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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $1,797
Jackpot Super High 5 — $5,652
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-1-4

#2 Severn Run (9-5) was entered against $12,500 foes on February 7, but was scratched sick. He jumped up to run a career-best brisnet figure of 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. He won’t be as low a price as you would’ve gotten two weeks ago, but he’s still the one to beat. #3 Tetched (2-1) had absolutely no shot to catch Lifting last out. That well-bet Repole/Brittany Russell special rode a speed-favoring track to a smashing 15-length score, while Tetched futilely chased him and held third. He’s cutting back from a mile here, and should finally get a fair shot to run his best race. #1 Fast Talkin Man (5-1) has run back-to-back 67s, including last out at Mahoning Valley when he was a chasing third. He showed much more early speed that day than he did in his first two outings.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-2-6

#4 Rapidity (3-1) finished a strong second last out in his first try against winners, behind the impressive gate-to-wire winner Wildhunch. He’s in improving form and should chase for at least a share. #1 Square Slice (5-2) has a somewhat similar profile to Wildhunch. His figures are far superior to those of the others, having run at least an 85 in his last three starts, but he hasn’t raced since March 22. He was third behind stakes winners Play Harder and Catahoula Moon that day, and now faces much easier upon return. He’ll be tough to beat if he runs his race first off the bench, but that’s never an easy task. #2 Maliblue (9-2) rode a speed-favoring track to a gate-to-wire win last out. However, there isn’t a lot of speed in here, so it’s possible he sneaks away on the front end and runs another big race.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-5-6-3

#2 Princess Lucia (5-2) broke her maiden in a gate-to-wire effort last out. She’s the only one in the field who hasn’t lost against winners, and also the only one with lots of early speed. She’ll be hard to catch if left alone on the lead. #5 Maximo Madness (7-2) closed well for third behind a gate-to-wire winner on a speed-favoring track last out. If the track is fair, and Princess Lucia can’t last on the lead, she’ll have a great chance to mow them down. #6 Looking for Water (2-1) has picked up plenty of checks against similar in her last few starts, and has strong enough late pace figures to make her a contender for a share.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-7-2-3

#5 Late Nite Call (7-2) showed speed for the first time in her two-turn debut last out at Parx. She lasted a long way on the pace, finishing second to a 2-5 favorite. She should lead them for a while here as well. #7 Passage East (5-2) ran a career-best 76 second off a four-month layoff last out, getting second to a well-bet Brittany Russell firster. She ran well going seven furlongs two starts back, but she’s never been nearly this far, and her pedigree doesn’t indicate she’ll thrive more at longer distances. Still, she’s shown enough promise to merit respect. Speaking of Russell-trained first-time starters, #2 Birdiejuice (9-5) finally makes her debut after being on the worktab for months. Russell has connected with plenty of firsters at the meet. It’s worth watching the board on her.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-2-1-7

#3 Mister Agent (15-1) couldn’t make the front against better last out, but he has the best early pace figures in this field. He’ll likely be able to get to the rail and the lead here, and is poised for an improved effort if he gets there. #2 B West (3-1) was no match to a gate-to-wire winner last out on a speed-favoring strip, but ran at least an 85 in three consecutive sprint starts prior to that effort. He’ll pack a better punch with even a slightly fairer track and slightly more pace to close into. #1 Irish Warlock (7-2) won at this level two starts ago, and may take a big step forward first off the claim by Anthony Farrior.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

5-7-3-8

#5 Can Do (6-1) battled on the pace with eventual victress Field of Roses last out, but held on and finished a game third with a career-best 76. She took them all the way around to break her maiden two races ago. #7 Ade (7-2) overcame a wide trip and got up to beat softer last out, making her the only one in here to defeat winners. She’s one of two in here to run at least a 75 twice within her last three races. The other one is #3 Itsamonstamash (6-1). That one crushed the field in her maiden-breaking effort last out, and almost certainly would’ve gone off favored in that race Ade won had she not scratched. She’s worked since then and is now set for her return. We’ll see if she’ll be sent for speed or rated.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-1-5

#3 Dissolute (5-2) chased and faded against a much better second-level field last out. She held on to win on a contested pace two starts ago at Penn National, and now faces a field that’s likely similar in quality to that group. #2 Graceful Rose (3-1) doesn’t have much early speed, which might sink her at this distance. However, her late pace figures are strong enough that she must be given consideration for the underneath spots. #1 Mor Mor Mor (9-5) has gone gate-to-wire in two of her last three starts. She’s dangerous when she’s left alone on the lead, and she looks fast enough to sprint clear of today’s rivals.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

2-3-1A-6

#2 Secret Zipper (1-1) has won his last three starts, his last two by a combined 15 lengths. He’s run at least a 95 in each of those races; no one else has run better than a 91 within their last three. A win here may propel him to the Harrison Johnson Stakes next out. #3 Crossland (6-1) was second behind the dominant Secret Zipper two starts ago, then took full advantage of the long one-mile stretch to win a Maryland-restricted allowance next out. He should sit somewhat close to the pace and get first jump on everyone else chasing Secret Zipper. #1A Just Call Ray (3-1) faded badly after a wide trip last out at Parx, but won at this level two starts ago, and looks poised for a rebound here.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-2-3-7

#6 Rascallion (4-5) ran a career-best 59 last out in a game effort. She battled on the pace and finished second, outfinishing her dueling partner by three lengths in the process. She has a chance to make the rail and the lead despite her outside draw. #2 Third Tuesday (3-1) showed improvement at second asking, finishing third with a 55 after prompting the pace. She’s going beyond six furlongs for the first time. #3 Storm Creed (5-1) finished a solid third at this level two starts ago, and should run an improved race after a wide trip last out.

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