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: MD-Bred Allowance, 3YO+, 5 1/2F, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| BIGDADDYSBOY | SA, LRL, 5 1/2F, Good T, 09/07/25 – 1st | This was a career best effort from BIGDADDYSBOY that entitles him to respect today. However, he did sit a perfect trip/receive a perfect set up (downgrade) and will probably struggle to improve further on this effort. Seems more an underneath type. He was nudged along chasing the hotly contested pace from ~7L back on the rail racing to the turn; tipped into the 2-3P and held his position while building a little momentum under a mild hand ride racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~5L back, tipped out in to the clear 6W, then stayed on determinedly down the center and just got up. |
| JOLLY BOSS | R ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 3rd | JOLLY BOSS ran to form in this race. He was nudged along tracking the even pace from ~2L back on the rail to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive still ~2L back, then finished willingly but lacked the pace to truly threaten. Speed held really well in this race, and it was tough to make up ground, which didn’t particularly aid him in his finishing effort. However, he did sit a perfect trip, and this effort seems a fair reflection of his current ability level. Highly respected, but others may hold more upside. |
| GREAT QUALITY | MD ALW, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/31/25 – 6th | GREAT QUALITY ran too badly to be true in this race. He sped forward from the outside gate, dueled through fast fractions while 2W to the far turn, then stopped quickly on the turn and finished tailed off. His early sparing partner stayed on for 3rd (beaten 2 3/4L), so it’s not like the pace was unsustainably fast. He’s proven he’s capable of more in the past and could improve for surface switch (?), but it’s very hard to endorse him with confidence following this effort. |
| VIRGINIA FITZ | R ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 5th | Speed held well in this race and VIRGINIA FITZ was caught slightly wide, so things weren’t in his favor (upgrade). However, imperfect trip aside, he still performed below par and will need to bounce back today. He was patiently handled having broken a touch slowly; tracked the even pace from ~4L back while in the clear 4W to the turn; came under pressure to hold his position while ~3W on the turn but struggled to do so; straightened for the drive ~6L back, then failed to offer more in the lane. Maybe he ‘bounced’ off his big career best two back? We know he’s better than this and on his day is capable of winning at this level. Now has things to prove, though. |
| BOUJEE BUBBLEZ | ALW, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/03/25 – 1st | BOUJEE BUBBLEZ had a perfect trip and set up in this race, but that doesn’t take away from how visually impressive she was. She chased the hot pace from~4L back while in the clear 4W to the turn; crossed to the inside entering the bend and cruised up onto the leaders’ heels approaching the top of the stretch; found a large rail opening upon straightening, forged through the gap after receiving a shake of the reins from her rider, then drew off with strong strides to the wire. She then galloped out very impressively. She looked to have plenty more left in the tank crossing the wire and galloping out, suggesting she could have more to offer again, and she has to rank high on the shortlist. |
| RYE DIGGITYDOG | ALW, LRL, 6F, Good T, 09/12/25 – 6th | RYE DIGGITYDOG was caught dueling through fast fractions between rivals in this race, which ultimately took it’s toll late on. He broke a beat slow, then rushed forward to vie for the lead between horses in the 2P racing to the turn; continued dueling between horses to the top of the stretch, then came under a strong ride and briefly saw off his sparing partners to take the lead ~1/8th pole; however, he was then collared by closers shortly after and faded inside the final 1/8th. The three early pacesetters ended up filling the last three positions at the wire; ‘RD’ just did too much too soon. If able to ration out his speed a little better today back at 5 1/2F, he can improve on this effort and could be worth a second look. |
| WATCH OUT WORLD | R ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 4th | This was a slightly disappointing effort from WATCH OUT WORLD that lacked a visible excuse. He sped to the lead from the rail; set an even, uncontested pace in hand to the top of the stretch; came under a ride shortly after straightening but failed to kick away, then faded to the wire. The pace he set early was not overly fast (horses positioned 2nd and 3rd early finished 1st and 2nd; pace held; downgrade), so it was disappointing to see him fail to stay on in the stretch after saving ground throughout. He’s shown he’s capable of more in the past but really needs to bounce back this afternoon. |
| CHICKAHOMINY | R ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 3rd | This race didn’t allow CHICKAHOMINY to show her true colors. She bobbled slightly at the break, then took a hefty bump and was away slowly in rear; chased the pace from ~6L back while in the clear 3W to the turn; remained in rear while 4W on the turn as the leader (eventual G2W winner) quickened and spread the field out racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~9L off the lead, 5W, then stayed on willingly down the center but struggled to close with any significance. Owing to her troubled start, very wide trip and the way the track was playing (speed held well in all turf sprints this week; closers struggled), we can expect an improved effort from ‘CHICK’ this afternoon. She’s shown she’s better than this in the past and shouldn’t be ruled out in a hurry. |
| GREAT HEAVENS | ALW, LRL, 6F, Fast D, 10/10/25 – 2nd | GREAT HEAVENS met trouble at the 3/16 pole in this race, and his effort can be upgraded. He traveled well tracking the honest pace from ~5L back in the 2P to the turn; made smooth progress in hand racing 3W to the ¼ pole; then tried to carry his momentum through a seam between horses ~3/16 pole but had the door shut on him and steadied, losing momentum; he switched back out into the clear 4W ~1/8th pole, then stayed on well to the wire but could not get by the winner. With a clean trip, he’d have gone very close to winning and assuming the short turnaround presents no issue to him, he should be capable of improving/going very close today. Player. |
| CACTUS | R ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 2nd | CACTUS pulled hard while in the clear just 2L off the even pace 3W to the turn; continued traveling well in the 3P rounding the bend to ~5/16 pole; came under a ride and held his position while floating 4W into the stretch; then finished well at an even pace to the wire, despite the rider losing the crop ~1/8th pole. Owing to the fact he raced wide throughout (which led to him over-racing into the turn while out of cover and then giving away ground on the bend), plus the fact the rider lost the crop ~1/8th pole, there’s reason to believe CACTUS can improve on this effort today, entitling him to major respect. Love his attitude, player. |
| ELON | SA, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 5th | Not really sure what went on at the start with ELON in his race. He had two handlers in the gate, broke okay, then it was as if his rider was overly-keen to get him to the outside as he was extremely heavily yanked into the hind quarters of the horse his outside (who was maintaining a straight line) and wrestled back behind horses in order to work out into the clear early; he then rushed up from ~5L off the even pace while 3-4W racing into the turn; continued his big mid-race move and draw level for the lead ~1/4 pole; came under a strong ride at the top of the lane, then weakened to the wire. This was an odd ride that didn’t allow ELON to show his true colors; he’s better than this. Still, his overall body of work falls short of what’s likely required to win today; best watched. |
| THATAWAY | SA, DEL, 1M, Fast D, 08/27/25 – 7th | THATAWAY was running on his lesser preferred surface in this race (didn’t look entirely comfortable in kickback early) and should be seen to better affect back on the grass today. However, regardless of the dirt surface (which he has run okay on in the past) this was a very uninspiring effort that lacked a visible excuse and makes endorsing his chances today difficult. He was unhurried following a slow break; raced in a detached last, 10-15L off the hot tempo to the far turn; then weakened further on the bend and finished tailed off. |
| DALINAR | SA, DEL, 5F, Good T, 09/10/25 – 1st | This was a huge effort at 9/1 from DALINAR that entitles him to respect today. He broke so fast the announcer thought he had popped the gate (!); crossed to the rail and set an honest, uncontested lead with ~2L advantage to the turn; kept pouring it on racing to the top of the lane; straightened still ~2L in front, then held firm to the wire and never gave the others a chance. Having skimmed the rail and set his own fractions throughout, he might have much improving left to do. And speed did hold well in this race (possible slight downgrade). But regardless, a similar effort will make him live today and he wasn’t exactly stopping at the wire in this race either, so today’s extra 1/16m will seemingly be fine. Player. |
| KNOCKANARA | ALW, LRL, 6F, Good T, 09/12/25 – 1st | (DQ’d, placed 2nd). This was an upgradable effort from KNOCKANARA. He rated 2L off the 3-way speed duel while 2W racing to the top of the lane; then tried to take advantage of a wide opening in the 2P ~3/16 pole when still traveling well but was shut out, forced to steady and shifted back out into the 3P; he then found clear sailing, picked up and forged to the front before holding firm to the wire, despite drifting out into the center of the course late and bumping with his rival (which he was later DQ’d for). The DQ was justified, but KNOCKANARA was unquestionably best; in fact, owing to his troubled stretch run, he was even better the PPs/speed fig indicates and can potentially offer more again today. Leading contender. |
Race 9: MD-Bred Allowance, 3YO+, 6F, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| CARVELLIAN QUEST | R ALW, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm T, 09/14/25 – 8th | This was a very uninspiring effort from CARVELLIAN QUEST that lacked a visible excuse. He was hustled forward from gate 2; traveled comfortably closely attending the even pace in the 2P to ~7/16 pole; came under a hand ride and began falling back on the far turn; then stopped in the lane and finished a tailed off last. Having run okay on the turf before (and because he began struggling so early), you’d be clutching at straws to say he just didn’t like the surface. Cut back in trip today could help and his back-class entitles him to respect, but it’s hard to endorse him with confidence following this run and he now has things to prove. |
| HELDISH | ALW, LRL, 6F, Fast D, 06/07/24 – 9th | HELDISH ran as his 31/1 odds suggested he would here; an uninspiring effort without a visible excuse (effort was followed by a lengthy layoff, however, so maybe something did go amiss). He lacked speed from the rail despite being hustled into stride; chased the honest pace from ~5L back on the to ~1/2m pole; dropped back into a detached last rounding the far turn; then finished in his own time. He has back-class that fits with this group, but it’s tough to have confidence in him off a 498–day break following this effort. Best watched. |
| FOGGY DEW | MD ALW, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/31/25 – 4th | This was a disappointing effort from FOGGY DEW. He was hustled along chasing the blistering pace set by the dueling leaders from ~8L on the rail to the far turn; began passing tiring rivals on the turn while angling out into the 3P at an even pace; then finished evenly on his left lead for a nonthreatening 4th. Having won around a bullring track at CT the time prior, it seems unlikely the bullring track was an issue. Could it be he didn’t like the kickback? (Didn’t show any particular signs of resentment but does tend to do his best work on the lead/in the clear). We know he’s capability of better and he shouldn’t be entirely dismissed, but he does now have to bounce back. |
| FALCON BLUE | ALW, CT, 7F, Fast D, 08/08/25 – 1st | FLACON BLUE was allowed to set a controlled, uncontested pace in this race while skimming the rail throughout (downgrade), but that doesn’t take away from how visually impressive he was. He showed good speed under minimal urging, crossed to the rail and set a modest, uncontested pace to the far turn; stepped on the gas and readily opened up by 6L at the top of the lane; then coasted home. He won by daylight with plenty seemingly left in the tank; could have more to offer still and he needs respecting while in this kind of form. |
| KERNESS K | CLM40K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast D, 12/14/24 – 1st | There was plenty to like about this win from KERNESS K. He chased the even pace from ~3L down in the 3-4P to the turn; advanced between horses in the 2P shortly after entering the bend and remained under a snug hold while in behind horses racing to the 5/16 pole; then came under a ride, responded and built momentum while angling into the clear 4W approaching the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~2L back in the 4P with good momentum behind him; forged into a clear lead inside the 1/8th pole, then held firm to the wire. The lengthy layoff is a concern today. However, he visually looked talented individual in this race and if now stronger as a 3YO with lasix on, assuming he’s ready off the bench, he could improve on this (slightly wide trip) win, making him a live player today. Respected. |
| CATTIVO RAGAZZO | ALW, LRL, 6F, Good T, 09/12/25 – 8th | This ride/trip did not see CATTIVO RAGAZZO to best effect. He worked forward to contest the fast pace while in the clear 3W to the ¼ pole; came under a ride and continued trying to hold his position into mid-stretch; then began dropping back though the field approaching the 1/8th pole and was eased late. The three horses who contested the hot early pace ended up filling the last three spots at the wire; they just went too fast and having been caught widest of them all too, ‘CR’ was entitled to tire late. A more conservative ride, ground saving trip and stronger finishing effort (from the jock) can see him bounce back somewhat this afternoon, though he does seem a weak finisher regardless of the early pace scenario. |
| PACO THE TACO MAN | ALW, LRL, 6F, Fast D, 10/10/25 – 6th | PACO THE TACO MAN significantly dented his chances at the break in this race. He was slightly restless in the outside gate, then stumbled while breaking outwards and got away slowly in last; he crossed to the rail and chased the pace from ~9L back to the turn; passed a couple of tiring rivals while angling out into the 3-4P at an even pace racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~7L down, then finished evenly under a half-hearted ride. Now facing an easier group, a better break and a stronger ride in the lane can see him rebound somewhat this afternoon (assuming he’s ready to roll off just 8-days rest). Not ruled out, especially if playing vertically |
| SQUARE SLICE | MD ALW, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/31/25 – 5th | SQUARE SLICE did not handle this bullring track (raced well in the straights but lost ground when failing to handle the tight turns); this effort can be excused. He took a hefty bump at the start and dropped to last early, ~6L off the hot pace racing into the first turn; he then blew the first turn somewhat and floated out into the 5-6P, losing him further lengths; after working back down to the 2P and coming under a ride, he then crept a little closer racing into the far turn but then again raced extremely wide (5-6W) one the bend and dropped back racing to the top of the lane; he straightened for the drive ~7L back, then stayed on but had too much to do. Expect him to rebound back on a conventional track today, not ruled out. |
Race 10: MSW, 3-6YOF, 5 1/2F, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| NEW ISSUE | MC50K, LRL, 1M, Firm T, 08/24/25 – 7th | NEW ISSUE sat a clean rail skimming trip in this race and had no excuse other than she just didn’t stay. She broke sharply and showed speed while keen in tight between horses racing into the first turn; worked down to the rail entering the back stretch and traveled well ~3L off the honest pace to the far turn; just about held her position under a mild hand ride racing to the top of the lane but lost contact with the quickening lone leader; straightened for the drive in a share of 2nd but ~8L off the leader; then weakened through the lane. The replay reinforced the fact that, as her two prior runs suggest, she’s better as a closing sprinter (showed speed while keen early, then failed to get stay the distance). She should be more effective back down in trip today which, with further natural progression expected, entitles her to respect. |
| 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; ran in snatches down the back stretch while struggling to hold her position as the pace lifted; 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 show enough signs that she’ll be much better sprinting and she’s best watched for now. |
| BEAUTIFUL MCCLEAN | DEBUTANT | |
| CARAVAGGIO’S SONG | MC40K, MTH, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/13/25 – 2nd | The addition of blinkers helped CARAVAGGIO’S SONG run a career best here. She lacked speed from the rail and was patiently handled chasing the hot pace from ~7L back while 2W to the turn; then came under a ride and responded nicely, building momentum and advancing slightly while ~4W to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~5L down in the 4P, then rallied willingly late but missed. Owing to her wide trip and the way the course was playing this day (speed favoring), this effort can be upgraded, which even as she goes up in class, makes her a live contender. Benefits from a strong pace. |
| ZETA JONES | MSW, PID, 6F, Fast Synth, 09/22/25 – 4th | ZETA JONES is entitled to step forward for this debut effort, while her even finishing effort suggests she should be suited by today’s long stretch. However, she did sit a perfect trip here, so whether she can improve enough off this effort to win today is questionable. She chased the even pace from ~6L back while 2-3W to the turn; crept slightly closer to the pace in hand while 2W as the field bunched approaching the ¼ pole; then became outpaced entering the lane and finished evenly for a nonthreatening 4th. Entitled to improve but maybe more an underneath type. |
| AMADEA | MSW, TAM, 5F, Firm T, 03/22/25 – 7th | This was an uninspiring debut from AMADEA. She was hustled along chasing the modest tempo from ~5L back in the 2-3P to the turn; dropped back as the pace lifted racing to the top of the stretch; straightened for the drive ~10L behind, fully extended, then weakened further to the wire. She’s entitled to step forward with natural progression this afternoon, but it’s hard to endorse her with confidence off the layoff following this run and she’s probably best watched for now. |
| MINESWEEPING | DEBUTANT | |
| DARTY TIME | MC50K, SAR, 5 1/2F, Sloppy D, 08/20/25 – 5th | (Off turf event). This was a poor effort from DARTY TIME. She showed good natural speed from the rail, took the lead early and set an honest, mildly pressured pace to the turn; she was then scrubbed along to hold his advantage when challenged on the far turn; remained level for the lead to the top of the lane, then weakened very quickly in the stretch and finished tailed off. Having recorded a 48 Beyer on the slop on debut, we can’t blame the surface for this defeat; there was no visible excuse for her poor performance. Although he may step forward for the switch to turf, it’s hard to endorse her with confidence following this run. |
| COUGAR COCKTAIL | DEBUTANT | |
| FIRE’S OUT | MSW, SAR, 1 1/16M, Firm T, 06/05/25 – PU | We can probably draw a line through FIRES OUT’s effort in this race. She settled into a likable tracking position in the 2P, ~1L off the slow pace racing into the far turn; began dropping back while under pressure racing to the far turn; plummeted back through the field to last racing to the top of the lane; then eased in the stretch. She never really traveled and was eased; something seemingly went amiss, and she’s probably better judged on her two prior starts. Those runs entitle her to major respect today and she shouldn’t be entirely ruled out. But this isn’t the type of last out performance you like to see leading into a race; risky. |
| CHILLY GIRL (MTO) | MSW, LRL, 7F, Fast D, 09/20/25 – 3rd | CHILLY GIRL lost all chance at the break here. She broke in from the rail, hit the gate, got away slowly and the rider lost an iron; she then trailed the field while being squeezed along in a detached last, ~13L behind the hot pace racing to the far turn; remained ~10L behind while racing ~4W on the turn, leaning in a touch; then stayed on evenly past tired foes in the lane, inheriting a nonthreatening 3rd. It’s impossible to guess how she’d have fared/where she’d have finished with a better break; did like how she continued trying to the wire, though, and she’ll need respecting if this race comes off the turf. Concern is she didn’t particularly look fast enough for 5 1/2F and another slow break over today’s trip could be even more detrimental to her chances. Blinks off. |
| VEOLA | MSW, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/11/25 – 2nd | Not much to dislike about this effort from VEOLA. She broke like a shot from gate 2; dueled/forced an even pace while in hand on the rail to the top of the lane; took a little bump upon straightening, then finished willingly in a stretch battle to the wire but could not get the better of the 6/5 fav/winner. Although she sat a perfect trip in this race and others may have more upside, this run sets the standard, and she has to rank high on the shortlist. |
Horses to Follow
R8: BOUJEE BUBBLEZ (7/2 ML)
BOUJEE BUBBLEZ significantly raised her game when switched to the turf for the first time earlier this summer, going close in three straight two-turn allowances with speed figures far superior to anything she had produced on the dirt. However, after showing good early speed in those contests, she was then coming up short in deep stretch and failing to see the job out, so trainer Hugh McMahon understandably cut her back to sprints last time. As a daughter of G1 winning sprinter Jimmy Creed, out of a three-time winning sprinter in Mission Good Karma, and a granddaughter of multiple stakes winning sprinter Karmageddon, everything pointed towards this being the right move for ‘BOUJEE’, and it was.
Sent off at a generous 8/1 against a similar quality field to the one she’ll meet today, ‘BOUJEE’ chased the hot pace to the turn under today’s rider Jevian Toledo, cruised up onto the leaders’ heels approaching the top of the stretch, then slipped through an inviting rail opening, and readily powered away for a facile two length score. Granted she sat a perfect trip in that race, which some bettors may be inclined to knock her for, the power with which she hit the wire and strong gallop out she produced after gave the impression that the career best 79 Beyer she earned (the co-second fastest last out figure in today’s eighth) was far from her peak; she looked to have plenty more in the locker and with another strong pace forecast this afternoon, she can give the morning-line favorite, GREAT HEAVENS, plenty to think about.
R9: KERNESS K (3/1 ML)
Over the past three years, trainer Brittany Russell has struck at a mightily impressive 36% with 3-year-olds returning 180+ day layoffs at Laurel Park (8-for-22; $2.47 ROI), making KERNESS K extremely interesting in today’s ninth.
The Maryland-bred son of GREAT NOTION flashed ability on more than one occasion as a 2-year-old last year, breaking his maiden second out, hitting the board in two restricted stakes at Delaware in mid-summer, and then swatting away a decent group of $40k claimers with a visually impressive win when last seen in December.
Throughout his juvenile campaign, aided by the addition of blinkers two back, he progressed to run speed figures comparable to those his rivals in today’s contest have been running as older horses in recent months. Therefore, assuming that he’s developed physically between the ages of two and three, with lasix going on for the first time today and a number of sharp works pointing towards his readiness off the bench as he makes his first start for Russell, he could simply prove too much for this group that lacks a standout. He’s proven his tactical ability that’ll allow him to adapt to the murky pace scenario this race presents, and his 3/1 morning-line odds look fair.
R10: NEW ISSUE (6/1 ML)
The thrice-raced NEW ISSUE brings a slightly concerning Beyer speed figure pattern of 58, 55, 50 into today’s nightcap, a 5 1/2-furlong MSW on the turf. However, she was caught extremely wide when closing into a slow pace that held up well in start number two at Saratoga, hindering her ability to improve upon her respectable third-place finish on debut. Then last time, as highlighted in the trip notes, she just simply failed to stay one mile. Both of her regressive efforts came with legitimate excuses, and it might be naive to simply deduce that she’s heading in a downward trajectory.
Despite her inexperience on debut and wide trip second out, she still managed to hit the board both times in New York, hinting toward her ability as a sprinter, and as she now cuts back to 5 1/2 furlongs on the lawn with rivals DARTY TIME and VEOLA set to provide her with a strong pace to run at, granted a clean trip, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her take a big step back in the right direction and produce a new career best. In a wide-open MSW that lacks a clear standout, that could be enough to invite young trainer Amelia Green into the Laurel Park winners’ circle for the first time.
‘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
