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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $8,899
Jackpot Super High 5 — $2,106
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

7-5-6-2

#7 Worries Unfounded (4-1) was scratched out of a grass spot on November 8 in favor of this race. She worked four furlongs in a sharp 49 seconds the day after that scratch. In her last dirt start, which was also her first race since coming to the Mid-Atlantic from Florida, she closed well from off the pace and missed by less than a length, with a career-best brisnet figure of 69. #5 Luna Patina (2-1) showed promise sprinting on dirt earlier in her career, but was not a factor going long on grass in her last few tries. She joined the Brittany Russell barn a few weeks ago and has had three local workouts. This spot should wake her up. #6 Wampy (5-2) drops to a career-low tag and gets Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle for the first time. She ran a strong fourth on debut in late July hat Delaware Park, but has not yet recaptured that form.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-1-6

#5 Marley’s Ghost (7-5) won three in a row against softer earlier this year, but has struggled against starter optional claiming rivals in her last few starts. The drop in class should be just what she needs; she hasn’t run worse than a 73 in her last seven starts, and that’s right in the range she needs to be in to win. #3 Looking for Water (4-1) has closed well off of slow paces in her last few starts. While she’s a threat for the exotics no matter what, she’ll hope for a somewhat contentious early pace. #1 Golden Heart (12-1) led most of the way and held fourth last out at the Meadowlands. She has early speed and a good draw. If she can dial things down early, she might be somewhat difficult to reel in.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-7-9-2

#8 Granuaile (4-1) makes her first start on dirt after seven grass tries. Many of her grass races have played out in a similar way: she showed speed and hangs on for a share. Now she switches surfaces, removes blinkers, and gets Sheldon Russell to ride (he took this one over a Brittany Russell trainee). In a race like this, trying a horse who has not lost under these conditions is usually a good bet. #7 Bond’s Belle (3-1) has competed at this level twice, and lost by less than a length as the 11-10 favorite both times. She once again has the best figures in the race, and there’s no excuse to not deliver this time. #9 Red Head Italian (5-2), the aforementioned Russell runner, makes her first start for that barn. She ran a solid third after dueling on the pace first off a year-long layoff last out at the Meadowlands. She’s in for a tag for the first time and should be sent for speed, albeit with the risk of a wide trip.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-3-1-2

#4 Notmyfirstrodeo (7-2) is the only one in the field to win around two turns, having broken his maiden by six lengths going a mile at Delaware in late July. He’s finished well-beaten against better in his last three starts, but now drops to a more realistic level. #3 Calle de Oro (2-1) also drops in class, having been trounced by first-level foes last out. In his previous start, he overcame post 11 to win going away against $20,000 maidens on debut. #1 Scott Twentytwo (5-2) ran by far a career-best figure last out at Delaware, running on for third with a 76. We’ll see if his closing punch translates to longer distances.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-8-10

#1 Paco the Taco Man (5-1) closed and just missed in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap last out, losing to the very classy Clubman. Third-place finish In the Dance returned to win his next start. This one runs the risk of getting buried in traffic in a big field, but he’ll be heard from late if he’s clear. #3 Bigdaddysboy (15-1) raced wide in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap last out and stopped badly, but won his previous two starts, including a come-from-behind win against Paco the Taco Man two starts ago. He’ll be a much bigger price than that rival today, which is particularly appetizing if you’re willing to toss his last race. #8 Little Skippy (6-1) has run back-to-back career-top figures in his last two starts, and should get a nice trip off the pace while clear of traffic.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-4-9-6

#2 X Gene (7-2) ran an improved race when dropped to this level for the first time last out. She made a move off the pace and ended up a respectable fourth. She faces a soft field, even by the standards of this level, and has room for further improvement. #3 Rascallion (5-2) was no factor at all on debut, but showed some speed second time out before fading. She’ll try to keep moving forward while getting class relief. #9 Never More Valor (15-1) has shown speed and held on for a share in her last two starts at Charles Town, a drastic improvement from her previous few races where she completely spit the bit. It’s possible she simply does better on the bullring, and her form won’t translate to the big track, but she still merits respect based on her recent races.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-6-1A-2

#4 Hornbeam (3-1) has won two of his last four starts, both times coming from way downtown to win going away. He’s run at least an 85 in his last three races on a fast track, the only one in the field who can say so. As noted earlier, #6 In the Dance (2-1) won his last start, and might’ve won by more had he not jumped some tire tracks late. He has great cruising speed and will be tough if he gets his trip. #1A Yodel E.A. Who (5-2) showed speed and was a mild fourth behind In the Dance and Hornbeam last out, in his first start off a three-month break. He has plenty of back-class and cannot be easily dismissed.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-1-6-5

#3 Red Hat Hanna (5-2) stretched out to a mile for the first time last out and thrived at the extra distance, winning by daylight with a career-best 87. She didn’t do much against open first-level company two starts ago, but that was at six furlongs. She might do much better at this level with more ground. #1 Too Many Kisses (5-2) went to the sidelines not long after winning the Conniver Stakes in mid-March, and hasn’t had quite the same closing punch in two starts since then. Might she wake up third off the bench? #6 Sun Cross (7-2) broke her maiden going away on debut against softer last out. She showed a lot of potential that day, but this is also a stiff class test after debuting against $30,000 maidens. Will that same closing move work against these?

RACE 9: CLAIMING $30,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-7-4-3

#2 Shining Spirit (8-1) is the only one in the field who hasn’t lost against winners, having gotten up to break her maiden first off a three-month layoff last out at Delaware in an exciting duel. She’s worked well since that race, and could press the pace and work out a nice trip. #7 Lil Temptation (2-1) broke his maiden impressively first off a six-month break at Belterra Park two months ago, but got caught wide throughout at Keeneland next out a and was no factor. While she runs the risk of getting caught wide again, this is almost certainly an easier field than what she saw last time. #4 Concrete Faze (9-2) drifted in in the midst of a rally in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap two starts ago, and was disqualified from third for her troubles. She switches back to dirt after a mid grass try last out, but she’s shown enough promise on this surface to make one believe.

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