Laurel Park Picks for Thursday, May 14:
HORSING AROUND: After a few days away from the ponies with friends and family, it’s great to be back on horseback. With the Preakness Stakes (at Laurel Park in Baltimore, MD) on the horizon, Mr. Ed thought a few days handicapping the track ahead of the BIG race on Saturday could prove beneficial. Today’s lackluster card offers zero insight. However, Friday’s loaded 14-race program, headlined by the $300K G2 Back-Eyed Stakes for 3YO fillies, is a bonanza of action for all VSiN horseplayers. So, let’s get on with today’s disappointment, and get an early start on tomorrow’s super card, followed by Saturday’s stakes-filled day of Triple quality racing. Here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s top picks for Thursday. With rainy skies expected, the first of nine races goes to post at 12 p.m. ET/9 a.m. PT.
Mr. Ed’s Laurel Park Picks for Thursday, 5/14
Race 2 (12:29 p.m. ET/9:29 a.m. PT) — $35K STARTER ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s first play of the day is expensive #3 LANNISTER (7-2 morning line) for local connections of Jonathan Maldonado and hot-shot jock Jevian Toledo cutting back to a sprint.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 3 (12:58 p.m. ET/9:58 a.m. PT) — $37K MAIDEN CLAIMING for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16-mile on the grass
Stretching out from a series of sprints, overdue #11 CHRISTMAS JONES (5-1 morning line) gets Lasix and a big rider upgrade to Paco Lopez. Keri Brion trains. It’s a merry Christmas for followers.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 4 (1:27 p.m. ET/10:27 a.m. PT) — $47K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Uo going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s “watch list” trainer, Whit Beckman, sends out #5 BEAUXBATONS (5-2 morning line) for career debut with Martin Chuan riding. Series of works indicates the coed is ready to run.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 to Win & Place. ($10)
Race 5 (1:56 p.m. ET/10:56 a.m. PT) — $29K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed’s SHOT OF THE DAY is expensive #10 FULLY BOOKED (8-1 morning line). Colt returns to turf after a 90-day break for trainer Amelia Green with Jevian Toledo aboard. Mr. Ed likes the book, trainer and jockey.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)
Race 6 (2:26 p.m. ET/11:26 a.m. PT) — $49K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & Up going a mile on the grass
Mr. Ed’s #12 DRILLING FOR GOLD (9-2 morning line) for star trainer Brittany Russell with husband Sheldon riding. The top-dollar gelding should best this weak field.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)
Race 7 (2:58 p.m. ET/11:58 a.m. PT) — $49K OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed’s BEST BET is #4 WONDER MIST (2-1 morning line) for the super combo of Wesley Ward and Paco Lopez. Sharp sophomore has won two of four starts vs. tougher.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)
Race 8 (3:28 p.m. ET/12:28 p.m. PT) — $49K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
Mr. Ed is betting on two of three to get the job done: #4 OUTDOOR CAT (6-1 morning line) with Paco Lopez up; #5 PACO (no relation) THE TACO MAN (3-1) for top trainer Jamie Ness, and #6 ROGER ROGER (3-1) for the team of Amelia Green and Jevian Toledo.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box of 4,5,6. ($30)
TOTAL WAGERS: $110
BONUS PGA PICKS
- Koepka
- Reed
- Spaun
BLACK-EYED SUSAN DAY AT LAUREL: Lots of high-class stakes racing on tap Friday in Baltimore! The action begins with Race 8, The $150K G3 Miss Preakness Stakes, at 3:20 p.m. ET/12:20 p.m. PT and concludes with the aforementioned $300K G2 Black-Eyed Susan at around 6:20 p.m. ET/3:20 p.m. PT. The remainder of the 14-race card is chock full of quality allowance, claiming and maiden contests. Many of the game’s top names — from Asmussen through Velasquez — are scheduled to compete both Friday and Saturday. First post is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT. While showers are predicted, the forecast is for FAST & FIRM conditions. Mr. Ed will be here on VSiN with his picks.
