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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 4-9) — $932
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $794
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

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

1-2-7-6

#1 Yodel E.A. Who (2-1) soundly beat a similar field in gate-to-wire fashion two starts back. While he couldn’t keep up with a fairly salty starter optional claiming group last out, he should fare much better against this friendlier bunch. #2 Martini Martin (10-1), once competitive against second and third-level types, found a hint of his best self last out. He closed from way out of it to beat conditioned claimers at Charles Town. That effort might go a ways towards waking him up, and he wouldn’t have to improve by much to beat Yodel E.A. Who. #7 Gambling Tzar (6-1) missed by less than a length to front-running Morning Thoughts last out. He might find himself in a similar spot here, closing for a minor share while Yodel E.A. Who cruises on the lead.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-1-2-4

#5 Main Line Cipher (1-1) cruised to a gate-to-wire win against a pair of next-out winners two starts ago at Charles Town. Arnaldo Bocachica, whose Maryland mounts are always money, comes in to ride this Anthony Farrior trainee. #1 Irish Hero (8-5) was scratched sick two Fridays ago, and now returns in an easier spot. He has blazing early speed, shouldn’t have much competition for the early lead, and is a serious threat to take them gate-to-wire. #2 Formal Affair (10-1) hasn’t done much in his last few starts, but he’s now cutting back in distance and racing for Benny Feliciano for the first time. He doesn’t have to improve by too much to get up for a small share.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $7,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-2-7-8

#1 Haleigh B (3-2) has won her last twos tarts here by open lengths. She should be able to make the lead from her rail draw, but she’s shown the ability to win from off the pace even if someone from her outside crosses and clears. #2 Fainor’s Filets (7-2) improved sharply to run a career-best brisnet figure of 80 last out, rallying from well out of it in a four-horse field and losing to odds-on choice R Averie Lynn by less than a length. She’s 1-for-2 at the distance; her only defeat going a mile came when she got cooked in a blazing early duel. #7 Genieinabridle (5-1) came up the inside to win against slightly lesser at six furlongs last out. She was a sick scratch from a Maryland-restricted contest a month ago, but has worked since then, and should show some solid late punch.

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

2-4-6-5

#2 Stronsino (2-1) has just missed in his last two starts in this level at Parx, including a defeat to stakes-placed Just Step on It in his most recent. He’s the only one in the field to run in the 90s in each of his last two races; in fact, only one of his opponents has run in the 90s once within their last two starts. #4 Derbyness (9-5) set the pace and got nosed out by Cap Com last out. That rival had been notorious for making late rallies that always came up short, but he was able to work his way past Derbyness. This one will almost certainly set the pace, but he’ll get swallowed up by Stronsino and round out the exacta, unless the track is very speed-favoring or he finds some heart he hasn’t previously displayed. #6 Brother Brad (12-1), much like his stablemate Gambling Tzar earlier in the program, has great late pace figures and can add some value to the trifecta.

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

2-1-4-7

LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE. CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS

#2 Autumn in Vermont (4-1) was fairly well-bet first off a nine-week break last out. While she couldn’t compete with 13-10 chalk Rapscallion, who looked much the best on paper, she ran on well and finished a clear-cut second. It wouldn’t be surprising to see her take another step forward here. #1 Lady Lemoncello (2-1) drops to this level for the first time, keeps Jaime Rodriguez aboard, and takes blinkers off. She didn’t do much first off a seven-month layoff last out, but turned in some promising efforts last spring. #4 She’s a Gem (10-1), the only first-time starter in the field, recently turned in a bullet workout for Claudio Gonzalez, and gets to face a soft bunch on debut. Fortunately, she’s in the first leg of the late pick 5, so watch the board. If she’s getting bet, include her on your ticket.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-8-1-2

#3 Docsgotallthecandy (6-1) and #8 Sir Mick (9-5) come out of the same race on February 15. Sir Mick took advantage of a rail and speed-favoring track to win in gate-to-wire fashion, while Docsgotallthecandy chased him and got second in a career-best effort. Sir Mick has enough speed that it’s possible he crosses and clears even on a fair strip, but with speed drawn to his inside, he might have a tougher time than last. That would set things up nicely for Docsgotallthecandy to turn the tables. #1 Freedom Stance (6-1) has solid closing speed and adds Lasix for his 3-year-old debut. He’s worked well over the past few weeks and may be in prime position to pull the upset.

RACE 7: BEYOND THE WIRE STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

1-2-3-4

#1 Central Casting (9-2) enters this race off a dominant win at 6 1/2 furlongs at Aqueduct last out. She set the pace that day and opened up under a drive, winning by 6 1/2 lengths with a career-best 91. No one in here has early pace figures nearly as good as hers, and Jaime Rodriguez is sure to be aggressive. #2 Ourdaydreaminggirl (8-1) is one of three in here coming out of the Wide Country Stakes. She checked leaving the chute and fell further behind than she might have liked, but closed well late and missed third by a neck. Her closing kick could be esepcially potent if she can stay somewhat close to the early pace. #3 Safe Trust (3-1)set the pace and held on for second last out, and has run very well in each of her last three tries. She has the ability to rate off the pace if she doesn’t want to duel with Central Casting.

RACE 8: PRIVATE TERMS STAKES, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

5-8-7-3

#5 Tony Eclipse (5-2) went off as the odds-on choice in the Spectacular Bid Stakes last out, off an impressive win in the Maryland Juvenile Stakes. He was badly hampered when a pacesetting Rick Dutrow trainee backed up in his face, costing him several lengths. He made up some ground once he got back in the clear, but by then, he had lost too much momentum and finished up the track. He’s a far better horse than that line would indicate, and will be very tough to beat if he stays in clear sailing. #8 Pay Billy (3-1) fought hard with Barbadian Runner in the Miracle Wood Stakes last out and lost by a nose, running in the 90s for the second consecutive race. He’s the only one in the field to run in the 90s in each of his last two starts. He’ll try to work out a trip in the clear on the outside. #7 Sacred Thunder (4-1) might have been best in the Spectacular Bid two races ago, but came up completely empty in the Miracle Wood last out. He’ll hope for a contested pace that will set up his closing run.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

6-1-5-2

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