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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,482
Jackpot Super High 5 — $808
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

1-8-4-6

#1 Buckin’ Dreamer (3-1) has rounded into career-best form as of late, running brisnet figures of 87 and 88 in his last two races. he was third at this level last out behind the likes of Full Irish and Point Dume. The company here looks a bit easier. #8 Prince of Iron (6-1) has been very sharp in two tries at the meet for the hot Diane Morici barn. He’s getting good at the right time, and will work out a great stalking trip from his outside draw. #4 Paco the Taco Man (5-2) broke through with a going-away win against softer last out, after losing two consecutive photo finishes in his prior affairs. The only drawback is his lack of early speed in a race that might not have a lot of pace.

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

5-6-2-4

#5 Tetched (7-5) fought hard in the stretch and just missed to the well-regarded Lightning Boss, a rival with experience, on debut. He’s the only one in the field who has run going a mile or longer, and he did it well. #6 Top Blood (2-1) ran a very impressive 81 in a slid maiden field three starts back, and hasn’t run worse than a 65 in his four other races. He made the front for the first time last out and got entangled in a duel; he could be especially interesting if he’s able to sneak away. #2 Wrap and Send (6-1) adds blinkers and takes a big class drop in his first start for Horacio De Paz. One of his half-brothers, Law Abidin Citizen, won the Longacres Mile around two turns, while half-sister Sweet Swingin was stakes-placed over a route of ground.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-7-2

#4 Win No Joke (8-5) closed well for second behind even-money chalk Beach Cowboy last out, who ran this field off their feet. He’s run into some tough rivals in non-winners of two races as pf late, but hasn’t turned in a bad effort, and is in improving form. If this 1-for-24 gelding will ever master a field at this level, it’s this one. #3 Minimo (12-1) was fifth behind Win No Joke and Beach Cowboy last out, with a career-best 72. He’s been in improved form at the meet, including a 44-1 maiden-breaking win in mid-September, and could get in the exotics at a good price. #7 Tik Tok Daddy (6-1) ran a gutsy race on the lead on grass last out, but hasn’t shown much on dirt. We’ll see if he’s in overall improved form, or if he can only run on the green stuff.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-6-1-4

#3 Fiveclocksomewhere (15-1) was no match for 1-9 favorite Princess of Omaha in her dirt debut at Charles Town, but she came from behind and grabbed second over the others, despite not changing leads. If she can do so here, her punch could be especially potent. #6 Mad for Maddy (6-5) ran a big race from off the pace at Delaware Park two starts back, but couldn’t close behind two pace-controlling rivals last out and ended up fourth. This will be her first start beyond six furlongs; perhaps she’ll enjoy the extra distance. Jaime Rodriguez was named on her last time and picked off; he has the mount here. #1 Ready for Magic (3-1) has improved with each start, and faces an easier $45,000 field than she did last out.

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

5-6-3-1

#5 Concrete Faze (6-1) came from well off the pace to win going away against softer last out, and is trending in the right direction. While jockey Erick Fuentes has only had one winner this meet, it was in that race. He keeps the mount today. #6 Graceful Rose (2-1) makes her first Maryland appearance since late February after a year of chasing New York-bred bonuses at Aqueduct and Saratoga. She ran in the low/mid-80s three times in five dirt starts up there. Her only bad races came when she got caught wide; she’ll be tough if she can avoid that here. #3 Alcala (12-1) just missed third off the bench at Parx last out, and will likely stalk early leader Stickwiththecolors in the two-path. Trainer John Kirby has only had two starters here since the start of 2022, but both of them hit the board.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $20,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

9-2-4-6

#9 Hot Dance (3-1) won at this level last out with a stalk and pounce trip, beating a few of these rivals in the process. Her only bad recent race came when she broke awkwardly a few starts back, but she’ll be tough to beat with a clean beginning. #2 Gilda’s Girl (5-1) ran a sharp 77 second off a seven-month layoff at Penn National last out, and ran in the mid/upper-80s on this track last winter. Cody Beattie has been sharp with his third-off-the-bench runners as of late. #4 Yumyum Eat Em Up (9-2) has been no worse than second in four starts at the meet, and is sure to be rolling strongly late.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-6-7

#4 Genieinabridle (3-1) gobbled up ground from well off the pace last out and lost by less than three lengths in her second start off a 6 1/2-month layoff. With a smaller field today, the risk of getting in a traffic jam is minimized. #1 Forgotten Gift (6-1) opened up a Long lead against softer last out and got caught in the final jump. She’s sure to be sent for speed from the inside draw. #6 Proper Attire (2-1) is a 10-time winner on this track, and rallied well for fourth, ahead of Genieinabridle, in her most recent try despite getting knocked out of position at the start.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-3-6

#4 Must Be Love (9-2) had an awkward break last out and got gong too late in a 5 1/2-furlong contest, but has run well going two turns earlier this year. He’ll be hard to hold off as long as he stays in the clear. #5 In the Dance (9-5) just missed at this level last out, losing in a three-horse blanket finish. He ran a 92 in that race, his second career-best figure within his last three starts. #3 Secret Zipper (8-1) took advantage of a cozy trip to win in dominant style at Delaware last out. He’s worked well since, and while he’s probably not as good as that last race, he’s lightly-raced and has room to keep taking big steps.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

4-7-6-5

#4 Why Not Grace (9-5) closed well for third despite a bumpy trip last out, with a career-best 61. This is her first start beyond six furlongs, but her most successful sibling was a stakes winner at a two-turn mile. #7 Tres Aires (2-1) just missed behind Why Not Grace last out. She has decent breeding to go longer, but her first two two-turn tries were very unsuccessful. They were both on grass, so we’ll see if those dull efforts were because she doesn’t like grass or if she can’t go the distance. #6 Marmara (10-1) was well-bet on debut, but showed little over the muddy going. She’s prone to wake up at second asking.

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