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: 4-1-3
R2: 1-6-3
R3: 4-1-2
R4: 4-5-2
R5: 9-2-5
R6: 4-5-2
R7: 1A-1-5
R8: 9-2-5
R9: 3-5-4
R10: 3-1-6
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: Claiming 16k, 3YO+, 1 1/8 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #4 GREY BIGGSY | Claiming 16k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Good Turf, 09/12/26 – 2nd | Unhurried; settled ~8L off hot pace early; advanced slightly racing into back stretch, then coasted past horses in the 4P and took the lead ~1/2 pole; crossed to the rail and opened up a 4L advantage while being nudged on racing to the top of the lane; came under a hefty ride in the stretch and then kept trying but was running on fumes and caught ~1/16 pole. | He was sent for home too early in this race that featured a hot pace (pace collapsed) and ultimately, he did well to hold 2nd over the ‘good’ listed turf; a slightly more patient ride (such as the one the winner received) could well have seen him hang on; his effort can be upgraded slightly; player again right back under a different jock. |
| Other notes:
– #1 BAD BOY BLAZE ran well last out, but he did also take advantage of an excellent pace setup (speed collapsed) which will maybe make it more difficult for him to reproduce that exact level of form today. – The entire running order didn’t change once in the race that #2 COCO NO LOCO exits on the slop last week – take that form with a pinch of salt; returns to turf making debut for Singh today. – #7 DYNAFLAME did really well to finish as close as he did at Colonial last time considering how much energy he wasted pulling hard close to the hot pace early; if settling better, he may be able to improve on that run (might want blinkers off?). |
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| Race 2: OC25k/SAL20k, 3YO+, 7 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #1 MASTER SCHEMER | Starter Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 09/12/26 – 2nd | Lacked speed; chased even pace from ~5L back on rail into back stretch; moved off inside and advanced a little closer racing to the far turn; chased leading duo while close up in the 3P racing to the ¼; came 4W into the stretch, almost level for the lead, then stayed on very willingly to the wire but could not get by the gate-to-wire winner. | Although never far away, we can slightly upgrade this effort as he did lose somewhat over the SPEED BIASED track; he was also 3W on the far turn and so lost ground compared to the rail-skimming gate-to-wire winner who took advantage of the track conditions; a very solid run, he’s respected now cutting back. |
| Other notes:
– Exiting the same race as MASTER SCHEMER, #4 MARCAN LOVE didn’t nearly do enough running to earn an upgrade, but he was also racing against the speed bias which wouldn’t have helped; cuts back today. – While true that #5 EXECUTIVE ORDER steadied ~5/8 pole last out, it was only minor and we cannot attribute his 22L defeat to that; still, his effort was too bad to be true and so maybe we should just draw a line through it? Makes debut for Magee today. |
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| Race 3: Maiden Claiming 35k, 3-6YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #7 PLENTY ON TAP | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Good Turf, 09/11/26 – 3rd | Step slow start; chased honest pace from ~5-6L back 3W rounding the first turn, then took a strong hold and dragged his rider a little closer racing to the far turn; continued pulling while tight between foes rounding the far turn, then worked inside and cut the corner into the lane; lacked room shortly after straightening and had to steady on the leader’s heels; dropped back a couple of lengths ~1/16 pole, then found room again and ran on strongly but had too much to do. | The way he traveled into the race and then picked back up inside the final 1/16 to just miss 2nd left the impression that with a clean trip, he’d near enough have won this race; player. |
| Other notes:
– Although the fractions were solid, speed actually held quite well in #1 PAID VACATION’s last start at Colonial, possibly entitling him to a little extra credit; he finished very nicely and off that effort, should be suited by today’s return to 1 1/16 miles; player on the drop. – Similarly to above, although the pace was honest over the soft turf, speed actually held relatively well in #2 FIRESTREAK’s last start at Delaware; he finished well, was nearest at the finish and may now be capable of improving again with an extra furlong to work with; player returning to Ali. – #3 PUTTER MAN put forth a very nice effort second out at Colonial last time, closing into just even fractions for 2nd; he could easily take another step forward today retrying 1 1/16 miles with a faster pace possible; contender. – There was a speed bias present when #6 NAPISONMYAGENDA finished 2nd courtesy of a forward trip on dirt last time; a game effort, nonetheless, now tries going long on turf for first time. – Regarding #8 I AM PEPE’s two-back effort (his last against maiden claimers), ignore the chart comment “steadied 1/8” because that hardly happened and it was negligible. – #9 SOUPER POWER TAPIT didn’t quite do enough to earn an upgrade last time; however, it should be noted that the slow pace led to the running order hardly changing up top which worked against him; whatever the case, it was a step forward and he finished with enough late interest to warrant consideration now stretching out. – Exiting the same race as above, #12 FORGET THE RULES (AE) was also somewhat pace compromised sprinting last out. |
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| Race 4: The Smart Halo Stakes, 2YO (F), 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– The track at Delaware was slightly favoring closers on 09/11/26 which arguably aided #1 MARTHAWITHATWIST in victory; still, a game effort, she’s entitled to respect today. – Despite showing signs of greenness and flashing the tail when the crop was used (once), #2 PIGGYBUNZ was visually impressive when romping on debut at Colonial; contender. – Although #4 HARPER’S CORNER was very much second best in the G1 Spinaway (7F) last out (no disgrace in that), she’s still deserving of extra credit for having done the heavy lifting on the front early and blasted through a 44.96 opening ½; she did very well to finish a clear 2nd and should be tough to stop now back at 6F. – Despite having been a mile clear and eventually crossed the wire over 15L in front, #5 WELOVEMOLLYNTEDDY was fully extended with a strong, crop ride to the wire, possibly reducing her ability to step forward second out as much as other wide margin debut winners who do it on the bridle; a nice start nonetheless, she’s deserving of respect today. – Not saying that she wasn’t best at odds of 1/5 and the fact that she won by as far as she did without coming out of second gear was impressive, but it should still be noted that there was a very strong speed bias present at Colonial when #7 GO NEW YORK GO won on the mud last time; steps up in class off a freshening, respected. – #8 TALKING FOOLISH has handled the kickback really well in both starts to date, opening up options for her tactically to capitalize on what is set to be a frantic pace this afternoon. |
| Race 5: Allowance, 3YO+ (F), 6 Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #2 DAENERYS | Allowance, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 09/04/26 – 2nd | Chased slow pace from ~2L back while wide and in the clear early; continued pursuit and held position 3-4W turn; was still 2L down upon straightening, then finished well but missed. | This wasn’t a terrible trip by any means; however, she was a slightly unlucky loser as – even though she was never far back – she was tasked with running down the rail skimming gate-to-wire winner (who set slow, sustainable fractions) while conceding ground out wide; she seems the type to benefit from a fast pace (as she did two and three-back) and she may now have more to offer getting out to 6F with more speed signed on. |
| Other notes:
– With blinkers added, #3 THE MAGIC OFMOVIES benefited from an excellent trip and pace setup when winning last time (closed into red-hot fractions of 21.60, 44.23) – possible downgrade. – Similarly to above, #4 MEZCAL MAMA benefited from an excellent trip and pace setup when winning last time (saved ground while closing into red-hot fractions of 21.57, 44.32) – possible downgrade. – #9 MOONBLAZE finished really nicely at Monmouth last out; she could be suited very well suited to Laurel’s long stretch and an extra 1/16. |
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| Race 6: The James F. Lewis III Stakes, 2YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #3 INDIAN PHAROAH held on for the win last time despite having a little lost ground and momentum lugging out on the turn and through the lane. – #5 GRIND IT OUT justified his 1/5 odds on debut despite having done plenty wrong: he failed to switch leads entering the turn and cornered on his right lead; then, in the stretch, he switched to his left lead and lugged in; clearly green, he seemingly has plenty of room to step forward second out today. |
| Race 7: OC40k/C Allowance, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #4 WICKED PRANKSTER | Allowance, DEL, 1M, Soft Turf, 08/28/26 – 2nd | Pressed leader 2W in and around first turn; moved up and dueled through honest fractions to the 7/16 pole, then poked his head in front and was sent for home; maintained a length lead passing the ¼, then cut the corner into the lane and stayed on well (despite having flopped leads and drifted in a little at the gap), holding the lead until the 1/8 pole and then plugging on well for 2nd. | He did well to finish 2nd in this race given he’d contested some taxing enough early fractions (23.96, 47.98) over the SOFT turf which set things up nicely for closers; a small pace upgrade can be awarded for his effort. |
| #9 ENNIS TOWN | Allowance, DEL, 1 1/16M, Good Turf, 08/13/26 – 1st | Broke out slightly from gate 9, then took a strong hold and pulled hard while out of cover and 3-4W racing into and around the first turn; continued pulling back stretch, then the rider allowed him to coast upsides entering the far turn; made a swooping 3-4W move into the lane, then battled very gamely to the wire for a nose victory. | Racing off the layoff and likely short of peak fitness, he managed to pull out the win here despite having lost ground racing wide and having wasted energy pulling hard without cover; a huge effort he can likely build on second back, player. |
| Other Notes:
– Not saying that he wasn’t best anyway, but #1A MCCULLOGH did take advantage of a great trip and pace setup when winning last time; (23.63, 46.26; pace collapsed – possible downgrade); regardless, there’s plenty of speed signed on today as well, and he demands respect. – The chart comment highlights how #10 WHAT SAY THEE was in a little tight at the 1/8 pole last out; however, the head on shows that he was hardly affected and it was definitely not the reason for his subpar effort; there was no visible excuse for his dull performance and he’ll need to bounce back today. |
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| Race 8: The Twixt Stakes, 3YO+ (F), 1 Mile, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #6 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. | 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 and today’s return to a mile should suit. |
| Other notes:
– #1 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 and she ran well both times despite having set unsustainably fast fractions in front. – Although the pace was hot, the speedy track helped speed hold in the Princess of Sylmar Stakes at Presque Isle in August, compromising the chances of #2 FOXY JUNIOR. In her prior start going 7F at Parx, she finished like she could be capable of more back at a mile or further and it wouldn’t be surprising if she improves on both those runs today. – #7 SHEILAHS WARCLOUD was very antsy in the gate and then bobbled at the start before going onto take advantage of an excellent pace setup to win at Timonium last time; reasons to upgrade that effort (start) and to downgrade (setup); stretches back out today. – #9 WAVELESS ran huge when last seen in July; 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; big player off freshening. |
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| Race 9: The Polynesian Stakes, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Having run his two best races closing into hot paces from well back, #3 WINTERFELL was likely unsuited by the fast track conditions that led to speed holding (and a track record being set) when returning off the layoff in a salty allowance at Colonial last time; eligible to step forward from that return, he’ll demand respect today. – #4 STRONSINO did very well to finish 3rd at 1 ½ miles when last seen considering he wasted energy pulling very hard behind the slow pace early; cuts back off 14 days rest today. – The chart comment regarding #5 MR. RIPPLE’s last race says that he “bore out” but that is not true; sure, he drifted a little through the lane but it wasn’t aggressive and overall, it was a very solid, professional performance; player. – There was no visible reason as to why #7 ZERO BLITZ performed below par last time (he looked perfectly content on the slop); needs to bounce back today. |
| Race 10: Maiden Claiming 35k, 3-6YO (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #1 FEATHER WISH | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Good Turf, 09/13/26 – 4th | Traveled well tracking honest pace from 2-4L back on rail into far turn; waited on heels of leaders racing into the lane, then tried to advance between horses ~3/16 pole but was closed out and forced to steady, losing ground and momentum over the course of ~1/16; tried to regroup and then go through a narrow opening ~1/8 pole but it was very tight and she could not level off properly; understandably failed to recover. | She traveled into this race like she could have landed a blow but then endured a very troubled stretch run; expect much more today with this route fitness now behind her. |
| #3 LINETTE | Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Good Turf, 09/13/26 – 1st | Patiently handled leaving gate; tight between foes 2-3W rounding first turn into back stretch, then clipped heels as a rival came across ~5/8 pole, causing her to stumble badly and very nearly lose the rider; dropped well back, rider then recovered irons ~1/2 and the pair moved up again approaching the turn; nudged along while 3-4W turn, then came 5W into the lane and straightened for the drive ~5L back; from there, she rallied very nicely for 2nd but couldn’t get by winner. | A monstrous effort on debut in which she overcame all sorts of trouble and a wide move into the lane to nearly win; upgrade this effort; should play a huge role second out. |
| Other notes:
– #6 STEPHANIE’S ROSE blew the start (green) but then finished with enough interest on debut at Colonial to suggest she can play a role second out with that experience under her belt. – #8 BREE COLA endured a rough start last time which resulted in her getting away slowly, then she did not receive a good pace setup for a closer; seems capable of improving under better circumstances. |
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Horses to Follow
R3: CHALK TALK (12/1 ML)
CHALK TALK returned off a lengthy layoff at Delaware two-back with a very creditable runner-up finish in a strongly run and decent quality maiden optional claimer in August. He then clearly didn’t handle the mud when last seen in an off-turf event 16 days ago, but he now has the opportunity to bounce right back and quite possibly post a career best in his third start of the form cycle getting back onto the turf. That should make him competitive in this race, and 12/1 is an attractive morning-line price.
R5: MOONBLAZE (5/1 ML)
MOONBLAZE has strung together four strong efforts sprinting on the turf this year, closing strongly late on at both Penn National and Monmouth – two courses which often lend a hand to speed. Laurel’s long stretch run at sprinting on the turf should really play to her strengths, as will the 6-furlong distance, and she shouldn’t be overlooked at a respectable price.
R8: WAVELESS (7/2 ML)
Repole Stable’s WAVELESS switched barns from Todd Pletcher to Brittany Russell over the summer and then put forth a very smart effort – albeit in defeat – in the Maggie L. Walker Stakes at Colonial last time. She sat much closer to the taxing, closer-friendly pace than the eventual winner that day, and could be considered a slightly unlucky loser. With ALMAFI DRIVE expected to scratch, today’s Twix Stakes doesn’t contain nearly as much speed as she took on at Colonial, and if that allows her to retain a little more energy for the stretch drive and improve on that latest effort, she should go very close from a tactical post in gate nine.
R10: LINETTE (3/1 ML)
It was remarkable that LINETTE was able to finish as close as she did on debut given that she almost lost the rider when clipping a heel and stumbling badly down the backstretch. She’s entitled to take a mammoth step forward for that first start in today’s nightcap and looks to have a great chance of extending Tim Woolley’s good recent run.
