by Frank Carulli
March 28, 2024
March Madness isn’t over yet. Not on the basketball court or on the racetrack with 1/ST Technology’s “Bet $100, Get $20” promotion. Get in on the action by wagering $100 on the Laurel Park races this Friday, March 29, and you get a $20 bonus added to your account. Bet to win, bet exactas, be Pick 3’s, bet whatever suits you best. Here’s my picks and wagering strategy for the 10-race card that goes postward at 12:25 EST:
LRL Race 1 (12:25 p.m. EST) -- DASHING D’ARTAGNAN made a winning-type move at this distance with first-time Lasix but settled for second to razor sharp El de Larry (3-8, $56k) three starts back. He was compromised by a slow pace on the class hike to this level but should get ample pace-flow today to launch a contending rally at a good price. BRYSON’S OPTION found Lasix of little help, back-pedaling in a pair of higher-priced route races after his maiden score at 1-1/16 miles. But he has speed, faced eventual stakes-winning stablemate Speedyness two starts ago, then finished behind two next-out winners (with 70+ Beyer speed figures) in a $40,000 claimer.
1/ST Bets on Races 1 and 2
$5 daily doubles: 7-2, 7-4, 8-2, 8-4
LRL Race 2 (12:56 p.m. EST) -- CLAW finished second the last time he ran 5-1/2F under these conditions, leading between calls in late stretch before hard-hitting Savoy (10-35, $247k) prevailed in a triple key race. (Savoy won off the claim for $8,000 for the same barn). He was no match for $318k earner Up Against It in two follow-up starts at 6F, but he’s a good fit in this spot with blinkers on and a 5-pound apprentice aboard. SUNRISE JOURNEY is the one to beat for trainer David Jacobson, who stands 5-for-17 this year with horses who run for a 50-percent claiming tag drop. But 15 of those 17 runners were dismissed at 7-2 odds or less, so he offers little value.
1/ST Bets on Race 2
$15 win and place: #2 CLAW
LRL Race 9 (4:43 p.m. EST) -- WHATSYOURBIGIDEA handled her first ‘lead’ role in strong fashion last out at 7F. She sped clear, dug in when challenged at the 3/16th pole and finished third behind the two favorites, including Too Many Kisses, who came back to win in the $75,000 Conniver Stakes. She broke her maiden from off-the-pace at 5-1/2F and hails from the red-hot Kieron Magee barn.
1/ST Bets on Race 9
$26 win: #1 WHATSYOURBIGIDEA
LRL Race 10 (5:05 p.m. EST) -- Penn National invader BRIT’S CANDYMAN succumbed to a rapid pace and three-way duel in a three-peat attempt at 6F. There’s plenty of speed in this race, too, but the cutback to 5-1/2F suits him well. If the pace falls apart, AEQUOR is a late-running price play to consider if he fires his best shot off a five-month layoff, a live possibility considering his :36 bullet workout to get ready. ADDY’S LADDY T N T projects an ideal trip and continues to outrun his odds, as well, making him a solid complement on gimmick wager tickets.
1/ST Bets on Race 10
$4 exacta box: 2-5-6