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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $465
Jackpot Super High 5 — $3,139
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-8-7-9

#5 Tetched (3-1) has faded after wide trips in his last two starts, but ran a game second on debut against slightly better. If he can save more ground today, he’s a serious threat. #8 Real Talented (4-1) was well-bet on debut two weeks back, and briefly chased the pace before fading. He gets a rider switch to J.G. Torrealba and should improve at second asking. #7 Dad Joke (12-1) improved 12 brisnet points at second asking last out despite getting bumped around at the break. Even slight improvement puts him in the mix with the other contenders at a good price.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

4-6-2-7

#4 First Pearl (9-5) is the only one in the race to run at least a 65 in each of her last three starts. She broke a bit awkwardly and raced behind horses most of the way last out, but closed well once she was clear and just missed second. Runner-up Ade returned to win as the favorite on Sunday. #6 Golden Philly (8-5) won the First Pearl race in gate-to-wire style two starts back, but lost early position and faded at Parx last out. She should improve returning here and with a cleaner beginning. #2 Mandy’s Miss (8-1) broke her maiden with a stalk-and-pounce trip on debut at Delaware Park, and closed well in her last few after falling well behind early on. She should enjoy the extra distance and the long stretch.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-7-1

#5 Generative (5-1) is one of two in here who has won at today’s distance. He broke his maiden from well off the pace last out at Turfway Park, and was claimed out of that race by Jamie Ness. He’s had three local workouts with Ness’s Delaware string, and should be ready to rumble for his local debut. #2 Notmyfirstrodeo (10-1) has already won twice at two turns, including a victory against gems of a slightly lesser water two starts ago despite an overland trip. He got involved in a tough duel last out and faded, but still outfinished his dueling partner by ten lengths. He’ll hope to sit off the pace this time, like he did in his two victories. #7 Bangkok Bob (8-5) won his last two starts easily going six furlongs. While he might be the best in the field on ability, the adage “never bet a favorite doing something they’ve never done before” applies here.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-5-7

Anthony Farrior had them surrounded, in my estimation. He trains my top two picks. #2 Nancy Made My Day (5-2) has run a 96 in each of his last two starts, including a sharp stalk-and-pounce victory two starts back, and a game second to the classy Monday Morning Qb last out. He’s found his best self since getting claimed by Farrior, and should once again be tough to beat. #1 Shape Note (7-2) won his first start off the Farrior claim, rallying from well out of it to win at Mahoning Valley with a 91. A repeat of that effort puts him in the mix. #5 Order Ofthe Kettle (9-2) broke well for the first time in a while last out, and chased well for third after a wide trip. He has some of the best late pace figures in the race and will make an impact in the stretch.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

5-7-9-1

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

#5 Lady Charlotte (3-1) has held her own at this level in her last few starts, and looks like the main speed in this contest. She gets the slight nod in a wide-open bunch. The only clunker #7 Maddie Ten (6-1) turned in within her last few starts came going a mile. She’s been very sharp going slightly shorter than this of late, including a determined near-miss at Charles Town going 6 1/2 panels. The extra distance shouldn’t be a problem; she was a winner at seven furlongs last spring with an solid 76. #9 Gilda’s Girl (5-2) was claimed for $20,000 in mid-December by Anthony Farrior, and now returns here. Her form is inconsistent, but her best puts her in the mix.

RACE 6: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-11-5-4

#7 Mo Hype (5-2), purchased for $225,000 at last May’s Midlantic Fasig-Tipton sale, went off as the 11-10 favorite on debut in October, and led most of the way before getting reeled in by the well-regarded Brittany Russell-trained runner Michelle. This one has worked twice this year, most recently turning in a sharp drill from the gate last Saturday. #11 Tiz Complex (10-1) debuted on grass in November, and was very rank early on. By the time she got settled, she was too far behind to seriously contend, but gobbled up ground in the stretch and passed a few rivals. She adds blinkers here, and while she has lots of ability, that superficially poor debut line might throw bettors off the scent. Don’t let it throw you off, though. #5 Complexity Jane (3-1) makes her first start for the ever-dangerous Brittany Russell operation. Her granddam, You Asked, was stakes-placed five times and produced eight winners, including graded stakes winner Do Share and three additional stakes-placed runners. This one’s dam, Bestinthebusiness, has produced two winners from as many starters, including stakes-placed Roman Giant. She worked throughout the summer, went to the sidelines, then came back in mid-December and has worked well since. Sheldon Russell gets the call. Watch the board on her (or the double probables before the pick 5 starts).

RACE 7: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

3-2-1-5

#3 Gambling Tzar (7-2) won at this level three starts back, and now drops in class after struggling following wide trips in his last two starts. This field looks like a perfect fit for him. #2 Captain Cardo (12-1) has run in the low 80s in each of his last two races here, and made solid ground against a much better $7,500 field going six furlongs last out. He’s in his best form in a while, and should appreciate the class relief. #1 Oxide (15-1) made his first start off an eight-month layoff in a conditioned field last out. He didn’t do much in that race, but he was in solid form against better in late 2023 and early 2024 before going on the sidelines, and looks like a longshot threat in a suspect group.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILE

2-1-3-6

#2 Mose Perfect (3-1) won at this level three starts ago, then ran a big race last out. He wore down Search Engine, who had won two of his previous three starts, and recent winner Afraidofthebunny, and took the lead on the turn. He fought hard against closer Boss Logic and ended up missing by a neck, but he still ran an impressive 95. The big question of this race is: how close can #1 Supreme Law (3-5) come to duplicating his last start? He beat a conditioned claiming field at Parx by 26 lengths, setting strong early fractions and never slowing down to run a gigantic 111. It’s a dramatic outlier from the rest of his form, and it’s somewhat unrealistic to expect him to repeat it, but he’ll have a chance to get a clear lead and win, even if it’s not in as dramatic a style as last time. #3 Penny Loafer (8-1) has closed well despite getting caught behind slow paces in his last few starts, and should at least get an exotics spot even if Supreme Law runs away with it.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

5-4-3-1

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!