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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $3,475
Jackpot Super High 5 — $8,120
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-8-2-6

#3 Velvet Vixen (8-1) faded after racing wide last out at Parx, but was a solid pace-chasing third with a brisnet figure of 74 two starts back at Penn National. She’ll sit the trip on the rail off of two leaders breaking from the outside posts. One of those speedsters is #8 Frosted Maya (9-2), who lasted through pace pressure to win at Charles Town last out. Abnel Bocachica, who rode her to victory last out, comes in for his only mount of the day. She’s also won on this track, having broken her maiden here last June after getting involved in an early tussle. #2 Hateful (2-1) has by far the best late pace figures of anyone in the field. While she couldn’t outkick them first off a three-month respite last out, she’ll be in a very prime spot if a duel develops in front of her.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

2-6-3-4

#2 Fitness (9-5) may have been claimed away from her breeder, Jamie Ness, but she’d have to fall off a cliff to lose this race. She ran a 81 and a 73 in back-to-back wins between here and Parx. No one else has run faster than a 68 in recent times. #6 Boujee Bubblez (5-2) gets class relief after facing much better in her last two starts, and should be sent for speed from the outside. #3 Oncourtcommentator (9-5) ships up from Brittany Russell’s Fair Grounds string. She broke her maiden here as the favorite in an off-the-grass contest last October, led most of the way in another off-the-grass contest and faded next out, and was eased against first-level rivals in her grass debut last out. She’s hard to gauge, as she has early speed and has run well around two turns, but it’s almost certainly a spot she’s in for the sole purpose of getting claimed.

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

2-1-5-4

#2 Surgical Precision (6-5) has been working consistently since late December for Brittany Russell, and every drill has been strong. He doesn’t need a world-beater to beat this field at first asking, but he may well be. #1 Suremeanttoobee (3-1) was scratched sick on February 14, felt well enough to work five furlongs from the gate in 1:01 the next day, and now returns here. He pressed a very well-respected 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. He’s run into another tough Russell runner, but still looks the best of the ones with experience. #5 Built by Khozan (4-1) ran a big race second off a nine-week layoff last out. He outran his 25-1 odds, setting fast fractions and holding on for second behind favored Daring Venture. He outworked Suremeanttobee at five furlongs by a second last Saturday, and is sure to be sent for speed once again.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-1-6

This race starts the late pick 5. #5 Superlastingsecret (9-5) chased gate-to-wire winner Maliblue, who rode a speed bias to victory, last out and finished second. Maliblue returned to finish a solid second on a fairer strip on Friday. This one drops into a very modest field by $40,000 maiden claimer standards, and will get the setup he wants, chasing the ever-speedy Karma’s Inthehouse. #2 Knockanara (2-1) goes on dirt for the first time and in for a tag for the first time. Sarah Nagle might see this as a prep for a grass race in a few weeks, but this one’s grass figures would win this race, so he’ll be interesting if his form translate. #1 Bold Mirage (6-1) showed speed and held until late on debut at Charles Town last October. We’ll see how much pep is in his step first off the layoff.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-11-9-10

Last out, #2 Johnnyfrenchfri (3-1) lasted through a contested pace and finished second by a half-length on a track that was not favoring the front end. On a fair track, he should get to the front and run them off their feet. #11 Sunset Town (4-1) couldn’t make the lead that day after getting bumped at the break, and was thrown out of his element. He won his two prior starts in frontrunning efforts, and may try to sit just off of Johnnyfrenchfri in the two-path. #9 My Mamba (8-1) took advantage of the aforementioned closer-favoring track to defeat Johnnyfrenchfri last out. However, he’s still in improving form, has great late pace figures, and gets a rider switch to Tyler Conner, who had a two-win afternoon on Friday.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-5-6-7

Whichever half of the Jamie Ness-trained entry he chooses to run will be tough. I lean towards #1 Divine Grace (8-5) who sat the trip and won at this level when last seen on December 14. She’ll likely get another nice setup here, rating off the pace on the rail. #5 Viennese Waltz (4-1) came from well off the pace to win in her last try at a one-turn mile, and finished a strong-closing second to the speedy Lovely Charm last out. This one keeps Weston Hamilton aboard, and is sure to be heard from late. #6 Always Laughing (6-1) led almost the whole way last out going seven furlongs, losing only to the high-ceiling Bound by Destiny. She’ll try to take them as far as she can here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-7-6

#5 Heard On Thestreet (3-1) is a ‘triple-fig’ on the brisnet scale. He’s run at least a 90 in each of his last three starts. No one else in here has run faster than an 89 in any of their last three races. He was a game second last out, in his first start for the Mike Geralis barn. Anywhere near his morning line would be a steal. #1 Prado Road (2-1) ran a big race first off a seven-month layoff last out. He set the pace and held second behind odds-on choice Suga Steve, who came into that race in phenomenal form. It wouldn’t be a surprise to se this one take another jump up, but you won’t get a good price on that proposition. #7 Carvellian Quest (5-1) hasn’t been seen since June 21, when he was second to the very solid Freeze the Fire. This one runs his best at sprint distances, and packs a solid late punch. For his first start in a while, he’s a better horse to key underneath in the exotics.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-4-2-3

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