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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 — $12,102
Jackpot Super High 5 — $794
Late Pick 5 — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

5-7-2-6

The top three finishers in a 20,000 claiming contest on February 15 are back here. #5 Artillery Gunner (5-2) sat the trip off a duel and won going away with a career-best brisnet figure of 84, one of the few winners to come from off the pace that afternoon. He was claimed by Kieron Magee, who’s been having a very sharp meet, out of that race, and should enjoy another nice trip. #7 Tiny Lake (4-1) won on the pace two races ago, then got involved in the aforementioned duel last out and was second to Artillery Gunner. The draw doesn’t do him many favors, but he’s proven he can sit a wide trip just off the leaders and run well. #2 Buds Island (3-1) has won back-to-back starts going away at 1 1/16 miles with quickly improving form. We’ll see how he likes a shorter distance.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

5-1-3-7

#5 Bernie the Star (7-2) was entered and scratched on February 8, has worked since, and now returns here for his first outing since December 28. Last out, he led most of the way and held third behind Slam Notion, who has finished second in first-level races three times in a row, and next-out maiden winner Daring Venture. He has incredible early speed and should be several lengths in front at the stop of the stretch. From there, I’m not sure if anyone in here is good enough to catch him. The one with the best chance to do so is #1 Creed’s Vision (2-1). Based in New York for Tom Morley, this one takes the trip down I-95 every so often to take advantage of his Maryland-bred claiming exemption. He’s closed well in each of his three starts here, and may have at least been closer at the finish last out if he didn’t get blocked. That said, he may not have enough early speed to contend for the top slot at this distance. #3 Smuggler’s Gold (5-2) was fifth behind Creed’s Vision two races ago, then finished second to the impressive Panagiotis next out. That rival returned to win a first-level sprint at Penn National on Thursday as the 2-1 second choice.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-7-1-4

#3 Golden Aurora (5-2) may have won outright last out if Fitness didn’t carry her out several paths in the stretch. That rival was disqualified, elevating Golden Aurora to victory. The 81 she earned that day may be a bit inflated, but she’s still in sharp form and may improve further second off a brief layoff. #7 Star Venezuelan (6-1) recovered from a bad start to win from nowheresville two starts back, then finished a chasing third to Golden Aurora last out. A seven-furlong race with a decent pace setup might be just what she needs to run a peak effort. #1 Why Not Grace (10-1) has some speed from the inside for a sharp trainer/jockey combo in Mike Gorham and Raul Mena, and looks like a great longshot threat in a scattered bunch.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-4-5

This race starts the late pick 5. #3 In My Memories (9-5) went off favored in a first-level contest last Saturday, but broke slowly and lost all chance. She looks much faster than these on paper, and if she gets a loose lead, she might be unstoppable. #2 Sweet No No (3-1) crushed a soft maiden field last out, and now gets her class test first off the Kieron Magee claim. #4 Ade (5-1) rallied to win against easier as the favorite two starts ago, but was little factor against better after running into some traffic last out. With the exception of In My Memories, her rivals today might be a happy medium. She’s going second off the Rudy Sanchez-Salomon claim and keeps Tais Lyapustina aboard.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

4-1A-5-7

#4 Fun Lovin Criminal (9-2) was also elevated to victory via disqualification last out. He came from off of modest fractions to cross the wire second behind El de Larry, who was taken down for herding. This one was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior, and while he’s being stepped up in class, many of his recent races contend with these. #1A Group Ticket (9-5) chased his stablemate and got third last out at Parx, and has worked well since that January 12 effort. He’s part of a Jamie Ness-trained coupled entry; even if only one half runs, whichever half stays in would be a contender. #5 Fan Club (8-1) has been outrun and outkicked by well-meant Ness trainees in his last two starts. The same thing might happen here, but he has solid late speed and is a must-use for underneath spots.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-1-6

#5 Concrete Faze (8-5) has had the misfortune of getting stuck behind some very slow pace, but makes her first start off a Jamie Ness claim and takes what might be a class drop in real life, even if it isn’t one on paper. #2 Coal Mine (12-1) improved to a very solid 79 when third in her third start off the bench last out. She’ll at least rate a nice trip off of the speed, and might even find herself on the front end. #1 Viennese Waltz (8-1) faded after an overland trip last out, but ran a game second behind a the very speedy Lovely Charm in her prior race. There’s no one in here of Lovely Charm’s caliber, and this one will get a more ground-saving trip.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-6-5-4

#3 Classic Joke (4-1) showed plenty of promise early in his career. He broke his maiden in September of his 2-year-old season in what ended up being a salty maiden race, earning an 85. In his next start, six months later on the Tampa Bay Derby undercard, he won a first-level contest in gate-to-wire fashion with an 88. However, his season soon went off the rails, and Rick Sillaman sent him to the sidelines. In his first start off a six-month layoff last out, he was a game second to Suga Steve, who returned to handily win a first-level race on January 24. This one has lots of upside and looks ready to show it. #6 Sheriff Ronnie (8-5) has been in quickly improving form. He won two in a row at Penn National, then finished second to Worcester, who returned to finish third in the Stymie Stakes at Aqueduct. He looks like he’ll get a fantastic trip just off the pace a path or two of the rail. #5 Don’t Wait Up (5-1) didn’t do much first off a seven-week layoff and a voided claim last out . However, he won at this level a few starts back and has worked well since his last start for new trainer Ferris Allen.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-7-5-1

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