the 90s consistently as of late, but hasn’t raced since April 14, when he flattened out late and was beaten by, among others, the very tough Rominski. At his best, he has dangerous early speed, and Gary Capuano is sharp with horses racing first off a 90+ day layoff. #1 Real Talk (3-1) goes first off the claim for Jamie Ness. He won gate-to-wire at Parx last out, lasting through a duel against Meet Me at Mundis, who beat Suga Steve in is next outing.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-9-2-10

#1 Ariel Moon (2-1) ran in the 70s twice against straight maidens towards the end of grass season last year, and ran a solid 69 first off a nine-month layoff against better last out. She should take a step forward off of that race. #9 Gingersraceday (6-1) showed promise on debut, closing for third with a 69, and looks for a rebound off a flat effort last out. #2 Dropping Lemons (5-2) fought hard and just missed in her grass debut last out, and should once again be a major pace factor.

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