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

Post time: 12:10 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 $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-7-2

Note the new earlier first post time. The 1-for-14 career mark of #6 Divine Child (3-1) doesn’t look great at first glance, but he’s been facing much better competition in his last few starts. He went up against heavy favorite Suga Steve last out, and while that rival blew the doors off the field, this one made a mild late bid and ran a respectable 82, a strong brisnet figure for is level. In earlier races, he went up against the likes of Worcester, Masakado, and Laddie Dance, who have all won since. #4 Milo (8-1) sat the trip and broke his maiden going away at Penn National last out. He’s been scratched twice since that maiden win, once sick, once a stewards’ scratch. He’s getting a class test here after beating maiden claimers in Hershey, but he’s lightly-raced, in sharp form, and should get another good trip. #7 Maximus Speed (8-1) crushed the field for $12,500 last out, in a Repole/Brittany Russell special. He was taken out of that race by Carlos Mancilla. He’s also being tested for class after dominating that cheap bunch, however, most of his lifetime figures win this.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-7-2-4

#6 Still Game (5-2) was no match for gate-to-wire victress Mor Mor Mor last out, but hung around until late and finished a solid third in her first start off the Lacey Gaudet claim. She might find herself on the lead in a soft field without a ton of speed, which would play to her advantage. #7 Magically Vanished (2-1) was entered in this class on opening Sunday, but the card was cancelled. She now resurfaces here. She broke her maiden on debut by 16 lengths in late June, and hasn’t raced since. If she still race for Brittany Russell, she’d likely be odds-on, but one wonders how she’ll do first off the claim by Charles Frock. She got close to an ideal setup for her maiden win, which means the 82 she earned that day may represent her ceiling. Still, it’s a higher ceiling than most of these have. #2 Ballroom Eyes (12-1) shook off early pace pressure and drew away to break her maiden last out at Penn National. She would also be well-served to be sent from the gate.

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

3-5-7-2

#3 Suremeanttoobe (3-1) pressed a very well-respected Brittany Russell-trained horse, Alias, on debut. Both of them faded from their early exploits, but Suremeanttoobe finished only a quarter of a length behind Alias, while finishing the best of the four firsters in the field. #5 Smuggler’s Gold (5-1) received some decent wagering action from post position 9 against a solid field at this level last out. However, his race ended a few strides out of the gate, when he was sandwiched and shuffled out of contention. With a cleaner break, he’ll be in great position to graduate. #7 Firmantown (2-1) makes his first start since his career debut on grass last July at Ellis Park. He sat the trip and led late, but got run down by a well-experienced rival who previously competed in the Bashford Manor Stakes. Three of his seven rivals that day have since won a race. He joined Carlos Mancilla’s barn in December and has worked well here since.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-3-5-4

#1 Bill of Rights (6-5) has run in the 80s in each of his last four starts, something the rest of these struggle to do at all. He’s taking a big drop in class after beating starter optional claiming foes last out, but unless he’s completely fallen off a cliff, he should have no problem with these. #3 Pudge Boy Palace (7-2) was scratched out of a tougher spot on Sunday to run here. He certainly certainly outran his 61-1 odds last out, pressing eventual winner Sunset Town, giving him a challenge in the stretch, and holding on for second. The race he was scratched out of was a mile; the 5 1/2 furlongs he’ll run today is more his speed. #5 Brazillionaire (15-1) was sixth behind Pudge Boy Palace in his most recent start. He doesn’t have enough early speed to be a serious win contender in a 5 1/2-furlong contest, but he’s known for shaking up the exotics at good odds.

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

1A-2-9-3

Many of these come out of the same race at this condition on January 25. #1A Tap Anchor (7-2) didn’t embarrass himself that day, racing wide on the pace and hanging on for fourth. He’s drawn post position three this afternoon, and could take control of a largely paceless race. #2 Last Second Louie (2-1) finished second that day with a 75, and has run in the 70s five times in his last six starts, giving him a big figure edge over these. However, he’s 1-for-29 lifetime, and has lost several times in a row at this level at low odds. The biggest advantage he has is that he beat some of these last out, and there’s no one in here the caliber of Earl of Dassel, who won that January 25 race. #9 The Heights (12-1) closed well off a hot pace going six furlongs in his most recent start, and may appreciate the extra distance.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

6-8-9-4

#6 My Flicker (3-1) was claimed by Brittany Russell just about a year ago, and improved with every start for her barn. She was last seen at Pimlico in May, finishing second by a neck to Anonymously, who’s been on a hot streak as of late. She came back to the worktab in late November, and it looks like she’s been well-primed for this spot. The break is a bit of a concern, but any Russell trainee, let alone one with as high a ceiling as this one, cannot be discounted. #8 Cuz Ur Pretty (9-2) beat a few of these at this level on December 28, rallying four-wide to win an evenly-matched race, while the runner-up saved all the ground. She shipped down here for Lisa Reed for that race, but is now locally based for Rudy Sanchez-Salomon, and her first local workout was very sharp. #9 Golden Rocket (7-2) won easily going seven furlongs three starts ago at Aqueduct, then faded going a mile in her next two starts. She’s making her first start for Jamie Ness here, and should enjoy the change of scenery and the distance cutback.

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

7-1-6-5

#7 Chesapeake Dream (2-1) has been doing good work in the work in the morning for Brittany Russell, and finds an easy field to debut against. Parkinson and Goodrich and Russell teamed up to win at first asking with this one’s half-sister, Sky Victory, at Delaware Park in November 2023. #1 Enduring Gold (8-1) has had two bullet workouts within his last three drills at Fair Hill for MIke Trombetta. While the Trombetta barn isn’t great with firsters, if they’re ever going to win with a horse making their debut, it’ll be with this one in this spot. Watch the board. #6 Fly Pelican (12-1) has the best last-out figure in the race, having run a 71 on debut in a third-place effort. Night Preacher, who was second in that race, crossed the wire third, beaten a neck, as the favorite last Saturday. This one’s experience should benefit him over the two well-meant firsters.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-1-3

#5 Slam Notion (8-5) broke his maiden in sharp style two races back over next-out winner Daring Venture, then just missed against gate-to-wire winner Chipotle next out with a career-best 92. He’s in ascending form and has demonstrated a higher ceiling than these. #2 Saxton (7-5) has been stakes-placed twice, and makes his first start since chasing the impressive One Man Team in the Heft Stakes last out. He’ll appreciate the class relief, and will likely make the rail and the lead. #1 Change My World (6-1) pulled a mild upset last out, breaking this maiden from off the pace at third asking with an impressive 84. The aforementioned Suremeanttoobe was fifth that day; if he wins today’s third race, it would flatter this one.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

7-6-2-5

#7 Aikmans Audible (7-5) has run no worse than a 65 in his three-race career, something most of these struggle to do at all. He’s taking a career-low drop in class, and should easily handle these. #6 Tuff Luck (9-5) overcame a wide trip to get second last out. While he was on the outside most of the way, the winner, Buds Island, saved ground every step. #2 Parlay for Destiny (12-1) has also faced better in his last few races, and should make up ground late and get a share at a decent price.

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