Trip notes for Laurel Park’s late pick-3 today, plus 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 8: MC25K, 3-6YOF, 5 1/2F, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| BALLYCURRIN | MC25K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/13/25 – 8th | BALLYCURRIN just went too fast for her own good in this race. She broke sharp from the outside, crossed to the 2P, dueled through fast fractions to the top of the lane, then weakened. With a more conservative ride, she can likely finish with a little more interest today. However, her 11/1 sparing partner held on for third and regardless of the pace scenario, she seemed to perform below par. She’s capable of more and her best efforts fit with this group, but she needs to bounce back from this effort and should be approached with caution. |
| TICKLERS | MC25K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/13/25 – 3rd | This was a likable debut from TICKLERS. She was rushed up from between horses early, crossed to the rail, dueled through fast fractions to the top of the stretch, then responded to pressure and took ~3/4L lead ~3/16 pole before fading late (not for lack of trying though). Considering she only had a five reported works leading into this race (and her trainer’s record with debutants), she’s entitled to step forward some today and if able to save more for the stretch, she could be very live indeed. It should be noted she was one of only two FTS in this race (other finished 6th); her 4/1 dueling partner faded to last; and the winner romped by 6 1/4L in this race, exasperating her margin of defeat. Passed the eye test and loved her attitude, player. |
| LOUVAR | MC16K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Good T, 09/28/25 – 4th | As expected, LOUVAR broke slowly from gate 11. She then chased the fast pace from ~8L back while in the clear 6W to the turn, tried to advance on the turn but struggled to do so as she was giving away so much ground racing 6-7W. She turned for home still ~8L back in the 6P, then rallied willingly through the lane but had too much to do. This effort can be upgraded as she gave away so much ground throughout and I suspect her ability is better than her speed figure/finishing position suggests. A more ground saving trip can make her very live today. However, her running style is often going to result in a wide trip (and could again today) and she is pace dependent. Better than result/fig suggests and respected, but whether we see improvement today is questionable. |
| CHEESE N CRACKERS | MC25K, MED, 1M, Firm T, 09/27/25 – 6th | CHEESE AND CRACKERS was bumped around leaving the gate but still managed to work into a likable tracking position in 3rd, ~1.5L off the even pace while 2-3W. She held this position to the far turn, then came under a hand ride but struggled to pick up and gradually weakened to the wire. She did meet very minor interference in the lane, but it did not cost her significantly and she had no excuse in defeat. But still, she ran a career best fig (improved for turf) and, having failed to stay this 1M distance, could have more to offer back down in trip. She is one paced and will need them to cook up front, but she showed two back she’s fast enough to handle this distance and shouldn’t be ruled out in a hurry. Player. |
| DANCE HALL DIVA | MC45K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/06/25 – 6th | This was an uninspiring debut. DANCE HALL DIVA broke sharp between rivals and showed up well to the far turn but then plummeted back though the field at a rate of knots on the bend and trailed to the wire. She’s entitled to step forward for this experience, but it was almost like something went amiss in this race (the rate at which she stopped) and it’s very hard to endorse her off this effort. |
| WORRIES UNFOUNDED | MC25K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast D, 02/02/25 – 2nd | There is lots to unpick here… WORRIES UNFOUNDED broke alertly from the rail but wasn’t rushed, then steadied back slightly into mid-pack, ~4L off the even tempo. She pulled very hard while on heels in this position to the turn, then shifted out ~2-3W ~1/4 pole as the leaders were sprinting for home. She could have moved out another lane at this point and had clear sailing to the wire but instead remained under a tight hold on a rival’s heels ~4L back to the top of the stretch. She then dove to the rail, came under a ride and picked up very well but ran straight up on heels ~1/8th pole; checked, shifted sharply back into the 3P, then was ridden again and finished with good energy but had too much to do. The rider then almost dropped the crop late too and spent the final 50yds recapturing it. Let’s be honest, this was a very poor ride and an upgradable effort in defeat. ‘WU’ is better than this result/speed figure indicates and having proven her ability on turf (provided she’s ready off the bench), she could play a major role today. |
| TURTLE LOVE | MSW, DEL, 1 1/16M, Yielding T, 09/27/25 – 10th | This was an uninspiring debut from TURTLE LOVE. She broke sharply from the outside and showed decent speed but then dropped back into mid-pack while 3W entering the first turn and was ridden along to hold this position into the back stretch. She then jumped back on the bridle racing to the far turn but struggled to hold her position as the pace lifted. She then stopped quickly on the bend and wasn’t persevered with in this lane. She’s entitled to step forward for this debut but didn’t particularly show enough signs that she’ll be much better sprinting (or enough talent in general) to suggest she’ll play a role today. Best watched for now. |
| HOPE DIAMOND | MC50K, CNL, 1M, Firm T, 09/04/25 – 6th | Although well beaten in this race without a visible excuse, we should see a much better performance from HOPE DIAMOND today. In first time blinkers, raced too keenly in front (wasting her and her rider’s energy) to get the 1M distance and understandably tired late. She should be much more comfortable back racing at 5 1/2F pace today and if improving on her prior turf sprint effort with blinkers now on (which she easily could), she should go very close. High on the shortlist. |
| MYSUNSHINEGIRL | MC25K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/13/25 – 2nd | Not much to dislike about this effort from MYSUNSHINEGIRL. She took a bump at the start, then tracked the hot pace form ~3L back between horses to the turn; dropped to the rail and held her position to the top of the lane, then shifted back out into the 3P and stayed on willingly, inheriting 2nd after a late lead change. She showed a likable attitude, and a repeat of this effort will entitle her to respect today. However, she couldn’t have asked for a better trip and other may have more upside. Maybe best used underneath. |
Race 9: Allowance, 3YO+, 6F, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| SUPER ACCELERATE | ALW, LRL, 6F, Fast D, 09/08/24 – 2nd | This was a likable effort off the layoff from SUPER ACCELERATE. He broke well from the two hole, stalked the modest pace on the fence from ~2L back to ~3/8 pole, briefly waited on the leader’s heels ~5/16 pole, swung out into the clear 2W at the top of the lane, then finished willingly for 2nd. Although he sat close to a slow pace, his finishing effort suggest this did not particularly aid him as much as it did hinder him (out kicked by winner off the bend but ran home willingly with strong strides in a manner to suggest he’d have been equally as effective chasing a fast pace); there’s no need to upgrade/downgrade this effort. He did sit a good trip in here and (unless the gelding operation has moved him up significantly), others may have more upside. But still, there wasn’t much to dislike and having proven he can fire fresh, he’ll demand respect again today. |
| ELVIS HIMSELF | ALW, DEL, 6F, Fast D, 09/14/25– 4th | This was a likable effort in defeat from ELVIS HIMSELF. He took a bump at the start, but it didn’t make any difference, he still managed to adopt a likable pocket stalking position on the rail, ~1.5L off the fast early pace. He was then scrubbed along to stay within striking range of the leaders while riding the rail on the turn, floated ~6-7W off the bend and finished willing but had no more to offer. Due to the ground he lost floating (somewhat unnecessarily) wide off the turn, this effort can be given a very slight upgrade. However, overall, he sat a good trip and had no excuse. One thing that was noticeable was that he pulled hard while his head was being kept clean through the opening 3/16, then dropped the bridle when facing kickback; maybe he’s more affective with daylight in front of him and can find more if making the lead today? It still seems unlikely he can improve enough to score today, but he shouldn’t be entirely ruled out, especially if playing vertically players. |
| GREAT HEAVENS | HCP, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 08/30/25 – 4th | Speed held very well in this competitive turf sprint and therefore, GREAT HEAVENS’ effort can be upgraded; he was the only horse to make up any significant ground from the rear. He was unhurried from the outside gate, chased the even pace under patient handling from ~7L back in last while ~2W to the top of the stretch, then angled out ~3/16 pole and rallied willingly. If his rider had asked him for an effort earlier in this spot, he could have potentially finished closer too; I’m not sure we saw him at his absolute best and now stretching back out to 6F, he could offer more. High on the shortlist. |
| LA FROST | MSW, MTH, 6F, Fast D, 08/31/25 – 1st | This was a gutsy maiden breaking debut from LA FROST. He broke well from the outside gate, then chased the even pace under mild hand urging while in the clear 4W, steadily built momentum while 3W on the turn and straightened for the drive with a share of the lead between horses, then finished gamely and dug in to prevail by a neck over a stubborn inside foe. Although he’ll need to find more on figs to play a major role today, with natural improvement expected and a more ground saving trip forecast, he has the potential to do so, and he shouldn’t be dismissed in a hurry. Love his attitude. Contender. |
| CHANGE MY WORLD | ALW, LRL, 6F, Good T, 09/12/25 – 3rd | CHANGE MY WORLD broke cleanly from the outside gate, then rated off the fast pace while in the clear ~4W to the turn, remained under patient handling in this position to the top of the lane, then shifted out and tried to rally but was lugging in and could only offer an even finishing effort. He did have to briefly shift off heels ~1/8th pole in this race, but it made no difference to the result. This wasn’t a bad effort in defeat, and a repeat should make him competitive today. However, he sat a perfect trip in this race, making it difficult to see how he steps forward again, and it wasn’t great to see him lugging in through the lane as this hindered his finishing effort some; that could make him vulnerable again today. Respected, but no lock. |
| MR. KEYS | VA ALW, CNL, 1M, Good T, 09/10/25 – 4th | Although well beaten in this race, we should see an improved effort from MR. KEYS today as he ran in a style to suggest that he’d be much better suited to sprint distances. Having shown good speed from the gate, he crossed to the rail and dueled through the first 1/4, then he was heavily restrained to chase the honest pace from 2L back in 2nd, 2W. He then advanced again heading into the far turn, built momentum on the bend despite lugging out some, turned for home level for the lead between horses, fought to the 1/8th pole, then faded quickly late on. It’s hard to knock him too much for this defeat as he did little wrong (other than lug out on the turn), but just simply didn’t get home; don’t be surprised if he rediscovers his best form back sprinting on the dirt today. Player. |
| CRAB DADDY | ALW, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm T, 09/14/25 – 6th | CRAB DADDY ran as his 31/1 odds suggested he would in this race. He lacked speed from the gate, chased the honest pace from ~6L back to the turn, then came under pressure but struggled to respond and remained well behind to the wire. Although he has some decent prior form lines, he didn’t show any indications that he’d be much better sprinting on the dirt, and he’s best watched for now. |
| MEDAGOOCH | MD ALW, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/31/25– 3rd | MEDAGOOCH just went too fast for his own good in this race. He was ridden very aggressively from the gate, dueled through blistering fractions on the rail into the back stretch, then opened up a healthy lead on the turn and into the stretch but became leg weary late and was caught inside the final 1/16. His rider then eased him through the final 100yds, exasperating the margin of defeat. Considering the pace he went early, it was actually impressive that he hung around for so long (while his sparing partner faded to last); a slightly more conservative ride back at a flat 6F today can see him to better affect and with his strong back class, he has to be respected. |
| PACO THE TACO MAN | SA, DEL, 6F, Fast D, 09/06/25– 3rd | This was a good effort in defeat from ‘PACO’. He broke sharp, then tracked the leading duo on the rail to the top of the stretch, pushed on through a rail opening to take a slim lead ~1/8th pole and looked the winner, but then tired in the final 75yds and was caught late. He showed a very likable attitude and is a tremendously consistent horse who needs respecting. However, he couldn’t have asked for a better rail skimming trip in this race, making it hard to see him improving further, and he’s probably best used underneath. |
Race 10: OC20K/SAL12K, 3YO+F, 5 1/2F, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| SUGAR BEE | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/27/25– 5th | This wasn’t a terrible effort at 15/1 from SUGAR BEE. She broke well from the rail, chased the honest pace from ~3L back to the turn, then shifted out into the 2P and just about stayed within striking distance to ~1/4 pole, came 3W into the lane, then kept trying to the wire but lacked a rally. Dropping in class today will likely see her to better affect and with a likable attitude such as her’s, she demands respect. However, she sat a good trip in this race, making it hard to see how or why she’ll improve significantly today, and she also changed leads multiple times in the lane; that dented her finishing effort and if doing the same today, it could make her vulnerable. Respected, but no lock. |
| GIFT OF GAB | SA, DEL, 5F, Good T, 09/20/25– 6th | GIFT OF GAB ran with credit in this race and owing to her wide trip/the race flow (pace held relatively well), her effort can be upgraded. She was unhurried from the gate, settled ~4L off the even pace while in the clear 5W, remained under patient handling while 4W on the turn and lost ground as the leaders quickened, turned for home ~6L back, then offered a mild late rally. She ran in a manner to suggest that she’ll be much better suited by stretching back out to 5 1/2F today with Laurel’s long stretch run in her favor, and a more ground saving trip can likely see her improve a couple of lengths too. She therefore has to be respected; do note though that she was beaten at least 2 1/2L in this race, not the 1 3/4L stated in the PPs. Don’t believe her late rally was more impressive than it actually was – this was a 2 1/2L defeat. |
| MYSTIC SEAPORT | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/27/25– 7th | MYSTIC SEAPORT’s effort in this race can be upgraded slightly as she was caught wide. But it still seemed that she ran below par. After being bumped at the start, she was hustled along chasing the honest pace from ~6L back while in the clear ~4W to the top of the lane, then finished evenly without ever landing a blow. She can improve with a more ground saving trip today; will be suited by the drop in class; and has races that make her live; she certainly demands respect for top connections. But she just seemed flat in this race and will need to bounce back to score. |
| RAPIDO ROSA | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/19/25– 7th | RAPIDO ROSA sat a perfect trip in this race but just wasn’t good enough. She broke sharply, crossed to the rail, traveled powerfully tracking the hot pace from ~2L back to the turn, then went in pursuit of the quickening leader on the bend, hit the top of the lane ~5L back in 2nd, then gradually weakened through the lane. Although she tried her hardest in this race and did nothing wrong, it’s hard to see her forward from this perfect trip effort and she’s best watched for now. |
| VISCIOUS GOSSIP | SA, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/27/25– 9th | VISCIOUS GOSSIP was restless in the gate but still got away well; she chased the pace from ~2L back in 2nd while 2W to the turn, then advanced to within 1/2L of the lead at the top of the stretch and loomed menacingly, but then gradually flattened out through the lane and was not persevered with in the final 1/16. If her rider had stayed on his belly through the final furlong, she might have been able to finish a little closer; but we’re clutching at straws here, she sat a good trip but wasn’t good enough and it’s hard to see her finding the improvement required to factor today. Best watched for now. |
| VELVET VIXEN | SA, CT, 4 1/2F, Fast D, 09/27/25– 3rd | Although beaten at a short price in this race, I don’t want to knock VELVET VIXEN too much for her effort. She does her best work on the lead but against these 4 1/2F speedballs, had to race in mid-pack ~3L off the pace. She was then caught 5W on the turn (wide trip- upgrade) before staying on late, but she ran out of race track. She might not be good enough to win today, but as she returns to a more suitable distance with the chance to make the lead and a more ground saving trip forecast, she can certainly improve on this effort (maybe considerably). |
| ON THE PAYROLL | CLM12K, MTH, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 08/30/25– 1st | ON THE PAYROLL played a game of ‘Catch Me If You Can’ with her rivals in this race and won. She sped to the lead, set an honest, uncontested pace to the turn, opened up by 4 1/2L at the top of the lane, then gamely stuck to her task through the stretch and despite tiring late, held on by a nose. You have to respect her attitude, and a repeat of this effort entitles her to respect today. However, she had everything her own way in this race and was all out to earn this victory; it seems unlikely that she can improve on this effort (especially with other speed in this race and a long stretch to work with) and others may have more have. |
| ORGANIZED CHAOS | ALW, MTH, 5F, Firm T, 08/22/25– 3rd | I don’t really want to knock ORGANIZED CHAOS’ for her effort in this race. She broke very quickly from the two hole, sped to the lead, set fast fractions with ~1L advantage to the top of the lane, then finished very gamely to the wire but could not quite hold off the closers and went down grudgingly in 3rd. She couldn’t have tried harder in this race and with an attitude as likable as her’s, plus a couple of races that fit with this group, she deserves a second look. However, with other speed signed on today, it seems unlikely that she can improve at all on this effort with another 1/16M to work with and (potentially) a wider trip forecast. Seems vulnerable, underneath type at best. |
Horses to Follow
R8: WORRIES UNFOUNDED (4/1 ML)
Since March 2021, trainer Manny Geralis has struck at an impressive 31% with horses returning from 180+ day layoffs (5-for-16; $3.04 ROI), which is good news for anyone, like me, who fancies WORRIES UNFOUNDED to score in today’s eighth, a $25k maiden claimer sprinting on the turf. This 4-year-old daughter of MOHAYMEN has come close to shedding her maiden tag already, posting three runner up efforts from just six lifetime starts, including when last seen on the dirt in February. For that effort, she was rewarded with a Beyer of 45, a drop from her best but still figure that pitches her in with a chance of success this afternoon. As highlighted in the trip notes, however, she found herself in all sorts of trouble under a 10lbs bug rider that day, stopping and starting and checking, and she was unquestionably better than the result and speed figure suggest.
Now returning back to the turf, which, based off her prior two starts on the surface, appears to be her preferred footing, following a number of sharp morning drills that point towards her readiness off the bench, she has the ability to improve significantly on her most recent effort and finally break her maiden in a winnable looking spot. Leading rider Forest Boyce jumps back in the irons this afternoon and with her 4/1 morning-line odds offering fair value, she’s worth keeping onside in the opening leg of the late pick-3.
R9: SUPER ACCELERATE (8/1 ML)
Seven of the nine runners entered in today’s ninth, a 6-furlong allowance on the main track, are listed at between 3/1 and 8/1 on the morning-line, highlighting the competitiveness of the race, and a strong case can be made for any number of the competitors. At the prices, however, SUPER ACCELERATE could be providing the best value. A winner of the Star De Naskra Stakes in 2023, the Robin Graham trained son of ACCELERATE has only made one outing in the last 23-months, which is obviously a concern. However, as highlighted in the trip notes, that run, which came off a 289-day layoff, was more than respectable, as he gave game chase to two-time stake winner CIRCLE P for a runner-up effort that earned him a 73 Beyer. If able to replicate a similar level of form today, he should be in the hunt again, and there looks to be no reason as to why he can’t. Now running as a gelding for the first time – which could bring out the best in him – his worktab screams readiness, highlighted by two recent bullet drills that include a fastest-of-70 half-mile work (47.60) on October 04. Furthermore, he’s proven that he can fire fresh, he should sit a perfect stalk-and-pounce trip on the rail, and trainer Robin Graham boasts a 25% with horses returning from 180+ day breaks (3-for-12; $9.40 ROI), only strengthening his case. His back class is as strong as any in this field and at 8/1 on the morning-line, he’s worthy of serious consideration.
R10: GIFT OF GAB (5/1 ML)
With a hugely impressive lifetime record of 12-3-3 from 26 starts, MYSTIC SEAPORT is most definitely a worthy morning-line favorite in today’s nightcap, a starter allowance sprinting on the turf. However, the Jamie Ness trained 5-year-old has been a little inconsistent as of late and put in another flat performance last time; 8/5 is simply too short a price for me to swallow and so instead, I’ll lean on GIFT OF GAB to cause a minor upset. Trained by the in-form Suzanne Stettinius, who has started the meet with five wins from 13 starts (38%, $10.40 ROI), the stakes-placed 6-year-old mare by FAST ANNA comes into today’s contest off what looks like four dull efforts in a row. However, two of those starts came on a boggy Penn National turf course she clearly didn’t handle, her two-back effort saw her meet trouble at the start which ultimately left her with too much to do late on, and her last start didn’t allow her to show her best either. As highlighted in the trip notes, she was badly pace compromised that 5-furlong affair at Delaware and she also gave away plenty of ground by racing wide on the home turn. It seems to me that her subpar recent efforts have been a matter of circumstance rather than a regression in her ability, and that her form is a little ‘dirtied-up’.
Now back to sprinting 5 1/2-furlongs on a firm track at Laurel, where she never runs a bad race, today could be a great chance to catch her at a decent price. Her overall body of work matches anyone in this field, she should get a ground-saving trip with plenty of pace to chase, and Barbosa back aboard is a big plus too—he’s 4-for-4 in the exacta with this gal.
‘HTF’ Results:
September 2025
Starters: 32
Wins: 10 (31%)
ITM: 22 (69%)
Average Odds: 5.60
ROI: $2.46
June 2025
Starters: 35
Wins: 11 (31%)
ITM: 23 (66%)
Average Odds: 5.40
ROI: $3.42
May 2025
Starters: 36
Wins: 12 (33%)
ITM: 20 (55%)
Average Odds: 4.40
ROI: $3.60
