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

Post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers: 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $2,347
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $1,962
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-4-7-3

#1 Mister Lincoln (7-5) broke his maiden in dominant gate-to-wire style at Penn National two races ago. Last out, he got caught up in a duel at Parx. He outfinished his dueling partner by 2 3/4 lengths, but was a well-beaten third behind a rival who sat a perfect trip. This looks like a drop in class, and he should handle these easily. A few of these come out of the same race at this condition on March 7, which was decided in a blanket finish. #4 Betta Go Go Go (6-1) showed early speed for the first time in a while last out, engaging the pace while wide and hanging around until late to lose by less than a length. His early pace figures aren’t good enough to go with the other pacesetters here, but he’s run his best races when he sits just off the leaders. #7 Bold Ambition (2-1)was well-bet at this level last out, but was knocked around at the start and didn’t do much. He was claimed out of that race by Brittany Russell. While the outside draw might be an impediment to his early speed plans, at least the risk of a slow start not of his doing is smaller.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-1-6-3

#2 Royal Whisper (3-1) won at this level in mid-December for off the pace, and gets to drop after facing some nice stakes horses in her previous few tries. She led almost the whole way in the one-mile Geisha Stakes last out, and without any confirmed early speed, Raul Mena might elect to be aggressive and try to take them gate-to-wire. #1 Peyton Elizabeth (6-5) is probably the best horse in the race on pure ability, having won three of her last four starts against similar in impressive fashion. However, she hasn’t raced since early August, and she’s done her best work at longer distances. Jamie Ness might see this race as a prep for longer spots down the road. She might be just so much better than these it won’t matter, but I’m wary of taking low odds. #6 Isabella’s Glory (8-1) will almost certainly linger far behind and make a big late rally. She managed to get up to win at six furlongs two starts ago, so her closing punch might be able to outweigh her complete lack of speed.

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

2-3-5-1

#2 Happy Hour Joker (2-1) went off as the 11-10 choice in a four-horse field first off a three-month break last out. She chased the pace and held on for second, running a career-best brisnet figure of 66. She has plenty of room to improve second off the bench. #3 Lass Sessnach (4-1) finished a nose behind Happy Hour Joker last out, in what was also her first race since early December. Her form isn’t as consistently solid as Happy Hour Joker’s, but she’s likely to be the better price of the two, and was Forest Boyce’s choice over a Tim Keefe trainee. Considering how much Boyce rides for Keefe, that’s a noteworthy choice. #5 Scholar (6-1) has some bullet workouts in her lines for Mike Trombetta at Fair Hill. While Trombetta doesn’t usually pop at first asking, this one doesn’t have to be a world-beater to win this contest.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $40,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

7-1-3-2

The big question of this race: how legit is the last race of #7 Lady Sriracha (9-2)? She made it two in a row at Aqueduct last out in a big effort. She wore down a pacesetting Jamie Ness-trained favorite in the last few jumps, winning by a neck with a career-best 90. However, she had never run faster than a 73 before. A repeat of her last race is good enough to win, but none of her other performances are. It appeared to be a legitimately solid effort, not aided by any bias, and she did show similarly good tactical speed to break her maiden two starts ago. It’s also encouraging that Parx-based Eliseo Ruiz, who rode her to victory in her last two tries, is back in for the mount. #1 Society Ball (8-1) tangled with better for most of last year, and now gets some class relief for her first start since late October. She might need a race, but she also has a high ceiling, being the only one in the race to run in the 80s twice within her last three efforts. I wouldn’t leave her off of pick 5 tickets. #3 Concrete Faze (5-2) has easily the best late pace figures in the race, but she’s also extremely pace-dependent. She gets class relief second off the Jamie Ness claim, and will be a threat with something to chase.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-7-4-5

#3 Arise My Love (5-1) gobbled up ground on debut, making up 16 lengths to grab second. She finished in between a pair of next-out winners. After showing nothing on debut, #7 Cross of Valor (4-1) stepped up her game big-time at second asking. She showed speed for the first time and held on for third while improving by 35 points. #4 Greatwhitefleet (7-2) has faced some well-regarded runners in her last few, including a fourth-place effort behind High Paf (who will get bet later on the card) and next-out winner Divine Works last out. This looks like an easier bunch than what she’s accustomed to facing.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-2-8-6

#5 Maximus Speed (5-2) dropped to this level for the first time last out, and turned in a gutsy effort on the lead. He dueled for the front and sent his dueling partner to a sound defeat, only to get caught by a rival who sat a great trip off the pace. He has by far the best early pace figures in the race, and should be able to take these gate-to-wire. #2 Silent Roar (4-1) has run back-to-back career tops, most recently running a 74 last out when setting the pace. He’s shown the ability to run well from off the pace as well, so he won’t have to engage with Maximus Speed. #8 Long Astride (10-1) broke his maiden at 15th asking last out, swooping a soft maiden claiming field to win going away. This is definitely a tougher bunch, but he still might be able to make an impact and round out the exotics at a good price.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-3-8

#1 Shkhara Fire (5-2) has run at least an 85 in each of her last four tries at six furlongs or shorter. She’s run into some tough rivals in that stretch, but now gets some class relief, dropping into a race where no one’s run an 85 at any point. While some of these have potential and could jump up, she’s already proven that she can run a winning race. If Greatwhitefleet wins race 5, it would flatter #5 High Paf (3-1). She beat that rival at first asking last out, coming from off the pace to win in the last jump with an 82. This one has worked since, and could get a nice trip in a race with lots of speed on paper. #3 Youmakemecharlie (8-1) ran a 77 twice last year as a 2-year-old, turning in promising efforts both here and at Colonial Downs before going to the sidelines. She returns here and adds Lasix for Mike Trombetta, and would also take advantage of a contested pace if it develops.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4, 5, AND 6-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-1A-7

#3 Hallelujah Harris (2-1) has run in the 70s three times in his last four starts, and has the best late pace figures in the race. This looks like a great spot for him to finally get it done at 15th asking. #2 Uncle Grey (9-2) was visually unimpressive against better last out, but still ran a career-best 71, and now gets to drop from the $25,000 level. #1A A B C Ya (3-1) was third against a worse field at this level first off a three-month layoff last out. He loves to get checks at this level, but hasn’t run a race that beats Hallelujah Harris’s best in a while, so I’m not sure about him as a win proposition.

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