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 excellent daily handicapping guide put together by the MJC Team and grab your FREE DRF Laurel Park PPs via THIS LINK.
Race Selections
R1: 2-6-3
R2: 7-6-2
R3: 6-7-1
R4: 4-7-1
R5: 1-9-6
R6: 6-2-8
R7: 4-3-1
R8: 6-8-3
R9: 7-1A-5
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 |
| #2 WHATSYOURBIGIDEA | Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 05/08/26 – 3rd | Alert break; took fierce hold in front and dragged her rider through fast fractions all the way into the stretch; under a ride, held the lead to ~1/8 pole before the eventual winner swooshed by; continued on gamely but lost 2nd close home. | For the second time in a row, her effort is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE as she held 3rd after setting closer friendly fractions of 23.35, 46.54. Taking the blinkers off today should help her relax better and ration out her speed more efficiently. |
| Other notes:
– #4 BACK WALL BANDIT sat a wide trip when making her turf route debut last time; she may be capable of improving on that effort with a more ground saving trip today. |
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| Race 2: Claiming 12.5k, 3YO+ (F), 1 Mile, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #1 FIRE AT MIDNIGHT sat a slightly wider-than-ideal trip when last seen. – #3 MARGARET P didn’t nearly do enough to earn an upgrade last time – beaten over 18L – and she will need to offer more today; however, that last effort wasn’t without it’s trouble as she checked back to last ~5/8 pole (when #7 REHOBOTH AVENUE oddly lost her action briefly) and she was then caught notably wide on the turn when floated out by #5 DIAMON SUE (who also encountered a little traffic ~5/8 and again on the turn; not enough to earn an upgrade though). More, from the position she found herself in, she was somewhat compromised by the slow (25.27, 49.62) fractions (which possibly aided #7 REHOBOTH AVENUE – downgrade?). Feel she can step back in the right direction today with a clean trip, but whether that’s good enough to score… – #4 CHICKIN LICKIN was bumped hard at the start last time, but it’s near impossible to say that that was the reason she finished tailed off with a 10 Beyer. Something seemed amiss; she wasn’t persevered with in the lane and now has plenty to prove. |
| Race 3: OC 55k/C Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #1 WITTY | Da Hoss Stakes, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 09/06/25 – 3rd | Step slow; trailed ~7-8L off the lead into the lane, then closed between foes for 3rd but had too much to do. | With the rails at 90 feet, all three turf sprints on this card were won in gate to wire fashion (including in this fairly paced race). WITTY was the only runner to do any running from the back in this contest and did well to get 3rd considering the track was playing against him. UPGRADE this effort a little. Returns off layoff with lasix on. |
| Other notes:
– #4 WHERE’S RAY briefly found himself boxed in on the turn last out which forced his rider to wait a little longer than intended before commencing his run. It’s tough to say that was the reason for his off-board finish though, because he then had plenty of time to make inroads through the stretch when clear, but was readily out-kicked by #3 INCINERATOR. Seems more likely that he was just simply below his best, possibly ‘bouncing’ off his big return effort. – While the chart comment correctly highlights how #6 WHENIGETTOHEAVEN met traffic in the lane when running a nice race to finish 3rd in the King T. Leatherbury Stakes last time, we shouldn’t upgrade his effort because he never had to check or steady (he just had to navigate some small gaps but never lost momentum) and he was not cost a position through traffic. Furthermore, he received a very favorable pace setup. Lasix on today. |
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| Race 4: Claiming 12.5k, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Other notes:
– #1 ELLINGER didn’t do enough to earn an upgrade last out; however, he did stumble shortly after a slow break which left him much last and out of position early (his best races have come when he’d been forwardly positioned from the start), and he then had to exert energy early (rushed up) to recover. Reasons to believe he can offer more again today. – Last out, #4 RED SPITFIRE was caught widest on the turn (3W) and then floated 5-6W off the bend by the eventual winner, costing him a little ground. Although he was very much second best that day, he still might be able to offer a fraction more today with a more ground saving trip. Player. – #6 ENGLISH DADDY lugged out on the turn last time. He’ll need to step forward for his return. |
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| Race 5: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 1 1/8 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #1 DRILLING FOR GOLD | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/19/26 – 5th | Pinched start and last away; trailed field ~15L off wire to wire winner through 1st call; tipped out and steadily advanced towards the center of the track back stretch; continued his progress despite losing ground in the 4-6P far turn; straightened for the drive 6W ~6L off the lead, then rallied well but had too much to do. | Following an upgradable effort two back (did best of speed in a fast-paced race; pace upgrade), he was left racing out of his preferred position after a troubled start in this race that saw speed hold relatively well with the rails at 70 feet; he did well to make up ~14L despite a very wide trip – UPGRADE. |
| #6 HANKSDIVININGRODE | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/19/26 – 7th | No speed; took hold chasing even pace on rail ~10L back into far turn; lacked room and shuffled back a little entering far turn, then checked off heels back into last ~1/4; turned for home ~12L off the lead in last having still not had an opportunity to advance, then worked off the rail into the center of the track (costing him a little momentum) before closing in vain to the wire. | A troubled trip in which he was shuffled back into a hopeless position and prevented from advancing in traffic until it was all to late. Speed held relatively well in this race too. Expect more from him today under different circumstances. |
| Other notes:
– A runner whose two best efforts have come closing into fast paces, #4 NEON BORDEAUX (MTO) has not nearly had enough pace to run at in his last THREE starts now, and can seemingly offer more if things heat up in front today. – #5 GO GREY was only hand ridden through the lane when breaking his maiden last out (rider flagged the crop but never used it); while accepting that he did also sit a very nice trip, it appears there’s more to come from him. – Although the pace was honest when #8 THE JACKAL broke his midden going 1 1/2M at Kentucky Downs last time, speed still held well in that race with the top five finishers (including horses with odds of 15/1, 17/1 and 23/1) filling those positions throughout; maybe take that form with a small pinch of salt. Returns off layoff back down in distance today. |
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| Race 6: Maiden Claiming 35k, 3-6YO (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #6 LENDALFOOT | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 04/25/26 – 4th | Away well; chased honest pace on the rail in 2nd into the back stretch, then tipped out into the 2P and crept a little closer; took a narrow head lead while traveling well between foes in the 2P to upper stretch, then came under a ride and held the lead gamely to ~1/16 pole before losing positions in the final few jumps. | The top three finishers in this race were 8, 12 ½ and 6 lengths off the lead after an opening ¼ of 22.94; the always prominent LENDALFOOT therefore ran a big race to be beaten just 1 1/2L, doing best of the speed in what was her first start for 164 days. Willing to give this effort a PACE UPGRADE; she should be dangerous second back today. Blinkers off. |
| #8 BAND ON THE RUN | Maiden Claiming 32k, TAM, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/11/26 – 2nd | Pressed hot pace in 2P to far turn; dropped back a little between foes racing to upper stretch, then stayed on well through the lane to regain 2nd. | Similar to above, this return effort off the layoff is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE as she managed to run 2nd after pressing hot (22.45, 47.13) fractions that set up well for the winner (7 1/2L back at 1st call). Entitled to respect second back. |
| #9 LIGHT DE NIGHT | Maiden Claiming 25k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/01/25 – 2nd | Bumped start, then steadied slightly shortly after; chased honest pace from ~6L back 3-4W into turn; crept closer under hold as field bunched but then found herself on heels ~3/8 and had to steady; dropped back off rivals racing to the top of the lane, then came 6W into stretch when ~7L back; stayed on evenly on left lead to ~1/8 pole, then kicked in the afterburners and flew down the outside but had too much to do. | While accepting that she had a good pace setup, this effort is still deserving of an UPGRADE owing to her troubled start and her steadying on the far turn; she finished full of run and if ready off the bench, can surely improve with lasix added. |
| Other notes:
– #2 SPINNING CLASS was no match for the winner last time, but she did stay on well after racing a little wider than ideal. Player right back. – Although sent off at odds of 118/1, there was no fluke about #3 FIRESTREAK’s likable debut at Delaware last September; aided by a nice trip, she showed a willing attitude to close into an even pace and be beaten just 1/4L before galloping out in front. If ready off the layoff today, she’ll demand respect for her new trainer. – #10 SEGER SONGS didn’t do enough to earn an upgrade last time but can likely improve on that return effort off the layoff as she did not get enough pace to run at given her running style. Note: the “steadied first turn” mentioned in the chart comment was negligible. |
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| Race 7: Claiming 30k, 3YO+, 7 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #4 HOLY SYNCHRONICITY | Claiming 30k, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 05/08/26 – 2nd | Slight bobble start, speed; dueled through fast fractions to ~5/8, then edged away from sparing partner; continued to set hot fractions in front while riding the rial into the turn; held the lead while facing a challenge from the eventual winner racing to upper stretch; conceded the lead upper stretch, then stayed on gamely for 2nd. | He was no match for the 9/5 fav who romped, but he was still a clear 2nd best and held off all the closers despite having set fractions of 23.95, 46.89 in front. This effort is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE; he can likely improve on this if rationing out his speed more efficiently today. |
| Other Notes:
– Speed held well in #3 TALENTED MAN’s last start (turf), with four of the top five finishers – including runners at odds of 10/1, 11/1 and 19/1 having filled the first four places at 1st call; take that form with a pinch of salt. Makes debut for Ness today. – In almost all his starts this year, veteran #5 KARAN’S NOTION has run in a manner to suggest he’ll be suited by today’s extra 1/8th. |
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| Race 8: OC 55k/C Allowance, 3YO+, 7 Furlongs, Dirt | ||||||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note | |||
| #4 HOWGREATISNATE | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 03/15/26 – 3rd | Step slow from rail; lacked room inside ~5 ½ and had to ease back when already in rear; this left him racing ~7L off the even pace early; angled outside ~5/8 and chased the pace into and around the turn before losing ground when floated out 5W approaching the ¼; ducked back inside and then launched a late rally but had too much to do. | He did best of the closers in this race that saw speed hold relatively well (top two finishers filled those positions throughout; winner was 20/1) despite experiencing some trouble early after a rail break and ending up further back than necessary, and losing ground with a wide trip on the turn. He galloped out in front, and his effort is deserving of an UPGRADE. | |||
| #6 WORCESTER | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 05/02/26 – 2nd | Chased even pace from ~4L back in the 3-4P between foes to the far turn; came under a ride while tight between horses in the 3P racing to the ¼, then tipped out into the 4P and stayed on willingly for 2nd. | This game runner-up effort deserves a little extra credit as he was always in an often-tricky spot between foes, and racing against the speed bias present this day. Major player down in trip. | |||
| Other notes:
– Typically a front runner/leader, #2 TWELVE TREASURES showed some nice tactical versatility at Tampa last time, rallying from well off the pace to finish 3rd with a career best Beyer. He was only 3/4L behind #1 KHOZERIRESS, who ran a big race himself having sat closer to the hot pace that #2 and raced wider on the turn, too. – Other than racing on his left lead late, there wasn’t much to dislike about #4 GOODBYE NOTE’s win last out in which he sat close to red-hot fractions of 23.95, 46.89 and then powered away late. He’ll demand respect right back. Note: the key to him seems to be whether or not he gets forward and in the clear early. |
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| Race 9: Maiden Claiming 35k, 3-6YO, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #7 CHIMNEY SWEEP | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 3rd | Chased hot pace from ~1L back into the turn; dropped back a little while losing ground in the 4-5P racing to the top of the stretch; turned for home ~2.5L down, then stayed on willingly past the leaders but could not fend off a pair of deep closers and settled for 3rd. | The two horses who beat him in this closer-friendly race (fractions: 21.83, 45.00) were 6 ¼ and 15 ½ lengths off the lead at 2nd call; CS was just 1 ¾ lengths back which, coupled with the fact that he lost a lot of ground racing 4-5W on the turn, entitles him to a notable UPGRADE (pace and trip). Major player second off the bench today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 MODRANACH lugged out badly on the turn when making his turf debut last time. Cuts right back in trip today. – The chart comment correctly highlights how #3 BALLINACLASH steadied at the ½ last time, but it was only very minor and of no consequence at all. Makes turf debut today. Note: he failed to switch leads in the lane last time, too. – #4 RED SEA sat a wide and troubled trip when returning from a layoff last time; while this would typically lead to an upgrade, the tape cuts out the trouble mentioned at the 1/8 pole and so it’s impossible to know to what extent he was impeded. Furthermore, although he was wide on the turn, this potential for an upgrade is diminished by the fact that he had pace to run at and also lugged in through the lane. Whatever the case, on bare form, he’s deserving of a second look this afternoon. – #1A HE’S ALL HEART ran a super race on the dirt at Keeneland last time, finishing 2nd after chasing the loose leader through fast fractions in an isolated 2nd – a tricky position to be in. He was only caught by a deep closer after collaring the 5/2 leader and will demand respect making his turf and barn debut for McMahon today. – #5 M D FIELDSTONE sat a slightly wide trip when returning from the layoff to make his turf debut and first start as a gelding last time. He seems eligible to step forward off that run. |
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Horses to Follow
R1: WHATSYOURBIGIDEA (2/1 ML)
WHATSYOURBIGIDEA has done remarkably well to hit the board in her last two turf routes considering how hard she’s pulled and the fractions she’s set in front on both occasions. Trainer Lacey Gaudet now removes the blinkers, which should help her settle better and ration out that natural early speed more efficiently, potentially making her tough to peg back in the opener. Strengthening the case further, Gaudet has struck at 40% (4-for-10; $3.00 ROI) over the last year when removing blinkers.
R7: HOLY SYNCHRONICITY (7/2 ML)
Following a very solid front-running effort at a mile last time—in which he set closer-friendly fractions in front and still held on gamely for second—HOLY SYNCHRONICITY could prove very dangerous cutting back to his optimum trip of seven furlongs today while carrying nine pounds less than his rivals. Drawn tactically outside the other main speed, he looks poised for an ideal press-and-pounce trip into the winner’s circle.
R9: CHIMNEY SWEEP (7/2 ML)
Having spent his entire career competing at higher levels, CHIMNEY SWEEP dropped into the maiden 35k ranks when last seen returning from a layoff and produced a winning effort in defeat, overcoming a wide trip while holding off all but two deep closers after racing close to a hot early pace. The effort—produced off just a limited series of morning workouts—was better than the PPs suggest and confirmed that he’s found a level at which he can shed the maiden tag. Second back today with Rocco Jr. retaining the ride and what appear slightly lesser rivals to contend with, it may simply be a case of tenth time lucky for this gelding.
