Top pick 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: 5-1-10
R2: 4-2-3
R3: 6-4-3
R4: 7-2-6
R5: 6-7-3
R6: 12-2-3
R7: 6-9-8
R8: 6-3-2
R9: 7-6-2
R10: 6-5-2
Late Pick-3 Trip Notes
Race 8: N1X Allowance, 3YO+F, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| BY THE GLASS | Claiming 25k, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 03/21/25 – 1st | BY THE GALSS broke cleanly; crept forward along the inside to settle ~1L off the slow early tempo in 2nd racing to the turn; continued traveling well in this position rounding the far turn to ~1/4 pole, then cut the corner into the lane, came under a strong ride and gradually wore the longtime leader down, collaring that foe on the wire after shifting outside ~1/8th pole. A game effort. Sat a perfect, ground saving trip close to a slow pace that held well, though, (DOWNGRADE); likely needs more facing tougher off the bench today. |
| SYNERGISM | Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 10/05/25 – 1st | SYNERGISM showed decent natural speed from the outside gate; pressed the even pace from ~1/4L back in the 2P to the far turn; was slipped some by the rider and quickly opened up in hand racing to the top of the lane; turned for home ~5L up with the race in the bag, then came under a strong ride and widened further for a 9L score. Sat a good trip but that doesn’t take away from how impressively she outclassed her rivals; love how she responded to every question asked by her rider and looks capable of taking the step up in class in her stride; respected. |
| INTREPID MO | Claiming 40k, LRL, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/03/25 – 1st | INTREPID MO broke out and brushed with the outside gate, then settled ~3L off the even pace in 5th; traveled well in this position while in the clear ~5W racing into the far turn, then made smooth, eye-catching headway in hand and advanced around the outside of horses to hit the top of the lane just ~1/4L down in 2nd (4W); came under a strong ride upon straightening, took the lead ~1/8th pole, then powered away late. A likable career best that can be UPGRADED due to her wide trip; shaped as if 1M would be no issue; tactical and respected. |
| RECOGNIZE ME | Starter Alw, CT, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/16/25 – 5th | RECOGNIZE ME found herself outpaced shortly after a clean break; chased the hot pace from ~14L back in last racing to ~3/8 pole, then came under a strong ride but found little more and remained well back to the wire. Clean trip; was outpaced throughout and never involved; will need much more today. |
| PARADISE WINS | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/8M, Fast Dirt, 10/31/25 – 4th | PARADISE WINS took a bump at the break; settled into a tracking position on the rail, ~3L off the even pace rounding the first turn, then shifted out into the clear 3-4W entering the back stretch; traveled well in this position to the far turn, then advanced under a hand ride to pass the ¼ pole just ~1/4L off the lead in the 5P; came under a strong ride at the top of the lane, had a rival drift in front of her ~1/8th pole and steadied briefly, then stayed on willingly to the wire but failed to truly threaten. Wide far turn and inconvenienced in the lane – UPGRADE. Don’t think she would have won this race with a clean, rail skimming trip, but she might have gone close, and we can expect more today. |
| 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; could shake loose again today; fits on figs and heading in an upward trajectory; leading player. |
| ATLANTIS QUEEN | Allowance, DEL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 10/09/25 – 2nd | ATLANTIS QUEEN showed decent speed from the rail; tracked the honest pace from ~1.5L back on the rail rounding the first turn, then shifted out into the clear 2W entering the back stretch; traveled well in this position to the far turn, then crept slightly close to the leader while being nudged along rounding the bend; passed the ¼ pole just 3/4L behind in 2nd, then floated out into the 4P (losing ground) and came under a stronger ride before staying on well to the wire. Sat close to an honest pace on a track presenting a closer bias; raced wide into the stretch and might be able to get closer to SASSAFRASSNESS today if conserving more ground; respected. |
Race 9: MD-Bred Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| BUCARO | Allowance, PID, 6F, Fast Synth, 10/15/25 – 5th | BUCARO was outsped from the gate; chased the even pace from ~3-4L back racing to ~1/4 pole, then angled out into the 3-4P and came under a strong ride but failed to pick up and remained at an even pace to the wire, never factoring. A disappointing effort in first time blinkers that lacked a visible excuse; maybe he’s just better on the turf? Needs more today, regardless. |
| JOLLY BOSS | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/18/25 – 3rd | JOLLY BOSS was nudged along tracking the even pace from ~4L back on the rial into the turn; came under pressure to hold his position behind horses racing to the top of the lane and did so; found a nice split between horses shortly after straightening, came under a strong ride and responded; gradually worked forward between foes to take a narrow 2nd ~1/8th pole (4L off the loose leader/winner) but was then out finished by the runner up and settled for 3rd late on. A decent effort at 6/1 that entitles him to respect today; did sit an absolutely perfect ground saving trip meaning he could struggle to improve on this effort; might not have to facing easier today, though. |
| SAME DAY AS L J | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 11th | SAME DAY AS L J was rushed up to take a slim lead early; set a pressed pace in the 2P while being nudged along with ~1/4L advantage to the top of the lane; came under a stronger ride upon straightening, then weakened quickly in the stretch. Ran as his 99/1 odds suggested, once again showing speed to the top of the lane and then stopping; tough to endorse with confidence. |
| BIGDADDYSBOY | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/18/25 – 7th | BIGDADDYSBOY showed speed from the rail draw; vied inside for the lead through even fractions racing to the turn, then dropped back into a tracking position as the leader (eventual winner) went on with it; was scrubbed on to keep pace with the leader rounding the bend; hit the top of the lane ~4L behind, just holding 2nd, then came under a strong ride and continued chasing the leader in 2nd to ~1/8th pole before hitting a wall and weakening. Ran his race but just wasn’t good enough; maybe reverting to hold up tactics against easier today can see him to better effect? Like his attitude and wouldn’t rule him out for exotics. |
| WATCH OUT WORLD | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 4th | WATCH OUT WORLD was unhurried from the gate; settled ~8L off the honest pace in the 2-3P racing into the turn; held this position while being scrubbed on racing to the top of the lane, then shifted out into the 6P, came under a strong ride and rallied nicely down the centre; flopped leads late on and was nearest at the finish. A solid effort at 53/1 that entitles him to respect today. Sat a perfect trip/had a perfect setup, though, raising questions about whether he can back this up off just 8 days rest. |
| DALINAR | Starter Alw, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/25/25 – 6th | DALINAR was fractious and popped the gate pre-race; was sent hard from gate two and took the lead early; set a fast, pressured pace while being nudged along to the top of the lane, then came under a strong ride and briefly kicked into a 1L lead shortly after straightening but could not sustain his move and weakened through the final furlong after finding himself in a little tight ~1/8th pole (was going backwards at time). Fractious and popped the gate pre-race; was sent too hard from the rail and ended up paying the price late on; steadied slightly when retreating ~1/8th pole, too, exasperating margin of defeat; capable of playing a role if conserving energy better pre race to the top of the lane. |
| RYE DIGGITYDOG | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/18/25 – 4th | RYE DIGGITYDOG as unhurried following an alert break and shuffled back a little further than ideal early; tracked the even pace from ~6-7L back in mid-pack racing to the turn, then dropped to the rail and held this position along the inside to ~5/16 pole; tipped off the rail into the 3P entering the lane, then came under a strong ride, angled further out into the center of the track, bumped hard with a rival ~1/8th pole, and stayed on with credit to the wire but never truly factored. (DQ’d for interference ~1/8th pole). Could have done with a more aggressive ride early as he ultimately ended up too far back and then had to go searching for daylight in the lane (losing ground/momentum); suspect he didn’t actually take the step back his PPs suggest and he remains high on the shortlist. |
| INTREPID’S LEGACY (MTO) | Allowance, DEL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 11/07/25 – 5th | INTREPID’S LEGACY broke in and bumped lightly; tracked the leaders under patient handling inside through the first 3/16, then rushed up along the inside approaching the far turn to take a share of the lead; dueled for the lead while being nudged on to the top of the lane, then came under a strong ride and fought gamely to ~1/8th pole before waving the white flag and fading. MTO will naturally demand respect if this race comes off grass; cut back to 5 1/2F should suit; this was a demanding race to come back from on just 8 days rest, though. |
| DOMINGUEZ | Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/11/25 – 10th | DOMINGUEZ was hustled forward to lead on the rail early; set an even, mildly pressured pace to the far turn, then lost the lead and came under pressure but failed to respond; dropped back on the rail racing to the top of the lane, then weakened further in the stretch. Was facing a tough group but still, this was a subpar effort (offered little fight when headed, began dropping back much earlier than ideal); tough to be confident in him following this run, but cutting back to sprints could work (closing sprinter). |
| SCHRADER (MTO) | Allowance, DEL, 1 1/16M, Muddy Dirt, 09/28/25 – 2nd | SCHRADER showed decent gate speed; vied for the lead into the first turn, then dropped to the rail and settled into a tracking position ~2L off the hot pace; traveled well in this position to the far turn, then came under pressure and tried to close in but could only remain at an even pace; cut the corner into the lane, then continued finishing evenly along the inside for 2nd. Had a great ground saving trip in this race that saw speed hold well (might struggle to improve further) but still, as an MTO, he’ll naturally demand respect if this race comes off the turf. |
Race 10: Claiming 12k, 3YO+F, 5 ½ Furlongs, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| GROSSE ILE | Starter Alw, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 11/01/25 – 11th | GROSSE ILE showed decent speed along the inside; vied for the lead through the opening 1/8th, then dropped back into a tracking position, ~3L off the hot pace racing to the top of the stretch; she then dove in towards the rail, came under a L hand ride and weakened at an even pace while seemingly lugging in a touch. Sat a good trip but just wasn’t good enough; result/speed fig fair; class drop today will certainly help and on figs, she fits well; surface switch should be fine too; did look a little awkward in the lane, though (lug in). |
| INFASTUATION | Claiming 12k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 3rd | INFASTUATION chased the modest pace on the rail from ~3L back into the turn; as the leader then stepped on the gas racing to the top of the lane, she dropped back under a ride on the rail but held 3rd; straightened for the drive fully extended ~5L off the lead, then finished evenly for a non-threatening 3rd. This was a merry-go-round race (1-3-2 horses at first call finished 1-2-3) but whether it affected her result is debatable (benefited from being close but at the same time, lacked the late pace to challenge late). Sat a good, rail skimming trip otherwise; feel this result/fig is fair, and we kinda know her level. |
| MAP TO THE MOON | Claiming 12k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 5th | MAP TO THE MOON was unhurried from the rail draw and settled into mid-pack, ~4L off the even pace rounding the first turn; traveled well in this position to ~5/8 pole, then advanced on the rail inside foes racing to the turn; entered the bend just 1L off the lead in 3rd, then dropped back again under a ride racing to the top of the lane; straightened ~7L off the lead, fully extended, then weakened further late on. Clean trip; result/speed fig fair. Not much to suggest she’ll be massively benefited by cut back to 5 1/2F. |
| A P M NOTION | Claiming 12k, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/25/25 – 4th | A P M NOTION broke inwards, bumped hard with a rival and pinched back slightly; chased the modest pace from ~5-6L back in rear to the turn, then advanced smoothly between horses to race in 4th, ~4L back passing the 5/16 pole ~3W; from there, she came under a strong ride at the top of the lane but had no more to offer and faded for a non-threatening 4th. This was a merry-go-round race (1-3-2 horses at first call finished 1-2-3) that didn’t set up well for her after a tardy break left her racing in rear early. Her trip was good after, though; suspect she has a small amount of room to improve with a better break/setup. |
| SWEET SUMMER LOVE | Claiming 5k, CT, 4 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 11/05/25 – 5th | SWEET SUMMER LOVE was slowly into stride from gate four; chased the pace under pressure from ~6L back into the turn; closed slightly while under heavy pressure making an inside out move on the turn; hit the top of the lane ~3-4L back in the 4P, then flattened out on her L lead late on. Was outpaced from the gate and then set a tough task as the leaders opened up a healthy lead on her through a wind assisted 22.35 opening ¼; did well to make up almost 3L racing to the top of the lane, understandably then flattened out; should be much better back at 5 1/2F on a conventional track today. Player. |
| TIERRA SANTA | Claiming 10k, CT, 7F, Fast Dirt, 10/18/25 – 3rd | TIERRA SANTA was nudged along tracking/chasing the dueling leaders from ~1L back in ~2P racing to the far turn, then found herself getting shuffled back as the leaders hit a wall in front of her on the bend (she had nowhere to go but backwards) as the two others (who had sat in rear early) rolled past on her outside; she turned for home still absent of a clear path in last, then shifted out into the clear and stuck on past the early duelling duo for 3rd but wasn’t doing better than that. Horrendous trip. Tough to say where she’d have finished otherwise, but don’t be surprised if she gets back to the level of form she showed here at Laurel two back. New connections take 5lbs off. Live. |
| SWEET HONEY BEE | Starter Alw, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 10/12/25 – 10th | SWEET HONEY BEE vied for the lead (with four other horses) through even fractions in the 3P racing to the turn, then dropped back and came under a ride while being floated out on the run to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~5L down ~5W, then weakened further in the lane. Sat a wide trip (small upgrade) but it didn’t make much difference to the result, this was a poor effort; will need more returning to the main track today, even with the required class relief. |
LP3 Horses to Follow
R8: SASSAFRASSNESS
SASSAFRASSNESS scratched out of a winnable-looking spot on Friday to take up her engagement in today’s eighth and looks a potential single to kick off the late Pick 3. Since being claimed by trainer Jamie Ness in August, she’s won back-to-back mile routes at Delaware with paired-up Beyer tops of 75—often an indication another step forward is in store. Her last race, in particular, was impressive, as she rolled through honest fractions up top and wired the field, finishing three-quarters of a length ahead of the re-opposing ATLANTIS QUEEN, despite the track presenting a closer bias. Those recent 75 Beyers aren’t just her best figures, either—they’re the fastest on offer in the field, and with tactical speed and versatility to use from gate six, another bold showing looks likely.
R9: RYE DIGGITYDOG
There really isn’t much to separate the evenly matched eight runners in the body of the field for today’s ninth, a MD-bred allowance sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf, and it’s easy to make a case for any number of them. Take Hugh McMahon’s RYE DIGGITYDOG, for example. This three-time winning son of TWIRLING CANDY was caught late over six furlongs on wet turf after setting unsustainably fast fractions against a tough group of open rivals two back—an excusable defeat—then endured a sneakily bad trip last time.
As highlighted in the trip notes, he found himself much further back than ideal having been unhurried out the gate that day, then lost ground and momentum when angling out in search of clear running room in the stretch. Despite this, and the fact that he bumped hard with a rival in deep stretch—interference he was later DQ’d for—he still posted a 16.95 closing 3/16-mile time and made up four lengths in the lane to finish just behind today’s second choice, JOLLY BOSS. Neither of his last two starts have seen him to best effect, and his recent regression looks more a matter of circumstance than decline. Is he any lesser a horse now than when he was running back-to-back 74 Beyers over today’s course and distance in the summer—figures that give him a winning chance today? Maybe not, and with hot-riding Hazlewood claiming 5lbs today, plus a tactical outside post likely to grant him a smooth stalking trip, he could be worth chancing at fair morning-line odds of 9/2.
R10: TIERRA SANTA
Other than her one try at a mile, TIERRA SANTA had been upwardly progressive in dirt sprints prior to her last start at Charles Town, producing Beyer speed figures of 15, 25, 36, and 46 when breaking her maiden here at Laurel two back. The fact that the PPs suggest she then regressed when dropping back down to a 30 Beyer last time could give some bettors cause for pause. However, as highlighted in the trip notes, she endured a horrendously troubled trip that day, getting shuffled back to an extreme degree when still full of run on the far turn; it was a race you can toss out. Granted a smoother time of things from her tactical outside post today, she can be expected to get back to her better form and continue her upward trajectory with Hazlewood taking a valuable 5lbs. off, making her very live in the nightcap.
