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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $748
Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,526
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

9-5-2-3

#9 Yumyum Eat Em Up (5-1) has posted back-to-back victories on this track, including a dead-heat victory last out after an exciting stretch battle. She’s shown improving closing speed in her last few races, and should handle the step up in class well. #5 True Sunshine (7-2) lost early position after a tough break last out, but ran well against better on this track earlier this year. She tends to sit just off the pace and hang around for a share. #2 Hot Dance (2-1) finished a pace-chasing second when dropped to this level last out, and sat a great trip to win against non-winners of two rivals three races ago. She might have to get closer to the lead than usual this time in a race without a ton of early pace.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

8-2-9-5

#8 Sadie the Goat (9-2) crushed the field by 6 1/4 lengths in her last dirt start at Monmouth Park, running a brisnet figure of 90 in the process. She ran an 80 after showing speed in her prior start on this surface. Either one of those figures is good enough to win this, and her form is partially obscured by some recent flat starts on grass, including a rough trip against the likes of Paper Mansion last out. #2 Peppermint Class (5-2) surged and just missed in her last dirt start, running an 83, her best figure in almost a year. She has great late speed and should sit a fantastic trip. #9 Viennese Waltz (3-1) has hit the board seven times in eight starts on this track, and is poised to show improvement with a switch back from grass and a drop in class.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-8-7

#4 Gem Runner (7-2) chased the very impressive Malibu Hooch (who beat first-level rivals on November 16) and held second on debut at Timonium, then showed improving form in her next two starts on grass. She now drops for a tag for the first time. #6 Wall Street Magic (5-2) set a clear early lead at first asking on grass, but faded in the last eighth. She’s the opposite of her cousin, Post Time, in that her early speed makes her a serious threat to win this race. #8 Luminous Secret (6-1) has worked well over the past few weeks for Phil Schoenthal as she gets set for her debut. All seven of her siblings to race have won; five of them won as 2-year-olds.

RACE 4: WILLA ON THE MOVE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

1-3-4-2

A pair of top Maryland-bred fillies – one in the late 1980s, the other in the early 2000s – were named Willa On the Move, so we’ll consider this race a joint honor. #1 Simply Stated (3-1) was very sharp in victory first off a seven-month layoff last out, leading every step to beat a second-level field with an impressive 91. Her workouts since that September 29 race have gotten sharper and sharper, and she looks to be coming into her best self at the right time. #3 Ms. Bucchero (9-2) proved that she can run well without Lasix in her last dirt start, the July 28 Alma North Stakes. She opened up a long early lead that day and held second behind graded stakes winner Apple Picker. She once again has to race without the drug, but that race went a long way to improving my confidence she can show her usual talent without it. #4 Bourbon Bon Bay (2-1) ran a solid fifth first off a very long layoff in the Maryland Million Distaff last out. She’s shown plenty of ability over the course of her seven-race career, which has been spread out over three years, and could easily jump up and win this one.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-9-4

#6 Every Four Years (5-2) went gate-to-wire to win as the favorite last out, despite breaking through the gate before the race. He should enjoy another lonely lead and kick away from these. #1 Last Second Louie (8-1) was flat after a wide trip last out, and gets another tough draw. Still, he’s been in career-best form as of late excluding that last effort, with back-to-back marks in the 70s two and three races back. He’ll try to save as much ground as he can and rally on for a share. #9 Bali Rolling Tide (6-1) is also coming in off a dull effort (albeit with less of an excuse), and lost by a neck two starts back in his last try at this condition, with a career-best 82.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-8-7-12

#3 Gift Exchange (4-1) is one of the lighter-raced horses (six starts) in this ability-challenged lineup. He set the early pace on grass last out and held on for fourth, a much-improved effort compared to his first five lackluster tries. He has a very grassy pedigree, and has never raced on dirt before, but he doesn’t have to love this surface to win. #8 Gold Aspen (6-1) also switches from grass and goes second off the Anthony Farrior claim. He’s shown ability on dirt in the past, having lost a photo after setting the pace at Indianapolis in late June, with a career-best 72. #7 Fire and Knives (8-1) closed well in his last few starts on grass, and should get up for a share, especially if the pace is contested (as it could well be).

RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-6-8

#3 Point Pelee (6-1) has faced slightly better for most of the year, and has run at least a 76 in each of his dirt starts this season. There’s plenty of pace on in this contest, and he has good tactical speed, so he’ll be in good shape if he can sit off the leaders and time his move just right. #4 Dream River (8-1) has blazing early speed, and tends to run his best races when he doesn’t get directly collared in a duel. There’s a risk he gets caught in a tussle and burns out, but he has the best early pace figures in the field, so he might be able to sneak away. We’ll know where he stands within the first few seconds of the gate opening. #6 Nancy Made My Day (5-2) showed a flash of speed and prevailed on the class drop last out. He’s faced better for most of the year, and in spite of his last win, is not a need-the-lead type.

RACE 8: RICHARD W. SMALL STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

4-1-5-7

Our final stakes race of the day is named for the great Maryland-based trainer. #4 Cataleya Strike (6-1) has run career-best figures in his last four dirt stats, including back-to-back figures in the 90s on this track. He’s getting a class test here, as his last two victories came against allowance foes. However, he’s hitting his best stride at the right time, he has great late pace figures, and will go off at a great price. #1 Copper Tax (7-5) is a perfect 3-for-3 on this track, including a pair of wins over Speedyness, who came back to beat a third-level field first off a six-month break last out. This one was most recently third in the Discovery Stakes at Aqueduct first off a 4 1/2-month layoff, in which he made decent ground off a fast pace. He might have needed that race; a return to his favorite track and a class drop second off the bench will likely help the cause. Don’t expect much value, however. #5 Magic Michael (3-1) has tailed off a bit in his last few starts, but he has a high ceiling, likes this track, and is reunited with Jaime Rodriguez.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-8-7-3

#1 Marley’s Ghost (9-5) ran some very strong races around one turn against better earlier this year. She stretched out to 1 1/16 miles last out at this condition, and could not sustain a move to the lead and faded late. Six furlongs might be a bit too short for her, but she should still turn in an improved performance. #8 Out of Luck (15-1) also ran a subpar race around two turns two races ago, but has run in the 70s in her last three tries at a sprint distance. She managed to get caught wide from post three in her last try, however, she’ll be interesting if she can work out a trip. #7 Sapphire Beauty (6-1) couldn’t last against solid starter allowance rivals at Charles Town in her most recent effort. She hit the board in six prior starts against similar; look for her to set the pace and hang around as best she can late.

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