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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,253
Jackpot Super High 5 — $4,715
Late Pick 5 — $0

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

8-5-3-6

#8 Midnight Renegade (15-1) tossed the jockey at the start in his first race off a seven-month break last out, then closed decent ground to grab fifth in his next start. He ran brisnet figures in the 80s and low 90s with some regularity about a year ago, and could return to that form at a good price in his third start off the layoff. #5 Paco the Taco Man (9-5) sat the trip and won easily at this level two starts back, but couldn’t hang when he tried to engage with the leaders in his next outing. There’s enough speed in here that he doesn’t have to engage; he can sit back and get the setup he wants. #3 Beach Cowboy (4-1) has won his last two starts in very sharp style, and has run at least an 83 in three of his last five races. He’s going first off the Rudy Sanchez-Salomon claim.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-8-2

#3 Sweet Honey Bee (5-2) was no match for heavily favored Red Hot Italian last out, but held on for second by a head over next-out winner Bond’s Belle with a career-best 70. She’s the only one in this field to cross that barrier on dirt. While she’s had her chances at this level, she’s in career-best form, and this looks like a bunch she should master. #1 My Sassy Valentine (3-1) has shown speed and held second in her last two dirt starts, and should be able to control the pace from the rail. #8 Intel Agent (9-2) was fourth when dropped to this level for the first time last out. She has solid late pace figures, relative to her rivals.

RACE 3: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-2-1

#4 Bestfriend Rocket (2-1) broke his maiden in impressive style two races back, then got used up in an extremely taxing duel last out and ended up third, outfinishing his dueling partner by a length. He should run much better here as long as he’s not forced into brutal fractions. #5 Roll on Jesse (8-1) is one of four in here with a win around two turns, having broken his maiden going 1 1/16 miles last out going away. He’s shown great late speed, and is likely to go off at a very bettable price. #2 Pay Billy (9-2) improved dramatically last out to break his maiden with an 86 going six furlongs last out. He didn’t do much in his only try at this distance, but I’ll give him a shot to maintain that form; it could represent general improvement regardless of distance.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

5-1-7-8

#5 Chickin Lickin (5-2) showed improvement second off the layoff when she finished a pace-chasing second in her last try, running a career-best 74. She catches what looks like a fairly soft maiden field, in what looks like a prime opportunity to finally find the winner’s circle. #1 Late Nite Call (6-1) was well-bet off her morning line on debut, and made decent late ground after she was well-beaten. She should appreciate the extra distance compared to the six furlongs she saw at first asking. #7 Wisp (2-1) goes first out for Graham Motion, whose firsters tends to get overbet. Still, she’s found a fairly easy field in which to debut in. You’ll want to watch the board on her.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. SEE VIDEO ANALYSIS ABOVE OR CLICK HERE

7-6-1-4

#7 Peak of Chic (2-1) made her first start off an 11-month layoff last out, and was ignored in the betting, going off as the 8-1 longshot in the five-horse field. However, she ran a game race from off the pace, closing into gate-to-wire winner Susan’s Mule and finishing second by a half-length. She ran an 83 that day, the second-best last-out figure in the race and not far off from her career peak. She should round back into that form second off the respite. #6 Cuz Ur Pretty (9-2) has great tactical speed and and will be in perfect position to take advantage of what could prove to be a very fast tempo. #1 Winkiwinki (5-2) tried to press the aforementioned Susan’s Mule last out, and while she couldn’t hang with that rival, she ended up beaten less than a length. She’s prone to getting into speed duels, but even if her and Peak of Chic get tangled up, she’ll be able to hang around late.

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

8-2-5-9

#8 Anonymously (7-5) went off as the odds-on choice at this level last out. She won by three-parts of a length, and would’ve won by more had Andres Chavez not forced her through a hole that didn’t really exist at the top of the stretch. She should improve further first off the Brittany Russell claim. #2 Golden Can (10-1) couldn’t hope to compete with 1-10 favorite Little Bit of That at Charles Town last out, but finished an impressive second while 7 3/4 lengths clear of the others. She’s in improving form and should be part of the early pace. #5 Genieinabridle (9-2) has put in good late rallies in her last two starts at this condition, and is prone to making some late noise.

RACE 7: GIN TALKING STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

4-5-6-2

This race is named for the 1999 Maryland-bred champion 2-year-old filly and 2000 Maryland-bred Horse of the Year. #4 Caprice (4-5) has enjoyed a tremendous season, with four stakes victories. She was an impressive winner of the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes last out, getting pressed on the pace and holding on to win with a career-best 89. She’ll win if she repeats any of her one-turn efforts. #5 Beyond Belief (5-2) broke her maiden in gate-to-wire style at Parx two races back, then finished a solid third behind Caprice in the Smart Halo Stakes last out. She’s run in the 80s in both of her starts; the only one who can do that consistently is Caprice. #6 Not Too Late (4-1) made mild ground from off the pace in the Smart Halo and grabbed fourth. She should prove the best of the rest.

RACE 8: HEFT STAKES, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-10-4-2

This race honors the longtime Maryland owners, best-known as the owners of Eighttofasttocatch. #5 Sacred Thunder (7-2) got bumped at the start last out, lost early position, and lost place in a blanket photo to #4 Saxton (9-2) and Barbadian Runner, who is also back in here. He ran a 93 in back-to-back starts prior to that, including a win in the James Lewis Stakes, and is the only one in the race who has proven he can run that fast that consistently. #10 Crab Daddy (15-1) improved sharply at second asking last out, when he came up the rail to win the Pennsylvania Nursery Stakes with a strong 86. He looks like he’s only getting better, and will be a factor even if he can run back to that race. Saxton was second to the impressive Tony Eclipse in the Lewis last out, and has shown slow improvement with each race.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-8-4-9

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