Top pick selections for all races at Laurel Park today, plus select trip notes and horses to follow. Good luck!
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Race Selections
R1: 9-4-8
R2: 2-7-9
R3: 5-8-9
R4: 3-4-5
R5: 9-1-8
R6: 6-5-3
R7: 2-3-5
R8: 6-9-1
R9: 8-3-7
R10: 4-2-7
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: Maiden Claiming 16k, 3-6YO, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #2 BEAUTIFUL QUALITY | Maiden Claiming 16k, CNL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 09/06/26 – 8th | Showed speed, then settled into a stalking position 1-2L off the even pace; held position racing into and around the far turn until a rival backed up sharply in front of him ~1/4, forcing him to check and shuffling him right back; he failed to recover from there. | His last start on turf prior to two fine tries on dirt:
A troubled trip he can likely improve on back on grass. Note: the pace he set last time (10/25/26) was hot and favored closers; we can be forgiving of that defeat. |
| #3 REGENCY TALE (MTO) | Maiden Claiming 12K, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/26 – 2nd | Broke well; pressed hot pace from ~1L back in the 4P to the turn; made 4W bid and drew level for the lead ¼ pole, then put away his pace rivals in upper stretch and briefly took a 1L lead ~1/8 pole before he was collared by a deep closer late on. | He did best of the speed in this fast-paced affair, despite having raced a little wider than ideal on the turn – UPGRADE. |
| #9 M D FIELDSTONE | MSW, CNL, 1M, Firm Turf, 08/16/26 – 4th | Bumped start; tracked hot pace into first turn, then pulled his way forward between horses in the 2P and moved up to lead entering the far turn; opened up a 2L lead racing to the top of the lane, then responded to pressure but was running on empty and faded grudgingly to fourth. | With blinkers added, he was far to keen and ended up doing too much too soon to see out the mile distance (contested/set fractions of 22.73, 45.54); he’s done well to hold 4th and with blinkers retained off a freshening, he could play a huge role back sprinting. |
| #15 MANTUA MAN (AE) | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/25/26 – 6th | Fractious gate; bumped very hard start and away slowly; chased inside to turn, then steadied entering bend; angled out wide passing the 5/16 pole, then turned for home ~9L off the lead in the 5-6P; came under a ride and began to rally through horses but had too much to do. | He lost this race at the start, and one suspects he could have played a larger role with a cleaner break that’d have allowed him to sit a smoother, more ground saving trip. |
| Other notes:
– None. |
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| Race 2: Ratings Optional Claiming (65-1), 3YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #2 HURRY HURRY | Claiming 16K, KEE, 1 1/8M, Fast Dirt, 10/18/26 – 3rd | Off slow; chased pace from ~8L back while 4-5W first turn; crept closer while being nudged on towards the center racing to the far turn; under pressure 5W far turn; straightened ~3-4L off the lead, then rallied willingly late despite brushing with a foe ~1/8; too much to do. | Racing off the layoff, he sat a very wide trip while also closing against a speed bias – upgrade; expecting more making his debut for Ness today. |
| Other notes:
– We can be forgiving of #1 MAJESTIC BLUE’s last start in the MD Million Turf as he was positioned close to a fast, closer-friendly pace, and he took a hefty bump in upper stretch (admittedly he was already on the back foot at this point, but it still didn’t help); lasix back on returning to dirt today. Note: he rode a speed bias when winning two-back. – #4 SECRET ZIPPER was essentially eased out of contention with the rider glancing down as if something was amiss on return at Delaware last time; he’ll need more. – There’s no denying that #5 CAP COM was sharp in defeat behind KERNESS K last time, and he will have to be respected off that try; however, we should note that he was able to set controlled fractions of 23.52, 47.23 on a relatively uncontested lead in front which seemingly aided him to a degree. – #7 REAL MACHO stumbled at the start and was then outrun going 7F at Charles Town last time; he should appreciate today’s return to 1 1/16M and drop in class. Note: regarding his last start, ignore the short comment note “off balance into the first turn” because it was negligible. – Speed held well in #9 UNION FLEET’s last race, and he did best of the closers for which he can be given some extra credit; today’s return to two-turns should suit. |
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| Race 3: Maiden Claiming 25k, 2YO (F), 1 Mile, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #6 SENSE THE MOON | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/25/26 – 8th | Clean break from rail; took hold stalking hot pace inside to far turn; took closer order between foes as field bunched entering bend; angled out 3W 5/16 pole and came under a ride to advance; looked to respond but was then put in very tight in upper stretch and steadied hard; failed to recover. | It’s hard to say where she’d have finished with a clean trip; however, she didn’t look to be ‘done’ at the time of interference (unlike some of the other horses who had sat close to the fast pace), and she’s certainly capable of more than this run suggests. |
| Other notes:
– #3 FRAZIL received a very favorable pace setup as a deep closer in her last race (pace collapsed) and so we may want to slightly downgrade her effort; however, she was also a little wide on the turn, and she didn’t do herself any favors by lugging in and bumping rivals through the stretch (she was later DQ’d) before flopping leads; if given a somewhat similar setup today, a more professional stretch run could she her step up enough to play a role. – #5 PANNING FOR GOLD ran on to finish 4th on debut despite having sat a slightly wider-than-ideal trip and having appeared a little green; she has the ability to step forward from that run; however, we should note that she took advantage of a pace collapse in that race as a deep closer. – #9 OPEN RANGE was outpaced from the word go sprinting 5 1/2F last time and will likely be more comfortable in a slower paced mile event today with blinkers added. |
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| Race 4: Maiden Claiming 35k, 2YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #8 RONNAROCK | Maiden Claiming 25k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/18/26 – 2nd | Pressed solid pace 3W; made an early move and took the lead approaching the top of the stretch; 3/4L in front when drifting in violently ~1/8 pole, nearly unseating the rider; drifted back out, then again back in ~1/6 pole, flopping leads; lost lead inside final 1/16 but kept on for 2nd. | Dramatic and erratic!
It’s easy to argue she was best in here, not only for the fact that she did everything wrong in the lane, but also because she pressed a hot pace (that set things up well for the winner) while wide, and made a slightly premature bid for glory ~5/16 pole; needless to say, on raw ability, she’s capable of more than this. |
| Other notes:
– Not taking much away from what was a promising debut, but #5 BUBBLING did receive a very favorable pace setup when closing to finish 3rd (22.99, 46.99; 18/1 winner closed from 14L back to score). |
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| Race 5: OC40k/C Allowance, 3YO+ (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #1 COME TO MAMA | Allowance, KEE, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/07/26 – 3rd | Worked to rail and chased honest pace from ~5L back into the turn; advanced smoothly inside racing to the top of the lane, then began to rally along the inside despite being tight up against the fence and under just a hand ride; tight quarters ~1/8 pole, steadied and lost momentum; recovered inside final 1/16 and ran on again but had too much to do. | Her two-back effort prior to an okay try at Belmont where she was compromised by a troubled start:
She received a good pace setup coming from off the pace in this race and therefore we shouldn’t upgrade her effort too much; however, she also had a troubled stretch run which almost certainly cost her 2nd. |
| Other notes:
– There’s no denying that #4 LADY ENSIGN ran a huge race at Colonial last out and she’s deserving of respect following a brief freshening; it should be noted, however, that she was afforded a very easy time of things on the front-end which, over that speedy turf course, likely aided her. – #5 QUIET CONFIDENCE ran a nice race at Belmont last time, pressing a 44.76 half before finally fading inside the final 1/16; today’s cut back in trip could suit well and she’s respected. – #6 COUGAR COCKTAIL was bumped inside the final furlong (by WHEREVER WE ARE) when last seen at Presque Isle; although she was on the back foot at the time and not going to win, the interference did slightly exacerbate the margin of defeat and a little more can be expected of her third back today with a drop to 5 1/2F sure to help. – The chart comment makes #8 BIG EARN’s trip in her last turf start (08/27/26) sound much worse than it was: sure, she was headstrong and a little rank in behind the modest pace early, but she then worked outside and had every opportunity to go on and score from the 5/16 pole home but instead, she failed to switch leads and faded; we shouldn’t blame the trip for her subpar effort at all; demands respect today whatever the case following two strong effort in off-turf allowances recently. – After making a sweeping wide move on the turn, #11 WHEREVER WE ARE did herself no favors by drifting in through the lane, denting her momentum and bumping with COUGAR COCKTAIL, yet was only beaten a head; a more professional stretch run could possibly have seen her score there. |
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| Race 6: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf |
| Other notes:
– Speed held well in the MD Million Turf Sprint, with the 8/5 winner wiring the field and the 16/1 and 53/1 pressers holding 2nd and 4th; closers (such as the 7/5 fav WITTY and 5/1 shot HAD TO HAVE HIM) struggled to close at all; #3 BOASTFULLY IRISH was the most compromised of the three runners today exiting that race, as he tried to close from 7th; #4 JESSICA’S EYES and #5 WORLD ON FIRE (who was also a touch wide and finished best) ran evenly; it’s hard to say whether they were positively or negatively impacted by the track/flow. – #6 BRIGHTSHININGLIGHT ran well in an off-turf allowance last time despite having stumbled very badly at the start. – #13 BRIKELI (AE) was arguably a little better than the winning margin last time considering he’d set fast fractions in front on the ‘good’ listed turf track; feel he could have more to offer again if rationing out his speed a little more efficiently. |
| Race 7: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #1 MO’S GLITTER | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/18/26 – 3rd | Broke out but showed good speed regardless; set a fast, pressured pace in the 2P early; dropped back briefly and pressed in 2nd entering the turn, then reengaged the leader ~5/16 pole and took control racing to upper stretch; faced fresh challenge from closer 3/16 pole and lost the lead under a ride; couldn’t go with leader and soon lost 2nd also but stayed on willingly regardless for 3rd. | The hot pace he formed part of set things up well for closers (winner and runner-up were 9 1/2L and 11L off the lead at first call); he did best of the speed and can be given a slight pace upgrade. |
| Other Notes:
– #2 FRUSTRATED was an impressive winner on debut, making a bold move to the front before extending away and just coasting through the final 1/16; passed the eye test with an A, big player. – Despite a slightly wider-than-ideal trip and the fact that speed did not stop in his last race at Delaware, #5 WINNING TRIP still finished very nicely down the center of the track; he demands respect following that effort third back. |
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| Race 8: MSW, 3-6YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf |
| Other notes:
– #9 MAD MISTY didn’t quite offer enough of a late punch to earn an upgrade two-back; however, she was boxed in and prevented from advancing or building momentum from the 5/16 to the 1/8 pole which mightn’t have helped her chances; she then improved with a nice closing 2nd (despite finishing on her left lead last time); that last run is a truer reflection of her ability |
| Race 9: The Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes, 3YO+ (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #7 ESPECIALLY | Allowance, CNL, 7 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 08/13/26 – 1st | Patiently handled leaving gate; chased even pace from ~1-2L back into turn; dropped back a little while wide as pace lifted rounding turn; nudged along 5/16, then came 6W into the lane; straightened for the drive ~3-4L off lead and rallied strongly; just up. | Her tow-back effort prior to a fine try in the Twix Stakes when she raced wide on a day when it was beneficial to be inside:
As was the theme all meet at Colonial, speed was really good on the dirt and in this race in particular; therefore, she’s deserving of extra credit as she rallied against that bias and overcame a notable amount of ground loss with a wide trip to win; she seems capable of more. |
| Other notes:
– #3 ALMAFI DRIVE appeared unsuited by 6 1/2F on the bullring at Timonium last time (run off feet, nearest finish but unsuited by short stretch); a return to a mile on a conventional track today should help her get back on track. Note: her efforts two and three-back deserve upgrades as she ran well both times despite having set unsustainably fast fractions in front. – #8 WAVELESS ran huge two-back in July, and that effort is deserving of a little extra credit as she sat closer to the red-hot pace than the winner who beat her by just a neck; she then ran very well again in the Twix Stakes last time staying on well in the 3P through the lane while the winner took full advantage of the inside lean; big player. – #9 PINK RUBY stumbled badly at the start last time before working forward along the rail and racing prominently over a track that was presenting a small closer bias; she did well under the circumstances and deserves respect today. – #10 DELRAY won very comfortably at Penn National last time and looked to possibly have more to offer; makes debut for Kravets. – Probably best to overlook #11 GOLD DIGGING BROAD’s win last time as there were only two runners and she hardly came off the bridle while also racing over an exceptionally fast track; the figure seems an inaccurate reflection of her true ability. |
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| Race 10: Maiden Claiming 12.5k, 3-6YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– After dropping back and getting floated a little wide on the turn, #1 Q GOT HOPS stayed on well through the stretch when returning from a freshening last time; he’s entitled to respect if capable of building on that return. – #7 HYPERGOT didn’t quite stay 7 1/2F when last seen on the turf, but had run well the time before on dirt, staying on late over 5F; today’s return to 6F combined with the drop in class could see him to good effect following a freshening. |
Horses to Follow
R1: #9 M D FIELDSTONE
Fitted with blinkers for the first time when last seen in August, M D FIELDSTONE became a little too keen and aggressive to see out the mile distance, yet he still ran a big race to hold fourth after setting some closer-friendly fractions. If now retaining that same aggression with the blinkers still intact dropped back to 5 1/2 furlongs, he could be sitting on a big effort this afternoon, and the fact he ran well sprinting off a similar-length break in April adds to his case.
R2: #2 HURRY HURRY
HURRY HURRY returned from a 115-day break with a strong effort at Keeneland last month, overcoming a wide trip and a speed-biased racetrack to finish a staying-on third. Now making his second start back and first for leading trainer Jamie Ness (29% first off the claim), he can step forward enough to make his presence felt in a race that looks sure to feature an honest tempo.
