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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,717
Jackpot Super High 5 — $9,136
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

8-3-2-6

#8 Gun Runnin’ Gal (5-1) turned in a flat effort in the mud last out, but any of her previous three races, all of them against better competition than this, win this race. She also got caught wide in her last race; she’ll be in decent shape if she can save even a little more ground. #3 Sadie the Goat (6-5) led most of the way and held third last out (while well clear of Sadie the Goat), and was a very sharp on-the-pace winner at Monmouth Park in her previous dirt try. However, if the morning line is any indication, she’ll be an unappetizingly low price. #2 Flinny Tin Tin (12-1) went gate-to-wire two and three starts back, but couldn’t make the lead with an outside draw last out and stopped. If nothing else, she’ll be able to protect rail position from today’s post.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-3-4-8

#5 Coal Mine (5-1) lost her previous two starts by a combined 40 lengths against better, but won her previous two races when in for this tag. She’s had some time off since her last start, which came on October 3, and has worked well since then. This looks like a perfect return spot. #3 Loving Cup (3-1) makes her first start off a longer break, having not raced since August, when she was fourth in a blanket finish. She won her last start here on the lead against better, and did great work over this track last winter and spring. #4 Bad Temper (5-2) didn’t care much for Charles Town last out, or the traffic-filled Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap two races ago, but looks like she’ll appreciate the return to more favorable conditions.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-1-3

#2 Feistyness (9-2) fell far back early and made mild ground on debut at six furlongs at Parx. Her dam, Babe’s Ruler, was stakes-placed around two turns, and two of her siblings have won over a route of ground. #5 Nancy Mary (7-5) has taken big steps forward in each of her recent starts, peaking at a brisnet figure of 75 when third last out. She’s never gone beyond seven furlongs, but she doesn’t have to thrive at the distance to beat this bunch. #1 Lass Sassenach (6-1) adds blinkers fourth time out, and made up decent ground off a slow pace in her lone two-turn try, which came on dirt two races back.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

9-5-11-2

#9 The Bullion Bomber (10-1) was claimed two starts back from David Jacobson (who isn’t that great with his Maryland runners) by Carlos Mancilla. He showed plenty of improvement first off the Mancilla claim, leading every step to beat conditioned claimers with an 83. That’s his best figure since arriving on the east coast from California. He gets a class test and a not-so-great draw, but his best contends with these. #5 Collaborate (6-1) closed and just missed behind The Bullion Bomber two races ago. That’s by far his best race over the past seven months. He’s spent most of this year running against much better rivals, including a pair of stakes opponents, and getting creamed. This field looks more to his liking. #11 Kate’s Golden Dude (8-1) ran a huge race last out in a stalk-and-pounce win at Parx, and will be tough if his form translates over here (no guarantee with Michael Moore runners).

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

2-1-6-9

#2 Sweet Honey Bee (7-2) chased heavily favored Red Head Italian last out. That rival ran them off their feet and won by almost ten lengths, but Sweet Honey Bee held clear of the others and finished second by a head with a career-best 70. She could end up as the one the others chase. #1 Lachicafortequila (6-1) has turned over a new leaf since switching to dirt two races ago. She surged and just missed two starts back, and should show improvement after a disappointing effort at a mile last out. #6 Bond’s Belle (3-1) finished third to Sweet Honey Bee last, running at least a 65 for the sixth time in as many starts. She’s burned a lot of money in her career, going off at less than 4-1 every time, but one would figure she’ll find a field she can beat one day.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

8-5-1-6

#8 Be Inspired (2-1) sat the trip and broke her maiden on debut in sharp style. She was flat on grass next out, but switches back to dirt for the dynamic duo of Brittany Russell and Jevian Toledo, and looks to have loads of upside. #5 Lovely Charm (5-2) is not as good as her last win, where she cruised on a loose lead and won by daylight, but put in strong late bids with figures in the 80s with consistency over the summer. She’ll perch herself near the early pace and hope it’s fast. #1 Peridot Pendant (30-1) has been taking big steps forward with every start at Penn National, including a gate-to-wire win against Pennsylvania-bred maidens last out with a career-best 79. She gets her class test here, but she’s trending in the right direction and could surprise at a good number.

RACE 7: MARYLAND JUVENILE FILLY STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

4-1-7-6

#4 Caprice (9-5) is the classiest member of this field, having already won three stakes races. She came from further off the pace than usual to win the Smart Halo Stakes in a driving finish last out. Her only bad race came going two turns two races ago, but this spot looks like it’s just her speed. #1 Ms Notion (2-1) was bet off the board on debut, and lived up to the hype. She stalked the pace and won going away with an impressive 85. While she may have as much ability as Caprice, she’s not nearly as battle-tested. She got to race in the clear on debut, without anyone in her way. Now, she might get stuck in traffic on the inside, and it’s not clear how she’ll respond. Still, her upside makes her worthy of respect. #7 Malibu Hooch (4-1) fought hard to win a first-level contest last out, defeating two of her rivals today in the process. Her older full sister, Malibu Moonshine, won this race in 2022 en route to the title of champion Maryland-bred 2-year-old filly.

RACE 8: MARYLAND JUVENILE STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

9-3-1-4

#9 It’s Hammertime (5-1) suffered his first career defeat last out when he was fourth as the odds-on choice in the Nashua Stakes. Without regular pilot Julio Hernandez aboard, and racing over the Aqueduct strip for the first time, he never got settled, and by the time he was asked for run, he had already exerted his energy. If he runs back to his stakes wins at Delaware Park, he wins this easily. #3 Executive Order (5-2) broke his maiden in professional style at Saratoga, then raced wide on a hot pace in he Champagne Stakes and flattened out. He ran a 92 in that debut win, and has an excellent shot of duplicating that race in this easier field. #1 Sacred Thunder (9-2), a barn buddy of It’s Hammertime, sat the rip and won the James Lewis Stakes last out. He’s run career-best marks of 93 in each of his last two races, and will be able to save ground here after three straight tries of rating wide.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-6-4

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