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

Post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $475
Jackpot Super High 5 — $7,706
Late Pick 5 — $0

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

7-2-10-3

Note the early first post time for today’s 11-race extravaganza. #7 Katie’s Notion (3-1) has been in slowly improving form all year, setting or matching his season’s-best brisnet figure in each of his last four starts. He closed well for fourth in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last out against a tough bunch, and now gets some class relief. #2 Jolly Boss (6-1), a full brother to Bosserati (who beat Katie’s Notion in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint), went gate-to-wire to win last out, for his second win on this track. He’s faded when under pressure, but he looks fast enough in this spot to outrun them early and get a more comfortable setup. #10 Zip Line to Heaven (5-1) runs his best races on this track, and should at least get involved for a small share.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-7-5

#2 Lilly Lightning (6-1) ran a career-best 75 in a sharp victory against fellow 3-year-olds last out. She returned to the worktab in early October and has trained consistently well since. She gets an easy field to return in and should be tough if she runs her best. #1 Hot Dance (3-1) broke awkwardly and never get involved from there in her last start, but converted stalk-and-pounce trips in her prior two starts on this track. Look for her to get a nice setup from the rail. #7 Conquest Dancer (9-2) gets an outside draw after fading following a tough trip in her last start. However, she gets some class relief here, and her best late pace figures are the best in the race. Arnaldo Bocachica comes in to ride this Farrior trainee, which is always a good sign.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

3-6-9-7

#3 Rye Smile (2-1) closed stoutly for second in her last try despite not changing leads. She got blocked in the stretch a few starts back; otherwise, she’d have run in the 70s four starts in a row. #6 Sweet Summer Love (7-2) is in slowly improving form and held third behind Rye Smile in her last start. She hasn’t shown as much late punch as one might’ve liked in her last few, but she should at least hang around for a slice. #9 Spoils of War (8-1) made a wide move ands just missed second first off an eight-month layoff last out, and broke her maiden going away on dirt in her last start before going on the sidelines.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-6-4-2

#7 Southern District (2-1) has run an 84 or an 85 in his last seven starts on this track, and won going away at this condition in early June. This looks like a tailor-made spot for him. #6 Aliferous (7-2) has tailed off a bit in his last few starts against better, but won against similar types earlier this year, and might find his best self with class relief. #4 Gambling Tzar (9-5) fought hard and won two starts back at Delaware Park, and looks for a rebound after a flat try against better on a wet track last out.

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

2-9-1-5

#2 Speightful Sis (7-2) has lost to some very nice horses this year, including Alla Breve, Hollywood Walk, Bosserati, and next-out winner Anaita. She led most of the way and faded in an off-the-grass try at Delaware in her most recent, and has the option of going right to the front or sitting just off the pace. #9 Shine On Moon (3-1) has shown improvement with each grass start this year, and cuts back around one turn. In her last effort at 5 1/2 furlongs, she wore down the early leaders, but got caught late by odds-on choice Visby. #1 Angel Art (6-1) closed well and just missed last out despite not changing leads. Her best closing punches come around one turn.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-7-5-1

#6 J J Valentin (9-5) was an impressive maiden-breaker at Monmouth Park two starts back, and gets some class relief after fading while wide last out at Aqueduct. He looks potentially fast enough to clear to the rail and the lead. #7 Bold Talk (9-2) broke his maiden in going-away style last out with a career-best 77. He’s making his third start off the layoff here, and should press the pace from the outside and try to take advantage if J J Valentin falters. #5 K’s Storm Ready (6-1) has faded on grass in his last few starts, but might wake up with the surface switch and the removal of blinkers.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

8-11-7-10

With the 11-race card, this race starts the late pick 5. #8 Fierce and Strong (5-2), is one of a few in here coming out of the same race at this condition on October 13. He couldn’t get settled early on, but once he did, he ran well, losing by a half-length to a well-bet rival who did not yield on the pace. He has early speed that he didn’t get to show last time due to his early struggles, but if he calms down enough here, he could be the one who won’t give way on the front end. #11 St. John’s (3-1) comes out of the same race as Fierce and Strong. He was blocked at the top of the stretch, was in the bit right down the lane, and ended up losing to Fierce and Strong by a nose. At his peak, he has a strong closing kick, and will be heard from late if he doesn’t get caught in traffic. #7 Hay Chief (12-1) closed well in stakes company at Colonial Downs in his two most recent grass tries. He should go off at a good number, with most of the attention going to the horses from the October 13 race.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1A-4-7-2

Either half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry looks extremely potent. I lean towards #1A Our Liberty Belle (6-5). She’s taken big steps forward since getting claimed by Ness in early August, and beat some of these at this distance two starts back. She just missed going a mile last out, but should improve further cutting back. #4 Photo Finish (3-1) crushed the field first off the Brittany Russell claim last out, with a career-best 89. She’s shown promise at different points in her career, and might be ready to put it al together. #7 Anonymously (7-2) bounced back for second last out behind the very promising Binnie. She got especially good around this time last year, so she could be getting back to her best self at the right time.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

6-8-2-4

#6 Great Idea (9-2) just missed chasing down gate-to-wire winner Bosserati in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last out, matching his career-best mark with a 90. He’s improved in each of his last few starts, and should sit a great trip in what may be his season finale. #8 Maya Prince (5-2) was no match against better in the Belmont Turf Sprint last out, but ran huge two starts back in the Da Hoss Stakes, closing for third behind Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint entrants Isivunguvungu and Nothing Better. The competition here looks a tad easier. #2 Bal a Kazoo (8-1) ships in for Midwestern connects, and Eduardo Perez, who rode him to some nice efforts in Kentucky and at Hawthorne, also makes the trip over. He finished a strong third at Kentucky Downs two starts ago in his most recent try at this condition.

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