Laurel Park Picks: Saturday, December 23, 2023 Stakes Analysis

Laurel Park hosts a stakes quartet on Saturday. Check out our Laurel Park picks for the Saturday racing action from Maryland.

Full Card Analysis

Laurel Park Picks – Race 1

Post: 12:25 PM ET; $52k Maiden Special Weight going 7 f on dirt; Entries: 7

• #4 RILEY G (1-2) gets the top selection. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Will run for the combination of Russell and Toledo.
• #1 PRINCESS CAIRO (9-2) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Has been solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one.
• #6 FLOWERDEW (5-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Will run for the combination of Gaudet and Rodriguez.
• #7 CONCEPTUALIZE (6-1) seems to be running for the minor placings in this contest.

Selections: 4 – 1 – 6 – 7

Laurel Park Picks – Race 2

Post: 12:52 PM ET; $40k Starter Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #1 MYSTIC SEAPORT (9-5) gets the top selection. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #2 POGGIBONSI (10-1) is a price horse and is a major player. Comes into the race in really good form. Likely part of the early pace.
• #1A KNOWING GLANCE (9-5) will be competitive. Proven to handle these conditions. Will run for the combination of Ness and Rodriguez.
• #7 BRZINA (6-1) will be competitive. Likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.

Selections: 1 – 2 – 10 – 7

Laurel Park Picks – Race 3

Post: 1:19 PM ET; $25k Maiden Claiming going 1 m on dirt; Entries: 12

• #2 MINIMO (6-1) gets the best bet of the card for the sheer value of the play. These are unproven runners and this one has been running against decent company. Will be rolling late with a good closing kick. Bet the best bet of the card at BetDSI.
• #1 EL DE LARRY (7-2) will be competitive. Proven to handle these conditions. Will run for the combination of Machado and Barbosa.
• #11 SIMON’S CHOICE (30-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Makes sense on speed figures.
• #12 WHATAHARDMANFIDEAD (8-1) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. The class of the field. Goes out for the Mohan barn.

Selections: 2 – 1 – 11 – 12

Laurel Park Picks – Race 4

Post: 1:49 PM ET; $100k Willa On the Move S. going 6 1/2 f on dirt; Entries: 6

• #5 HEADLAND (1-1) gets the top selection. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end. Really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one.
• #6 APPLE PICKER (7-5) is a major player. Likely to be in the first flight of runners and should be in with a chance late. Solid early pace figures.
• #3 I’M GITTIN THERE (30-1) is a price horse and isn’t without hope. The class of the field.
• #2 MOODY WOMAN (9-2) is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Been running against decent company.

Selections: 5 – 6 – 3 – 2

Laurel Park Picks – Race 5

Post: 2:19 PM ET; $54k Allowance Optional Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 10

• #4 BEACHFRONT BREEZE (8-1) gets the top selection. Has the top overall power rating in the group. Likely to be part of the early pace which can be ideal for an upset victory. Bet the longshot play of the card at BetUS.
• #2 DISCREET OPS (2-1) should improve off the first start and is a major player. Runs races good enough to beat this group. The top overall power rating.
• #3 SHARP EYES (12-1) is a price horse and is a major player in this race.
• #5 MUCHO TIGGER (12-1) is a price horse and is a major player. Makes sense on speed figures. Likely to be part of the early pace.

Selections: 4 – 2 – 3 – 5

Laurel Park Picks – Race 6

Post: 2:49 PM ET; $100k Dave’s Friend S. going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 12

• #1 DOLLARIZATION (20-1) is a price horse and gets the top selection. Projects to sit mid-pack and come with one run. Will run for the combination of Kreiser and Rodriguez.
• #10 GREELEY AND BEN (12-1) is a price horse and is a major player. The class of the field. A dangerous threat to get loose on the front end.
• #3 HE’SMYHONEYBADGER (12-1) is a price horse and is a major player. Solid early pace figures. Likely to be near the front end throughout the run.
• #11 FACTOR IT IN (6-1) is a major player. Makes sense on speed figures. A good bet to hit the board.

Selections: 1 – 10 – 3 – 11

Laurel Park Picks – Race 7

Post: 3:19 PM ET; $100k Carousel S. going 1 1/8 m on dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 WARRIOR’S RANSOM (7-2) gets the top selection. Runs races good enough to beat this group.
• #1 SADDLE UP JESSIE (8-5) will be competitive. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Solid early pace figures.
• #2 HYBRID ECLIPSE (7-5) will be competitive. Really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one here. Shouldn’t have trouble with the distance.
• #5 PEYTON ELIZABETH (30-1) is a price horse and is probably best to put underneath on most tickets. Solid early pace figures. Proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.

Selections: 3 – 1 – 2 – 5

Laurel Park Picks – Race 8

Post: 3:49 PM ET; $100k Robert T. Manfuso S. going 1 1/16 m on dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 OFFALY COOL (2-1) gets the top selection. Has tactical speed and can sit just off the leaders for a stalk and pounce trip. The top overall power rating.
• #6 KINETIC SKY (3-1) is a major player. Runs races good enough to beat this group. Really solid in recent starts and should be ready to run a big one.
• #1 DOUBLE CROWN (20-1) is a price horse and is a major player. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run. Makes sense on speed figures.
• #7 BE BETTER (5-2) is a major player. Runs really consistent pace figures. Should work well in a moderately paced race.

Selections: 2 – 6 – 1 – 7

Laurel Park Picks – Race 9

Post: 4:19 PM ET; $36k Maiden Claiming going 6 f on dirt; Entries: 8

• #5 GET LOADED (8-1) gets the top selection. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run. Will run for the combination of Lucas and Beato.
• #8 TITIAN TYRANT (7-2) gets the top selection. Has proven to handle these conditions in previous starts.
• #3 LITTLE BABY GIRL (2-1) is a major player. Will be rolling late with a good closing kick. Will run for the combination of Howard and Rodriguez.
• #7 FINALJUMP (10-1) is a price horse and is a major player. Will likely have a lot to do in the lane but could get up with a competitive run. Makes sense on speed figures.

Selections: 5 – 8 – 3 – 7

Betting News Horse Racing Coverage

Betting News provides AI generated handicapping tools for all of the major tracks around the country each and every day.

In addition, Betting News will continue to provide in depth analysis of select racing cards throughout the week.

Saturday

• Fair Grounds Picks featuring 8 listed stakes races.
• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the Grade 3 Mr. Prospector and Grade 3 Sugar Swirl.
• Laurel Park Picks featuring 4 listed stakes races.

Sunday

• Gulfstream Park Picks featuring the rescheduled H. Allen Jerkins Stakes.

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