Top pick selections for all races at Laurel Park today, plus select trip notes and horses to follow. Good luck!
Make sure to check out the fantastic daily handicapping guide put together by the MJC Team via THIS LINK.
Race Selections
R1: 8-1-4
R2: 3-2-1
R3: 6-7-2
R4: 2-6-1
R5: 1-6-5
R6: 9-6-7
R7: 6-3-5
R8: 4-1-3
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: Claiming 16k, 3YO+ (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #1 DIVINING SMILE | Starter Allowance, 1 1/8M, LRL, Good Turf, 11/08/25 – 3rd | Saved ground tracking honest pace on rail into far turn; still going well when forced to check off retreating foes heels ~1/4; shuffled back turning for home as leading duo scampered clear; then found opening on rail at top of lane and stayed on well into 3rd. | Not sure she was ever beating the top two in this race, but she could certainly have finished closer if she hadn’t met trouble on the turn and her effort can be slightly UPGRADED. Note: other than the trouble she encountered, the rest of her trip was great. Also note: her gallop out was strong. Returns off layoff today. |
| #7 BELLA ESTRELLA | Starter Allowance, 1 1/16M, LRL, Firm Turf, 10/19/25 – 7th | Rated off the pace 3-5W; held position while under pressure in amongst a tightly bunched pack far turn; met brief traffic upper stretch, then stayed on evenly under a half-hearted ride. | The traffic she met in upper stretch was only minor, but it came at the most inopportune moment (steadied her momentum when she needed to be quickening) and from there it was difficult for her to land a blow. Combining this with her wide trip and the half-hearted ride in the stretch, it’s arguable that she was better than this result/speed fig suggests. Small UPGRADE. Returns off bench today. |
| Other notes:
– A horse who has shown speed in the past, #2 CHA CHA CHUKKA broke slowly on the mud at Parx last time, then made a relatively early move while wide racing down the back stretch and around the far turn before flattening. It’s unlikely that this was a true reflection of her current ability, and we should expect more from her returning to turf today. – There was a speed bias present at Charles Town when #4 BOSSY JEANS wired a group on claimers last out, but it’s impossible to think that the track led to a flukey result – she was way the best. Do note, however, that although she coasted through the final 1/16, she didn’t exactly look to have an absolute ton left in reserve crossing the wire. Returns to turf and step up in class second off the layoff today. – #5 HAZLEMOOR BEACH was facing an uphill battle off the layoff at Turfway last time, trying to close into a slow pace (26.01, 51.67) that held well over a speed favoring track. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see her step forward in a more honestly run race, back on turf and with extra race fitness behind her today. – In her last turf start (11/01/25), #6 MY DEAR ANTONIA made a complete horlicks of the break, racing ~15L off the lead down the back stretch, then lost ground racing wide on the far turn before rallying into the even pace to grab 2nd. If getting back that level of form (or better for a better trip) today, she could factor. Debuts for Mancilla today. – #9 BOYS GO TO JUPITER could not have asked for a better trip or setup when closing from rear to win on the dirt 14-days ago. Returns to turf today. |
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| Race 2: Claiming 40k, 3YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #1 OUR NOTION failed to switch leads in the lane last time. That effort alone offered mixed feelings about him stretching out in trip today (he didn’t finish with much energy at all or appear to gallop out strongly, but he was also outpaced over 6F and could find life easier going a slower pace around two-turns today). Blinkers on. – Last out, #2 MASTER SCHEMER again ran in a manner to suggest he could be suited by stretching out to two-turns today, especially if the pace is hot. Blinkers on. Whether he can reverse form with #3 FOWL MOUTH, who exits the same race (won convincingly in game fashion) and also looks as if two turns will be within his wheelhouse, however, is questionable. – #4 STICKTOTHESYSTEM won by daylight last time, despite having set a fast pace in front for the class level (24.22, 47.73). If rationing out his speed a little more efficiently, there’s a chance he could improve on that effort again. – #5 NO MORE CALLS didn’t do enough running to earn an upgrade last out, but he did spend the majority of the race on the “dead” rail, which possibly contributed to his defeat. His last start on a fast track was a convincing score over MASTER SCHEMER. – Regarding #6 PENCIL ME IN’s last start, you can ignore the trip comment “brief wait upper” – this didn’t happen and his trip was fine. Lasix first today. |
| Race 3: Starter Allowance, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #5 ICING | Starter Allowance, 6 1/2F, CT, Fast Dirt, 03/25/26 – 4th | Broke sharp; set fast fractions inside while being pressured consistently by the 2/5 fav into the lane; gamely held the advantage to the 1/16 pole, then tired. | He did well to be beaten just 2L in this race having set unsustainably fast fractions in front which led to a pace collapse and resulted in the top two finishers (a odds of 11/1 and 7/1) closing in to score. This effort is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE. He could offer more if rationing out his speed more efficiently back over a flat 6F today. |
| #7 IT’S SIZZLING TIME | Starter Allowance, 1 1/16M, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/28/26 – 4th | Broke sharp, then rated back off even pace; traveled well into the far turn, then waited behind horses racing to ~5/16; angled off heels and came 6-7W into the lane, then stayed on evenly despite lugging in. | Although his slight lugging in through the lane was undesirable, this effort is still worthy of a small UPGRADE as he was forced to wait somewhat on the far turn (he was unable to build adequate momentum when he really needed to) and he then lost ground coming wide into the lane. Could benefit from a predicted fast pace cut back in trip second off the bench today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 MORE VINO was in a little tight passing the 1/8 pole last time, but it didn’t make any difference to the result. A nice effort nonetheless; cuts back today. – #4 WOODLINE managed to score again in front running fashion last out despite having failed to switch leads in the lane and only been hand ridden to the wire – therefore, there are potential ways for him to offer more again today (if switching leads and coming under a more vigorous ride). – After catching a slight breather on the far turn, #6 KERNESS K powered away in visually impressive fashion last time. Lots to like. |
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| Race 4: Claiming 30k, 3YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Although the pace was honest in the second race at Laurel Park on 03/22/26, speed held well, with #6 HOLY SYNCHRONICITY (who was a 5/1 shot) and #4 FROSTY THE GIANT (8/1) running 1-2 throughout. Therefore, #1 TOPS THE CHART (whose two-back effort is worthy of a small upgrade) may be entitled to some extra creditable he rallied from 9L back to finish a closing 3rd, despite failing to switch leads. The extra distance could be his friend today, especially if changing leads in the lane. – There was no visible reason as to why #3 NOTED ran so far below par last time (1M, AQU, 02/15/26 – 6th) – he had a wicked pace to chase on a closer friendly track, yet failed to make any inroads rounding the home turn and finished tailed off; he needs to rebound in a big way today. Makes debut for Ness. – #7 STRIKING SPARKS was forwardly placed in a slowly run race over a heavily speed favoring track at Penn National last time, likely helping him finish closer than would otherwise have been the case – possible DOWNGRADE. |
| Race 5: Maiden Claiming 12.5k, 3YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 I’M A LIL WICKED | Maiden Claiming 12k, 6F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/20/26 – 3rd | Broke cleanly from rail; chased fast pace inside to turn; in tight entering bench, checked and shuffled back to last, ~5L off pace; switched out, recovered momentum and advanced again despite losing ground 5W into lane; then stayed on willingly for 3rd, despite failing to switch leads. | She completely lost her position entering the bend and was then forced to lose ground while expending energy in order to regain her momentum and position. She did well to finish 3rd under the circumstances – UPGRADE. |
| #5 EASTGIRLSRHIP | Maiden Claiming 12k, 6F, LRL, Muddy Dirt, 03/13/26 – 3rd | In close start, steadied hard; raced 6L off the hot pace through the opening few strides, then rushed up along the inside (into the fast pace); found herself in tight entering the bend and shuffled back a little; passed the 3/8 pole 2-3L back, then came under a ride and chased gamely to the wire for 3rd. | Her steady at the start resulted in her expending a lot of energy early advancing into the fast pace to recover her position; she then lost a little momentum and position entering the turn, and the track was speed favoring, which made closing in on the gate-to-wire winner even more difficult; she did well to finish as close as she did – UPGRADE. We may be able to expect more today. |
| Other notes:
– After setting a fast opening ¼ for the class level, #2 GALIBEAN showed a very likable attitude in defeat last time, stubbornly missing the show spot by just a 1/4L, beaten 1 1/2L for everything. She may well be suited by the shorter distance today third out the box. – It’s difficult to see properly due to the conditions, but it didn’t look like #4 LILMISSLINGSHOT steadied into the turn on debut, as stated in the chart comment. Still, she may well improve second out on the class drop today regardless, with natural progression and better track conditions expected – her debut was run in a snowstorm on a track that resembled a bowl of soup. |
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| Race 6: MSW, 3-6YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf |
| Other notes:
– #2 VINALIA (GB) was not persevered with in the lane at Turfway last time, exasperating the margin of defeat; still, she underperformed, period, and will need to offer more returning to turf today. Note: there was a closer bias present at Turfway that last day, but she was done too early for that to be used as an excuse. – After taking a hefty bump at the start, #5 PNEUMO WARRIOR was facing an uphill battle last time, attempting to close into a slow pace over a speed favoring track while a little wide. She failed to switch leads in the lane and didn’t quite do enough running to earn an upgrade, but she may be able to offer more under different circumstances. Returns to turf, up in class today. – #7 PAYNTED BY NANCY lacked speed, then was shuffled back a touch on the turn and boxed in on the run to the lane last time, preventing her from building momentum as desired. She didn’t do enough running late to earn an upgrade, but she may be able to offer more under different circumstances with lasix and blinkers added for her return today. Note: she was a wide on debut and didn’t face kickback second out. Upside is there. – #9 SIN BOLDLY has run likable races after enduring rough starts in both her career starts to date. Lasix added on her return to turf today. – #10 LUV QUEEN E was sent too hard from the rail (21.85 opening 1/4) when returning from a layoff on the mud at Parx last time and inevitably tired late on. With extra race fitness, lasix added and a more sensible ride, she can likely improve on that effort (provided she takes to the grass). – #12 RADIANT TONES (AE) took a notable bump at the 1/8 pole last out which shifted her to her left lead, and she was then not hard ridden through the final 50Y which possibly cost her 2nd (~1L, not enough to earn a true upgrade, though). Should be suited by return to grass today. |
| Race 7: Allowance ®, 3YO+ (F), 7 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other Notes:
– #5 DESTINATION sat a slightly wide trip when finishing behind the impressive #6 MS NOTION last time. She was also not sent forward out the gate like usual which may have worked against her considering the 1-2-3 finishers filled those positions throughout. |
| Race 8: Claiming 7.5k, 3YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Last out, #1 COLLECTION DAY was caught in a frenetic speed duel which ultimately took its toll on him and his sparing partner late and led to a pace collapse in the lane. We shouldn’t take this as an accurate reflection of his ability, and he may be able to offer more cut back to 1 1/16M today (provided he isn’t engaged in front again). – There was no visibler reason as to why #2 YOUR ANALYSIS underperformed when last seen in August, but his effort was way below his par and then followed by a layoff, possibly indicating something was amiss. Returns from bench today. – Exiting the same race as #1 COLLECTION DAY, #4 SELF TAUGHT sat a good trip and took advantage of the hot pace as a closer, possibly warranting a small downgrade. On the contrary, however, he was sent after the battling leaders too early which consequently resulted in him getting nailed on the wire after opening up a clear advantage in the lane. (He should have won, but his effort was downgradable). – #6 GOOD SKATE broke a little awkwardly when returning off the bench last time but that doesn’t explain in any way why he ran so far below form – he recovered from the break to stalk inside, then stopped on the far turn and was eased home. Needs to bounce back. |
Horses to Follow
R3: KERNESS K (4/5 ML)
KERNESS K is hardly a creative pick in the third, and the case for a hat-trick is an obvious one. The reason for highlighting him here, though—given we try to avoid siding with chalk—is the stat he represents for Jamie Ness runners. Over the last five years, Ness is 9-for-18 (50%) with horses second off the claim who won last out, with 16 hitting the board (89%) and a $2.00 ROI of $3.29. Positive ROI angles with this barn are hard to come by, but here we have one. Despite other speed in here, his outside draw should give Hazlewood options, and a repeat of either of his last two likely sees him take all the beating.
R6: SIN BOLDLY (10/1 ML)
Suzanne Stettinius is a trainer worth keeping onside on the turf, and her numbers back it up—15% from 209 runners ($2.16 ROI) over the last five years, improving to 33% (13-for-39; $4.36 ROI) with turf sprinters who hit the board last out. SIN BOLDLY, therefore, is one to note as she returns from a layoff in today’s seventh. While her pedigree leans toward turf routes, she’s shown enough speed—likely inherited from HOLY BULL—to be effective at this trip, finishing a game second over course and distance in October despite some trouble, before a solid third in an off-turf event on dirt behind stakes-placed GINGER SNAP. The 54 Beyer from her lone turf start—on debut as a two-year-old—puts her within range of these, and with Lasix added, an improved effort looks likely. From an outside draw, she should get a good stalking trip under Lyapustina, and at a price, she’s worth considering.
