From 5-1/2 furlongs to 1-1/16 miles. That’s the ground handicappers will have to cover if they want to solve Laurel Park’s 50-cent Late Pick 4 wager this Friday, Dec. 16. Here’s a closer look at the action:

LRL 6th race (2:56 EST) -- JARDANI, unhurried after he spotted four rivals several lengths after a troubled break, ranged up quickly on the two favorites on the final turn. He won a stretch-long battle with the 4-to-5 pace setter to win off the Ness claim and is taken to repeat in an evenly-matched allowance field. If today’s solo play on the Pick 4 scratches as part of the 1 and 1A entry, use LATE NIGHT LARRY (#10) and MOSE PERFECT (#6) on the ticket. LATE NIGHT LARRY dueled hard as the favorite in his first start for the Russell barn but MOSE PERFECT, wearing blinkers for his first start at the distance, overcame early trouble and rallied to win in a race that timed 2/5 faster than JARDANI’S victory on the same card.

LRL 7th race (3:27 EST) -- HYDRA won three of her last four starts at 6F in New York by a combined 8-1/2 lengths but gave way readily as the favorite for $40,000 last out. SPICY MARGARITA fought gamely on short rest against Six O’Clock Sarah – a winner of three straight – and held second in a 10-horse field. With plenty of pace to run at, FACTORINTHEHEAT, who rallied for two wins in starter allowance company at Laurel Park last year, is a must use in the Pick 4 in her third start off a layoff. BEHIND THE COUCH projects an ideal stalking trip and is usable, too, with a 20-for-42 in-the-money mark.

LRL 8th race (3:58 EST) -- Five of the nine entrants in this Maryland-bred allowance arrive off victories and MY FLICKER came up a head short of four wins in a row. Most will carry more weight than ever before, so make it an ‘ALL’ punch.

LRL 9th race (4:29 EST) – UNION FLEET buried a suspect field two starts back but ran well on the class hike off the Farrior claim. He raced far back early on the muddy track, rallied 6-wide into a fast pace and got up for second behind $100k earner My Last Mission. BURGEE saved ground behind the dueling leaders, re-rallied after he was shuffled back on the final turn, but flattened out late after making a run at the 24-1 winner. SPEAK UNITY plays to a steady beat in main-track routes, but he has burned serious money since winning three of four dirt routes from July to September.

Suggested 50-cent Ticket

LRL 6th Race: 1
LRL 7th Race: 2, 4, 7, 8
LRL 8th Race: ALL
LRL 9th Race: 1, 2, 4

COST: $54