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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $6,293
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,130
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-2-4

#5 Kaladin (4-1) dueled on the lead last out at Delaware Park. He was carried out in the stretch by his tiring dueling partner, and while he was able to eventually shake clear of that rival, it wasn’t enough to hold off two closers. He’ll be a speed threat again in this spot, and might be able to make the rail and the lead. #7 Set for Life (5-1) went off as the odds-on favorite in his last start, off a big fourth-place finish against straight maidens two starts ago. However, he couldn’t keep up after chasing the pace and faded. We’ll see how he does with the removal of blinkers and a drop from the $30,000 level. #2 Fear Nothing (7-2) has hit the board in his last five starts, but of course has not yet found the winner’s circle. He tends to sit near the pace and get outkicked late while holding on for a share. It’s a good bet that the same thing will happen here.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-8-4-1

#5 Prince of Iron (5-2) was flat in his first two starts off a year and half-long layoff, but improved with a drop to this level in his third start off the bench. He sat just off the pace and finished a clear-cut third behind the respectable rivals Banditsgoldenchild and Without Pretence. His recent workouts have been sharp, and he could improve even further against these. #8 Uniwinner (6-1) broke his maiden with a move up the inside two starts ago at Monmouth Park, then finished a pace-chasing fourth on grass first off a five-month break last out. He’ll sit off the pace on the outside and hope to get a tempo to close into. #4 J J Valentin (9-2) broke his maiden going away two starts ago at Monmouth, but was completely flat in an ambitious try against winners at Aqueduct last out. This looks like a much more realistic spot.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

8-10-5-2

A victory by Fear Nothing in race 1 would boost the stock of #8 Urban Symphony (5-2), who lost to that rival by a half-length last out. He got caught wide on the pace that day, and while the draw here isn’t ideal, he should be able to weather the storm of a possible wide trip. #10 Up in Flames (3-1) has gone off favored in each of the three times he’s been in for a tag, and has lost every time. He just missed last out after racing off the pace, so while he’s certainly live, I don’t know if he’s worth taking a low price on. #5 Bright Charger (4-1) faded after showing speed at Charles Town last out, and now returns to the big track with Lasix for Anthony Farrior.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-10-2-3

#4 Proper Attire (9-2) was in the midst of making a move in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap when she was cut off on both sides and forced to check. She may not have won with clearer sailing, but she certainly would’ve turned in a better performance than the eighth-place effort she registered. Two starts ago, she easily beat a similar field as this one. #10 Anonymously (5-2) battled on the pace and beat better rivals in her most recent start. She likes this track, having won five times in 13 starts on it, with her only bad performances coming on off tracks. That won’t be a concern today. #2 Tam Char (8-1) showed little first off a year-long layoff last out. However, she ran brisnet figures in the 80s towards the end of last year, and should get a nice trip just off a potentially hot pace on the rail.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $45,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-4-1

#6 Full Irish got caught up in an early duel first off a 7 1/2-month break last out, out still held in gamely until late. He was claimed out of that race by Brittany Russell, and has put in three strong workouts since then. He looked like a rising star with abundant early speed earlier this year, and should be ready to showcase his best self. #8 Point Dume also has lots of speed and races first off the claim; in his case, by Horacio De Paz. He set the pace and not nailed late in his last start, but still improved to an 88, his fourth consecutive ascendant figure. #4 King’s River ran no worse than an 85 in three starts at the Laurel summer meet, and got some time off following a flat try at Colonial Downs last out. He has great late speed, and will sit towards the back of the pack in the hopes that the aforementioned two burn each other out.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-11-5

#3 Mad for Maddy (10-1) ran a much-improved race second time out last out. She got bumped at the start and fell well behind, but rallied gamely for second, losing only to a well-regarded rival who got a great trip off a contested pace. Her figure of 74 represents a 20-point improved from her debut, where she chased the pace while wide and stopped. #4 Lift the Lid (2-1) goes first out for Brittany Russell, who is hitting at a torrid 8-for-14 with first-time starters at the meet. This one has worked well between here and Fair Hill since late July. While she does not come from a win-early family, the Russell factor is too strong to dismiss. Watch the board. #11 Ms. Notion (8-1) descends from Maryland-bred champion Gin Talking, and is related to graded stakes winners such as Done Talking and Swayin to and Fro. She cost $52,000 at auction, a pretty penny for a Great Notion, and three of her siblings won as 2-year-olds. This one came back to the worktab in mid-October following a six-week hiatus, and has put in some decent drills.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-4-2-8

#1 Spencerian (6-5) destroyed a first-level field two starts back, then ran a game third in the Maryland Million Distaff off a nine-day layoff. The winner of that race, Foxy Junior, won the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes this past Saturday. #4 Deeds of Love (5-1) has fantastic closing speed, and has rallied for minor shares going six furlongs or shorter in her last few starts. She’s in overall improved form compared to the last time she ran seven furlongs, so the extra distance may benefit her. #2 Malibu Moonshine (6-1) lost all chance at the break in the Maryland Million Distaff when she began awkwardly. She’s very inconsistent, but at her best, she’ll make a strong move and draw away.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-5-7

Jamie Ness homebred #1 Speedyness (2-1) returns to the races after a six-month absence. He went gate-to-wire to win the Miracle Wood Stakes on this track in late February, and almost pulled off wire jobs in the Private Terms Stakes and the Federico Tesio Stakes. He might need a race off the bench, but at his best, he’ll be tough to catch. #3 Brilliant Ice (5-2) won the Maryland Million Classic going away last out, running a career-best figure of 100. He’s run in the 90s in each of his last four starts, losing only to the very sharp Irish Exit in that stretch. Look for him to sit just off the pace and take advantage if Speedyness can’t last. #5 Shake Em Loose (4-1) ran a game third first off a 20-month layoff last out. The winner of that race, Excellorator, returned to defeat open allowance foes at Parx next out. This one is a multiple stakes winner on this track and is ripe for improvement second off the layoff.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-5-1-3

#8 Skip Thru Da Fire (9-5) won going away at this level last out, and while you can’t count on getting 10-1 again, she’s in career-best form and should roll by these. #5 Yumyum Eat Em Up (5-2) got up in the last few jumps to clear her non-winners of two condition last out, benefiting from a class drop from $30,000 company to the $12,500 level. She’s the only one in the 70s in each of her last five starts. #1 Harmonizing (8-1) won back-to-back starts on this track earlier this year, and will be sent for speed from the inside.

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