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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,298
Jackpot Super High 5 — $504
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

11-4-2-5

#11 Dead Sexy (3-1) has finished second three times in a row at this condition, but has dramatically improved her brisnet figure with each start, matching her career-best with a 78 last out. She was much more prominent on the pace last out than she’s been; more early speed would obviously be an asset. #4 Tirupati (5-2) has never raced on grass, but Jonathan Thomas is very sharp with horses making their first start on this surface. She’s shown speed and faded in her last few starts; we’ll see if the surface switch helps her carry her speed for a bit longer. #2 Kake’s Tap Dancer (2-1) has also had plenty of chances at this level, and has lost as the favorite in her last two starts. She rated off the pace and got nosed out by Dead Sexy for second last out, and might find herself setting the early pace today.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-5-6

#1 Patient Capital (7-5) has run in the 80s in each of his last five starts, something most of his rivals struggle to do at all. He’s been facing much better rivals both here and at Colonial Downs, and while the plunge in class might be a bit alarming, if he runs anything close to his best, he’ll win. #4 Minxzluckystarfyre (9-2) was no match for gate-to-wire winner Kick Startness in his last start, but rallied well up the rail and finished 6 1/2 lengths of the rest of his rivals. If Patient Capital’s form goes completely sideways, this one will take advantage. #5 Kissthemoon (7-2) was completely flat on grass last out, but has run some big races against solid fields on dirt at his Penn National base.

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

13-9-8-2

This group is extremely wide-open. #13 Whiteknuckleflyer (4-1) sat the trip and won going away last out, and showed some solid punch to get third with a career-best 89 against better in her last try on this track. She should get another nice setup pressing the pace on the outside. #9 Watch Me Disappear (12-10 led every step to win first off an eight-month layoff two starts back in a 51-1 upset. You won’t get that good a price here, but she’s a threat to pull off another wire job. #8 Dulce Kiara (3-1) has great late speed, but often leaves herself with too much to do. She’ll tale advantage of the long stretch run here and close for at least a slice.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-4-3-2

#5 Aristocratic (2-1) lasted through pace pressure to win first off a brief layoff at Timonium last out. He has by far the best early pace figures in the race, and should have little trouble establishing a comfortable early advantage. #4 Paco the Taco Man (3-1) has regressed in his last few starts, but crossed the wire first in back-to-back starts on this track with big figures earlier this spring. He should relish the class relief. The late punch of #3 Aequor (7-5) didn’t quite have the same impact at 5 1/2 furlongs las tout, but tends to run better figures at today’s distance. He’s got a shot at outkicking the rest even if Aristocratic sneaks away from them.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-2-10-1

#7 Winning Streep (6-1) was well on her way to victory on debut at Delaware Park last out. She made a dramatic brush from the back of the pack and looked like she was going to win by open lengths, but abruptly ducked in as she passed by the chute, lost the rider, and crashed through the safety rail. As long as she doesn’t do that again, she should mow them down in the stretch. #2 Moon Cache (15-1) showed speed and held third on debut in an encouraging effort. Two half-siblings have won on grass. Graham Motion thought enough of #10 Gathered (8-5) to debut her at Saratoga. Though she faded after a wide trip, she should improv with the extra distance and a race under her belt.

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

7-1-3-5

#7 Storm Rate (5-2) gets the nod in this camera-shy bunch. She’s run some big races at this level, including a sharp second in her second start off a brief layoff last out. Her best races have come when Jaime Rodriguez is aboard, and he’ll get the call today. #1 Kapatude (8-1) makes her first start for the Robby Bailes barn. She drops in class from the $20,000 level has speed from the inside. #3 Iced Mocha (2-1) showed speed and hit the board twice against better non-winners of two foes in Kentucky earlier this year, and now ships in here in search of easier pickings. she should rate just off the pace, and has the lightest-raced horse in the field, has the opportunity to take a step forward.

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

1-8-3-4

#1 One Whirlwind Ride (6-1) has been pounding on the door all year long, with five in-the-money finishes but no wins in eight starts. He’s facing a fairly easy first-level field, and will have every chance to strut his speed from the inside post. #8 Great Idea (5-2) has chased the pace and finished well in his last few starts, including a game third-place effort in the Ben’s Cat Stakes in his last try on this track. #3 Wora (4-1) bounced back after some subpar efforts to get third against similar at Delaware last out, and should sit just off the pace from towards the rail.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-2-4

#1 Play Like a Raven (8-5) will hopefully not suffer the same near-miss defeat that the football Ravens did on Thursday night. He showed a lot of class at third asking last out, closing through traffic to beat Maryland-restricted allowance rivals with a career-best 88. He shouldn’t have any trouble with the slight step up to open company. #6 Guardian Prince (8-1) has just missed in his last two tries against similar, including a hard-fought third at Timonium last out. There isn’t a lot of speed to his inside, so he should be able to cross and clear. #2 Super Accelerate (5-2) is the classiest member of the field, having taken the Star de Naskra Stakes last year. He was third in the Bender Stakes last November, but has not been seen since then. While he has a lot of upside, he’s a bit of a risk off such a long layoff.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

3-10-1-11

#3 Breakwater (4-1) takes a slight step down in class following a traffic-filled effort on this track last out for the ever-dangerous Shug McGaughey/Forest Boyce combo. His figures from earlier this year win this. #10 Ganado (8-1) broke his maiden in determined fashion first off a 17-month layoff at Colonial Downs last out, closing from off modest fractions. He was claimed out of that race by Jonathan Maldonado, and looks like a threat at a price. #1 Cassius (5-2) rallied well for second two grass races ago, and should rally well for a share, provided he gets an honest pace to run into.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!