LAUREL PARK PICKS AND PONDERINGS: june 22, 2024

It’s a Buster Poindexter type of day: hot, hot, hot. We’ll have accelerated post times all day long.

Laurel Park Picks and Ponderings: June 22, 2024

RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 FURLONGS

It’s a Buster Poindexter type of day: hot, hot, hot. We’ll have accelerated post times all day long.

5-6-1-2

#5 Thunder in Paris (5-2) and #1 Pure Majestic (3-1) are both coming out of the third race at Pimlico on May 25. Thunder in Paris didn’t get much wagering action on debut, but she closed strongly late after kicking off the rail late, and lost by a neck. Pure Majestic, sent off favored, improved sharply second time out, but just missed and got caught late by Thunder in Paris despite getting a front-running target to run at. She has to be respected, but she has the vibes of a horse who will always take money and always fall just short. Sandwiched in between those two for me is #6 Sharedeshenanigans (2-1), the first foal out of future Maryland-bred Hall of Famer Sharing. She’s worked well for Graham Motion as she prepares for her debut, but it is interesting that Motion would debut her here in a five-furlong contest, rather than wait for a spot at Colonial Downs or Saratoga. It’s not impossible that he thinks of this race as a prep, rather than a race she must win. The board might tell the story with her.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

Momentous Miss (4-1) makes her first start since October 27, where she loomed large in the stretch but ultimately did no better than fourth. She ran brisnet figures in the mid/upper-70s consistently last year, including a big race at Colonial last July where she lost by less than a length first off a near-two year layoff. That gives me confidence she’ll be ready to roll today despite the break.

6-15-2-4

#15 Atmidnight (5-2) takes a big drop in class from first-level foes, against whom she’s generally run big figures, but not good enough to compete with the rivals she’s been facing. She should be able to make up plenty of ground against these. #2 Momma’s Lino (2-1) made her grass debut over 1 1/16 miles last out, and led most of the way while being pressed through honest fractions, ultimately ending up second behind trip-sitting Catch the Kitten. She’ll be a serious threat on the lead once again in this spot.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $30,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

#1 Maclin (2-1) ships back here for Steve Klesaris, having spent most of his career in Florida. He won two in a row at Gulfstream Park this sprint with stalk-and-pounce trips, but was no factor in his first start at this level last out after a rough break, even though he matched his career-best 85. Jaime Rodriguez gets the call for the first time, and he should work out a great trip.

1-6-7-5

#6 Dance for Green (5-2) was pressed on the pace and drew off in each of his last two races. The track was playing toward speed yesterday; if it does so again, he could prove tough to catch. His most serious competition on the lead may come from his direct outside in #7 Find Faith (9-2), who led most of the way last out, but tired and settled for third. That was the first time he showed speed in a while, after showing it plenty of times in the early stages of his career. We’ll see if Jean Alvelo is able to put him into play early.

RACE 4: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

#2 Play Like a Raven (7-5) went off as the 2-1 third choice on debut at Delaware Park last August, and ran a big race on the lead, battling on the pace and holding third behind the two chalks. He returned to the worktab in mid-April for Brittany Russell, has had three bullet drills within his last seven, and faces a fairly easy field in his return.

2-1-5-4

#1 Skylar’s Brother (3-1) improved to a 75 at second asking last out, making a bold move to