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

Post time: 12:25 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $0
Jackpot Super High 5 — $1,019
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-3-4

#1 Bond’s Belle (2-1) was one of my top choices at this level in her last start, but was fairly cold on the board and went off at 8-1. She couldn’t maintain a wide move and ended up fifth, but it turns out she ran into a much better field than the one she’ll see today. She earned a brisnet figure of 70 in that race while losing by 8 1/4 lengths. That 70 is the best last-out figure in this contest by five points. She’s also the only one in the race to run in the 70s in each of her last three starts. #5 Stormy Midnight (7-2) exits the same race as Bond’s Belle. She was interfered with coming out of the gate, then lacked racing room on the turn and couldn’t move with a full head of steam. She made ground once she got clear and finished sixth. If she can finally work out a decent trip, she’s got a shot. #3 Iced Mocha (8-1) just missed at this level four races ago, but has encountered trouble in each start since then. She was hustled to the front from post 11 three starts back and faded, then got caught wide in her last two starts at Charles Town and faded. She’s likely to have an easier time on the lead today.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

1-4-2-7

#1 She’s No Uncle (9-5) was bet early and often on debut, going off as the 2-1 second choice. She set the early pace and fought off a challenge on her inside from #2 Buckin’ Right (4-1). She may have won the battle, but lost the war, as a pair of closers came from well out of it and relegated She’s No Uncle to third. Still, it was a gutsy race for her first career start, and she should once again be a tough customer on the lead, especially with a race under her belt. #4 Mopo (5-1) is a half-sister to stakes winner La Castiglione; three of her other half-siblings are stakes-placed. Her recent workouts haven’t been super-sharp, but Phil Capuano is known to connect with firsters. Watch the board on her. The aforementioned Buckin’ Right improved five points from her debut in her last start, but couldn’t wear down She’s No Uncle. She’s tended to race on or near the pace and hang around for a share; that’s probably the most likely outcome once again.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-8-3-5

#2 B West (8-5) went off favored last out, but broke a bit slowly and cost himself early position. He was no match for the victorious Johnnyfrenchfri (who returned to finish second as the favorite), but held on for second with a very sharp 87. He remains in very solid form in sprints, and looms as the one to beat. #8 Bigdaddysboy (5-2) has finished a hard-charging second in each of his last two starts, both times at decent prices. He’s another one who’s found a comfortable home at this level, and will likely make a serious late impact. #3 Addy’s Laddy T N T (10-1) finished third to Johnnyfrenchfri and B West last out, and was claimed out of that race by Jose Corrales. He has the best early pace figures in a field without a ton of early speed, so he might find himself controlling the early pace; not a bad spot to be for a horse like him.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

4-1-5-7

With an 8-race card, this race begins the late pick 5. #4 Safe Trust (2-1) gave the classy Caprice all she could handle in the Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes last out, pressing that rival from the outside most of the way. While she wasn’t able to wear Caprice down, this one finished a clear-cut second in a very respectable effort. #1 In My Memories (7-2) lasted on the lead at this level last out and pulled away to win under a drive at 15-1. That was her first sprint start off the Anthony Farrior claim, and she’ll look to take another step forward second time in a sprint for this barn. #5 Malibu Hooch (9-5) was fourth behind Caprice and Safe Trust in her last try. She had her first workout since then at Penn National on January 30, and went five furlongs in 1:01, outworking some older horses in the process. She won at this level last November, and should get her trip just off the pace in the clear.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-2-10-8

#3 Ruminit (3-1) jumped up to win impressively with an 82 two races back, then ran a solid third last out while chasing a pacesetting rival who opened up a long lead and got caught late. The Jamie Ness barn has started to heat up after a slow start to the meet. #2 Bad Temper (12-1) has made decent ground to hit the board against similar in her last few starts. She won at this condition and distance last June, and may appreciate the extra distance. She hasn’t gone this far since July, when she was third against better. #10 Freccia d’Argento (5-2) has improved dramatically with each start since returning from a six-month layoff in December. She went off favored against some solid rivals last out, and just missed fourth after racing wide throughout.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-1-4

#3 S S Sinatra (3-1) ran a game race against the classy Full Irish last out. S S Sinatra engaged with early leader Intrepid’s Legacy, shook off that rival, then engaged with Full Irish down the stretch and lost by a neck with a career-best 91. He gets a rider switch to Angel Cruz, and has proven that he can last against tougher rivals. Marco Salazar must have thought plenty of #2 Elvis Himself (6-1), because he shipped this Maryland-bred to Aqueduct for his last two starts. He delivered at fifth asking last out, going gate-to-wire with a sharp 86. He looks a bit faster early than S S Sinatra, and is a threat to take them gate-to-wire. #1 Heard On Thestreet (7-5) came from well off the pace and got up to win last out at Aqueduct, and makes his first start for the Mike Geralis barn here. He should get a great trip from off the pace, but horses who were/are based in New York tend to not run well here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

3-1-6-5

#3 Bondiva (2-1) has finished second at this level in each of her last two starts, chasing gate-to-wire winners both times. She has the best early pace figures in this field, so she might find herself on or closer to the lead than usual, which would play to her advantage. Her most serious threat on the pace comes from #1 Sister Supream (8-5), who cuts back after showing speed and fading going 1 1/16 miles last out. Jaime Rodriguez is likely to send her straight to the front for his main man, Jamie Ness. #6 Not a Bother (8-1) finished a strong-closing third in her first start against winners last out, with a career-best 86. She was much further off the pace than usual that day, but should be a factor if she can stay closer to the tempo.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-7-4-3

#8 Severn Run (7-5) jumped up to run a career-best 73 when second by a nose at this level last out. He raced wide the whole way, while the winner rode the rail in the stretch and got up. This one might be doomed to another wide trip from his post, but he’s nonetheless lightly-raced and prone to further improvement. #7 Imperial Spy (2-1) was third behind Severn Run last out, closing well despite not changing leads. He’s also in improving form, and should be heard from late. #4 We Called Sol (12-1) went off as the second choice on debut at Charles Town, but broke a bit slowly from the rail in the 4 1/2-furlong contest and was no factor from there. He’s drawn a better post for his second career outing and has worked well since.

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