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) — $2,634
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6)— $670
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

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RACE 1: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-6-9-5

#2 Town’s Warrior (5-1) has run well in his last two starts at Penn National, showing different dimensions both times. He gets some class relief from the starter optional claiming level, and will be a serious factor with the right trip. #6 Parkerness (7-2) battled on the lead throughout and held second in his first start off a four-month break last out. There is some speed to his outside, but that rival, a second-place effort at 41-1 last out notwithstanding, tends to quit quickly. This one should get to the rail and the lead and enjoy a relatively easy lead. #9 Banditsgoldenchild (3-1) ran against better non-winners of three rivals two races back, and held third after racing on the pace, while the other two early leaders finished up the track. He drops in class for his first start since a runner-up effort at Charles Town in early February.

RACE 2: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

1-2-6-3

It’s no secret that Brittany Russell is very sharp with her first-time starters; she’s 5-for-8 with them at Laurel Park this year. She’s sending one out here, in #1 Devilish One (4-1). She gets to debut in a largely uninspiring field, where only one horse has run in the 70s this year, and three others are also first-timers. Among the ones with experience, #2 Frosted Dreams (5-2) looks the most promising. She debuted on the Virginia Derby day undercard in a race that Brad Cox won with a 2-5 Gulfstream Park shipper. This one was forced to check in the midst of a move on the turn, and while she was no match for the winner, she ran on well and earned a respectable 76. As long as she doesn’t regress, she has a chance to pull off a modest upset. The other Russell trainee, #6 Grayson’s Girl (9-5), hasn’t raced since July 21, when she closed well and lost by a head. She’s worked well since joining the worktab in mid-February, and while Sheldon was named on Devilish One, Grayson’s Girl gets Russell’s more-than-capable second-call rider, Jevian Toledo.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-1-3-6

#4 Bold Ambition (5-2) made his first start off the Brittany Russell claim last out, and crushed a non-winners of two field, sitting a great trip off the pace and kicking away. There’s a lot of cheap speed in here that should give him another ideal setup. You might not cash if you bet #1 Win No Joke (5-1), but you’ll certainly get a thrill for your money. In his last four starts, he’s won once and finished second three times, putting in strong late rallies each time. He’ll likely sit in last place or close to it early on, and runs the risk of Bold Ambition getting the jump on him. Still, he’s definitely worth using in the verticals. #3 Uniwinner (15-1) got up to win in his last start on this track in late December. While he was visually unimpressive last out at Penn National, he still ran a respectable 77, and might’ve needed the race first off the layoff.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

9-1-5-6

#9 Fainor’s Filets (9-2) stormed from last to win going away against softer last out with a career-best 92. She’s coming back off a seven-day break, but she’s run well on such short rest before, and is coming into this class test in overall improved form. #1 R Averie Lynn (3-1) defeated Fainor’s Filets last out, albeit in a four-horse field. This classy, speedy mare has won her last two starts showing a new dimension, coming from off the pace to win both of those events. In this race, there’s only one rival with comparable early pace figures, so Jaime Rodriguez can send her to the front and get a fairly easy lead if he wants. #5 Hateful (5-1) ran a career-best 81 in a near-miss second last out. She rallied four-wide while the winner set an uncontested pace towards the rail. She’ll be heard from late, especially if R Averie Lynn gets challenged on the lead.

RACE 5: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-6-4-2

#3 Agreed (5-2), a Mike Repole homebred, is another promising first-timer for Brittany Russell. Unlike many of the horses Russell trains for Repole, this one started off with her string, recording his first workout in mid-January. His last two drills have been especially sharp. In his last drill on April 5 at Fair Hill, he outworked stakes winners Witty, Cap Classique, and Hollywood Walk, and was only a fifth of a second slower than Post Time. Like his stablemate Devilish One, he doesn’t have anyone to be scared of at first asking. #6 Summerinthecountry (9-2) crossed the wire first against Virginia-restricted maidens at Colonial last out, but was disqualified after the fact. He has good tactical speed, has run well in both starts off a five-month layoff, and gets the red-hot apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood in the saddle. #4 Bernie the Star (4-1) has set long, uncontested leads in his last few starts, but has faded in the stretch and held on for a share every time. He ran a career-best 78 last out first off a ten-week layoff, and has every right to take another step forward and run them off their feet.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-8-5-2

#4 Dolice Vita (8-1) won twice against $12,500 starter optional claiming rivals to begin his season, then finished third at 1 1/16 miles behind El de Larry and Fun Lovin Criminal last out. Although this is a step up in class on paper, there’s no one in here of those rivals’ caliber, and he’s cutting back from 1 1/8 miles. #8 Group Ticket (4-1) faded after a wide trip last out, but ran well against better in other recent starts, including a career-best 92 two races back. Jaime Rodriguez should be able to work out a better trip this time. #5 Magic Spin (5-1) has been in improved form against these types, and now gets his distance test as he travels beyond seven furlongs for the first time.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-8-3

#7 Murray (4-1) has been knocking on the door against these types over the past year without breaking through. He put in a great workout at Parx in late March, his first timed drill since joining the Jamie Ness barn, and should run an improved race in his first start for that outfit. DEA Thoroughbred Racing gave his horses to Ness about a month ago, and Ness has done good work with them, winning at a 5-for-12 clip. #5 On the Mark (6-1) was third to Rominski and No Easy Days last out, and now gets major class relief compared to facing those two. He’s run at least a 94 in each of his last two starts. The only others to do so, No Cents and Bartlett (who is cross-entered tomorrow), haven’t raced this year. #8 Sheriff Ronnie (9-2) has won three of his last four races, with his only defeat coming at the hands of Worcester, who will compete in tomorrow’s Frank Whiteley Stakes. He should get a nice trip in the clear just off the pace.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-1-3

I’ll go back to the well of #4 Ithinkiloveyou (7-5), even though she’s shown speed and faded at low odds in each of her two starts this year. She has SO much early speed, and this field is WAY softer than her prior two races. If she’s EVER going to take a field gate-to-wire, it’s this one, no? #6 Margarita Daze (8-5) was completely dead on the board on debut at Fair Grounds, and ran like it, losing by 27 lengths. She’s worked well since arriving at Brittany Russell’s Fair Hill base, and has a shot to wake up against this easier field. #1 Regal Miss Lily (15-1) looks the best of the three first-time starters in the field. She’s worked well at Flint Stites’ Penn National base, and is by Great Notion, whose progeny tend to do well at first asking.

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