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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $735
Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,244
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-5

#2 Bangkok Bob (2-1) and #1 Sir Mick (4-1) are the only two in here who have defeated winners. Bangkok Bob came from well off the pace to beat slightly higher-priced claimers at Delaware Park last out, running a career-best brisnet figure of 87. He’s run at least a 78 three times in a row, improving his figure with each effort. He should get a great trip just off the pace and prove tough to hold off. Sir Mick beat several of these at this level two starts back. He sat off the pace and faded against similar next out, and while he’ll have some challenges for the lead from the rail, he’ll at lest be able to protect inside position. #4 Buoyant (5-2) has been in quickly improving form, and held second after opening up a long lead last out. He’ll assuredly be hard-sent for the lead by Sheldon Russell; from there, it’s a matter of how long he lasts.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $45,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-5-1-6

#4 Suga Steve (3-1) came from well off the pace and crushed the field last out, running by far a career-best figure of 96. While that mark is a bit of an outlier compared to his other recent races, he’s been in great form all year. His only bad races came on the Timonium bullring, and on this track three starts back when he got caught very wide. #5 Incinerator (6-1) has won three races in a row, converting a stalk-and-pounce trip to win his most recent try. He’s getting a class test here after beating softer in his last few, but he should at least get his setup. #1 Point Dume (5-2) was second to the very promising Full Irish in his last start at this level, and now faces slightly easier rivals. He’s the only one in the race to run at least an 87 in his last three tries.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-1-5

#6 Destination (9-5) makes her first start for Brittany Russell and her first start off an 8 1/2-month layoff. She ran at least a 76 three times in her first four starts, showing speed and fading every time. She’s worked very well since returning to timed drills in mid-November, and looks well-prepped to run her peak race. If she does, she’ll win easily. #4 Scarborough Fair (2-1) also debuts for a new barn; in her case, Jamie Ness, and her first start on dirt. She showed speed for the first time last out and faded, and looks well-suited for a dirt sprint after two tries in grass sprints. #1 Not a Bother (12-1) has slowly improved in her last few starts, and chased the pace last out while showing more punch in the end than in her previous races.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-2-6-3

#7 Maximus Angelicus (5-2) was a sharp gate-to-wire winner at Parx last out, handling two turns with ease in her first try beyond seven furlongs. She might have a harder time getting to the rail and the lead from her outside draw, but the ceiling has been displayed. #2 Rosieontheriver (5-1) just missed at 48-1 going a mile last out. While you certainly won’t get that price here, she showed encouraging improvement in that race, and should once again make a late impact. #6 Onyx Ten (9-5) has faced better and held her own in her last few races, and just missed against odds-on choice Malibu Hooch in her last try at this level. While she hasn’t raced beyond seven furlongs yet, one of her siblings Secret Zipper, is a winner at a route of ground.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

1A-3-6-5

#1A Divine Grace (8-5) has won four dirt races in a row, including a win on this track two starts back when she wore down a loose leader and prevailed. She’s the only one in the field to run in the 80s in each of her last three starts. #3 Peppermint Class (4-1) has found her best self within her last few starts, putting in game late rallies with big figures in her last two starts on this track. She hasn’t faced a field this solid in a while, but if you’re ever going to return to the deep end, now’s the time to do it. #6 Navani (10-1) has been in mixed form on grass as of late, but has won her last two starts on dirt, with figures in the mid/upper-80s both times. She has good tactical speed and should get the trip she wants.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-3-12-7

#5 Oxide (8-1) went to the sidelines in the spring after tailing off a bit, but returns to the races in a softer spot than he’s accustomed to, where he most recent figures would win without much trouble. He returned to the worktab at the start of the month, and has looked better and better with each timed drill. While his form from last year suggests he might need a race to get back to his top form, if he can do it here, he’ll get it done at a good price. #3 Hard Spun Fantasy (10-1) goes first off the Anthony Farrior claim and gets a rider switch to Jevian Toledo. He closed decently in a blanket finish last out in a field slightly better than this one. #12 Quincannon (8-1) has plenty of early speed, and led most of the way against similar last out, but will have to hustle hard from his far outside draw.

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

6-5-7-4

#6 Worcester (9-5) made his first start off a year-plus layoff at this level last out, and went off favored. He finished second to the very sharp Doc Linkous. He ran in the 90s in his last four dirt starts before going on the sidelines, and should at least get close to that form second off the break. #5 Margie’s Fun Son (10-1) came from off slow fractions to win against conditioned rivals last out, and goes first off the claim by Calixto Juarez. He’s done his best work going a mile or longer, but should be able to grab a share from off the pace even at this distance. #7 Three Captains (6-1) was an impressive last-to-first winner in his last try, and hasn’t run worse than an 85 in three tries at seven furlongs and beyond.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-7-5-2

#3 Excellorator (8-5) would’ve been a contender in last Saturday’s Robert Manfuso Stakes, but Jamie Ness elected not turn him against Speedyness and try him here instead. He’s won three of his last four starts, and pulled off a determined victory against a borderline stakes-quality field at Parx last out. He was scratched out of a spot there last Monday, but put in a solid workout two days later, and should be ready for this spot. #7 Union Fleet (20-1) has too little early speed to contend with Excellorator, but has packed a solid late punch in his last few, and should get a minor share at a decent price. #5 Magic Michael (5-2), the other Ness trainee in the race, has faced much better in his last few tries, and will benefit from class relief.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-9-1-3

#5 Pine Alley (4-1) has run in the 60s in each of his last five starts, and has been beaten by much-the-best rivals in each of his last two tries. His consistency gets him the nod; some of the others in here have higher ceilings, but bigger questions. #9 Stormy Hollow (8-1) ran a strong second, with a career-best 71, two races ago, but ran a dismal race as the favorite last out. He adds blinkers and has worked well three times since then; can he wake back up? #1 Box of Rockets (3-1) has run into buzzsaws at this condition in his last two starts, and his only bad recent dirt race came going a mile.

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