Top selections for all ten races at Laurel Park today, plus trip notes and horses to follow for the late pick-3 sequence. Good luck!
Make sure to check out the fantastic daily handicapping guide put together by the MJC Team via THIS LINK.
Race Selections
R1: 8-10-7
R2: 6-9-2
R3: 9-1-2
R4: 8-1A-3
R5: 2-3-10
R6: 5-1A-6
R7: 7-10-3
R8: 8-7-10
R9: 1A-8-6
R10: 1A-8-9
Late Pick-3 Trip Notes
Race 8: OC55K, 3YO+F, 1 Mile, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| CUT FROM CLASS | All Along S., LRL, 1 1/8M, Firm Turf, 09/13/25 – 5th | CUT FROM CLASS broke sharply from gate two; quickly opened up a clear lead on the rail racing under the wire for the first time; traveled well setting a slow, uncontested pace with ~3-4L advantage to ~5/16 pole; had her lead reduced and came under pressure racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive just ~1/4L up, then came under a stronger ride but despite trying hard, failed to hold onto her lead and gradually weakened to the wire. Was allowed to set slow, uncontested fractions while saving ground throughout (DOWNGRADE) which is unlikely to be the case today; drop in class helps, though, and her attitude was commendable; underneath possible at a price. |
| CENTRAL CASTING | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Firm Turf, 10/25/25 – 1st | CENTRAL CASTING took a bump shortly after the break but it didn’t make much difference, she still got away well; settled into a tracking position on the rail, ~3L off the hot pace in 3rd; traveled well in this position to ~5/16 pole, then angled off the rail into the 3P and advanced slightly racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive just 1.5L down in the 3P, then came under a strong ride, took the lead ~1/8th pole and, despite drifting slightly, edged away for a comfortable success. Sat a perfect trip; result/speed figure a fair reflection of her current ability (sprinting). Was strong at the wire, offering hope she’ll handle the stretch out and maintain this level of form at two-turns (making her very live today), but she does very much stride like a sprinter. |
| PASSAGE EAST (MTO) | Starter Alw, BAQ, 6 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 10/18/25 – 3rd | Four runner race. PASSAGE EAST was unhurried from the gate; tracked the modest pace from ~2L back in the 2-3P to ~5/16 pole; eased out into the clear ~5W and came under a ride but failed to advance with any significance; straightened for the drive still ~2L back, then finished evenly for 3rd, lacking the pace to truly threaten. Pace compromised (slow pace held well, lacked the pace to truly threaten late) and slightly wide – UPGRADE. Expect more today stretched back out in trip; player if this race comes off the grass. |
| I’M A CUTIE PIE (MTO) | Allowance, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 1st | I’M A CUTIE PIE was unhurried following an alert break; settled into a tracking position ~4L off the even pace in the 2P; traveled well in this position to ~9/16 pole, then worked to the rail and advanced in hand racing into the far turn; stalked the leader from ~1.5L back in the pocket to ~5/16 pole, then worked out into the clear ~3-4W approaching the top of the lane and came under pressure; straightened for the drive still ~1.5L behind, then battled hard to take the lead ~1/16 pole before edging away late. Perfect trip; result/speed fig a fair reflection of her current ability; ran like today’s extra distance would be okay; respected as an MTO if race comes off grass. |
| FIONA’S MAGIC | Allowance, PEN, 5F, Firm Turf, 08/22/25 – 2nd | FIONA’S MAGIC took a slight bump shortly after breaking alertly from gate three but still managed to get away okay; settled into a tracking position on the rail, ~2L off the even pace; was nudged along to hold this position to ~1/4 pole, then came under a stronger ride, cut the corner into the lane and took advantage of a vast rail gap; responded willingly to pressure along the inside and drew level for the lead ~1/16 pole but was then out finished by the eventual winner and settled for 2nd. Couldn’t have asked for better trip/setup (SLIGHT DOWNGRADE). Still, looked to be outpaced for the majority of the contest before staying on with credit late – stretching out on the turf could be exactly what she’s after; back class is there, not ruled out. |
| LADY OUTOFTHE BLUE | Starter Alw, DEL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 09/13/25 – 3rd | LADY OUTOFTHE BLUE was unhurried from the gate; settled into mid-pack, ~4L off the pace while 3-4W crossing the wire first time; traveled okay in this position to the far turn, then came under a ride and tried to advance but could only keep an even pace; straightened for the drive still ~4-5L off the lead, fully extended, then improved with an even finish into 3rd but failed to truly factor. Slightly wide trip but not enough to warrant an upgrade; result/speed fig a fair reflection of her current ability; likely needs more. |
| AMIE’S SYMPHONY | Allowance, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 10/19/25 – 1st | AMIE’S SYMPHONY bobbled very slightly at the break and was unhurried; settled on the rail in mid-pack, ~4L off the hot pace; traveled well in this position all the way to ~1/4 pole, then found a large rail opening, cut the corner into the lane and came under pressure; responded well to her rider’s urgings and, after angling out into the 3P shortly after straightening, forged into the lead ~1/8th pole before holding firm to the wire. Couldn’t have asked for better trip/setup (SLIGHT DOWNGRADE). Not sure how much more she has in store but still, this was a likable career best that entitles her to respect today. |
| TOUR JETE | Starter Alw, BAQ, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/18/25 – 2nd | TOUR JETE was roused forward to lead on the rail early; traveled well setting an even, slightly pressured pace to ~3/8 pole, then came under a hand ride as the pressure was increased approaching the top of the lane; responded to her rider’s urgings and held a diminishing lead (1/4L) into the lane, then was joined for the lead shortly after; battled hard in a head-to-head stretch battle to ~50Y from the wire, then grudgingly settled for 2nd late on. Clean trip; ran her race at 3/1 but was just touched off by 5/2 fav; lost nothing in defeat; result/speed fig a fair reflection of her current ability; tactical and worthy of respect again today. |
| CLUCK CLUCK (MTO) | Starter Alw, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/11/25 – 2nd | CLUCK CLUCK broke okay from the outside gate; stalked the hot pace from ~3L back while in the clear ~3W racing to ~3/8 pole; advanced smoothly under a hand ride approaching the 1/4 pole, then came under a stronger ride entering the lane and took a slim lead ~1/8th pole but was then repelled by the longtime leader and settled for a narrow defeat 2nd. Put up a game effort in defeat but was seemingly still below her best (could not get by longtime leader despite having a fast pace to close into and the track favoring closers). Respected as an MTO but does need to bounce back a little. |
| LUTE WARM | Blushing K. D. S. S., FG, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 12/21/25 – 6th | LUTE WARM broke cleanly from the rail; settled into mid-pack, ~3L off the even pace passing the wire for the first time, then worked off the inside and raced in the clear ~3W rounding the first turn into the back stretch; traveled well between horses still ~3L back racing to the far turn, then began dropping back and came under a ride; swung further out into the 5P passing the 5/16 pole, then hit the top of the stretch ~5L off the lead in last and weakened further in the lane. A disappointing effort at odds of 7/5 that lacked a visible excuse (effort was followed by layoff, though, so maybe something went amiss and we can draw a line through it?). Jockey was intent on keeping her in the clear throughout (?). Back class entitles her to the utmost respect but does need to bounce back off the bench today. |
Race 9: MD-Allowance, 3YO+F, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| PRINCESS LUCIA | Claiming 12k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 09/14/25 – 1st | PRINCESS LUCIA took a hefty bump between horses leaving the gate but still got away well; pressed the even pace from ~1L back in 2nd, 2W to ~3/8 pole; came under pressure to keep pace rounding into the lane and just about did so while drifting out slightly; straightened for the drive still ~1L back in 2nd, 4W, then stayed on well through the lane, taking the lead ~1/8th pole before holding firm to the wire. A nice effort off the layoff. Sat a good trip, though, and certainly wasn’t short of fitness, reducing her ability to improve up to the level that’ll be required today; underneath at best. |
| LASTCHANCE ROMANCE | Allowance, PRX, 6F, Sloppy Dirt, 10/30/25 – 1st | LASTCHANCE ROMANCE showed decent natural speed from the rail; chased the even pace from ~1L back while being squeezed along inside to ~3/8 pole, then dropped back and came under heavy pressure; passed the ¼ pole fully extended ~3.5L behind in 4th, then cut the corner into the lane and re-rallied on the rail; collared the leader ~70Y from the wire, held on. Not for the first time in her career, she hit a flat spot mid-race, then re-rallied to win; might struggle to get away with that against tougher foes today. Perfect trip/setup limits her ability to improve up to the level of her tougher foes today too. |
| SASSAFRASSNESS | Allowance, DEL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 10/09/25 – 1st | SASSAFRASSNESS quickly sped forward to lead on the rail entering the first turn; traveled well setting an even, uncontested pace with ~1L advantage to the far turn; was gently nudged along when receiving pressure ~5/16 pole, then cut the corner into the lane and opened up by 3L; came under a stronger ride upon straightening and gamely held safe to the wire, despite tiring slightly in the final 50Y; won by at least 1L, not the 3/4L stated in the PPs. Set an honest pace in front and wired the field on a track presenting a closer bias (UPGRADE); cut back to 6F shouldn’t present any issues; fits on figs and heading in an upward trajectory; leading player. |
| SPENCER TIARA | Conniver S., LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 03/08/25 – 6th | SPENCER TIARA broke sharply from gate five; chased the even pace while being squeezed along from ~1.5L back in 2nd, 2W, racing to the turn; came under a stronger hand ride to hold her position on the far turn but struggled to do so and gradually dropped back; hit the top of the stretch ~6L back in the 2-3P, then came under a stronger ride and gamely stuck to her task through the lane but was unable to land any type of blow. Sat a clean trip and ran with credit at 5/1 but just wasn’t good enough. Visual effort was better than her 65 Beyer suggests. Respected if ready off the bench with lasix back on. |
| CONCRETE FAZE | MD Million Ladies S., LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/11/25 – 6th | CONCRETE FAZE drifted inwards ~100Y into the race while being hustled to the front, bumped and put her inside foes in tight; eventually settled into a stalking position in the 2P, ~2-3L off the hot early pace; traveled well in this position to the far turn, then came under a hand ride but failed to advance with any significance racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive still ~2L back in 3rd, then weakened slightly through the stretch, not for lack of trying, though. Was weak in the finish but had sat close to a hot pace that favored closers (excusable defeat?); overall, didn’t disgrace herself at all; returns to more favorable conditions with lasix on today; tough to rule out. |
| WEEKEND WIFE | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 09/19/25 – 7th | WEEKEND WIFE was unhurried from the rail draw having taken a slight bump at the break; chased the even pace from, ~5L back inside to the turn, then began dropping back and came under a ride; failed to respond to pressure on the bend, hit the top of the lane fully extended in last, ~14L off the lead, then weakened further in the stretch. Trip was fine/no visible excuse (don’t think it was a fitness issue off the bench as she was done too early); needs much more second off today; lasix on. |
| NANCY MARY | Claiming 40k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/24/25 – 1st | NANCY MARY broke cleanly from gate six; chased the even pace from ~3L back while being nudged along in the clear ~4W racing to ~3/8 pole; came under a stronger hand ride while 4-5W on the bend and held her position; straightened for the drive still ~3L back in the 4-5P, then came under a stronger ride and finished willingly to the wire, gradually reeling the leader in to get up just in time. Wide trip entitles her effort to an UPGRADE. Doubt that a more ground saving trip will see her improve enough to win this afternoon, but she’s heading in the right direction and could be one to use underneath. |
| ESROH | MD Million Distaff S., LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/11/25 – 8th | ESROH showed good speed despite breaking out a touch from gate ten; crossed to the 2P and pressed the hot pace from ~1L back in 2nd to ~3/8 pole; came under a hefty hand ride to hold her position racing to the top of the lane but struggled to do so and dropped back; straightened for the drive fully extended ~5L off the lead in 5th, then weakened further in the lane. Pressed a fast pace at 51/1 on a closer friendly racetrack – she was entitled to tire and should be seen to much better effect back down in class and distance today; just hope this race didn’t leave a mark. |
| ITSAMONSTAMASH | Allowance, DEL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 09/13/25 – 6th | ITSAMONSTAMASH was nudged along chasing the hot pace from ~4L back inside to the turn; dropped further back and came under a ride rounding the bend on the rail; straightened for the drive fully extended ~6L back on the rail, then lost further positions in the lane. Clean trip, no excuse; was outpaced on the rail throughout and never factored; will likely need more today; freshened up. |
Race 10: MC16K, 2YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| GONZALO | Maiden Claiming 15k, MVR, 5F, Fast Dirt, 11/05/25 – 3rd | GONZALO was ridden along chasing the pace on the rail from ~2.5L back to ~1/4, then dropped back a little more and came under a stronger ride; hit the top of the stretch fully extended ~3.5L behind in last, then stayed on with decent energy to the wire but never truly factored. No visible excuse, however, he didn’t look like he was giving it 100% either; addition of blinkers could work well today. |
| SIN SIN | Maiden Claiming 20k, DEL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 10/16/25 – 7th | SIN SIN showed decent speed from the rail and took the early lead; set a fast, pressured pace with ~1/4L advantage to the far turn, then began struggling and gradually dropped back under pressure on the bend; hit the top of the lane running on empty ~5L back, then had no more to give and stopped. Simply didn’t stay a mile; expect him to perform to a similar level to what he showed in his prior two runs back down in trip today. |
| RUNAWAY ROOSTER | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/04/25 – 8th | RUNAWAY ROOSTER broke alertly and flashed speed through the opening 1/16m, then gradually dropped back while being nudged on in the 2P racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive fully extended in 8th, ~16L off the lead, switched out into the 5P and remained well back. Another uninspiring effort that lacked a visible excuse. Tough to endorse. |
| BIKER BALEY | DEBUTANT | |
| COSMIC FATE | DEBUTANT | |
| PIPPIN THE WARRIOR | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 2nd | PIPPIN THE WARRIOR broke inwards and bumped hard at the break, lacked speed; chased the pace from ~5L back between horses in the 4P racing to ~3/8 pole; came under a hand ride and advanced slightly while angling out into the 4-5P at the top of the stretch, then briefly steadied as a gap between rivals shut ~3/16 pole; dove back down to the 3P, sought a fresh split between foes and stuck to his task well racing to ~1/16 pole, then surged late but missed; galloped out clear in front. Eye-catching effort; looked to still be figuring the game out as he went (second start); did his best work late after steadying briefly at top of lane; wouldn’t be surprised to see him move forward again; live. |
| BROADSIDE SALVO | MD MSW, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – UR | BROADSIDE SALVO stumbled badly at the break and unshipped his rider. |
| NO MORE CALLS | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 3rd | NO MORE CALLS took a heft bump on both sides at the start, lacked speed; was scrubbed along chasing the even pace from ~6L back between horses in the 2-3P racing to ~7/16 pole, then dropped to the rail on the bend; traveled well behind horses (waiting for a run slightly) to ~1/4 pole, then seized the opportunity to take a rial gap and cut the corner into the lane, gaining lengths; straightened for the drive just 2.5L back in a narrow 2nd, then came under a strong ride and finished well while drifting out into the 3P but could not reach the longtime leader, nor match strides with the winner. Suffered a slightly messy start but overall sat a good, ground saving trip. A repeat of this effort should see him go close today, though others do have more upside. |
| Q GOT HOPS | DEBUTANT | |
| RANDY SAID SO | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 10/19/25 – 4th | RANDY SAID SO was slowly into stride from gate two but still managed to work into a likable tracking position ~2L off the lead between horse sin the 2P early; traveled well in this position to the fart turn, then advanced in hand to take a share of the lead ~3/8 pole; came under a hand ride to hold this position racing to the top of the lane and did so but then hit a wall and weakened quickly in the stretch. Ran well for a long way but just didn’t get home. Expect more back at 6F today, though that still might not be enough. |
LP3 Horses to Follow
R8: TOUR JETE
Over the last five years, trainer Brittany Russell has gone only 3-for-26 (12%; $0.74 ROI) with horses returning from 300+ day layoffs in allowances, despite over half of those runners—14, to be exact—having started at sub-5/2 odds, and 10 at under 2/1. Therefore, following a dull effort when last seen in March, LUTE WARM could be a vulnerable favorite to oppose in today’s eighth; TOUR JETE could be the savvier play. TimeformUS users will note that this New York-bred daughter of WAR DANCER has stepped forward since joining Fernando Abreu’s barn at the beginning of October, producing her two lifetime-best figures (113, 108) in tough events at BAQ since. While she hasn’t left much room for improvement in those efforts, today’s waters are significantly calmer, and with a potentially vulnerable favorite and a second choice who’s far from certain to stay this trip, a simple repeat of either recent performance could be good enough. She’s proven her tactical versatility in the past, and her rider, Jorge Ruiz, is 8-for-his-last-17 on the turf at Laurel (47%; $5.47 ROI).
R9: CONCRETE FAZE
Prior to her respectable effort in the Maryland Million Ladies Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf last time—beaten just over six lengths after attending a fast pace that set up well for closers—CONCRETE FAZE had produced form figures of 1,1,2,1,3,3 via front-running tactics in dirt routes. However, she certainly does not need the lead, having won four of her last six sprints on the main track by closing from off the pace. She has a beautiful blend of sprint speed and stamina that makes her tactically versatile and effective at a range of distances. Therefore, she should have no problem adapting her style to the red-hot pace projected in today’s ninth, a six-furlong allowance on the dirt. Now dropping back into allowance company and returning to her preferred surface with lasix on, she looks well positioned to make it 8-for-20 on dirt lifetime for leading trainer Jamie Ness.
R10: PIPPIN THE WARRIOR
Hot apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood and trainer Hugh McMahon have been a force to be reckoned with recently, teaming up for four wins, four seconds, and four thirds in their last 15 starts together, including a brace of wins last Sunday. Their PIPPIN THE WARRIOR therefore looks as if he could be double tough to beat in today’s nightcap, a maiden 16k over six furlongs on the main track, following an eye-catching second start last time.
As highlighted in the trip notes, with blinkers removed, he raced greenly off the pace after bumping hard at the break, then advanced while angling wide off the turn, briefly steadied at the top of the stretch, and surged home powerfully to miss by a neck before galloping out clear in front. His visual performance suggested he’s capable of far more than his 34 Beyer, and with an extra sixteenth to work with, we should see that today as he makes career start number three. Seeing as his 34 Beyer is already the fastest last-out figure on offer, he therefore looks well-positioned to handle this group and add to the Hazlewood/McMahon hot streak.
