Video edited on Kapwing

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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $2,250
Jackpot Super High 5 — $5,245
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 MILE

12-10-1-4

It’s the last day of the racing week, the racing month, the racing year, and before the MTROA takes control of Laurel Park. #12 Sadie the Goat (9-5) is consistently the fastest horse in here, running a brisnet figure of at least 78 in each of her last three starts. Only five of her 11 rivals have done that at any point within their last three races. She easily won at this level two starts back, and should enjoy getting back here after finishing fourth against tougher foes last out. #10 Viennese Waltz (3-1) flattened out for fourth last out in a field which included Sadie the Goat and next out winners Peppermint Class and I’m a Cutie Pie. She’s run very well against better this season, but has tailed off in her last few; this type of spot may suit her well. #1 Lady Charlotte (8-1) has speed in the inside in a race without a ton of other early foot. She should at least get an idyllic trip, even if she’d rather go shorter.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-6-8-1

You can draw the line through the last race of #4 B West (8-5) . That dull effort was at a mile, and he’s much better suited for a distance like today’s. If he runs his usual six-furlong race, he’ll win handily. #6 Mr. Marshall (6-1) has gone gate-to-wire to win his last two starts against softer at Woodbine. While this is a tougher field than what he’s used to, he’ll be able to make the rail and the lead as long as he breaks cleanly. #8 Up Against It (4-1) has won his last two starts at Parx after racing on or near the pace. However, he’s no stranger to this oval; he’s won three of his last four races here. He has plenty of early speed as well, but might be better off trying to sit just off the lead from the outside draw, rather than risk getting caught in a three-ply speed duel.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-4-9-5

#6 Maximus Speed (2-1) made his first start off an 11-month break at Parx last out. Sent off as the odds-on choice, he showed speed and just held third with a very respectable 78. Further improvement second off the layoff means victory. #4 Jaisel (5-2) has gotten better with each dirt start, and ran a career-best 83 last out despite being forced to close behind a loose gate-to-wire winner. He should run on well late with any tempo to close into. #9 Karma’s Inthehouse (15-1) has showed more stamina with every race. He chased the pace and held third last out, while improving his figure 16 points from his previous dirt race. The draw won’t do him any favors, but he’s still very fast out of the gate and can round out the exotics at a good price.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-4-3-1A

#2 Patient Capital (2-1) ran about as well as he could last out in a very salty field for this condition, finishing second with a career-best 94 behind the impressive Afraidofthebunny. He’ll be able to run these down as long as he has racing room. Anthony Farrior couldn’t lure Arnaldo Bocachica to town for this mount, but he gets a more-than-capable replacement in Jevian Toledo. #4 Sagrada Ray (8-5) has gone gate-to-wire to win two of his last three starts, and once again looks like one of the main speeds. His task will be made a lot easier if Jamie Ness elects to scratch half of his coupled entry, Splendor Beauty. If that one doesn’t go, Sagrada Ray is especially dangerous on the lead. #3 Master of None (15-1) won going away against slightly softer two starts back at 64-1 with a very solid 85, then just missed third behind Afraidofthebunny and Patient Capital next out. This one could shake up the exotics at a good number once again.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $45,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1A-3-6-4

#1A Tiz Race Day (7-5) went gate-to-wire in her last two starts at Parx, and has run four of her five best figures since getting claimed by Jamie Ness in mid-September. She’s threat to steal this one as well, despite her far outside draw. #3 Graceful Rose (7-2) showed good late kick when third second off the bench two starts ago, and won going a one-turn mile after racing on the pace earlier this year. #6 Concrete Faze (4-1) was fourth behind Graceful Rose in her last try, and has great late pace figures that should earn her a share even if the pace is not extraordinarily fast.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

2-10-4-5

#2 Chattolanee Springs (20-1) was fairly well-bet on debut, going off at 7-1 as one of two first-time starters in the field. However, she acted up in the gate before the race, and while she broke well enough, she never got involved and was well-beaten. She’s worked well since then, faces a not-much-more difficult field, and keeps Jevian Toledo aboard. She’s worth a shot at a good number. #10 More Bubbles (6-1) improved sharply to a 59 at second asking last out. She drops back to this level after an attempt against straight maidens and adds blinkers. #4 Passage East (7-2) was scratched sick from a similar spot on December 8 and hasn’t had a workout since. Had she put in a decent drill since then, I might’ve picked her on top. As it is, she ran an impressive 73 on debut at Finger Lakes in late August while chasing the pace. She might not have to be 100% to win this race, but she’ll have to be close off the sick scratch.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-1-3-2

#7 Diamond Sue (10-1) has been in quickly improving form in her last few starts, running career-best marks in each of her last few starts. She’ll have to do it from off the pace today, but she has a chance to pull off the upset with any kind of pace to close into. #1 Red Hat Hanna (2-1) went gate-to-wire against Maryland-restricted foes last out, defeating next-out second-level winner Oncourtcommentator in the process. She led most of the way last out and got reeled in by Too Many Kisses, but won’t have to deal with a rival of that caliber trying to chase her down. #3 Lovely Charm (9-5) has run big figures in her last two starts, but earned them with the aid of a front-running trip. She may not have that luxury with Red Hat Hanna in the field, however, she’s run decent races from just off the pace as well, and could work out a trip.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-5-6

RACE 9: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-3-4-8

One more to go, then we’re on break for the next two weeks. We’re back in action, under a new banner, on January 17. #1 Looking for Water (3-1) surged and just missed in her first try at this level last out, just missing her career-best mark with a 73. She’s won at this distance before and should appreciate the long stretch run of the one-turn mile. #3 Mosler’s Image (9-2) was no match for open types in her last start, but gets some class relief and has recent figures that fit with these. #4 Don’t Tell Deren (5-2) was pressed on the pace and faded against much better in her last start, and should have an easier time on the lead against these types.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!