Top pick selections for all races at Laurel Park today, plus select trip notes and three 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: 3–2-1
R2: 1-6-3
R3: 2-8-5
R4: 6-5-1
R5: 7-9-4
R6: 7-8-4
R7: 1-2-4
R8: 1-3-8
R9: 7-4-8
R10: 6-2-5
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
Race 1: OC20k/SAL20k, 4YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 SUMMER VIBES | Starter Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 12/13/25 – 4th | He was bumped, pinched and then stumbled at the break, getting away slowly in a detached last; chased the modest pace from ~8L+ back into the lane (lugged out a little on the bend), then finished up well through the lane for 4th before galloping out in front. | Although there was a closer-bias present in this race, the slow pace held well, compromising his chance after a terrible start left him trailing in a detached last. His finishing effort and gallop out suggest he’s capable of much more, granted a clean trip, and an improved effort can be expected today. |
| #2 WIFFLEBALL | Starter Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/27/25 – 5th | He eased back from between horses when slightly short of room in a four-way tussle for the lead passing the 9/16 pole; chased the leaders inside to the top of the lane, then found a great split between horses and made a bid, just about drawing level for the lead ~1/8th pole; he then took a bump when beginning to tire, dropped back a bit and was not hard ridden late. | This wasn’t a terrible trip. However, he was squeezed out of his preferred position (on the lead) early, then took a bump in the lane and wasn’t hard ridden late, exasperating the margin of defeat. This turf debut was a little better than it appears on paper. |
| #3 SCHRADER | Starter Allowance, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 12/13/25 – 3rd | He dueled through very fast fractions 2W to ~1/4 pole; drifted out a little rounding into the lane, then stuck to his task gamely through the lane but could not hold off two closers who’d taken advantage of the pace setup. | Managed to hold on for 3rd despite having set unsustainably fast fractions in front on a track presenting a closer-bias – UPGRADE this effort. Makes first start as gelding today. |
| Other notes:
– #6 RAPIDITY seems to fare best when chasing a fast pace; he didn’t get that opportunity last out as he was left racing in behind a slow pace that held well following a rough start and then outpaced in the lane. Don’t want to upgrade this effort in particular, but different circumstances can see him to better effect. |
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Race 2: Claiming 16k, 3YO+F, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– #3 SECRET OAKS managed to break her maiden last out despite having not seemed in love with the kickback early; wouldn’t be surprised to see her move forward again with lasix on today. – #4 ONLY MARIA was shuffled back entering the bend and then raced slightly wide last time. Not sure either factor made much difference to the result, though. – #5 NEMAIN stayed on evenly enough over 5 1/2F last time to suggest that he might be suited by today’s stretch out in trip. The brush he took noted in that chart comment was inconsequential. |
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Race 3: Maiden Claiming 25k, 3YOF, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– #2 STROLL TRIPPIN had a slightly rough start last out but owing to his running style, it seemed negligible. Still, he ran with credit in a race that favored front runners, and he could improve second off the bench today with both lasix and blinkers on. – #3 EMMA MERMAID bobbled inwards at the start on debut but it seemed to make no difference to the result- she didn’t run a step. |
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Race 4: Claiming 12.5k, 4YO+F, 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #6 VANILLA SUNDAE | Claiming 12k, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 12/28/25 – 1st | She chased the hot pace from ~3L back inside to the far turn, then had to steady entering the bend which knocked her back a couple of lengths and checked her momentum; she quickly recovered, though, switched out to the 3P ~5/16 pole, then built momentum and advanced while floated ~5W; she turned for ~3L down in 2nd, then drifted in violently when flopping lead ~3/16 pole under a R-hand crop; straightened back to her R-lead, advanced, then flopped back and forth between her R&L leads ~1/16 pole before powering through the line. | This wasn’t a completely clean trip, and she lost real estate coming wide into the lane; she was better than the 1/2L margin of victory and this effort can be UPGRADED. The antics she showed flopping leads in the lane also dented her momentum, so further improvement can be expected if she irons that fault out. |
| Other notes:
– #4 FEELIN SO LUCKY lugged out badly on the turn last out. It’s also worth noting that track was presenting a closer bias and she had plenty of pace to run at – she was below her best. In her defense, however, speed did still hold well in that particular contest, and she was running off a layoff; needs more today, regardless. – #5 A COZY THING had to steady very slightly along the rail entering the bend last time, arguably costing her a length or so and therefore, maybe third – (very) slightly UPGRADE this effort. |
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Race 5: Claiming 25k, 3YO, 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #7 MOSE SMOKIN | Claiming 40k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 12/28/25 – 6th | He stumbled badly at the break and got away slowly; chased the even pace from ~8L back into the turn, then tried to build momentum along the rail but found himself in tight and had to steady, losing ground and momentum; he then switched outside, came ~7W into the lane and failed to factor. | Speed held fairly well in this race which, after a terrible stumble at the break left him trailing in rear before he checked ~3/8 pole, gave him no chance. Willing to TOSS THIS RACE. |
| Other notes:
– #1 COLOMA had to tap on the brakes very slightly entering the bend last out, but it seemed negligible – she raced awkwardly into the lane and was weak in the stretch, underperforming. – #3 SWIFT ACTION was reluctant to load last out and failed to switch leads in the lane. – #5 MISTER ROSCOE was caught wide on the turn and then failed to stay the distance when trying a one-turn mile for the first time off a two-month break last out. Suspect he’ll offer more returned to a sprint trip this afternoon, especially if granted a more ground saving trip, with lasix going on. – #6 MO MISSILE hopped at the break and got away slowly from the rail last out, preventing him from using his speed and adopting his seemingly preferred front running tactics. He was also not hard ridden through the final 1/16, exasperating the margin of defeat. Suspect he did underperform somewhat, but maybe we can toss that race? – #9 FOWL MOUTH failed to stay a mile on a closer-friendly racetrack last time; suspect he’ll be seen to better effect back at 5 1/2F today. |
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Race 6: Maiden Claiming 12.5k, 4-6YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– #1 ALBERT FINNIGAN was allowed to set a very slow pace on an uncontested lead when finishing 2nd last out – his effort likely needs a DOWNGRADE. – #3 SOO HANDSOME was forwardly placed in the same slowly paced affair that #1 ALBERT FINNIGAN exits – probably should DOWNGRADE his effort somewhat too. – #7 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT was caught notably wide on the first turn and then again entering the far turn last out which cost him a few lengths (not a position, though) – slightly UPGRADE that effort. – #9 FURIOUS GEORGE gave away enough ground racing 4-6W last time that his effort deserves a small/medium sized UPGRADE. He also failed to switch leads in the lane. – The “brief wait upper stretch” noted in the chart comment of #10 OXFORD UNION’s last start did happen but it was inconsequential; the result and fig seem fair. – #11 IMPERIAL SKY raced slightly wide when returning from the bench last time. |
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Race 7: MSW, 3YO, 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 BALLINACLASH | MSW, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 12/20/25 – 2nd | He broke on top from the rail and showed good early speed; conceded the lead ~5/8 pole, shifted to the 2P and chased the hot pace from ~2L back; made a bid in the 2P on the far turn, took over ~5/16 pole and opened up at the top of the lane; he then battled gamely to the wire but could not fend off the deep closing winner. | Managed to hold 2nd, only beaten by a talented 1/1 fav, despite having forced a fast pace on a track that was presenting a closer bias – UPGRADE this effort. |
| Other notes:
– #4 MATHEW’S TICKET took a bump at the start, then raced slightly wide into the lane last time, arguably costing him a few lengths. However, he was also gifted a fast pace to run at on a closer-friendly track, making it difficult to upgrade his effort. – The chart comment regarding #6 MAKE IT QUICK’s debut effort makes her trip sound worse than it was; while everything noted did happen, none of the factors were the reason behind her poor showing. Having taken money though (bet down to 7/2), maybe she’s worth a second chance? She was also eased in the lane, exasperating the margin of defeat. |
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Race 8: OC12k/SAL8k, 4YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– #1 WALDRIP was very confidently handled last time, only coming under a hand ride ~1/8th pole; seemed like he won with something in hand. – #5 WORK HARD was caught a little wide on both turns last time and arguably a little better than the winning margin suggests. – The chart comment regarding #7 BE BETTER’s last effort mentions that he was “blocked late”. While that did happen to an extent, it was only in the final few strides, and he’d already achieved the best position possible; it did not cost him a position, and the result/speed fig seem fair. – There was a closer bias present at Laurel Park when #8 MASAKADO unsuccessfully tried to wire a field as the 7/5 fav last time, possibly offering an excuse for his defeat. He was also returning just 14-days after his big win on 11/29/25, an effort he might have still been feeling the effects of. – #10 ROB THE RICH hesitated at the break and gave the field a head start last out, missing out on adopting his preferred forward position. The fact he was still able to oblige as the 2/1 fav was commendable. However, there was a significant closer bias present at Penn National that day which unquestionably helped him score and therefore, it’s difficult to upgrade the effort. Missing the break turned out to be a blessing in disguise. |
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Race 9: N1X Allowance, 4YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– Having broken from the outside post, #1 MASAYOSHI sat a slightly wide trip last time – minor UPGRADE. – The “slight bobble” at the start mentioned in the chart comment of #4 PRADO ROAD’s last start was inconsequential. – #5 FIRMANTOWN failed to switch leads in the stretch when underperforming last time. – Although the early pace was only moderate, there was a closer bias present when #7 WINNING TRIP finished 2nd after racing prominently last time which possibly tainted his finishing effort a little (small upgrade potential). He also failed to switch leads in the lane. – #8 AND SUM ran with credit in a tough race making his second career start against winners last out; getting caught in an early duel likely hindered his chances and further natural improvement can be expected. – Having been reluctant to load, #9 BUILT BY KHOZAN did well to be beaten just 3 lengths after setting unsustainably fast fractions in front. His effort is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE, and a slightly more conservative ride could possibly see him to better effect (as could the drop back to 5 1/2F. |
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Race 10: Claiming 7.5k, 4YO+, 7 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #6 PIT STOP MAN | Claiming 7.5k, LRL, 6F, Good Dirt, 12/06/25 – 3rd | He chased the hot pace from ~2-3L back towards the inside racing into the turn, then head to steady entering the bend which knocked him back a few lengths; he came under a ride and regathered stride racing to the 5/16 pole, then swung out 4-5W and finished well through the lane. | In a race that saw speed hold well, he did well to finish a close 3rd after meeting trouble entering the bend and then racing wider that either of the top two finishers. He posted the fastest closing sectionals (24.58 final ¼), and his effort can be UPGRADED. Makes new barn debut today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 LET’S HAVE A PARTY stumbled slightly at the break and sat a slightly wide trip last time, both of which are factors that could have contributed to his heavy defeat. (He was 88/1 though). – Not completely sure why, but #3 BEACH COWBOY was not aggressively ridden through the lane last time, seemingly under a hold to the 1/16 pole before coming under a mild R-hand crop (at which point he flopped leads). Maybe the rider felt something amiss? He did well under the circumstances, though, and might have more to offer with a more aggressive ride second off the bench today. |
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Horses to Follow
R1: SCHRADER (6/1 ML)
SCHRADER fared better than the PPs suggest last out after dueling through unsustainably fast fractions over a closer-friendly track going 7 furlongs. His sparring partner in that contest — whom SCHRADER beat — came back to win next out with a monster 95 Beyer at Parx, strongly enhancing the form. He now gets a little class relief in today’s opener and cuts back to 6 furlongs as he makes his first start after a reported gelding operation, all of which are factors that could see him improve. Drawn outside the morning-line favorite and probable speed WIFFLEBALL, who isn’t always the strongest finisher, SCHRADER looks set to keep that rival honest up front and pounce late, potentially offering value at 6/1 on the morning line.
R8: WALDRIP (6/1 ML)
Although Hazlewood has opted to ride WORK HARD over WALDRIP in today’s eighth, it’s the latter who makes most appeal. Trained by Jamie Ness, this gelded son of MASTERY took his record around two turns at Laurel Park to 2-for-3 with a very comfortable 4 1/2-lengths score over inferior rivals last time. The career-best 83 Beyer he earned that day ranks as the second-fastest last-out figure on offer in today’s contest; however, as highlighted in the trip notes, he was ridden with supreme confidence that day, only coming off the bridle at the 1/8th pole before powering through the line under a hand ride and galloping out with great energy. He won in a manner that suggests there’s more to come again today, and with a favorable rail-stalking trip forecast, he looks good value to handle the step up in class for the ever-dangerous Ness barn.
R10: PIT STOP MAN (9/2 ML)
A ten-time winner over the Laurel Park main track, PIT STOP MAN did well to finish a close third after meeting trouble entering the bend and then racing wide in a race that saw speed hold well over 6 furlongs last time. He now makes his first start off the claim for the in-form Anthony Farrior barn (27% first off the claim in dirt sprints) and stretches back out to 7 furlongs, which, based on his last two efforts, seems a good move. His two-back 72 Beyer is right in line with the favorites’ recent figs and with a good trip forecast from post six, 9/2 seems a fair price.
