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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $9,548
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

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RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

7-8-1-5

We’ll see Speedyness in tomorrow’s Not For Love Stakes, and as an appetizer, his half-sister, #7 Sassafrassness (4-1) is set for her debut. She missed some time on the worktab after putting in three drills in January, but recently returned with a five-furlong gate workout at Parx last Monday. Two of her siblings won on debut, and three of them won within their first three races, so this is a family made to win early. She catches a fairly light field for her debut and should be well-primed for this spot. #8 Silver Trinket (3-2) has burned up a lot of money against similar, losing at 8-5 or shorter three times in her four-race career. She rallied and just missed behind Krissi N last out, who has hit the board against first-level rivals in her last two tries. This one ran a brisnet figure of 78 last out, far and away the best she’s ever run, but she’s looked like much the best on paper in the past as well, and has failed to deliver. Does she simply run down to her competition? #1 Mopo (6-1) had no shot to catch gate-to-wire winner She’s No Uncle on a speed-biased track last out, but chased well and finished a clear-cut second on debut. This one has worked twice since, and should improve at second asking.

RACE 2: STARTER ALLOWANCE $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-6-5

#4 Where’s My Chew (7-2) was bet early and often on debut, and ran a gigantic race. He had an awful break, but made up a ton of ground to get up and win by a head with a respectable 76. He’s stretching out from six furlongs today, so the big question is how he’ll do at this distance. His only sibling to win did so at 5 1/2 furlongs, and while his dam had no ability at all, she’s a half-sister to Dream Big Dreams, who won going a mile or longer a few times. #2 Bullring Bully (10-1) missed by a neck despite a ridiculously wide trip at Charles Town last out, and has some of the best late pace figures in the race. Kristy Gazzier doesn’t ship horses here too often, but she’s gotten off to a hot start at Charles Town, winning at a 5-for-17 clip thus far. This one’s out-of-town lines might drive up his price to overlay territory. #6 Bold Diversion (5-2) broke his maiden going away two starts back with a 76, then improved to a 79 when second to a gate-to-wire winner last out after hitting the gate. This one hasn’t been beyond seven furlongs before, and while both his dam and his sister Bondiva have shown more aptitude in sprints, this one’s ability may be enough to carry the day against these if he has any glimmer of routing ability.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-2-7

#1 Super Needy (3-2) ran into buzzsaws in his last two races (relatively speaking) in Bermuda Run and El Divino Nino. He ran a 79 and an 85 in those two races, figures far better than anyone else in here can run consistently. Now, he’s the buzzsaw. #5 Putthepastbehind (7-2) was beaten 3 1/2 lengths by Super Needy last out, running a 73 in his third start off a year-plus layoff. His only flat effort of his comeback came at Penn National two starts ago, but he’s run just fine over this strip. #2 Maximus Speed (5-2) faded after a wide trip last out in his first try against winners, but now plunges in class and gets a rider switch to Jaime Rodriguez. He soundly beat bottom-level maidens two starts back on the lead with an 81; knowing that, Rodriguez might send this one to the front.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-2-1-4

#5 Betta Go Go Go (9-5) ran well against these types both here and an Aqueduct towards the end of last year, running at least a 77 three times in a row. He couldn’t keep up with better last out and faded, but he’s turned in an OK workout since then, and gets the class relief he needs. #2 Divine Child (5-2) went off as the slight favorite at this condition last out, and finished second behind the impressive Wildhucnh, who was making his first start off a year-plus layoff, but showed plenty of backclass. This one has consistently strong figures and great late speed. His kryptonite may be the possible lack of early pace. #1 J J Valentin (3-1) has shown some speed in the recent past and will almost assuredly be sent to the front by Jaime Rodriguez, who will likely recognize the lack of pace on paper.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

3-7-6-2

#3 Papa Funny (7-2) was scratched sick on January 25, has worked four times since then, and is now ready for his first start since December 11. He chased the pace while wide that day and finished second with a career-best 82, the best last-out figure in the field by ten points. He should sit just off the leaders and pounce. #7 Dr Kringle (5-2) was completely flat in his first local start last out, but gets Jamie Rodriguez aboard for the first time, and showed hints of speed last year in Kentucky. The ability to take this field gate-to-wire is in there somewhere. #6 Sneaking Suspicion (4-1) was second last out to Last Second Louie, a classic groomsman type who finally found a field he could beat, after running figures far superior to the others on paper. This one has done his best work going a mile or longer, and should appreciate the added ground today.

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

7-8-5-3

#7 Group Hug (2-1) was no factor going a mile and 70 yards at Parx last out, but he hasn’t run below an 80 in a sprint in a long while. Most of these struggle to run that fast, so this one should beat these easily as long as he runs close to his best. That last line might throw bettors off the scent a bit. #8 Pudge Boy Palace (3-1) has just missed in his last two tries at this level, both times coming from just off the pace and surging. If #5 Irish Hero (10-1) tires on the lead, this one will get first jump on him. Irish Hero has tons of early speed, and while he hasn’t won here, he’s gone gate-to-wire at Pimlico and Timonium. He’s making his third start off the bench this afternoon, and if he’s able to get loose and set the pace he wants, they might have trouble reeling him in.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-3-1

#4 Penny Loafer (7-5) had absolutely no chance to beat Supreme Law last out. That speedy rival rode a biased track to victory, and Penny Loafer never had a prayer of catching up. However, he outkicked the others and finished a clear-cut second with an impressive 92, his second consecutive race in the 90s. He should find these much easier to handle. #5 Mad Banker (7-2) won in gate-to-wire style first off the Jamie Ness claim last out with a career-best 89, and looks like the main speed in here as well. He might not be as tough to catch as Supreme Law, but he’ll at least get the trip he wants. #3 Noneedtoworry (12-1) has the best late pace figures in the field, and this Parx shipper could shake up the exotics at a good price. Parx-based Adam Bowman was lured in for the mount, an encouraging sign.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-4-6-1

#8 Slam Notion (9-5) likely would’ve won at this level last out if J.G. Torrealba didn’t drop the whip in the stretch. He still fought hard and lost to the twice stakes-placed Saxton by a heartbreaking nose, running in the 90s for the second consecutive race. If he repeats his last race (minus the whip drop), he’ll win this. #4 Little Bit Risky (5-2) ran a big race first off the Kieron Magee claim last out, going gate-to-wire with a career-best 91. He looks faster than these, and while he’s never had to deal with a rival as tough as Slam Notion, he’ll likely be able to work out his trip as long as he breaks. #6 Faster Gator (8-1) was bet like a good thing on debut here last June, and ran like it. He won by 2 3/4 lengths in gate-to-wire style with a 79, a good number for a 2-year-old in June. However, he went to the sidelines not long afterwards, returned to the worktab for Anthony Farrior at the start of the year, and is ready for his 3-year-old debut. Encouragingly, Arnaldo Bocachica is here to ride him. Any time Bocachica comes from West Virginia to ride a Farrior horse in Maryland, it means that horse is the goods.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-6-2-4

Parx-based #3 Key Stat (3-2) has figures which tower over those of the others. He’s run at least an 82 in each of his last three starts, while none of his rivals have run faster than an 80 at any point in their lives. While I warn about the dangers of betting Parx shippers here, this one ran an 82 on this track two starts ago, so we know he’s not a one-track pony. He’ll be very hard to beat with anything resembling his best. #6 States United (5-2) was claimed for $20,000 by Kieron Magee last July, and now makes his first start since then. He ran in the 70s on dirt consistently earlier in his career, and the Magee barn has been sharp all meet long. He’s worth respecting, but anything near his morning line would be an underlay. #2 Tell ‘Em I’m Comin (3-1) has been facing better at Oaklawn Park in his last few starts, and showed a strong closing kick on a few occasions last summer at Canterbury Park. He’s had two solid local workouts in preparation for his first start for the Jose Corrales barn.

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