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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 (races 4-9) — $1,477
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,624
Late Pick 5 (races 5-9) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

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

5-2-8-3

#5 Bad Temper (5-2) and #2 Levisa (9-5) come out of the same race at this condition on March 1. Levisa looked like the dominant speed on paper that day and ran like it, opening up a long early lead. However, Bad Temper rallied well and beat her for second by a neck. A similar situation is likely to play out here, where Levisa zooms to the lead and Bad Temper times her move just right to win it. #8 Hateful (4-1) won a nosebob photo second off a three-month layoff last out. Charles Town-based Denis Araujo, who rode her to victory last time, comes back for one of only two mounts on the program. This one should also pack some late kick.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

5-4-3-2

#5 Tuff Luck (2-1) closed well to break his maiden at fifth asking last out, getting up over Aikman’s Audible, who won next out as the favorite. This one ran a brisnet figure of 74 that day, the best last-out mark in the race by 12 points, and will be hard to hold off as long as the early pace isn’t excruciatingly slow. #4 Millibar (9-5) came from just off the pace to break his maiden two starts ago at Penn National, and looks for a rebound after being eased in his last try. #3 It’s Not Over Yet (4-1) went gate-to-wire to win at Finger Lakes two weeks ago. He faded after showing speed going six furlongs at Penn National first off the bench, but this condition and distance looks more like his speed.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-9-3-6

#2 El De Larry (5-2) crossed the wire first against a better field at this condition last out, but was disqualified for drifting. He now takes what’s, in reality, a softer group, and looks to sneak away on the lead and last this time. #9 Everett’s Song (7-2) has won three in a row since coming back from a year-plus break in early December, and looks primed to get a great trip sitting in the clear near El De Larry. #3 Bode’s Maker (5-2) returns to the Jamie Ness barn for his first start since August 1. He faced better for most of last year, and has plenty of backclass and late speed, but he might need a race off such a long respite. The board might tell the story with him.

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

6-7-4-1

#6 She’sarollingstone (9-5) chased her stablemate and got second first off a two-month layoff last out. She ran in the 80s steadily last year, and if she can get back to that form and improve off the 75 she earned last out, she’ll be very tough. #7 Mavilus (7-2) takes a drop in class after facing tough allowance foes and stakes rivals in her last few starts. She’ll try to stay close to the pace and work out a trip from which she can best display her closing kick. #4 Sadie the Goat (5-1) lures the ever-dangerous Arnaldo Bocachica in for the mount, and looks like the main speed of the field. She crushed a first-level field at Charles Town last out first off the Anthony Farrior claim, and has previously run well here against softer.

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

3-9-5-6

#3 Miss Serafina (7-2) got bet on debut, going off as the 2-1 second choice as one of two first-time starters in the field. The 13-10 favorite, Diane Lee, broke on top and obliterated the field, but Miss Serafina held sway over the others and finished second with a respectable 56. She’s making her second start in a larger, but still formless, bunch, and should be even tougher here. #9 Map to the Moon (10-1) was in improving form towards the end of her 2-year-old season, and now adds Lasix for her first start since late August. She’s worked consistently since early March, and looks like an interesting longshot possibility in this group. #5 She Be Hoppin (12-1) has worked well over the past few weeks for Claudio Gonzalez, and appears to be the most interesting of the five first-time starters.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

3-1-2-7

#3 Just a Fair Shake (9-2) ran in the 80s twice as a 2-year-old last year, including a solid third-place finish in the Laurel Futurity. He had a blazing bullet workout on March 15, going four furlongs in 48 4/5, tied for the fastest of 50 workers, including some nice older horses. He looks ready to fire a big effort first off the bench. #1 Top Blood (8-1) won at this level in an 18-1 upset last out, coming from off the pace and kicking on to win under Denis Araujo, who is back in for the ride. It was a bit of an outlier effort compared to the rest of his races, but 3-year-olds can take a big step forward at this time of year. A repeat of that effort wouldn’t be a big surprise. #2 Derz Smart (12-1) crushed an easy maiden field last out for Brittany Russell, and now makes his first start for Mike Trombetta. He has plenty of upside and might get a nice trip sitting just off the leaders on the rail.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-1-6-3

Many of these come out of the same race at this condition on February 23. #2 Haileysfirstnotion (8-5), making his first start off an eight-month layoff, made what looked like a promising move in the stretch, but flattened out. He showed plenty of promise as a 3-year-old last year, and looks ready to round back into his best self second off the bench. #1 Heard On Thestreet (5-1) checked up the backstretch in that race, lost a few lengths, and never got involved once clear. He ran in the 90s consistently prior to that race, so the upside is very high. #6 Elvis Himself (7-5) has opened up a long early lead and gotten caught in each of his last two starts. He once again profiles as the main speed; we’ll see if he’s able to finish the job this time.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-3-1-7

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

8-2-5-6

#8 Mor Mor Mor (9-5) went off favored against better non-winners of three rivals last out, but faded after getting pace pressure. She’s taking a big drop in class here, and should be able to cross and clear to the front from the outside and win easily. #2 Shining Spirit (2-1) has run in the 70s in each of her last three starts, giving her the best figures of everyone in here except Mor Mor Mor, and will likely sit off the pace towards the inside and hope that leader falters. #5 Maddie Ten (3-1) just missed at this level last out in a much-improved effort. She’s bound to make a big middle move, fall flat, and hang on for a small share.

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