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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 — $6,685
Jackpot Super High 5 — $10,468
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

4-5-2-7

#4 Sweet Heidelberg (4-1) was completely out of her element in the Nellie Morse Stakes, but managed to last a decent way on the lead before fading in the 1 1/16-mile contest. She won going away against similar at 5 1/2 furlongs last out, and that effort is a much better representation of her true ability. #5 Loving Cup (3-1) was outkicked by better rivals in her last try, but takes a slight drop in class, and should get first jump when the leaders fade. #2 Fainor’s Filets (5-1) was done in by wide trips in each of her last two starts, but gets a better draw here and will almost certainly be able to save more ground. She overcame some traffic to win at Penn National three races ago.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-1-2-4

#6 Wicked Melissa (6-1) is the lone first-time starter in the field, and faces an easy bunch against which to debut. She’s posted two recent bullet workouts for Carlos Mancilla, and should be ready to turn in a big effort at first asking. #1 Tuned to the Moon (8-5) went off as one of the favorites as the only first-time starter in the field, and chased the pace to finish a solid second. She looks the best of the ones with experience. #2 Happy Hour Joker (7-5) drops for a tag for the first time and adds blinkers and Lasix. Those factors might help her last longer, after fading in her first two efforts.

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

7-6-2-3

There’s two first-time starters in this field, and while I usually don’t pick horses without experience in bottom-level maiden claimers, the rest of these have shown so little ability, the debuters just have to show a little bit of something to be contenders. #7 Authenticated (9-5), a Sycamore Hall homebred for Brittany Russell, has shown improving form in the morning, and turned in a bullet three-furlong workout last Saturday, going the distance in 37 2/5. You’ll have to take a low price on her, but she’s the most likely to fire a half-decent effort. #6 Firing Thoughts (6-1), another firster for the Mancilla barn, also has a bullet workout in her recent lines, and has the potential to pop at a possibly decent number. #2 Thorold Miss (5-1) ran a career-best brisnet figure of 56 last out, her second consecutive improved race. She closed well behind next-out winner Tres Aires in that most recent try, and may have woken up at the right time.

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

2-1-4-6

This race begins the late pick 5. #2 Pinotslilgirl (6-5) has been a new horse since returning off a six-month break in late December. She’s won two of her last three starts in dominant fashion, running a 92 in both of those victories. She looks primed to run them off their feet and win easily yet again. #1 Edge of Town (9-5) went off favored on the jump to this level from non-winners of two claimers last out, and missed by a length in a determined effort. She might have a harder time hanging with Pinotslilgirl, but she should sit close to the pace and hold off the others. #4 Crusader Rabbit (6-1) broke her maiden after lasting through pace pressure just over a year ago, and now returns off an 11-month layoff for Brittany Russell. The upside is there, but she’ll likely need a race before she’ll show her best self.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

1-6-4-2

#1 Complexity Jane (3-2) was bet like a good thing in her debut and ran like it, closing with a flourish to win going away with an 82. Brittany Russell may have her eye on the Weber City Miss Stakes with this one, and a win here would serve as a nice prep for that spot. She gets an easy introduction to facing winners and a route of ground; she’ll win as long as she can repeat the 82 she earned on debut. #6 Estocada (8-1) is proven at a mile, as she jumped up eight points to break her maiden at this distance last out. She opened up her margin under a drive that day, and will make her presence felt here if she’s kept close enough to the pace. #4 Mad for Maddy (5-2) ran a career-best 80 in a 24-1 upset last out at Aqueduct, sitting just off the pace, striking the front, and holding on to win. Jamie Rodriguez, who rode her in her maiden-breaking score here two starts back, gets back aboard, and should keep her well-rated just off of the leaders.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1A-5-6-7

#1A Walk Away Joe (8-5) was fourth behind the likes of Everett’s Song and Morning Thoughts, and now faces a much, much easier field, full of rivals who don’t have much form. He looks poised to run a big one second off the Jamie Ness claim. #5 Toast to Coast (12-1) closed well for fourth behind runaway winner Yodel E.A. Who last out, running a respectable 77 in his first start off a four-month break. #6 Caerus (8-1) also returned from a layoff last out, and closed well and missed by less than a length going six furlongs. He’s more comfortably at this distance anyway, having hit the exacta seven times in 12 1 1/16-mile starts.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

8-6-3-2

If there was a Maryland Million Sprint future book, I would’ve been all-in on #8 Rominski (8-5) last spring. He won five times in his first six starts of the season, including a dominant 5 1/2-length win against a tough field last out. However, he went to the sidelines not long after that June 16 effort, not recording a workout for five months. He’s finally ready to return, and though he catches a solid field here, he’s the best horse in the race on pure talent, and will win easily if he’s near 100%. #6 On the Mark (9-2) tried to make a move after Prince of Jericho in the Fire Plug Stakes last out, but couldn’t hang with that rival and flattened to third. He’s beaten these types of fields in the past, and should be able to work out his usual press-and-pounce trip. #3 Debit Card (6-1) rolled from last to win an open allowance contest in December, and makes his first start since a flat effort in the mud against two rivals later in the month. He got no pace to close into in that last try, but this race should provide him with a more honest setup.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-4-2

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