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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 — $10,867
Jackpot Super High 5 — $0
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-3-9-6

#2 Midnight Renegade (5-2) takes a drop in class after finishing third against better non-winners of three rivals last out. He chased a gate-to-wire winner on a speed-biased track, and had no shot to catch him, but should get a great setup today. #3 Admit Nothing (10-1) couldn’t make the front last out, but he almost wired the field three races ago and held second, and should make the rail and the lead against this bunch. #9 Whiskeyinthejaro (3-1) was scratched out of the $25,000 non-winners of three claiming race yesterday to run here. He exits the same race as Midnight Renegade, where he also showed little after chasing the pace while wide. Prior to that, he ran brisnet figures in the 80s in his last four starts.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-5-6

#4 Bee a Sky Beam (4-5) looked like much the best on paper last out, but got stuck behind loose leader Ifeelbadforyouson and proved unable to catch him. While he once again has superior figures to those of the others, this time he has the best early pace figures in the field as well. As such, the chance of him getting pace-compromised again is much less likely. #2 Long Astride (6-1) has closed well for second in each of his last two starts at Charles Town, with improved figures in the mid/upper-60s. He wasn’t as good here earlier in his career. Is he a Charles Town wonder, or in overall improved form? Today might tell us. #5 Blind Eye (3-1) was third behind Ifeelbadforyouson and Bee a Sky Beam last out, and showed some promise on dirt at Delaware Park last summer.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-3-5-4

#1 Ithinkiloveyou (8-5) and #3 Chardan (3-1) both made their first starts off long layoffs at this condition on January 24. Ithinkiloveyou showed speed on the rail and held in gamely, losing by less than a length. She worked a sharp five furlongs at Fair Hill last Friday (in company with the very nice older sprinter Cold Feet), and may take a big leap forward in this spot. Chardan rallied from off the pace and grabbed third, and has easily the best late pace figures in the race. She’ll hope Ithinkiloveyou gets steady pace pressure. #5 Sweet Distraction (8-1) has turned a corner in her last two starts at Parx, running back-to-back figures in the 70s. She’ll sit just off the pace and will get first crack if it melts down, putting her in position to pull off an upset.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

5-4-3-2

#5 Woohoo Jackie Blue (3-1) finished a chard-charging second to stablemate She’sarollingstone last out. That rival returned to finish a solid second against similar in her next outing. This one has good tactical speed, and was Jaime Rodriguez’s pick of two runners. #4 Coquito (5-2) has won three of her last four races in New York by open lengths, the only exception when she got caught very wide at Finger Lakes two starts back and stopped. While many of her recent races would win this, it’s worth noting that Rudy Rodriguez was 1-for-17 with his Maryland runners last year, and New York shippers tend to get overbet. #3 Popover Gal (5-1) went gate-to-wire to win over seven furlongs last out, and might be fast enough to get loose here as well.

RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (OPEN), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-7-3-6

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

#1 Tip Line (6-1) broke her maiden in impressive fashion on debut at Parx last October. She rated towards the back of the pack on the inside, lacked room on the turn, but shot clear once able to run and won going away with a 76. She finished up the track in her next three starts against stakes rivals (including in the Demoiselle!), but this looks like a much more realistic spot. #7 Malibu Hooch (3-1) chased gate-to-wire winner Safe Trust on a speed-biased track last out, but managed a determined second with an 82, her second consecutive improved figure. She was claimed out of that race by Hugh McMahon, who’s been having a solid meet, and should get a nice trip just off the leaders on the outside. #3 Shkhara Fire (5-2) didn’t enjoy the seven furlongs of the Wide Country Stakes last out, but she’s been in fantastic form at today’s distance.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

2-3-6-8

#2 Missy’s Map (3-1) swept to the front after a wide trip and pulled clear last out, but got outkicked by Tres Aires, who returned to win a $20,000 claiming contest on February 23. This one’s only bad recent race came when she was very wide going 1 1/16 miles two races back; her one-mile races have been very sharp. #3 Poor Mans Lady (5-2) has been in improved form between here and Penn National, and might find herself on the pace in a race without a lot of early speed. #6 Fur Elise (5-1) has been in some impossible spots in her career, but is working well for her first start since late December, adds Lasix, and drops in for a tag for the first time.

RACE 7: CONNIVER STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-RESTRICTED, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-9-10

Today’s first stakes event is named for the Maryland-bred 1948 champion older mare. #6 Spencer Tiara (9-2) has been a new horse since adding blinkers, having run an 87 in each of her last three starts. She raced on the pace last out, was forced to check on the far turn, but came again and finished a game second to odds-on choice Takethemoneyhoney. If Spencer Tiara wins this race, it would establish Takethemoneyhoney as a force to be reckoned with in the Mid-Atlantic this year. #3 Stickwiththecolors (9-2) has lasted through pace pressure to win back-to-back starts against allowance company, running a career-best 92 in her last start. She’ll have to deal with tougher rivals than what she’s been facing, but she’ll be able to get to the rail and the lead with a clean break, and will have every opportunity to lead all the way. #9 Spencerian (3-1) came up the rail to win the Politely Stakes two starts ago, then was third behind a pair of classy rivals in Ms. Bucchero and St. Benedict’s Prep in the What a Summer Stakes next out. She’s been working well, and should get a nice trip in the clear off the pace.

RACE 8: NOT FOR LOVE STAKES, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 6 FURLONGS

6-4-3-2

This contest is named in honor of the legendary Maryland stallion. #6 Speedyness (8-5) might want more distance than this (he’s done his best work at a mile and 1 1/16 miles), but he’s so much faster and better than these, it might not matter. He has by far the most early speed in the race, so as long as he breaks, he’ll make the front easily and run them off their feet. #4 Circle P (4-1) was no match for Quint’s Brew in his last two starts, but now gets some class relief. He’s also a proven commodity at this distance, having won twice in three starts at six panels. I don’t know if he can get past Speedyness, but he’ll run on well and likely get past the rest. #3 Freeze the Fire (15-1) had no shot last out considering the way the track was playing, but rallied for second behind Prince of Jericho in his prior start in the Fire Plug Stakes. With a fair track, he’ll rally for a share at good odds.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

2-3-7-1

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!