John Piassek
April 3, 2022
In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…
Post time: 12:40 p.m.
Carryovers: Rainbow Jackpot Pick 6 — $874 Super High 5 — $0 Late Pick 5 — $0
Check out our other handicapping here!
RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES
5-1-3-4
We’ve got eight races on the schedule for today’s card. #5 Stacks of Silver (8/5) has shown speed and gotten caught late in his last few races. He now goes third off the layoff and faces a field where no one can run with him early. #1 Continentalcongres (2/1) made a decent rally to finish a clear-cut second last out, his first local start after some tries in New York. He loves finishing second and third, and can earn one of those spots if Stacks of Silver gets away early. #3 Blameitonthefun (10/1) has slowly improved in his last few starts, peaking at a 73 brisnet figure in his last start. Should hang around for a piece at decent odds.
RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
2-1-6-3
#2 Dat Deres Gold (9/2) was a bit further off the pace than she might’ve wanted to be last out, but she made good ground in the stretch and got second behind the very impressive winner, Blue Sky Venezuela. It was as good of a closing rally as she’s shown in recent times. #1 Calypso Ghost (2/1) got caught for second by Dat Deres Gold in her last start. She’ll make her second start for the Anthony Farrior barn and has blazing early speed and a good post. #6 Jeanie’s Angel (9/2) will press Calypso Ghost from the outside and will try to improve off a tough trip at Charles Town last out.
RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
8-3-1-6
The rainbow pick 6 starts here. #8 Winston’s Gold (9/5) has an 0-for-7 career mark, which is never great, but he’s facing a very inexperienced field and drops from the $25,000 level. He ran a game race on the lead last out before fading in the last eighth. #3 Big Daddy D (5/2) and #1 Gerrys Gem (6/1) are the most interesting of the five first-time starters in here. The former races for the Jerry Robb/Xavier Perez duo and has had some good drills since returning to the worktab in mid-February. The latter has back-to-back bullet drills at Pimlico in his lines. It’ll be interesting to see if he gets bet off his 6/1 morning line.
RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS
4-3-6-1
This race starts the late pick 5, and it features a horse almost everyone will single. #4 Tate (1/1) has lost his last three starts by less than a length, running no worse than an 88 in each of those races. He’s made menacing moves and flattened out in each of those starts, which is a bit ominous. However, his figures are so vastly superior to those of the others, it might not matter. #3 What Does It Take (5/2) burst through and drew off in his maiden-breaking score last out, and goes first off the claim for Kieron Magee. He’s a bit inexperienced compared to the others, but he has a lot of potential. #6 Wicked Prankster (6/1) ran a game race on the lead in his first start off the layoff and should be a threat on the lead once again.
RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES
5-9-2-3
#5 Remembering Wilbur (5/2) has finished second in each of his three starts, closing in the stretch after rating far from the early pace each time. More distance might be what he needs. #9 Scintillio (4/1) has also run in the 70s in four straight starts and goes third off the layoff. He held in well going a mile for the first time last out, but didn’t have much of a winning punch. #2 Coastal Chaos (8/1) prefers two turns and was a solid second after setting the pace last out.
RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
8-6-4-1A
A very fun allowance field lines up here. #8 Eastern Bay (7/2) ran a huge race first off the layoff, stalking the pace and crushing a starter optional claiming group with a figure of 94. Should keep moving forward with the race under his belt. #6 Nottoway (5/1) has lots of early speed and some wins at this level, but hasn’t raced since May. He should impact the early pace, but we’ll see how the long layoff impacts him. Recent workouts have been sharp. #4 Going to the Lead (4/1) has won three in a row and is two photo finishes away from a five-race winning streak. He should be able to get to the lead and the rail, and if Nottoway doesn’t fire first off the bench, all the better.
RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE
5-4-1-2
#5 Rough Sea (3/1) hasn’t run many bad races lately, and is coming off a second-place effort at this level where he was wide throughout. He’s run at least an 86 in four of his last five races. #4 Halite (5/1) takes a slight drop in class and has great late pace figures. He won at this condition in January at 16/1, and did so with a dramatic late move that he’ll have to duplicate to win this race. #1 Clubman (5/2) goes second off the claim for Jamie Ness and closed well off a slow pace last out.
RACE 8: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES
3-1-2-5
#3 Ice Rain (9/5) has been rounding into his best form lately and has good tactical speed. He almost won two starts back but drifted out. #1 Millean (5/1) goes second off the layoff and ships here after a dull effort in New York last out. He’ll also try to sit the trip. #2 Dejohn (3/1) tends to show speed and fade but should hang around for a piece.