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 — $7,706
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-7-2-13

We’ll begin a new racing month with a full field on the lawn. #5 Whispering Sea (9-5) has run similar races in each of her last few starts. She’s sat off the pace, made her move on the turn, and flattened out while securing a share. This is the easiest field she’s seen in a while, so this might be a “now-or-never” spot for her. #7 Compass Rises (7-2) exits the same race as Whispering Sea. She got caught in traffic at the eighth pole, and while it didn’t cost her the victory, it might have cost her a few placings (she finished sixth, beaten less than four lengths). She’ll be tough with a better trip, but her closing style leaves her susceptible to trouble. #2 Romantic Story (12-1) stretches out around two turns for the first time since August. She got caught wide in that race and held third, so we know going back to a mile shouldn’t be a problem. She’ll likely save more ground here, and could be live at a price.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-1-6-3

#5 Honor the Cross (5-2) is one of three in here coming off a maiden win, and looks like the fastest of that group. He led every step of the way to break his maiden at Delaware Park last out, running a career-best race (an 82) for the second race in a row. He should make the front and cruise. #1 Carentan (9-5) also comes off a career-best mark at Delaware, but that 91 is a 14-point outlier that I’m a bit suspicious of. He earned it while finishing a pace-chasing third against better, and now drops for a tag against winners for the first time. Even if he doesn’t run back to that race, his other recent figures are enough to outrun the rest even if Honor the Cross sneaks away. #6 Formal Affair (2-1) raced on the pace and was well-beaten against slightly better last out. He adds blinkers, and might be better off rating just off Honor the Cross and pouncing.

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

8-2-5-4

#8 Stage Call (7-2) turned in respectable third-place efforts in her two starts off a brief layoff, and should be rolling late and ready to mow them down. #2 Thursday Girl (3-1) broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion in her lone two-turn grass try two races back. She improved to a career-best 76 going 5 1/2 panels last out, even though it was not a visually impressive race, and should have an easier time making the front in this spot. #5 Momma’s Lino (5-2) raced on a hot pace from post 13 in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap last out, and unsurprisingly didn’t have much late. Look for her to turn in a much-improved effort against these types. Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-1-5

#4 By the Glass (4-1) has been a total non-factor on grass in her last few starts, but ran at least a 70 four straight times in dirt, which is right in the range she needs to be in to win this race. Her only career win came in her lone start here, a sharp maiden claiming performance going a mile in March. #3 How Sweet She Is (2-1) is uber-consistent, having run at least a 71 in nine straight efforts. However, all of those races came at six furlongs. She’s getting a distance test here, but if she can handle the extra ground, she’s imposing. #1 Bailintin (5-2) goes first off the Phil Capuano claim. She’s also been competing in sprints lately, and while her last two-turn dirt try was uninspiring, she’s in better overall form since then.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

9-4-5-15

#9 Master Munnings (9-2) came up the rail to win second off a brief layoff last out. He’s been very consistent in his brief career, running between a 71 and a 74 in each of his four grass starts. Look for him roll late as long as he steers clear of traffic. #4 Coaches Meeting (5-2) rallied wide and just missed at this level last out, in his first two-turn grass try in months. He’s put in good late rallies against better for most of the year. #5 Awesome Strike (4-1) was third behind Coaches Meeting in is last try. He’s finished second or third in his last six grass starts, all of which have come against similar rivals to today, and looks like a better proposition as an underneath candidate than a win one.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-4-8

Super C Racing thought enough of #1 Eccentric (5-2) to debut her in the Maryland Million lassie. She chased the pace and stopped badly, but at least got a race under her belt, and now drops into a more realistic spot for her second start. #5 Rylnnslookinglucky (7-2) ran a respectable pace-chasing third (put up to second via DQ) on debut last out. She adds blinkers for her second outing; if she improves off the 62 she ran in that race, she’s live. #4 Ok by Me (8-1) has shown improved form against straight maidens on grass in her last few starts, and now drops in for a tag for the first time while adding blinkers.

RACE 7: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-3-8-6

#1 Deuteronomy (6-1) was well-bet in his washed-off debut at Colonial, and pressed the pace briefly before fading in what proved to be a salty maiden event. His pedigree suggests she’ll excel on this surface. His dam, Hit It Rich, was a three-time graded stakes winner on grass and four of his siblings have won on this surface. #3 Eternal Mischief (8-5) lost by less than four lengths on debut at Keeneland, and might have run better if he didn’t get stuck in traffic late. He’s related to three winners on the lawn. #6 Cocktails at Noon (3-1) closed well off slow fractions last out, rallying from well behind to lose by 3 1/2 lengths. He’s dealt with traffic trouble with both of his races, and should get up for a share in this spot.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-4-3

#2 Prince of Jericho (2-1) has won six times in 12 starts on this track, including a determined win against similar last out. There’s speed to his inside and outside in Hurricane J and Spikezone, so if he can back off of them and let them duel, he’ll have a great setup on the turn. #8 Celtic Contender (8-1) got up over Band Camp to win the Maryland Million Sprint last out, matching his career-best figure with a 97. He’s in improving form, and like Prince of Jericho, he could also get a good setup from off the pace. Anything near his morning line would be generous. #4 Seven’s Eleven (4-1) tossed the jockey at the start in the Maryland Million Sprint last out. He also loves this track, with a 7-for-16 record on this surface, and has been in improving form since coming back off a five-month break in late July. That (barely existent) line might spike his price a bit.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-11-4-5

We’ll try to close the day with a longshot. #2 All Fruits Ripe (30-1) led most of the way going a mile at 107-1 last out, and held well until the last eighth. He ran a 66 that day, not far off of the lifetime top of 68 he ran two starts back. Both marks fit in at this level. His speed may be more potent at a shorter distance. In a soft field, it’s worth the gamble that it is. #11 Mile High Miracle (6-1) pressed the pace from the far outside post and held well at this level last out. He has another tough draw here, but he’s shown he can make it work. #4 Shear Magic (3-1) makes his first local appearance after making his first three starts in California and Kentucky, and races around one turn for the first time. He should be close to the pace.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!