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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $4,533
Jackpot Super High 5 — $9,307
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L) , 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-4-5

#1 Bond’s Belle (7-2) went off as the 11-10 chalk at this level last out, and found herself against the flow of a speed-favoring track. She closed well and ended up third, and should pack a stronger punch on a fairer surface. By contrast, #2 My Sassy Valentine (9-2) was the only gate-to-wire winner on the day she broke her maiden. With some sharp speed drawn to her outside, she may elect to sit back and let that rival do the dirty work, then take advantage on the turn. #4 Quit Quay (3-1) made what looked like a promising move to the lead last out, but was overtaken by heavily favored Audibly and ended up a clear-cut second behind that rival. Her only recent flat try came when she tried 1 1/16 miles two starts back, and she’ll likely benefit further by another cutback from a mile.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

7-4-6-2

#7 Gilda’s Girl (8-1) finished second in an impossible spot last out. Lady Charlotte looked like the lone speed on a speed-favoring track and ran like it. However, Gilda’s Girl still made good ground behind that dominant winner, closing well and losing by 1 1/4 lengths. Lady Charlotte was ambitiously placed next out and was defeated, but third-place finisher Maximo Madness came back to win. There’s not a lot of speed in here, either, but this one actually has the best early pace figures in the field. Jevian Toledo could elect to put her in play early and take charge of the contest. #4 By the Glass (9-2) won her last start around two turns three races ago, and gets some class relief after facing better rivals in her last two races. She made solid late ground in her most recent start despite having no pace to close into whatsoever; she’ll be a late factor here if anything develops up front. #6 How Sweet She Is (9-5) comes out of the same race as By the Glass. She went off as the 4-5 chalk off a smashing non-winners of two victory, but never got involved and finished sixth. Something may have been bothering her that day, because Jamie Ness sent her to the sidelines for a few weeks, gave her three workouts, and now has her ready off a two-month layoff. She might have the highest ceiling of anyone in the field, and should be heard from late.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-6-2-7

#5 Bad Boy Blaze (3-1) may have needed his last start, his first off a four-month layoff. He rated off the pace and made what looked like a promising move, but flattened out and ended up third. He should improve second off the bench. #6 Let’s Have a Party (12-1) also made his return off a break last out. He chased a frontrunning winner and faded, ending up 12 lengths beaten. He was in great form last fall at Delaware Park, running brisnet figures of 76 and 84, and if he can recover that form, he’ll be very dangerous. #2 Papa Paulie B (5-2) showed some promise over the fall at Aqueduct, then shipped here for Rick Dutrow. Dutrow shippers usually don’t do well here and get overbet, and this one was no exception. Sent off at 4-1, he locked horns in a speed duel and faded. He’s since joined the Brittany Russell barn and adds Lasix. Both of those factors portend well for an improved performance.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

2-1-3-5

The connections of #2 Mr. Mendelslew (9-2) thought enough of him to debut him in the Hopeful Stakes. He didn’t do much that day, but in his last two starts, he’s begun to display the promise his people saw in him. He crushed the field by 9 1/2 lengths to break his maiden two races ago, then set the pace on a track not favoring the front end and held well last out. #1 Bjorn (5-2) ran into the likes of Pay Billy and All the Hardways last out, and ended up a clear-cut third. All the Hardways won at this level in his next try, while Pay Billy missed by a zop in the Miracle Wood Stakes next out. There’s probably no one in here at the level of those two, especially not Pay Billy. #3 Lifting (8-5) is almost certainly not as good as his debut made him look. He rode a speed-favoring track to win by 18 lengths with an 88. On a normal strip, he might’ve won by five or six lengths, with a figure in the low-80s. How much did the bias knock off his price today, and are you willing to take that price?

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-7-8-5

#3 Cloud Music (12-1) was very much up against it in his first start off a 7 1/2-month respite last out. He got involved in a very destructive early duel, while being stalked by the very classy Everett’s Song. This one backed up and lost badly, but he’s worked well twice since then, cuts back in distance from 1 1/16 miles, and will benefit from that race under his belt. Many of his races from last year win this one. #7 Dolice Vita (5-2) is a perfect 2-for-2 at the meet, taking advantage of stalk-and-pounce trips both times. There’s a decent amount of speed in here, so he may once again get the trip he wants. #8 Quincannon (8-1) got tangled up with Cloud Music and stopped last out, but he won in sharp style two races back and is not a need-the-lead type. He could rate just off the pace on the outside and get the jump on the closers.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

9-8-10-7

#9 Bye Bye Wicked Eye (2-1) ran a career-best 68 last out, losing by a nose in an exciting blanket finish. The only time he didn’t run in the 60s recently was when he had a terrible trip three starts back. Any of his other races likely wins this one. #8 Imperial Spy (8-5) finished a nose behind Bye Bye Wicked Eye in that blanket finish. He’s been competitive at this level and distance, but he’s lost at low prices in his last few. The move might be to back whoever’s the lowest price between him and Bye Bye Wicked Eye. #10 Repeatingofcourse (30-1) showed speed for the first time first off a seven-month layoff last out. It wouldn’t be a total shock to see him wire this field at a good price.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1A-3-4-5

Both halves of the Jamie Ness-trained entry look formidable. #1A Quick Tempo (2-1) gets my vote between the two, coming off a very impressive gate-to-wire win at Penn National. He’s run in the 90s in each of his last two races, while only one of his rivals have run that fast at any point within their last two races. That one is #3 Monday Morning Qb (6-5), who has won four of his last five starts, and beat a slaty field for a lower tag last out. He has great tactical speed, and is bound to take full advantage if the leaders falter. #4 Laddie Dance (8-1) made a strong, wide move to win a tough Maryland-restricted allowance last out. He hasn’t raced since that November 30 effort, so he might need a race, but the potential is there.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-3-1-4

#5 Regalo (7-2) led most of the way and faded last out, and now makes his return off a tow-month layoff. He has by far the most early speed in the race, and has run well many times when on the lead (including a stakes victory at Colonial Downs last August). He’s in line to get a very comfortable trip. #3 Crabs N Beer (8-1) is likely using this race as a prep for grass season, but he has plenty of dirt ability as well. He won in sharp style at Mahoning Valley last out, moving to the front up the backstretch off a slow pace. He could try and press Regalo early, and get first jump on the closers. #1 Wild Vine (5-2) beat these types from off a slow tempo two starts ago with an impressive 96. His form is obscured by two flat tries against very tough stakes rivals, but he should do much better against these.

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

7-1-5-4

#7 Aunt Margaret (20-1) couldn’t last going a mile first off a 10-week break last out, but this is a more realistic distance for her, and she has the most early speed in the race. If she breaks and clears, she could pull the upset. Today is the “if it’s ever gonna be the day…” spot for the 0-for-19 #1 Sippin’ Time (5-2). She’s run a 66 or a 67 in her last three six-furlong starts, much faster figures than most of these can muster. She also has the best last-out figure in the race by 12 points. Nevertheless, it’s hard to take a low price on a horse like her. #5 Mae Be Mae (5-1) got some play on debut, and finished fourth with a respectable 55. She’s interesting if she takes a step forward off of that race.

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