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

Post time: 11:50 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,162
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

9-1-6-2

Note the early first post time for today’s card. #9 Pealing Lad (5-1) struggled around two turns last out at Monmouth Park, but ran brisnet figures in the 70s in his two tries around one turn on grass earlier in the meet. He’s had some sharp workouts since his last start in late August, and should be primed for a big effort. #1 Thick as Thieves (4-1) surged and just missed first off an eight-month break last out, and will be even more dangerous with a race under his belt and a solid workout since then. #6 Agent Kelly (7-2) has hit the board five times in a row without winning, closing from well out of it both times. She got fanned very wide last out and just missed by a length, so if she can find a way to save more ground this time, her late punch will be especially potent.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-9-10-6

#4 Hard Spun Fantasy (6-1) plunges in class from starter optional claiming rivals, and is the only one in the race to run at least a78 in each of his last three starts. He has good tactical speed, and will sit in midpack and look to pounce. #9 Sumo (7-2) was completely flat in two starts over the summer after returning from a four-month break, and received a two-month vacation before his last try. He turned in an improved performance that day, coming from well off the pace to grab third against better. He ran an 80 that day, his best figure since March. Further improvement may mean victory. #10 Synonym (8-1) went gate-to-wire at a mile last out and will try to get as close as he can to the rail and the lead from his outside draw. If he can get there, he’s a serious threat to wire them.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-2-3-8

#10 Primed to Go (9-5) got up to break his maiden two starts ago despite lugging in, then got stuck in traffic in his first start against winners. He’ll be able to easily kick away from this softer field. #2 Green Beans (6-1) makes his first start for the Robby Bailes barn, and ran well on the lead at Colonial Downs this meet. His speed didn’t carry him quite as far when he tried two turns three starts ago, but he could still hang around with the right early tempo. #3 One Bite (3-1) ran some big races both here and at Parx over the summer, and closed well last out when further behind early then accustomed to. Abner Adorno, who rode him to victory here in June, gets back aboard.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-5-13-14

#6 Jewish Mother (2-1) finished second in her first two grass tries at Ellis Park and Kentucky Downs, racing on the pace both times. She races for Brittany Russell for the first time, and while she has not had a local workout, she still looks as if she’ll be tough. #5 Dats Tap (7-2) has also shown speed in his two grass races, and while his ceiling looks a little bit lower than that of Jewish Mother, he’s primed to make an impact. #13 Arctic Outbreak (8-1) crossed the wire first three starts back at Colonial, but was disqualified for drifting out. He made decent late ground and just missed behind Dats Tap last out, running between a 69 and a 72 for the third grass start in a row. He’ll try to pick up some pieces at a good price.

RACE 5: JAMES F. LEWIS III STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-5

The top three finishers in the Maryland Million Nursery are all back for more. #3 Do It for Michael (5-2) and #1 Re Markably (7-2) finished a neck apart that afternoon, with Do It for Michael’s early speed getting the better of Re Markably’s late kick. The latter fell further off the pace than usual after his rough break. With a better start, Re Markably might be primed to turn the tables, but Do It for Michael is in improving form and has a bit more early speed. #4 Sacred Thunder (4-1) closed for third in the Nursery with a career-best 93, and won back-to-back races prior to the Nursery. He’ll sit off the lead and hope the aforementioned two burn each other out.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

10-7-3-2

#10 Gogo Chanel (8-1) just missed at this condition second off a brief layoff last out, losing to a rival who got a slight jump on her early and closed from closer to a slow pace. She made up four lengths to win here in June, and would be well-served to be slightly closer to the pace than usual. #7 Don’t Tell Deren (4-1) has faced better for most of the year, and faded when she tried to challenge the dominant Paper Mansion on the lead last out. She should have an easier time on the front end. #3 She Is Wisky (2-1) has run in the 80s in her last four starts on grass, and came from well out if to to beat better twice last year. She hasn’t run in almost a year, but Brittany Russell sent out a winner off a very long layoff yesterday, so there’s no reason to believe she can’t do it again.

RACE 7: SMART HALO STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-6-5

#1 Not Too Late (12-1) showed speed and faded going a mile in the White Clay Creek Stakes last out, but ran big races in her prior two sprint starts, coming from just off the pace both times to win going away. With plenty of speed signed on here, she’s primed to get a fantastic setup. #4 Power Driver (20-1) also came from off the pace to win on debut, and should also make her presence felt late if the pace melts down. However, she only ran a 72 at first asking, a bit lower than the ceiling of Not Too Late. #6 Caprice (9-5) started her career a perfect 3-for-3 at Delaware Park, including a pair of stakes victories. Rather than try her in the Maryland Million Lassie around one turn, where she would’ve been favored, she tried the White Clay Creek and was sent off at 1-5. However, she faded after making a four-wide bid and ended up a clear-cut second. She should bounce back cutting back in distance, but does run the risk of getting involved in a hot early tempo.

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

11-2-10-3

#11 Lifelovenlaughter (6-1) sat just off the pace, but couldn’t wear down Paper Mansion on a speed-favoring grass track last out and ended up beaten a half-length. On a more fair surface, her usual stalking style will pay dividends. #2 Circle Home (5-2) came from way out of it to win the Maryland Million ladies last out, and hasn’t run worse than an 86 in her last four starts on this track. She got a pace to run into in the Ladies, but she’s run well off moderate tempos as well. #10 Princess Javonica (8-1) consistently runs in the mid/upper-80s and gave Paper Mansion all she could handle last time as well, losing by just a half-length.

RACE 9: THIRTY EIGHT GO GO STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-8-6-5

#3 Foxy Junior (5-2) has won five straight on dirt, including a driving victory in the Maryland Million Distaff last out. That win was at seven furlongs, but she’s done very well around two turns this year, including a victory in the Plum Pretty Stakes at Parx two starts ago. With any kind of trip, she’ll win as much the best. #8 Ginger Girl (20-1) has run subpar figures in her last two races, but one came after a wide trip at Delaware, and the other came on the Timonium bullring. She does her best work here, having run in the 80s in her last four starts on this track with three victories, and now makes her return. The draw isn’t ideal, but if she can find herself in the two-path or thereabouts, she’ll put herself in position to make some noise at a price. #6 Foggy Night (12-1) has gotten better with each start this year, and makes her first two-turn start of the season. She’s a two-time stakes winner around two turns, so we know the distance won’t be a problem, and she’ll be a threat if she keeps improving.

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