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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,264
Jackpot Super High 5 — $9,180
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-8-12-1

#3 Addicted to You (6-1) raced wide every step of the way last out at Aqueduct and faded, but held his own against better in two starts at Saratoga. He should save ground and make his presence felt late. #8 Missionaire (12-1) didn’t show his usual early speed in his last start, and just missed third in a photo finish. He usually runs better when he’s forwardly-placed, so look for Angel Cruz to send him for speed. #12 Roja Redemption (8-1) went gate-to-wire two starts back, and led most of the way and finished second in his first start at this condition last out. Forest Boyce should also put this one into play in the early stages.

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

3-7-2-5

#3 Yumyum Eat Em Up (9-5) held second last out after making an early bid for the lead. She broke her maiden four starts back on the lead, and just missed completing a wire job in the race afterward. Without much speed to her inside, she should get the trip she wants. After burning plenty of money, #7 Stormy Irish Lass (9-2) broke through at eighth asking to win by a nose two starts ago, then hung around for third in her first try against winners. She looks like a good horse to key underneath in the exotics. With Jeiron Barbosa having departed for New Orleans, J.G. Torrealba gets the mount for the first time. #2 Pull No Punches (6-1) made the switch from grass to dirt a winning one last out, coming from off the pace to win at Delaware Park at fourth asking last out. She has plenty of upside and will hope for a fast early pace.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

7-9-4-3

#7 War Humor (5-2) failed to change leads and got outkicked by odds-on choice Stormy Flight last out, ultimately losing by a nose. He should rally wide and get up against this group. #9 Jungle Glow (3-1) comes out of the same race as War Humor, and though he struck the front at the top of the stretch, he couldn’t kick on and lost by a head. He should prompt the pace on the outside and get up for a share. #4 Sinetic (7-2) broke his maiden going away last out, and has taken steps forward with each start since moving to grass.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

9-6-2-3

#9 Neolithica (9-2) showed speed and faded first off a six-month layoff last out, but should improve with a race under her belt. She won three in a row last fall and winter, two of them in gate-ot-wire style. If #6 Genieinabridle (8-5) runs her best race first off a 7 1/2-month break, she’ll be very tough to beat. She’s run a brisnet figure of 78 in each of her last six starts, a mark the rest of these are hard-pressed to hit at all. The drop from Maryland-restricted company to bottom-level claimers is a bit alarming, but it’s possible Jerry Robb just wants to get an easy race into her off such a long respite. #2 Baby Sox (7-2) showed speed and faded against a better field last out, but came form well off the pace two win going away two starts back. We’ll see which strategy is employed today.

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

10-7-1-9

#10 Wise and Elegant (4-1) made good ground in the last eighth and finished a hard-charging third last out, running in the 80s for the fourth time in a row. She’s had a few near-misses against better lately; at least now, she gets to face the easiest field she’s seen in a while. #7 Wonder Gal (3-1) also takes a drop in class; in her case, from a salty second-level contest where she faded after a wide trip. She has great early pace figures, and will be tough to catch in she makes the front. Her main competition in that regard comes from #1 Designer (6-1), who has gone gate-to-wire in both of her grass starts, and now gets a class test after clearing her non-winners of two condition.

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

5-7-12-1

#5 Julia’s a Fox (12-1) faded badly going 1 1/16 miles last out, but has shown improving form at shorter distances. That last line might throw bettors of the scent and drive up her odds. #7 Curb (5-2) plunges in class after three tries in a row against much better. She’s been on the pace and stopped in each of those starts, but has run in the 60s each time. #12 Estilo Unico (9-2) ran huge in her first start off the Jamie Ness claim. Sent off at 1-5 at Delaware Park, she dueled her pace partner into submission, but couldn’t hold off the closers and finished third. The only downside is the extreme outside draw.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-10-4-1

#2 Covert Kat (3-1) chased the very impressive Mission North last out, but held clear of the others and grabbed second by a head, running a career-best 92 in the process. His only bad races this year came when he dealt with wide trips; otherwise, he’s slowly improved throughout the year. #10 Switzer (7-2) finished third behind Covert Kat in his most recent, and finished third in a blanket finish two starts back, behind the very solid runners Who’s Counting and Vax a Nation. He hasn’t yet won around two turns, but has gotten better with each start at this distance or similar. #4 Card Trick (6-1) raced wide on the pace and just missed first time in the Ned Allard barn last out. He’ll try to make the rail and the lead and control the tempo.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-6-1

#5 Say Me True (9-5) broke his maiden impressively at first asking, defeating a pair of next-out winners in the process, but couldn’t make the front and finished fifth as the favorite in the Maryland Million Nursery. He gets some class relief here, and should handle these as long as he runs his usual race. The top three finishers in the Nursery are in tomorrow’s James F. Lewis III Stakes; a big win from this one would flatter all of them. #7 Shootersgottashoot (5-2) cuts back around one turn after a visually flat effort last out in the Rocky Run Stakes, but one that nonetheless earned him a career-best 82. He’ll be put into play from the outside. #6 Amy’s Music (3-1) finished third to Say Me True two starts ago, then converted a stalk-and-pounce trip to break his maiden last out. There’s enough speed in here that he might get the setup he wants.

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

7-12-6-14

#7 Mor Mor Mor (8-1) ran a career-best 68 against better last out, and adds blinkers and Horacio Karamanos for the first time. She’ll sit midpack and try to take advantage of class relief. #12 Worries Unfounded (4-1) dropped to the $30,000 level on grass for the first time last out, and went off favored. She didn’t show as much closing punch as she did in her first start on the surface, but still matched her 68. Another outside draw might be an impediment, however, still looms as a contender. #6 Ariel Moon (7-5) has burned a lot of money at this level, and even though her figures are once again the best in the race, I’ve seen enough of her that I can’t pick her on top. Still, her presence must be respected.

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