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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $11,551
Jackpot Super High 5 — $3,352
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

13-10-3-1

#13 El de Larry (12-1) closed well despite getting caught in traffic last out. He takes a slight dip in class here, and although his closing style makes him susceptible to trouble, he’s still live at his likely odds. #10 Big Big Star (6-1) cleared his non-winners of two condition with a stalk-and-pounce win at Delaware Park last out. He technically cleared that a while ago; he also won at a point-to-point meet earlier in the year, and has re-found his best form since a summer swoon. #3 Rollercoaster Man (8-1) has also shown improvement in his last few starts, and keeps Carol Cedeno, who rode him to victory two starts ago.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

2-1-4-7

Brittany Russell sends out more than $1 million worth of horseflesh in here. I’ll give the slight nod to #2 Bestfriend Rocket (4-1), a former Bill Mott trainee who couldn’t get settled last out and was pace-compromised against a tough field on debut going two turns. #1 King’s Road (3-5), a Bob Baffert expat, showed speed and held well in two grass tries in California, but has had only one local workout (Bestfriend Rocket has two, and has been in the barn longer), and will almost certainly go off at an unbettable number. #4 Polo Drive (6-1) made late ground at first asking at Monmouth Park last out, and the Shug McGaughey/Forest Boyce trainer/jockey combo is dangerous around here.

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

3-1-4-7

#3 Kendama (5-2) gets class relief after facing better in his first two starts off a 13-month layoff. He’s run in the 80s four consecutive times; that kind of mark fits in with these. #1 Two by Two (2-1) has won four of his last five on grass with dramatic closing rallies each time. One of these days, he’ll find himself at the mercy of traffic trouble and get beat, but for now, he’s worth respecting (even if backing him means a sweat). #4 Retweet (8-1) showed affinity for the Penn National grass over the summer, running a pair of figures in the upper-80s there, and should show tactical speed in his local debut.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-4-2-6

#3 Kick Startness (7-5) hasn’t trailed in any of his last four starts, and gets Jaime Rodriguez, who knows how to ride a one-turn mile better than anyone, in the saddle. Anything near his morning line would be a steal. #4 Margie’s Fun Son (5-2) loves to finish second and third and isn’t crazy about winning, but he’s in career-best form right now and should outkick the rest even if Kick Startness runs away from them. #2 Melt With You (4-1) turned in a pair of sharp victories at Delaware Park earlier this year, and was pace-compromised in his last two tries.

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

13-7-4-5

#13 Souper Amusing (7-2) ran a big race in her grass debut, battling on the pace throughout and holding second in a dead heat by a neck. She outfinished her dueling partner by 4 1/2 lengths, and was beaten only by rivals who got a great trip off the duel. #7 Evershed (3-1) cost $369,700 as a yearling, and is now set to make her debut for Arnaud Delacour. This Irish-bred filly is a sister to seven grass winners. #4 Mindful Angel (15-1) was fifth behind Souper Amusing last out, and has shown steady improvement in her few starts.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-9-3-4

#2 Stormy Hollow (5-2) was very green on debut and showed little, but improved sharply at second asking last out, when he chased the pace and finished second. He has further room to improve here. #9 Beach Cowboy (8-5) hasn’t run a bad race since arriving here from Indiana in late July, having run at least a 72 in each of his three starts on this track. His usual race contends here, but you’ll have to take an underlaid price. #3 Box of Rockets (8-1) ran some big races on dirt earlier this year. He now returns to this surface after a few grass tries, and drops to a career-low level. He’s inconsistent, but he’s capable of pulling a mild surprise.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-9-8-11

#2 I’mwishingonastar (4-1) went gate-to-wire to break her maiden on grass at Monmouth Park two starts ago, and now gets class relief after an ambitious try in the Matron Stakes last out. #9 Lil Regard (8-5) won on debut in last-to first style at Colonial, in a race where the pacesetters did not stop. It was certainly an impressive performance, and she’ll be tough if she can duplicate it. #8 Biscuitwiththeboss (10-1) makes her grass debut after a series of speed-and-fade tries on dirt. Her full sister, Bosserati, is a multiple stakes winner on grass, including the Maryland Million Turf Sprint two Saturdays ago. It wouldn’t be surprising if this one had a similar affinity for the surface.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-7-3

#5 Raven Dance (8-1) was no factor early on in her debut, but got the picture late and made good ground to just miss fourth. She faces a largely inexperienced field here, and could slide through the cracks in the betting. Two of her rivals cost six figures at auction. #2 Mo Hype (9-5) sold for $225,000 at the Fasig-Tipton sale at Timonium in May, while #7 Michelle (8-5) went for $150,000 at last October’s Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale. Both of them go out for barns that connect with firsters (Jerry Robb and Brittany Russell, respectively), and both have worked well. I’ll watch the board on both. It’s worth noting Russell assigned neither Sheldon Russell not Jevian Toledo the mount; Carlos Lopez gets the call instead.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-1-9-7

#5 Hanksdiviningrod (9-5) chased down a loose leader to win going away at Delaware Park two starts ago, and now gets class relief after being outclassed in the Maryland Million Turf two weeks back. He hasn’t yet competed at this level, but this is a pretty soft field for the condition. #1 Northern Tick Tock (7-2) has slowly improved since returning off a long layoff in late June, and put it all together with a sharp win against conditioned claiming foes last out with a career-best 81. He runs the risk of getting hemmed in on the rail, but if he can get clear, he’ll be a late threat. #9 The Last Scip (4-1) won twice earlier in the year when he got paces to close into, struggled in his next two behind slow tempos, then ran a game second behind the much-the-best Hunter Joe in the Maryland Million Turf Starter Handicap.

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