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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $3,784
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

2-8-4-5

#2 First to Arrive (5-2) and #8 Audibly (2-1) finished in a dead heat for win last out in their maiden-breaking efforts. First to Arrive, who couldn’t finish a wire job two starts back, led late and was run down by Audibly, who drifted out with blinkers but got up to at least secure the tie. First to Arrive gets the slight edge, as she’s put together back-to-back quality performances on dirt, and only has to deal with cheap speed on her inside. However, it may come down to whoever is the better price of the two. #4 Titian Tyrant (3-1) just missed at this level last out, in her first start off a seven-month layoff. That last race was at six furlongs, and she’s done her better work at longer distances, so that might have been designed as a prep for a race like today’s.

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

5-7-3-1

#5 Edelweiss (4-1) has gotten much better with every start, and closed well for fourth first off a brief layoff last out. He goes first off the Lacey Gaudet claim Jaime Rodriguez in the saddle for the first time. #7 Hacksaw Ridge (7-5) joined the Brittany Russell worktab in early October, and has worked consistently well since then. Don’t fret about him being in for a tag on debut; because he’s a Maryland-bred, the claiming tag is waived. #3 Daddy Yankee (2-1) was flat going 1 1/16 miles last out after getting entangled in a speed duel. Take that race out, and his one-turn form looks pretty sharp.

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

6-3-1-8

#6 Admit Nothing (2-1) tried some new tactics last out, going to the front as opposed to sitting off the pace. He held a clear-cut second after leading most of the way. He’s run a brisnet figure of at least 79 in three of his last four starts, making him the only one consistently running in the range you need to be in to win. #3 Whatahardmanfidead (6-1) has improved in his last few starts, and gets a key rider switch to Xavier Perez. He has no early speed at all, which hasn’t served him well at this level, but he’ll get up for a share. #1 Inspeighttoftrainer (9-5) makes his first start for the Keri Brion barn, and just his second start since last January. He ran strong figures against better in New York last year, and has worked well for Biron since October. He could easily win this, but it’ll be hard to make low odds on a horse who hasn’t raced in so long.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-6-4

The grand old man of Maryland, #1 Clubman (2-1), won the Maryland Million Stater Handicap two starts back, then closed well off the pace to grab second at Penn National last out. He’s run in the 80s in his last six starts around a big track, and should beat these with any kind of pace to close into. #3 Morning Thoughts (3-1) will be the one to try and make things difficult for Clubman. He went gate-to-wire to win three races back, and wired the field at this level a few times earlier this season. He didn’t make the front last out, but might prove tough to catch if he gets there this time. #6 Walk Away Joe (4-1) tailed off in his last few starts when stepped up in class, but he’s run well against these types this year, and should feel at home against this bunch.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

9-7-11-6

#9 Veselsky (12-1) has exceeded or matched his career-best figure in his last three starts. He’s the only one in the field to run at least a 76 in his last three races, has great late pace figures, and could slide through the cracks in the betting. #7 Monster Mason (9-2) gobbled up ground and got up for third last out, in his first start when dropped to this level. He showed improved form on grass towards the end of the season, and looks as if he’s ready to keep moving forward on dirt. #11 Summerstateofmind (15-1) won twice on this track with good trips earlier this year, and should benefit from a slight drop in class.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-6-3

#5 Imperial Spy (8-1) stopped badly going a mile last out, but if you take out that race, his six-furlong form has been very sharp. He ran a 69 and a 73 in his two six-furlong starts this year; that kind of race beats these. #2 Sir Chance a Lot (6-1) goes first off the claim by Hugh McMahon. He’s shown more and more heart on the front end with each race, and should make the lead and the rail from his post. #6 Kaladin (5-2) was a well-beaten second behind the impressive Fear Nothing in his first try at this level last out, but his figures fit in with these, and has has good tactical speed.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

1-4-6-7

#1 Pistol Liz Ablazen (3-5) crushed a similar field by 7 3/4 lengths last out, bating some of these rivals in the process. She’s run at least an 83 in her last three starts on this track; that kind of race easily beats these. #4 Vodkatini (4-1) was second to Pistol Liz Ablazen last out, and in fact led briefly before that rival engulfed her. She might make the front in a race without a lot of speed, and should at least save more ground than last time. #6 Daily Planet (6-1) couldn’t show much when stuck behind a loose gate-to-wire leader last out, but has shown solid late speed, and will be a late threat if she can stay somewhat close to the tempo.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-6-1A-3

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-7-8-5

#1 Burroughs Cay (5-1) makes his first start on dirt after seven grass tries. He faded badly after a wide trip last out, but cleared to the rail and the lead from post 12 two starts back, and lasted a long way on the front end. #7 Silent Roar (9-5) showed little on a wet track last out, but ran in the 60s in his last four tries on a fast surface. He’ll get the kind of track he wants here. #8 Moonflyer (9-2) has shown improvement in his last few starts after an early spring swoon, and tries two turns on dirt for the first time.

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