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

Post time: 11:50 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,416
Jackpot Super High 5 — $439
Late Pick 5 — $0

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

2-13-6-3

#2 Souper Amusing (2-1) ran a big race in her grass debut. She battled on the lead, and while she outfinished her fueling partner by 4 1/2 lengths, she couldn’t withstand the closers and lost by a neck. Still, it was a big effort. She gets the nod in a field without a ton of positive experience. #13 Somnium (7-2) fell well behind in the early stages of her debut, but closed furiously late and lost by a head. Like her half-siblings Caravel and Witty, she should only get better with time. #6 Ready to Rocknroll (3-1) has shown speed and held second in each of her three starts. It’ll likely be a similar outcome here, as long as she doesn’t try to tussle too hard with Souper Amusing.

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

1-3-8-12

#1 P J’s Song (3-1) has rapidly improved sharply in each of his three starts since joining the Mario Serey barn. He closed well for second in his first start against better last out, and isnlikely to relish both the class drop and the long one-turn mile stretch. #3 Cavendish (8-5) has finished second at short odds in each of his two starts, including last out where he led briefly and got caught late. He’ll get a trip and is in with more than a fighting chance, but the price will be hard to take. #8 Bermuda Run (10-1) was a well-beaten third behind Cavendish first off a two-month break in his most recent. He’s fairly lightly-raced and will also be close to the pace. He’ll also be a much better proce than Cavendish.

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

3-8-6-7

#3 Sky Victory (5-2) easily handled non-winners of two foes last out, winning under a drive over next-out winner Whospering Sea. She might be able to make the lead and the rail from her advantageous draw. #8 Chicken Parm (8-1) broke her maiden on this track last October, and won her last start for a tag at Gulfstream Park in May. She now drops after facing first-level rivals at Delaware Park three times in a row, and might go off at a sneaky-good number. #6 Put a Rock On It (6-1) closed from well behind to clear her non-winnrrs of two condition last out. While she’d prefer a pace tonclose into, she’ll be hard to hold off if she gets it.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

8-2-7-4

#8 Every Four Years (9-5) showed speed in each of his grass starts at Gulfstream over the winter. He made his debut for the Brittany Russell barn at the Meadowlands last out, and in his first start off a five-month break, he didn’t make the front and showed little. He should run much better here second off the bench. #2 Oxford Union (9-2) closed well and just missed in his last two starts on the Delaware grass (one of them with an amateur rider aboard), and was a pace-stalking second in his lone dirt start in August. #7 Silent Roar (10-1) has been in slightly improved form since stretching out to a mile in his last two starts, and is capable of hanging around for a share against these.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

2-10-4-7

#2 Jenn (4-5) was well-bet on debut at Aqueduct, going off at 7-1 in a field where she was one of two without experience. She ran on well and finished fourth, and now faces a soft field. A repeat of her first start easily wins this. #10 Flame Dancer (6-1) also ran well at first asking, getting up in a blanket finish at Delaware. It was an especially impressive showing considering she was the only firster in the field. #4 Canadian Bear (5-1) ran a strong brisnet figure of 69 when fourth at 56-1 in his grass debut last out. She’ll likely benefit from a slight distance cutback from 1 1/16 miles, considering she loomed at the top of the stretch and flattened out last time.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

11-1-4-5

#11 Bold Honor (7-2) has gotten back to his best self after a summer swoon, with a pair of in-the-money finishes in his last two races. He just missed against One Way Farrior, who’s better than anyone in here, in his last try. #1 Patient Capital (4-1) continues his drop down the class ladder in pursuit of his first win since November 2022. He was third at this level going two turns last out, and generally, his best races have come around one bend. This might be the perfect combination. #4 Hazednconfused (12-1) has steadily improved in his last few starts, and makes his first start for the Carlos Mancilla barn this afternoon.

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

10-9-7-1

#10 Next Girl (6-1) came from well off the pace to win the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap last out, and finished a solid third in her last try at this level two starts ago. She’s one of two in here to run in the 80s in each of her last three starts. The other, #9 Turf Rocket (3-1), has been knocking on the door at this level, and may be hitting her best sfeixe just in time. #7 Toasted Roll (5-2) has shown speed in her last few starts at Aqueduct and Ellis Park, and is a serious threat to wire these.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

9-3-11-5

This is the last grass race in Maryland until the spring. Savor it! #9 Tom Hagen (3-1) went gate-to-wire at this level last out, and has led every step each of the last two times Sheldon Russell has ridden him. Russell is in the saddle here, so expect good things. #3 Street Copper (3-1) was flat against better in the Maryland Million Turf last out, but closed well to lose by a half-length two starts back, and should at least get up for a slice. #11 Boss Is a Pal (6-1) sat the trip and won at this level going shorter twonatarts back out, and drops back in class after getting roughed up against better last out. The distance is a bit of a question mark; he hasn’t run around two turns in a while.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-9-6-4

The morning line indicates that only three of these will get bet, and I’ve got them on top. Brittany Russell has won with horses first off a year-plus layoff each of the past two race days, and she’ll try to do it again with #1 Worcester (8-5). He was last seen going gate-to-wire to break his maiden at Del Mar in August 2023, and has worked well since joining Russell’s string about a month ago. He’ll be tough if he runs close to his usual race. #9 Doc Linkous (5-2) broke his maiden impressively on debut two starts back, then showed speed and finizhed second to Maryland Million Sprint winner Celtic Contender next out. He gets another class test here against Worcester, but should be able to press him from the outside. #6 Cattico Ragazzo (9-2) won his first two starts at Delaware by a combined 13 lengths, but couldn’t keep up with Spikezone last out and was well-beaten. He’s eligible to bounce back here.

RACE 10: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

9-2-7-8

#9 Institution (2-1) went off as the heavy favorite against better last out, and showed brief speed before losing a photo for second. She adds blinkers here. Jerry Robb sends out two in here; my preferred one of his trainees is #2 Laura’s Thunder (7-2). After breaking poorly on debut at Timonium, she’s shown speed and hung around in her last two starts against better. A good draw and a class drop might do the trick. #7 Ride to Remember (5-1) has worked well for her debut, including a bullet drill on October 26, and was the choice of Robb’s first-call rider, Xavier Perez.

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