Laurel Park Horse Racing Picks and Predictions for Friday, May 15

Laurel Park Picks for Friday, May 15:

HORSING AROUND: Thursday’s program at Laurel Park started out with an awful card, and proceeded to go from bad to worse when officials closed the turf course, causing several scratches. Mr. Ed decided to take a nap. Upon awakening, around post time for Race 8, the only thing he missed were all his picks up until then. His day was saved when he hit the $5 exacta for $64.50. When all was said and run, only a pair of trainers, Jamie Ness and Robert Bailes, had two winners, and all nine races were won by nine different riders. At the windows, a $2 Win ticket returned an average of $7.50. Don’t despair! The upcoming cards are loaded with very playable stakes races. A betting tip for Friday and Saturday: Do not overlook the trainer-jockey couple of Mrs. Brittany and Mr. Sheldon Russell. They own the track when the big boys and girls are away and can compete with the best.

IT’S BLACK-EYED SUSAN DAY: Today is one of a dozen or so great days in American racing, whether at its temporary home, Laurel Park, or at Pimlico Race Course. While the historic $300K G2 BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES for 3YO fillies highlights today’s 14-race card, horseplayers also will be treated to four other excellent stakes as well as a challenging group of allowance, claiming and maiden contests. To help get your juices flowing prior to the first post at 11:30 a.m. ET/8:30 a.m. PT, here’s a look at Mr. Ed’s exclusive VSiN selections.

Mr. Ed’s Laurel Park Picks for Friday, 5/15

Race 1 — $41K MAIDEN CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 6 furlongs
To kickoff the card, Mr. Ed likes either of two to capture the initial leg of the early DD: #6 J C’s BOYS (7-2 morning line) for local trainer Robert Bailes with Jevian Toledo riding, and #8 BOLD FACT (5-1), a gelded son of Curlin, trained by savvy Brittany Russell, with nation’s top rider Irad Ortiz, Jr. 
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 Daily Doubles of 6,8/2,11. ($20)

Race 2 (12:03 p.m. ET/9:03 a.m. PT) — $54K ALLOWANCE for 3YOs going 5½ furlongs on the turf
To complete the DD, Mr. Ed’s betting on #2 KOHOUTEK (6-1 morning line) for trainer Sarah White with Jorge Ruiz up, and favorite #11 BIG TANKNESS (5-2) for journeyman trainer Jamie Ness with rider upgrade to Kentucky Derby winning jockey Jose Ortiz.

Race 3 (12:36 p.m. ET/9:36 a.m. PT) — $58K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 1 1/16 miles
Mr. Ed will take a shot with #7 STATESMAN (6-1 morning line) for veteran horseman Shug McGaughey, who brings HOFer Johnny Velazquez back to ride. Stretchout suits the colt’s running style. Look for pick deep in the stretch. Mr. Ed has been referred to as a trashman, never a statesman.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Race 4 (1:08 p.m. ET/10:08 a.m. PT) — $32K CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going 5½ furlongs on the grass
Mr. Ed’s pick is chalky #8 BARZINI (7-5 morning line), son of Outwork and grandson of Uncle Mo, for East Coast trainer Mike Trombetta. Jockey Ismerio Villalobos retains the ride. Horse-for-course (5-3-0-1) returns from break ready to fire on drop. Look out late.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $20 to Win. ($20)

Race 6 (2:14 p.m. ET/11:14 a.m. PT) — $52K MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes #6 GUM (4-1 morning line) for excellent trainer Graham Motion with huge rider upgrade to Flavien Prat. Coed is ready to break out of maiden ranks. All this daughter of Twirling Candy needs is a clean trip. Count on jock to find a path to the Winner’s Circle. Go get ‘em, GUM!
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 7 (2:46 p.m. ET/11:46 a.m. PT) — $58K ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING for 3YOs & Up going a mile on the turf
Mr. Ed likes trainer Mike Stidham and his late-developing 4YO #8 KING SIZE (3-1 morning line). With king-sized rider upgrade to sharp Jose Ortiz, the colt needs to avoid gate trouble if he’s to get back on the winning track. He’s ready to win again, now.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win. ($10)

Race 10 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $125K DUPONT DISTAFF for fillies and mares, 3YOs & Up going 1⅛-mile
Mr. Ed never underestimates super-confident owner Mike Repole. His daughter of Gun Runner, #7 WAVELESS, (6-1 morning line) proved she’s fit after winning at distance. Todd Pletcher trains as Derby-winning jockey Jose Ortiz jumps aboard. Look for coed from the start.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $10 to Win & Place. ($20)

Races 10-13 (4:28 p.m. ET/1:28 p.m. PT) — $.50 Pick 4*
R10: 4,7
R11: 3,5,9
R12: 6,7
R13: 5,7,10 ($18)
*In the event of a scratch, the post-time pick becomes a substitute selection.

Race 13 (6:14 p.m. ET/3:14 p.m. PT) — $300K G2 BLACK-EYED SUSAN STAKES for 3YO fillies going 1⅛-mile
Very tough to pick just one, so Mr. Ed goes with three: #5 BRAKEN POPPA (7-2 morning line), winner of 4 in 5 tries for winningest trainer Steve Asmussen, who retains Jose Ortiz in saddle; #7 JUMPING THE GUN (3-1), fast, tested Gun Runner offspring, and #10 MY MISS MO (7-2) for hot stakes-winning trainer Saffie Joseph, Jr. Jockey Tyler Gaffalione retains ride.
LAUREL PARK SELECTION: $5 Exacta Box. ($30)

TOTAL WAGERS: $168

PREAKNESS STAKES DAY AT LAUREL PARK: In addition to the second jewel in the Triple Crown, the 14-race program features eight other competitive stakes. The super-charged card begins at 10:30 a.m. ET/7:30 a.m. PT with the Grade 1 PREAKNESS STAKES going to post at 7:01 p.m. ET/4:01 p.m. PT. Mr. Ed will be burning the midnight oil trying to separate the contenders from the pretenders so he can spotlight several winning opportunities for VSiN friends and followers.

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