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: 4-5-1
R2: 8-1-9
R3: 7-3-1
R4: 7-4-3
R5: 2-6-4
R6: 12-5-6
R7: 10-8-3
R8: 1A-4-5
R9: 1A-5-3
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
Race 1: Maiden Claiming 16K, 2YO, 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #4 BOSS LILY | Maiden Claiming 16K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 5th | Chased the even pace from ~7L back on the rail racing to ~3/8 pole, then had to steady very slightly and was shuffled back a little (costing her momentum); came under a ride to recover when ~8L+ off the lead ~5/16 pole and responded, staying on well through horses to be beaten just 3 3/4L on the wire, despite being forced down towards the rail ~1/16 pole. She then galloped out okay. | Did not have a perfect trip (steadied at a crucial stage of the race) and the distance looked inadequate. Expect more stretched out to a mile second off the bench today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 TUG hesitated at the break last out and gave the field a head start; might be capable of reversing form with PAYNTED LION and DONUT DUST if breaking better (he showed a likable attitude in defeat, too). – #5 JOE CLASS was shuffled back very slightly entering the turn last out which maybe cost him 6th. – #7 STORMY BREW lugged out on the turn last time. |
|||
Race 2: OC16K/SAL16K, 3YO+F, 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 WISE AND ELEGANT | Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/8M, Good Turf, 11/08/25 – 2nd | Broke sharp from the rail and took the early lead; set honest fractions with a 1L advantage to the far turn; lugged out but maintained a healthy lead to ~1/4 pole, then was confronted by a closer ~3/16 pole (well clear of 3rd) lost the lead shortly after but continued battling hard for a clear 2nd. | Set fast enough fractions in front and did not catch a breather down the back stretch; the race set up well for closers and she did well to hold 2nd – PACE UPGRADE. Dangerous if transferring this ability to the dirt with a furlong less to get; might step forward for this run too seeing as it was her first route. Did lug out on the turn, though. |
| #8 HEYBACKATCHA | Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/19/25 – 3rd | Took a nice hold racing ~8L off the honest pace in rear of the body of the field while ~4W racing to the far turn, then made a bid in the 4P to pass the ¼ pole just 3-4L back; was then floated out into the 7P at the top of the lane, losing a little ground, before staying on admirably to the wire. | Sat a very wide trip throughout; UPGRADE this effort. Switches back to dirt today on barn debut. |
| Other notes:
– Granted, she’d set comfortable fractions on an uncontested lead to the far turn, but the jockey was only giving ~50-60% effort in the stretch on #7 GOT GAME last out it seemed as though she had more in the tank crossing the wire and could be capable of more. |
|||
Race 3: MD MSW, 2YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #3 REBEL PRINCE | MSW, LRL, 6F, Muddy Dirt, 11/08/25 – 5th | Did not face the muddy kickback at all having been outsped from the gate and dropped himself out into an impossible position (16L+ off the lead at first call); he then stayed on okay when the field spread out and he could keep his head clear, passing tired rivals for 5th. | Would have liked to have seen a better kick/more powerful finish when he managed to get out the kickback (was an open MSW run on a speed favoring track, though); still, he didn’t do badly to finish 5th after his early antics in behind the kickback had placed him in an impossible position early. It’s fair to say that this is not a true reflection of his best ability and more can be expected today (if avoiding kickback). |
| Other notes: None | |||
Race 4: OC40K/N2X, 3YO+F, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 BEAUTIFUL BLOME | Allowance, PRX, 1M, Fast Dirt, 09/22/25 – 2nd (last start with lasix on) | Was unhurried from gate two; chased the slow pace under patient handling from ~4L back inside racing to ~7/16 pole, then crept slightly closer in hand entering the far turn; was nudged along to hold her position (3L off the lead) while angling off the rail behind horses as the pace lifted racing to the top of the lane; hit the top of the lane still 3L down in ~3P, then came under a strong ride and finished well between horses into 2nd. | Pace compromised (closing into a slow pace) on a speed favoring track – UPGRADE this effort. Potentially capable of more than this (75 Beyer earning) effort now lasix go back on. |
| #3 CLUCK CLUCK | Starter Alw, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/11/25 – 2nd | Worked forward from the outside gate and chased the fast pace from ~3L back in the 3P racing to the turn; gradually crept closer in pursuit of the lone leader while 3W racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~1/2L back, then drew level with the longtime leader in deep stretch and battled hard with this foe to the wire but missed. | Sat close to a fast pace and raced wide on a closer friendly racetrack. This effort deserves more credit than the PPs suggest (she seems in fine form, even though her speed figure from this run suggests otherwise). |
| #7 SPENCERIAN | MD Million Distaff S. LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/11/25 – 5th | Lacked speed; chased the hot pace from ~9L behind on the rail racing into the turn; was shuffled back a little between the 7/16 and 3/8 poles; angled out into the clear 5W when ~12L behind ~5/16 pole, then began building momentum to the top of the stretch; was floated 7W into the lane, the rider then dropped the crop; straightened for the drive still ~9L off the lead, then finished evenly under a hand ride and improved but simply had too much to do to ever threaten | Far from perfect trip/race (much further back than usual, shuffled back turn, very wide, rider dropped crop) off a 175-day break; expect more second off bench today. |
| Other notes:
– #6 BACKSTRETCH ROSE deserves a little extra credit for closing slightly into a slow pace last time. Result and speed figure seem fair, though. |
|||
Race 5: Claiming 7.5K, 3YO+F, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #2 DON’T TELL KELLY | Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/26/25 – 7th | Broke slow in rear, then rushed up out of cover in the 4P racing into and around the first turn; pulled hard ~5L behind the modest pace in the 4P racing to ~1/2m pole, then crept closer into 3rd; chased the leading duo form ~3L back in the 3P on the far turn as the pace increased, then came under a ride at the top of the lane but was out kicked and lost positions. | This was a bad turf trip (pulled hard while wide and out of cover out of cover) and the race was not run to suit either (does her best work closing into fast paces; this pace was slow which resulted in her racing much closer to the pace early and she was then out kicked when the tempo lifted late); did well to be beaten just 2 3/4L under the circumstances. Switch back to dirt today could make this trip note irrelevant, but it’s still worth noting she’s in better form than the PPs suggest. |
| Other notes:
– The chart comment on #1 GHEE FOR THE WIN suggests a troubled trip last time; it wasn’t a perfect trip, but it wasn’t horrible either and there was no real (visible) excuse for her poor performance. Don’t be fooled, she needs to bounce back today. – #3 LACHICAFORTEQUILA sat a slightly wide trip last time, likely costing her second (beaten just two noses); it wasn’t enough to warrant a significant upgrade, though. – #4 MAXIMO MADNESS had a great trip sitting close to a slow pace last time, potentially warranting a downgrade. |
|||
Race 6: Maiden Claiming 12K, 3-6YOF, 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 SERIOUS LADY | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 8th | Was unhurried; chased the modest pace under patient handling from ~8L back on the rail racing to the top of the the lane, then cut the corner into the stretch and tried to advance through a slim rail opening ~1/8th pole but was slightly short of room; had to shift back out into the 2-3P, then finished evenly. | This wasn’t a terrible trip; however, she was pace compromised (modest pace held well), and she also had her momentum halted slightly in the stretch, arguably costing her two positions. Slightly UPGRADE this effort (but only slightly!) Switch back to dirt today could make this trip note irrelevant, but it’s still worth noting she’s in slightly better form than the PPs suggest. |
| #2 CYNTHIA GAIL | Maiden Claiming 16k, CNL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 08/30/25 – 2nd | Settled ~6L off the even pace racing through the opening 3/16, then made an early move between horses to take a share of the lead in the 3P ~5/8 pole; contested fast fractions while 3-4W on the bend; was overhauled by the eventual winner at the top of the lane but kept trying and got the better of the two other pace setters to hold 2nd. | Made an early move to contest a fast pace through the mid-section of the race while giving ground away in the 3-4P; would never have beaten the winner, but this ride/trip didn’t allow her to show her best and one suspects she’s better than this speed figure suggests. 90 day break to overcome today. |
| #12 PROFESSOR GRACE | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 6th | Broke cleanly from gate two but lacked room shortly after and was unhurried while being bumped back to last; traveled strongly under very patient handling in a detached last, ~10L+ off the modest pace racing to the top of the lane ~2W; remained unasked while shifting out into the clear towards the center ~1/8th pole, then finished with credit but had way too much to do. | Was given way too much to do and ridden far too patiently in a slowly run race that saw speed hold well. She did well to be beaten just 3 1/4L and is surely much better than the result/speed figure suggests (assuming she transitions to dirt). UPGRADE this effort. |
| #13 AUTUMN IN VERMONT (AE) | Maiden Claiming 12k, LRL, 6F, Muddy Dirt, 11/08/25 – 4th | Chased the slow pace from ~3-4L back while 5W racing to 5/16 pole, then dropped back slightly as the leader kicked and spread the field out approaching the top of the lane; turned for home ~5W in 5th, then kept trying and got 4th. | Raced very wide while trying to close into a slow pace on a speed favoring track, likely over an inadequate distance too. Expect more second off the bench today, back out to a mile. |
| Other notes:
– #5 CLOSE UP sat a good trip close to a slow pace that favored closers last time which potentially warrants a slight DOWNGRADE. Has been equally as effective, if not more effective, closing into hot paces, though, so maybe it was insignificant. – #6 JULIA’S A FOX finished evenly enough last time to suggest she might (just might) be effective going long. |
|||
Race 7: Allowance N1X, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– Other than slightly wide trips from #3 SPRING DECISION and #10 CATTIVO RAGAZZO (not enough to warrant significant upgrades, though) all other runners’ recent efforts have come courtesy of clean trips and appear fair reflections of their current form levels. |
|||
Race 8: Allowance OC 55K/C, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #5 KARAN’S NOTION | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/19/25 – 4th | Stumbled slightly and steadied at the start, getting away slowly; trailed the field under patient handling from ~10L+ back racing to the 5/16 pole, then angled out into the 5P+ entering the stretch before staying on with credit towards the center of 4th. | Closed into a modest pace (while slightly wide) after a poor/troubled start; did well under the circumstances and is likely capable of more today. |
| Other notes: None | |||
Race 9: Maiden Claiming 25K, 2YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #3 PALACIOS | Maiden Claiming 25K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 8th | Was not rushed despite having spotted the field many lengths after hesitating at the break; chased the pace from ~12L+ back in the 4-5P+ racing to the top of the lane, then finished evenly. | Gave his chance away at the break (jockey didn’t do much about the slow break, either) and then raced very wide on the turn. Might not be a bad idea to toss this race and judge him on his debut effort (which he’s still entitled to improve upon). Another slow break could be a concern today, though. |
| Other notes:
– #1 IMPRESSIVENESS simply failed to stay 1 1/16M last time and will be suited by the cut back in distance today. Do note that his efforts two and three back came over speed friendly tracks, though. – #6 PENCIL ME IN ran up on heels a little as the field bunched suddenly ~3/4 pole last time; in the grand scheme of things, it did not affect her effort/the result. |
|||
Horses to Follow
R1: BOSS LILY (12/1 ML)
BOSS LILY didn’t have a smooth trip last time, briefly losing momentum at a key stage, and the 5 1/2-furlong distance looked on the short side for her as well. Even so, she did well to finish just 3 3/4 lengths behind the gate-to-wire winner, particularly given that she’d had only three works leading into the race — just her second career start and her first in 106 days. Her late rally hinted that more ground would bring out better, and while her pedigree doesn’t scream routes, her second dam was a multiple stakes winner around two turns who also finished fifth in the G1 Kentucky Oaks. Trainer Irvin Flores, who’s 3-for-10 (30%, $7.32 ROI) stretching horses out from sprints to routes, clearly believes the added distance is what she’s been waiting for. If the stretch-out and second-off-the-layoff fitness bump move her forward, BOSS LILY has the look of a live price player in today’s wide-open first race.
R2: HEYBACKATCHA (20/1 ML)
HEYBACKATCHA has been in better form than ever recently, recording three straight 60+ Beyers — something she’s never done before. And that last-out 66, when finishing 3rd at 48/1 to stakes-placed BUZZAWAY, was better than it looks on paper too, owing to her extremely wide trip throughout. She now switches back to dirt, a move that will likely turn most bettors away as she makes her debut for trainer Sandra Webb. However, from just seven starts on dirt she’s recorded two wins, a second, and two thirds, and she’s run figures that give her a squeak this afternoon; and while she may be better on turf, it’s hardly as though she doesn’t handle the dirt. Considering her last two turf starts have been career bests, there’s no reason she can’t produce a career best back on dirt either — say a mid-60s Beyer — and if all the stars align, that might be good enough to see her go close at a big price in race two.
R4: SPENCERIAN (9/2 ML)
Last year’s Politely Stakes winner SPENCERIAN returned from a layoff with a better-than-it-looks effort in the Maryland Million Distaff Stakes. Possibly a little rusty, she dropped farther off the early speed than usual, was shuffled back slightly on the bend, caught extremely wide approaching the top of the lane, and her rider then dropped the crop shortly after the 1/4 pole. She’d only had five reported works since her last start in April and was likely short of fitness, too. In a race of that quality and under those circumstances, a fifth-place finish beaten just over six lengths was perfectly respectable. She now stretches out to 1 1/16 miles — a distance at which she’s 1-for-1 — and looks poised to step forward in a race where she could easily emerge as the controlling speed. Victor Carrasco, who has a great rapport with her and won the Politely on her last year, retakes the mount this afternoon as well.
