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

Post time: 11:25 a.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $3,819
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-3-1

Note the early first post time. #2 Bondiva (12-1) was originally entered against first-level rivals last Friday, but was scratched even before the card was cancelled. She got involved in a speed duel last out, and while she outfinished her dueling partner by a length, she couldn’t hold off two rivals who sat great trips and held third. While there is some speed drawn to her inside, she looks fast enough to clear to the rail and the lead and get a much better trip than last time. #6 Photo Finish (9-5) was an impressive gate-to-wire winner at this level two starts ago, but couldn’t keep up with a much better field last out (including the likes of Laurel-loving Anonymously) and couldn’t keep up. She should run a much better race on the class drop. #3 Sweeterthanwhiskey (12-1) showed great closing speed on grass last out, and her lone win on dirt came on this course in March. She could run on late and shake up the exotics.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

11-14-6-10

#11 Princess Lucia (8-1) is the lightest-raced horse in the field (having started only four times), she’s never run on dirt, and has never raced for this low a tag. She didn’t show much first off a three-month layoff last out, but has shown late promise in the past, and is worth a look in a largely uninspiring field. #14 Lil Temptation (3-1) goes first off the Anthony Farrior claim from Keeneland. She broke her maiden impressively first off a six-month break at Belterra Park two months ago, but got caught wide throughout next out 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. She was scratched out a tougher spot on November 17 in favor of this spot. #6 Letitgotovoicemail (8-1) ran brisnet figures in the 70s twice at the winter meet, which would win this race. She hasn’t raced since March 9, but has worked very well at Delaware Park for Ben Perkins Jr, and might not need to fire her very best shot to win.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

7-2-1-6

#7 Zoomer (6-1) was claimed from Jamie Ness two starts back, and turned in a completely flat effort first off the claim. He joins the T.J. Aguirre barn recently after being claimed by Kim Graci, and has registered a recent local workout. If he returns to the lower/mid-80s form he showed over the summer, he’ll win. #2 Southern District (2-1) is also looking for a rebound after a subpar effort last out. He went off as the odds-on choice at this level first off a two-month layoff, but could not kick on and just held second in a blanket finish (beating some of his rivals today in the process). He also ran in the mid-80s steadily over the summer, and won at this level in early June. He’s prime to run an improved race here as well. #1 Gambling Tzar (7-2) was fourth behind Southern District last out, and won after a long stretch battle at Delaware three starts ago. While he looks like he’s trending in the wrong direction, this is not an especially strong field, and should be able to grind on for a share.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-5-4-6

#3 Honor the Cross (8-1) broke his maiden in gate-to-wire style two starts ago, but got involved in a duel first time against winners last out and could only hold third. Dueling partner Formal Affair was the 6-5 favorite that day, and kicked away to win by 5 1/2 lengths. This one cuts back around one turn here, and looks like he’ll have a much easier lead than last time. #5 Cajun Vibes (5-1) is the only one in the field coming off a maiden win. He broke his maiden at fourth asking at Penn National, stalking the pace and drawing off to crush the field with a career-best 76. He’s taking a major step up in class, but has a lot of promise and could be a mild surprise. #4 Tap Anchor (6-1) has run well in two starts since returning from a 10-month layoff. A potential slow pace will make it tougher to put in his late rally, but he’s eligible to grab a share.

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

2-9-10-1

#2 Ride to Remember (3-1) was well-bet on debut, as one of the two first-time starters in the field. She battled on the lead and hung around until late, losing a show photo. She should improve at second asking, and will likely be able to make the front and the rail. #9 Curb (4-1) has run a 66 three times in her four starts, including last out when she finished a chasing second first time at this level. She’ll likely rate just off Ride to Remember on the outside, and she’ll have to show a little more punch to win if Ride to Remember takes that step forward. #10 Julia’s a Fox (6-1) was fourth behind Curb second off a brief break last out. Her only poor recent race came when she tried two turns; her other one-turn races contend in here.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-10-9

#6 Monday Morning Qb (9-5) has rediscovered his best form since getting claimed by Kieron Magee in late June. He’s run in the 80s in each of his three starts for the outfit, including a sharp win at this level two starts ago. He hit the gate last out and ended up second in his last try, but still ran a 95, his best figure in almost a year. #4 Whiskey and You (6-1) hasn’t done much against second and third-level foes for a long time, and gets a much-needed drop in class. His recent mid-80s figures were no match for the likes of No Cents and Seven’s Eleven, but fit in with these, except for Monday Morning Qb. #10 Speargun (6-1) showed speed and faded first off the Lacey Gaudet claim on the Preakness undercard last out. He’s done his best work around two turns, so Gaudet might see this race as a rep for a spot down the road. Still, he ran some big races over the winter and spring, so any sign of life off the break gets him in the mix. 

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-1-6-7

#3 Search Engine (8-5) has won twice at this level this year, and hung in gamely last out against third-level rivals and finished fourth behind the very tough Excellorator. He drops back in here by virtue of being in for the tag, and should make the rail and the lead and be gone. #1 Manor House (2-1) ran run in the 80s in two starts since coming off a 16-month break in late September. He won on the lead against softer two starts back (over next-out winner War Master), then loomed in the stretch and held second in his next outing at this condition. He raced wide most of the way, while the winner, Cataleya Strike, made a winning move up the rail. #6 Riccio (20-1) was an impressive winner in the off-the-grass Find Stakes when last seen on this dirt track. Two recent dull grass races obscure his form somewhat, but he’s eligible to improve upon return to this strip.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-2-6

#5 Bestfriendrocket (1-1) and #3 Omaha Omaha (3-1) are the only ones with a victory around two turns. Bestfriendrocket broke his maiden at this distance as the “other” Brittany Russell trainee last out. He enjoyed a great trip off the pace and won as much the best with a career-best 82. He was a $575,000 purchase at OBS in April; another impressive victory might see him go back up to New York for their Derby trail races. Omaha Omaha came from off a very slow pace to win at a mile last out, with a solid 80. Two starts ago, he rallied wide going a mile and finished third behind James Lewis Stakes winner Sacred Thunder. #2 Dats Mr. Tap (20-1) broke his maiden going a mile two starts ago, and was a mild fourth going two turns on grass last out. His figures a few points below what he’ll need to beat the best of Bestfriendrocket and Omaha Omaha, but his victory over a route of ground leaves me somewhat inspired.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-1-3-5

#7 Audibly (9-2) drops to this level for the first time, and races for a tag for the first time on dirt. She made solid ground on the drop to $20,000 level last out, and should enjoy the long stretch run of the one-turn mile.  #1 Lachicafortequila (6-1) lost her first two grass starts by a combined 81 lengths, but ran well on her dirt debut last out, rallying and just missing against favored X Gene. She’s lightly-raced, making just her fourth career start, and her first start beyond six furlongs. #3 First to Arrive (1-1) opened up a long early lead and got caught late as the 1-2 chalk last out. She ran a 78 that day, her best figure in 4 1/2 months. She runs her best races when sent for speed, and will have ample opportunity to get the trip she wants without much other quality speed.

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