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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $13,777
Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,189
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-6-8

#1 Mr. Houghton (5-2) makes his first start for the Lacey Gaudet barn and his first start since May 27. He came from off the pace that day and won going away at Monmouth Park, and has worked well consistently since early September in preparation for this spot. He’s trending in the right direction and should be tough against these. #5 Look Sharp (12-1) was flat last out at Delaware Park, but has run his best races with Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle, who gets back aboard today. #6 Kiss Them Deadly (10-1) adds blinkers and should be hard-sent for speed. He’s shown noticeable improvement with every race since returning from a year-long layoff in July.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-4-5-3

#8 First Foray (8-1) broke her maiden in gate-to-wire style at Presque Isle Downs last out. In her lone grass start so far, which came at first asking, she raced greenly and showed little. She’s a much-improved horse since then, and is the only one in the race who hasn’t lost against winners. #4 Patty Van Twinkle (9-5) has held her own against better on dirt in her last few starts. Her pedigree doesn’t suggest she’ll be especially potent on grass, but against this field, she doesn’t have to be; she just doesn’t have to regress too much on the surface switch. #5 Any Fools Gold (15-1) closed strongly to grab third at 53-1 last out, and has to be respected for the underneath spots at a good number.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-2-5-7

#1 Lieutenant Stan (5-1) chased the pace and faded in his Mid-Atlantic debut at the Meadowlands last out, but should improve second time in the region. He was in sharp form over the Tapeta at Gulfstream Park this summer. #2 Gran Runner (5-2) sat the trip and got up tow in at Delaware two starts ago with a much-improved brisnet figure 90, but tailed off after a wide trip going longer last out. He should improve cutting back around one turn. #5 Trash Talkin Larry (3-1) makes his third start off the bench and has faced better in his last few. His closing style may leave him up against it at 5 1/2 furlongs, but he should at least rally for a share.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

8-3-7-5

#8 Rennie (7-2) ran figures in the mid-80s twice over the summer at Colonial Downs, including a stalk-and-pounce win against non- winners of two foes in his last try on the surface. He gets back to the grass after getting washed off last time, and should get a great trip. #3 Dalinar (6-1) has made just one start on grass, but it was an impressive one: a gate-to-wire win at Delaware two starts back with a very impressive 90. He looks the main speed of this group, and will have every opportunity to run them off their feet. #7 Great Kisser (6-1) got caught up in a speed duel last out and faded, but now gets class relief, and might choose to sit just off the pace if he can’t clear from the outside.

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

8-1-4-9

#8 Bond’s Belle (9-5) fought hard in the stretch and lost to the very experienced Stormy Irish Lass last out. She’s run no worse than a 65 in her four-race career; a mark most of these are hard-pressed to hit. If she runs her race, she’s an easy winner. #1 Sweet Honey Bee (4-1) lasted a long way on the lead last out at this level, and should once again set the pace and hold on for at least a share. #4 Storm Creed (30-1) ran in the 70s with some regularity over the winter at Tampa Bay Downs, and has slowly rounded back into form after tailing off badly on grass over the summer. She’d have to take a big step forward to tend with Bond’s Belle, but a few points’ worth of improvement gets her in the mix with the others at a good number.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-1-9-13

Jorge Duarte sent out a 2-year-old winner on grass on Friday, and he’ll try another one in #6 Then What Time (5-2). This one has a sibling who won grass and has worked well on this surface at Colts Neck Stable. He gets to face an inexperienced field at first asking; we’ll see if he’s live on the board. He’s especially potent if so. #1 Stewball (9-2) is another promising firster, in this case for Mike Trombetta. He had a solid three-furlong workout from the gate after a string of five-furlong drills, suggesting that his speed has been sharpened. #9 Ecumenical (6-1) fought hard on the lead and held second at first asking last out. He adds blinkers, and based on his pedigree, should like the grass.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

8-4-9-2

#8 Hornbeam (6-1) came from way out of it to win an off-the-grass contest against slightly softer last out. He ran a 93 and an 85 in his two prior starts. He showed more speed earlier in the year, but now tends to come from further off the pace. He gets the slight nod in a very wide-open contest. #4 In the Dance (9-2) has shown slight improvement in his last few starts, including a sharp third-place effort in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap last out. His only bad dirt race on the year came when he was wide throughout. That shouldn’t be a problem here. #9 Kerness (7-2) went gate-to-wire at Delaware last out and should improve further third off the layoff. The outside post isn’t great, but he’ll at least have a longer run into the first turn than usual.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE

5-4-8-1

#5 Oncourtcommentator (8-5) was an impressive winner on dirt two starts back, in her lone try on this surface to date. She gets some class relief after trying the Virginia Oaks last out, and should handle these without much trouble. #4 Lovely Charm (8-1) couldn’t get through traffic in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap last out, but was in improving form at the Monmouth meet, running into tough rivals with consistent figures in the low/mid-80s. #8 Call Another Play (5-2) scratched from the Mother Goose Stakes yesterday to run here. She was in sharp form on this track earlier this year, including a victory in the Weber City Miss Stakes, but has tailed off since. This will be her first start since September 7; the time off and a class drop might wake her up.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $45,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-3-6-5

#8 Cover the Spread (2-1) was bothered at the start and fell further back than usual in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap last out, but recovered well and finished second with a season’s-best 81. She should be even tough with a clean beginning. #3 Lilly Lane (3-1) might have left her best race in the gate last out at Aqueduct, but she still ran a very solid pace-chasing third with a career-best 83. She also has a lot of potential to move forward. #6 Determind Princess (9-2) was an impressive winner from off the pace last out at Colonial, and nows makes her first start off the Jamie Ness claim. She’ll have to improve a few points to contend with these, but loosk more than capable of doing so.

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