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 fantastic daily handicapping guide put together by the MJC Team via THIS LINK.
Race Selections
R1: 3-4-7
R2: 2-1-4
R3: 3-1-6
R4: 4-2-3
R5: 4-3-1
R6: 2-5-6
R7: 5-4-1
R8: 6-1-2
R9: 3-5-4
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
Race 1: Claiming 16k, 3YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #7 PICHU | Claiming 16k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 03/01/26 – 1st | Chased hot pace inside to turn; asked for run along fence approaching 3/8; took command turn, then drew off. | Granted, she was the 6/5 fav, this was still a smart performance considering she was asked to advance into a hot pace set by the eventual runner-up (#6 SHENADOAH SUNRISE) earlier than ideal (~3/8) in order to seize a rail gap that could have closed if she hadn’t made the move inside; she made this early move into the hot pace and would have been entitled to tire late, but she stuck to her task very well and kept extending through the line. Willing to give this effort a PACE UPGRADE; she looks to be heading in the right direction. |
| Other notes:
– #1 TROUBLE AND STRIFE strode out nicely through the wire despite failing to switch leads when breaking her maiden in a quarter horse maiden last time (1000Y, LA, 12/21/25); she might not get away with that (not switching) against winners at 5 1/2F today. (But who knows?). – Not sure it’s majorly significant in this case because she was a clear second best on paper leading into the race, and in the race itself, but it might just be worth noting that there was a significant speed bias present when #3 RERUN TABLE last ran (6F, LRL, 03/07/26 – 2nd). Did the track help her hold 2nd more comfortably than would otherwise have been the case? – #4 BELLA’S PASSWORD crossed the wire with good energy when breaking her maiden last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/27/26 – 1st), possibly winning with something in hand; wouldn’t be a surprise if she offered more again today second off the bench. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 2: Claiming 12.5k, 4YO+ (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| Other notes:
– #1 MY DEAR ANTONIA took a bump and the steadied shortly after the start last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26 – 10th), then lost a little ground coming fractionally wide into the lane; neither factor fully explain quite why she ran so far below par, though – she was never involved and offered nothing while remaining on her left lead in the lane. Needs to bounce back today. – #2 A COZY THING underperformed last time (1M, LRL, 02/28/26 – 4th) and will need more today, period. It should be noted, however, that she only faced three rivals last time. Therefore, when she dropped back to 4th in the lane, she was not persevered with thereafter (if she had had other rivals trying to beat her to 4th, she likely would have been ridden to the wire). This obviously greatly exasperated the margin of defeat, and although below her best, she maybe wasn’t quite as far below her best as the PPs suggest. – #3 HOCKEY won cozily last time (1M, LRL, 03/06/26 – 1st) despite having lost ground when floated ~6W into the lane – tiny UPGRADE. – #4 INEEDYOUBABE drew off to win well last time (1M, LRL, 03/06/26 – 1st) despite having lost ground racing ~4W on the turn and then 5W into the lane (small UPGRADE). She may be able to offer more again today if saving a little ground. – #5 THUNDER IN PARIS endured a rough start last time (6 1/2F, CT, 02/06/26 – 6th), stumbling and bumping with a foe; those factors do not fully explain quite why she ran so poorly, though – she still managed to work forward into a likable stalking position on the winner’s girth rounding the first turn 2W, but then stopped very quickly approaching the far turn. She’ll need much more today over a distance that isn’t certain to suit. |
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Race 3: Claiming 7.5k, 4YO+ (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #1 RIBBONSINHERHEAIR | Claiming 7.5k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Muddy Dirt, 03/07/26 – 3rd | Pressed honest pace between horses 3W into back stretch; dropped back to 4th approaching far turn; lost a little ground racing ~4W when trying to reel leading duo back in from ~3L down racing to ¼; floated out 4-5P and bumped with rival top of lane, then stayed on willingly to the wire but had too much to do. | She’s deserving of some extra credit for this effort as she lost a little ground racing fractionally wide on both turns and was also racing against the heavy speed bias from ~1/2m pole home. Suspect that on a fair track with a more ground saving trip, she’d have run a very similar race to #6 WATCH YOUR TONE (2nd), who was able to save a little more ground when rallying from the same spot. There was less between the two than the 3/4L margin suggests. |
| Other notes:
– #2 DUBSTEP sat a little too close to the fast, closer friendly pace last time (7F, LRL, 02/13/26 – 6th) and inevitably tired late on; still, it seems she’ll need more today. – There was no visible reason as to why #3 PRINCESS LUCIA ran so far below par last out (1M, LRL, 02/21/26 – 6th) – maybe she disliked the muddy going? Whatever the case, she’ll need to rebound on the drop today. – Although outpaced from the start and never a factor, #4 ALWAYS FORWARD did actually stay on at an even clip last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 03/01/26 – 5th) and then galloped out nicely in front of the field, offering hope that she can step forward back at a route of ground, third off the bench today. – The rider seemingly felt something amiss with #5 MISSY BOSS last time (1M, LRL, 02/12/26 – 7th) but it’s tough to know what that was exactly: she was running a geat race and was right there fighting for the lead inside the final 1/8, but the rider then just pulled her up (nothing visually was amiss). Initial inclination would be to draw a line through that try – it wasn’t as bad as the result/speed fig suggests. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 4: Claiming 40k, 3YO, 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #2 PENCIL ME IN | Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 02/04/26 – 2nd | Hopped start and got away slowly; gradually worked forward into the fast pace along the rail and took 2nd, ~12L off the runaway leader ~5/8 pole; went on the chase from 2nd heading into the far turn and was then joined by two other pursuers far turn; briefly met traffic in upper stretch as the eventual winner blew by the longtime leader and took a clear lead; then stayed on very gamely from 2nd and nearly reeled the winner in late. | A strange race in which the longtime leader scampered 12L clear of the pursuers at 2nd call and the majority of the field was in chase mode throughout. PENCIL ME IN is entitled to a little extra credit for being the first to commit to the chase AFTER ALREADY MOVING INTO THE HOT PACE from rear following his poor start (with a good break, he could have been shaving energy to the ½); the brief traffic he then met in upper stretch didn’t help his cause either. A sneakily upgradable effort he can likely build on. |
| Other notes:
– Although the pace wasn’t necessarily slow, speed did hold very well in the race that #1 PLAY IT COOL won in gate to wire fashion last time (1M, LRL, 02/13/26 – 1st), with the 19/1 runner up never worse than 3L back and the 4th place finisher positioned in 2nd for the majority of the contest. That obviously raises some questions about the legitimacy of the form, and one would ideally want to see it again from PIC. Note: #3 MASTER SCHEMER did by far the best of the closers in that race. – #4 FOUL MOUTH stumbled at the break last time (1M, LRL, 02/13/26 – 1st) but it didn’t make any difference – he recovered quickly, sat a likable trip and was game in the stretch, driving. Result/speed fig fair. Note: there was a closer bias present the only other time he’d tried a route distance. – Maybe he just resented the muddy going, but there was no visible reason as to why #5 PAUL’S GUITAR ran so far below form last out (6F, LRL, 03/08/26 – 5th) – he never lifted a hoof and was not persevered with from ~1/4. Now has questions to answer. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 5: OC40k/N2X Allowance, 4YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #4 HAGRID’S FLAME | Allowance, 1 1/8M, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/01/26 – 2nd | Pressed hot pace on rail into first turn; dropped back and chased hard in a clear 2nd from 1-2L back to far turn; advanced 2W and drew level with leader ~3/8; moved into slim lead top of lane, then forged into a clear lead ~1/8 pole but was eventually nailed by a rail skimming closer. | He’s entitled to a big PACE UPGRADE for this first effort with blinkers on. The hot pace that he chased/pressed throughout completely favored closers (longtime leader – who was the 2/5 fav – faded into a well beaten 5th; winner, third and fourth place finishers were 9 1/2L, 10 1/2L & 14 1/2L off the lead, respectively, at second call). He did remarkably well to finish 2nd, just failing, and can likely offer more if rationing out his speed a little more efficiently. |
| Other notes:
– Although he’s entitled to step forward second off the bench today, #1 TAKE THE PLEDGE’s last effort (1 1/8M, LRL, 03/01/26 – 4th) needs to be DOWNGRADED due to the pace setup he received (wicked early pace, highlighted above, strongly favored closers). Exiting the same race, #5 CROSSLAND (3rd) also need his effort DOWNGRADING as he too benefited from the pace collapse, aided by a good trip. – Exiting the same race as #4 HAGRID’S FLAME and co, (1 1/8M, LRL, 03/01/26), #2 CAP COM (7th) was positioned a little too close to the hot, closer friendly pace early; it wasn’t a surprise that he tired late at odds of 36/1 and he can likely offer a little more if rationing out his speed a little more efficiently. – #3 SECRET ZIPPER was poor last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/05/26 – 6th) and now has things to prove. Could it be that his hop at the break – which led to him being out of position early as a typical front runner – was the reason behind his no show effort, though? – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 6: Maiden Claiming 25k, 3YO (F), 6 Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #6 EMMA MERMAID | Maiden Claiming 25k, 6F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 02/13/26 – 2nd | Bobbled break, then lacked room shortly after; dropped a long way back chasing the even-honest pace on rail to ~1/4, then angled out 4W and rallied nicely through the lane for 2nd. | Don’t want to award this effort an upgrade as such, but it was an eye-catching run that she put in (her second eye-catching run in a row) to make up so much ground into the even pace, and her poor start certainly didn’t help her cause, likely exasperating the beaten margin at first call. Third off the bench, she retains the ability to offer more today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 PRINCESS CHARMING was fidgety in the gate and away slightly awkwardly last time (6F, LRL, 02/13/26 – 10th), but that does not explain why she ran so poorly; needs much more today. – Although well beaten and a little green in the lane, #2 GRIPEN showed a likable, willing attitude on debut last time (6F, LRL, 02/14/26 – 3rd), doing best of the debutants. Promising. – With first time lasix, #5 DOLLY’S JOLENE ran a very game in defeat last out (6F, AQ, 02/15/26 – 3rd) having tried to wire the field through even fractions on a track with a slight closers lean (tiny amount of extra credit; pace still held well in this particular race). Figures to play a role today. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 7: Beyond The Wire Stakes, 3YO (F), 1 Mile, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #4 SOME RIDE | MSW, 1M, AQU, Fast Dirt, 02/04/26 – 1st | Worked forward from the rail; set fast, pressured fractions to the top of the lane, then dispatched of her pace companion and gamely held off the closers late. | The fractions that she set in front were fast and favored closers, yet she still managed to hold on gamely for the win. This effort is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE; it wouldn’t be a shock if she were to continue on her promising upward career trajectory today. |
| Other Notes:
– Prior to winning well, aided by a great trip last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/14/26), it had been highlighted in these lines how strongly #1 MISS FULTON GAL galloped out after rallying into second behind #6 MOMAXIE two-back. – Other than the fact that she was running off just 10-days rest, it’s difficult to see a reason as to why #2 LAW SCHOOL ran below par and disappointed as the 1/5 fav last time (1 1/16M, PRX, 03/03/26 – 3rd) – her trip was fine, had she been good enough on the day. Maybe she just dislikes the mud? – #3 SOMEMUNNY TO LOVE’s maiden breaking win last time (6 1/2F, PRX, 02/11/26) needs to be DOWNGRADED as she had a very fast, closer friendly pace to run at from rear, and the track was presenting a notable closer bias. Things to prove with lasix off today. – #5 PEACH TIE hit the line with enough energy last out (7F, LRL, 02/21/26 – 1st) to suggest that today’s distance will be within her wheelhouse. Nice attitude, obvious player. In the same race, #6 MOMAXIE bobbled a little at the break, but it made no difference to her trip or the result (3rd). – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 8: Private Terms Stakes, 3YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #2 CODE OF SILENCE | Spectacular Bid Stakes, 7F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 02/04/26 – 3rd | Hopped start and away slowly; chased the slow pace from a detached last into the turn; began to advance racing to the top of the lane, then rallied nicely into 3rd. | This effort is deserving of a notable UPGRADE as there was no pace from him to close into (baring his move, the running order hardly changed throughout) yet he still managed to rally into a close 3rd over a distance short of his best. He has the potential to improve significantly on this effort with a faster pace to run at and/or an extra 3/16 miles to work with. |
| #6 WILD WARRIOR | Spectacular Bid Stakes, 7F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 02/04/26 – 3rd | Well paced stalking slow pace on rail into lane, evenly. | Exiting the same race as #2 CODE OF SILENCE, his trip was not poor, and his effort is not worthy of an upgrade. However, the pace setup (and maybe distance) did not suit him either as he lacked the pace/additional gear to challenge through the lane, instead finishing willingly but just at an even clip before galloping out strongly in front. He too left the impression that he can improve significantly on this effort with a faster pace to run at and/or an extra 3/16 miles to work with. |
| Other notes:
– #1 LET’S GO LANDO could not have been more game in defeat last time (1M, LRL, 02/21/26 – 2nd) and ran every bit as well as the winner having raced a path or two wider than that foes on the turn. He figures to play another big role right back. Note: he flopped back to his left lead ~25Y from the wire last out, likely through fatigue, highlighting that he gave his all. Does that reduce his scope to improve again? In the same race, #5 HIGHER SENSE stumbled at the break a little, but it made no difference to his trip or the result – he recovered quickly and adopted a good early position but had no more to give from the 3/8 pole home. – #3 LUNDI LOOT was very game to just hold 2nd last out (1M, LRL, 01/10/26), however, he had been able to set reasonable fractions while saving ground throughout and visually, he looked tired through the final 1/16, flopping leads late. While his gallop out was okay, he didn’t fill one with confidence about his ability to stay two turns today. – #4 HOLLYWOOD IMPORT showed great tenacity to get back up and score last time (7F, LRL, 02/04/26) and he figures to play a role again today. In that last race, however, he was able to set slow fractions (the aforementioned fractions that hindered #2 CODE OF SILENCE) in front while saving ground throughout, which obviously helped him secure the win. We probably need to downgrade his effort a little, however, he’d secured a similar front-running style win over the same trip two-back having set fast fractions in front, so it’s hard to knock his overall ability too much. He leaves the impression today’s distance will be within his wheelhouse. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Race 9: Claiming 12.5k, 4YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP | NOTE |
| #5 LUCKED IN | Claiming 12k, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 02/28/26 – 2nd | Unhurried from rail; took firm hold ~5L off even pace in rear, then pulled his way forward onto heels ~5/8 pole and was forced to steady/check; dropped back to be ~10L back in last and under pressure rounding then far turn; began building momentum from ~5/16, angled out 5W into lane, then rallied willingly towards the center but missed. | Not only did he have to check ~5/8 pole, but he was also racing completely against the ‘flow’ in this race which (other than his move), barely saw the running order change throughout. We can UPGRADE this effort and expect at least as strong an effort today. |
| Other notes:
– Although wide on both turns, there was no visible reason as to why #1 STRATEGIST ran so poorly last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/12/26 – 6th); maybe he just needs the lead? Whatever the case, he really needs to bounce back today. – All others: trust the PPs. |
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Horses to Follow
R5: HAGRID’S FLAME (1/1 ML)
Trainer Jamie Ness fitted HAGRID’S FLAME with blinkers for the first time when last seen, and the change had an immediate, positive effect. Positioned in a pressing spot just off an electric early pace set by 2/5 favorite CERTIFIED LOVERBOY, the four-time winning son of LEOFRIC showed real tenacity, sticking on all the way to the wire while the other pace players waved the white flag on the far turn. Despite the demanding setup, he was only nailed late by XCELLENT START—who was more than 10 lengths off the lead after three quarters—and there’s a strong case he was best that day. Now cutting back to 1 1/16 miles and facing familiar rivals he’s already shown he can handle, he should keep SECRET ZIPPER honest from the outside draw and looks ideally placed to land the opening leg of today’s “Value Late Pick-5”.
R8: WILD WARRIOR (5/1 ML)
WILD WARRIOR gets back to his preferred two-turn trip in this afternoon’s Private Terms Stakes after being compromised by an inside trip, slow pace, and inadequate seven-furlong distance in the Spectacular Bid when last seen. Even so, he ran well in defeat, finishing just over three lengths behind pace-setting stablemate HOLLYWOOD IMPORT before galloping out in front. Two starts back, the Rose Petal Stable LLC-owned son of IMPROBABLE had made it two-for-two against his other stablemate and morning-line second choice LET’S GO LANDO when dominating an allowance under an aggressive Hazlewood ride. That effort arguably should have been his second win from as many starts over today’s track and trip, but he had been undone by a strong speed bias when forced to close from the rear in just his second start. Although slightly lighter on numbers than a few of today’s rivals, his form stacks up well and, back at a more suitable distance with an outside draw to suit his tactical versatility, he looks primed for a breakout effort. With Hazlewood retaining the ride, his 5/1 morning-line odds could underestimate him.
