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

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

14-7-4-6

More beautiful weather greets us for today’s program. Hopefully no tote delays this time! #14 Pageant Princess (4-1) has form somewhat obscured by flat tries on dirt and synthetic. In her last grass start, which came first off a seven-month layoff, she sat the trip and got up to beat Pennsylvania-bred allowance foes at Parx with a career-best brisnet figure of 82. #7 Gogo Chanel (8-5) also stepped up to run a career-best 82 in her last try o this surface, where she made a promising move, but got outkicked by better. Her recent grass form should be able to beat these. #4 Clouds of White (5-1) has been very consistent throughout the year, and held second after making a bit of an early move last out at Colonial Downs.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-3-2

#5 Blueberry Indygo (8-1) was completely flat first off an 11-month layoff last out, but has since worked well at Delaware Park, and should be much better with a race under her belt. She has lots of early speed, and will be a serious threat if she breaks cleanly. #6 Vino From Ernies (9-2) was no match against better last out, but got up to break her maiden at eighth asking two starts ago. She’s run at least a 65 in each of her last three starts, the only one in the field to do so. #3 Hateful (7-2) has tailed off a bit since a voided claim in early August, but has rounded back into semi-respectable form, and her ceiling is high enough to beat these easily.

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

13-10-9-2

#13 Learning to Fly (9-2) has picked up checks against better throughout the year, and now plunges in class. She ran at least a 67 in her last three grass tries. While that kind of figure was no match against $45,000 types, it’s right in the range needed to beat these. #10 Channel’s Daughter (10-1) races for her fourth trainer in four starts; in this case, for Marco Salazar. She closed well for fourth with a career-best 65 second off the bench, and first time in the Mid-Atlantic, at Colonial last out, and should turn in another improved effort at a good number. #9 Audibly (5-1) was completely flat last out, but ran on well in previous races against similar. It’s worth a small shot that she’ll rebound, because if she does, she’s a serious threat.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-3-7

#2 Winterfell (5-2) made his first start for the Brittany Russell barn a winning one last out, crushing a maiden field at Parx by eight lengths. This Baffert expat could make some noise in stakes races this winter, but this is a good stepping stone for now. #4 Pirate (8-5) has run back-to-back marks of 89 and 91 at this level in New York, while closing for minor shares both times. He’ll be a factor if he stays somewhat close to the pace, considering how potent his late kick is. Jaime Rodriguez and Jamie Ness teamed up for a generously-priced winner in yesterday’s 9th race, and they’ll try it again with #3 Afraidofthebunny (10-1), who looks like the main speed and cuts back a bit from 1 1/8 miles.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

1-8-3-5

After a few rainy days and also-eligible draws, #1 Mission North (3-1) is finally set to make his first start since July 6. He finally settled down early and broke his pari-mutuel maiden impressively on this track in June (he previously won a point-to-point race in Virginia). He was fourth at this level at Aqueduct last out, looks to have only scratched the surface of his potential. #8 Border War (15-1) gets his class test following some sharp victories over the summer at Colonial. He ran back-to-back 86s while working his way up the class ladder, not far away from the marks he needs to win this race, and should get a nice trip just off the leaders at a good price. #3 Switzer (4-1) made a solid move and just missed at this level last out, and has been in improving form on grass all year long.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

9-5-10-7

Joy has produced three winners from as many starters, and will try to make it 4-for-4 with #9 Grey Biggsey (3-1). He debuts for the Cal Lynch barn, which is very sharp with firsters, and has worked solidly and consistently since joining the worktab in late July. Watch the board on him. #5 General Maximus (5-1) and #10 Bold Diversion (6-1) exit the same race on September 28. General Maximus battled on the lead with eventual winner Lil Sebastian and held second, while Bold Diversion, closed well after a bit of a rough start and grabbed third. Either one could improve off that race, but General Maximus’s early speed gives him a slight edge in my eyes.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

6-11-1-8

#6 Crisper (4-1) has won his last three starts, including back-to-back stakes victories against Pennsylvania-restricted rivals. He came from well off the pace that day, and overcame moderate fractions to just get up in an exciting finish. With any kind of pace, he’ll be especially tough to hold off. #11 There Are No Words (6-1) did good work over the summer at Monmouth Park, finishing second in a trio of open stakes races after setting the early pace. He couldn’t get to the front in his last two starts, and didn’t run his best race as such, but should be hard-sent for speed under Daniel Centeno. #1 Ocean City (5-1) also has speed from the rail, and was pressed by There Are No Words in the Red Bank Stakes before fading two starts ago. He might end up on the front end with There Are No Words to his outside, but if he gets loose, look out.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1A-8-9-7

#1A Irish Exit (4-1) is my preferred half of the Jamie Ness entry. He was very dull at Aqueduct last out, a race that may drive up his price, but he’s a perfect 3-for-3 on this track. His last two wins here were against Brilliant Ice, who won the Maryland Million Classic. #8 Hay Chief (10-1) finished a solid-closing second in the Japan Turf Cup (on dirt) last out. He won his last try around a one-turn mile, and his late punch should be enough for a share. #9 Search Engine (5-2) lasted through pace pressure to beat second-level rivals last out, in his first start off the Brittany Russell claim. Band Camp, second to him last out, came back to finish a strong-closing second in the Maryland Million Sprint.

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

3-2-6-11

#3 Hold Out (5-1) led every step to break his maiden at eighth asking at Monmouth last out, and is a threat to do something similar against these. #2 Max Swagger (6-1) ran a career-best 81 second off a 16-monfh layoff in his last grass try. He set the pace and faded in that 1 1/8-mile contest, but should find this distance more appealing. #6 Ganado (4-1) a Chad Brown trainee way back when, finished sixth with an improved 78 behind Max Swagger second off a year and a half respite two starts ago. He adds blinkers as he gets set to return to the lawn after a flat washed-off try last out.

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