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: 6-2-5
R2: 2-6-5
R3: 5-6-7
R4: 7-2-3
R5: 11-2-6
R6: 3-1-9
R7: 1-3-4
R8: 4-2-6
R9: 4-5-6
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: MSW, 3-6YO (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Turf |
| Other notes:
– #2 WATCH ME SPARKLE (MTO) lugged in through the lane at Colonial last time. – Despite being a fraction wide, #4 SEGER SONGS ran a nice race when last seen in October. She did have a great pace setup, though, which seemingly helped her finish as close as she did (potential downgrade). – #5 LIVE LIFE was not persevered with in the final furlong of her last race at Turfway, slightly exacerbating the margin of defeat; however, she was well beaten at the time and booked for sixth, regardless. Switches to turf third off the layoff today. – #8 HAVE ONE MORE stumbled at the break sprinting 6F on the dirt last time, then took a hefty bump and was away very slowly in rear, which didn’t exactly help her cause. However, she then received a very favorable pace setup which undeniably helped her finish 3rd and eliminates our ability to upgrade the effort. Still, in was a decent try and her gallop out was nice enough. Has upside. – It wouldn’t be a surprise to see #10 HAY GRACE BRENNAN improve on her debut sprinting on the dirt at Colonial, simply for some better weather – her debut was run in a torrential snowstorm over a sloppy track that very few horses, never mind debutants, would have thrived in. How much she improves is anyone’s guess, though. |
| Race 2: Claiming 12.5k, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #6 CITY PANDA | Claiming 12k, 6F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/22/26 – 4th | Chased even pace from mid-pack; held position while lugging out a little in the 5P on the turn; then stayed on willingly on his left lead. | He sat a wide enough trip in this race to earn a small upgrade. A runner who wears a run-out blinker (is known to lug-out), he could benefit from being drawn a little more towards the center today and having a few rivals on his outside on the turn (which he didn’t have last time, causing him to lug out more than usual). Didn’t like how he remained on his left lead, but a more ground saving trip could see him improve a little today. |
| #8 D HOPPER | Claiming 5k, 6 1/2F, CT, Fast Dirt, 03/19/26 – 1st | Broke like a shot from the rail; set fast fractions on a clear lead to the far turn; came under a strong ride and held safe to the wire. | He did well to maintain his clear lead to the wire here because the early fractions that he set really were demanding for the class level and trip – PACE UPGRADE. Note: despite having a clear lead, he was ridden hard all the way to the wire. Up in class today. |
| #10 LOU’S BIRTHDAY | Claiming 12k, 6F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/22/26 – 6th | Bumped both side start and away slower than ideal; took strong hold tracking even pace 3W behind the even pace into the turn, then steadied off heels ~3/8 and dropped back losing momentum; from there he came 5W into the lane and failed to recover. | A troubled trip… he had his momentum checked at a terrible time as a horse who has consistently shown that the key to his success is sustained momentum and rhythm. Feel this effort can be excused somewhat. Blinkers come back off today. |
| Other notes:
– #1 SEARCY raced a fraction wider than ideal over 7F at Tampa last out before fading through the final furlong. Cutting back to 6F with a slightly more ground saving trip could see him improve just a little as he makes his debut for Nixon. – There was a closer bias present when #2 NOTMYFIRSTRODEO was last seen over a mile in October, which possibly contributed to his underwhelming finish and slightly sub-par effort. The run was also followed by a layoff, so maybe something was slightly amiss too? Cuts back off the layoff making debut for Cox today. Exiting the same race, there was no visible reason as to why his stablemate, #3 ANDRAS ran quite so far below par. He things questions to answer, also cutting back off the bench. – #7 ELLINGER was very late with his lead change when underperforming at Charles Town last time (he was a 25/1 shot mind). Note: his two-back effort (formed part of slow pace on speed biased track) needs downgrading slightly. – There was no visible reason as to why #9 WORLD ON FIRE underperformed last out – he never lifted a hoof and will need to bounce back today. |
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| Race 3: OC40K/N2X Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #5 POINT LIAM | Claiming 16k, 6F, TP, Fast Synth, 02/26/26 – 5th | Bumped start; chased slow pace between horses in rear; came under pressure 2-3W turn, then stayed on evenly through the lane. | He actually did well to finish as close as he did because he had no pace to close into (slow pace held well) and the track was presenting a speed bias – UPGRADE. Returns to turf making debut for Perri today. |
| Other notes:
– Running on yielding ground around two-turns at the Fair Grounds, #2 WARHEART stopped quickly on the far turn (was not asked by rider) and then eased in the lane. Something was seemingly amiss with him here and we can likely toss the race as he returns to sprinting following a slight freshening. – Prior to winning nicely off the layoff last time when making his first start as a gelding, #6 CAIRO SURPRISE had run an upgradable race in the South Mountain Stakes at Penn National (held 2nd after setting fast pace on closer friendly track). Makes turf debut second off today. – Regarding the chart comment on #7 DEAN DELIVERS’ last race, the “bump upper stretch” mentioned was completely inconsequential – he ran his race. Makes turf but today. – As highlighted in the chart comment, #8 WHERE’S RAY switched leads 3x in the lane when last seen in November. It clearly didn’t stop him though! Returns off layoff today. |
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| Race 4: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #2 OUTDOOR CAT raced slightly wider than ideal (not always a negative at Parx though) last time. Returns off layoff with blinkers on (which his last replay suggests could help) today. – After sitting a dream trip on the rail, #3 WINNING TRIP again failed to switch leads in the lane last out. – #4 HOLIDAY EXPRESS had his left front shoe repaired prior to making his route debut in a tough spot when last seen in November. Cuts back off the bench today with blinkers on (which could be a good combo). – #5 AGREED ran a really nice race off the layoff at Colonial last time. He was bottled up on the rail and unable to build momentum on the far turn, then found room at the top of the lane (1/4 pole) and fought willingly to the wire, but he couldn’t get the better of the 3/5 fav. While he had plenty of time to gather momentum when clear in the lane, he left the impression that if he was able to get rolling a little earlier on the turn cutting back to 6F today, he’d be able to step forward second off the bench. Big player. – There was a speed bias present when #8 WICKEDDIVINE won courtesy of a forward trip (opening ¼ was slow) last out, possibly warranting a slight downgrade. It’s hard to argue that he wasn’t best on the day, though. – There was no visible reason as to why #9 SHADOW SURGE underperformed as the 1/1 fav at Colonial last out… he again failed to put two solid runs together, and he was beaten too early to suggest the 7F trip is just behind him. Tough to rule him out with his in-and-out form pattern, but it’s a little tough to fully trust him too. |
| Race 5: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #10 PARKES | Allowance, 5 1/2F, LRL, Firm Turf, 11/21/25 – 2nd | Chased honest pace in rear early; light steady entering turn; angled out ~6W racing into lane, then rallied nicely down the center. | This effort is deserving of a small UPGRADE because although the pace was honest, with the rails out, it didn’t exactly fall apart… he closed from a way back to get 2nd under those circumstances, even though he had to tap on the brakes entering the turn and he lost ground with a wide run into the lane (both of which are factors that arguably cost him the win). Blinkers come off and lasix go on for his return today note: he was better than his 1 1/4L winning margin on debut suggests and ran an upgradable race three-back (closed into slow pace). |
| Other notes:
– After stumbling badly at the start and then rushing up inside over the closer friendly track, #2 ELVIS HIMSELF stopped quickly on the turn and was not persevered with in the lane – we can likely toss that effort as something was seemingly amiss. In his two-back effort (his last on turf), he was engaged in a closer friendly speed duel early, then the rider stood up at the first wire in the lane, losing him two positions. That run is deserving of a small UPGRADE. Returns to the grass off the bench today. – Prior to breaking his maiden by daylight last time, #4 LANNISTER had run two upgradable races in a row (sat a wide trip three back, then attempted to run down loose leader who set slow fractions in front over a speed biased track two-back). Makes turf debut for Maldonado today. – Prior to running a too-bad-to-be-true race on the dirt when last seen, #5 WATCH OUT WORLD had suffered a slightly troubled trip two-back (his last turf start) as he over-raced on heels and steadied behind a slow pace (that didn’t set up well for him at all) entering the turn, then lacked the late pace to challenge. Returns off the layoff and moves back to the grass today. – There was no visible reason as to why #6 BUILT BY KHOZAN underperformed at a short price on the dirt last time. He’ll need to bounce back switching surfaces today. – Speed held very well in the competitive two-turns race that #7 CONTEMPLATION exits at the Fair Grounds which was not ideal for him being a closer (possible excuse). Cuts right back in trip today. – #12 GREAT HEAVENS failed to switch leads in the lane at Colonial last time. |
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| Race 6: Maiden Claiming 30K, 3YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Although ultimately DQ’d for drifting in and causing interference through the lane when making his debut in September, #4 COUNTRY BUMPKIN still made a very likable impression, overcoming a 4-5W trip and rallying very strongly through the lane (11.35 final 1/8) to finish a fast closing 2nd behind the wire winner before galloping out in front. Returns off layoff with lasix added today. – #7 PAID VACATION was floated notably wide off the turn before staying on gamely for 2nd when last seen over a mile in March (he deserves a little extra credit). Note: he was forwardly placed throughout over the speed biased track that day too, but the pace was hot enough that the race played fairly. Cuts back in trip today (which isn’t guaranteed to suit). |
| Race 7: OC40K/N2X Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #7 SALLY’S GOLD | Claiming 25k, 6F, TP, Fast Synth, 12/17/25 – 2nd | Broke sharp; set fast, pressured pace to ¼; opened up entering lane and kicked clear upper, then stayed on gamely to the wire but was nailed in the last jump. | This effort is deserving of a notable PACE UPGRADE. She very nearly won despite having set very fast fractions (21.96, 45.03) that favored closers (1,3 finishers were 11th and 9th at 2nd call; other pace setters tired to finish 9th and 12th). Cuts back in trip and returns to turf off freshening for Frock today. |
| Other Notes:
– #4 ITALIAN SOIREE can be given a little extra credit for her most recent effort in the G3 Glen Cove Stakes because she was positioned fairly close to a red-hot pace that favored closers yet was beaten just 2 3/4L. The four horses who beat her came late from off the pace (behind her). Cuts back to 5 1/2F today and adds lasix making her debut for Motion off the bench. – With first time lasix, #6 THIRST FOR HOPE showed a nice attitude and good finishing kick to win off the bench at Colonial last time. It may be worth noting that that race was run in a torrential snowstorm (conditions that horses would be forgiven for underperforming in) and on a very wet track. Makes turf debut second off today. – #9 EPIC STYLE flopped leads when tiring between foes ~1/8th pole when last seen trying a mile in a strongly run race on the synthetic at Turfway. She looks to be suited by today’s cut back in trip and return to the grass. Note: her two-back effort when she closed into a slow/modest pace is deserving of a slight UPGRADE. |
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| Race 8: OC40K/N2X Allowance, 3YO+ (F), 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #2 KILO ROAD | Allowance, 7F, LRL, Fast Dirt, 03/15/26 – 3rd | Void early speed; chased slow pace from last while 3W; lost ground when briefly out-kicked turn and came under pressure; straightened for the drive ~5L down, then stayed on gamely on left lead for 3rd. | She did well to finish as close as she did considering she had no pace to close into and was a little wide too – small UPGRADE. |
| Other notes:
– #4 SPENCERIAN was positioned close to a slow pace last time, but that didn’t necessarily help her because she then lacked the late pace to challenge for the win (remained even to the wire). Over sprint trips, she looks to be better suited by a fast pace. – #5 SHKHARA FIRE was slightly wider than ideal when last seen running well on debut for Russell at Colonial – tiny upgrade. – #7 SHEILAHS WARCLOUD looked to clip a heel leaving the gate when last seen running over a mile in December. Wonder whether that had something to do with her sub-par effort and layoff thereafter? (Should we toss the race?). Cuts back off the bench today. |
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| Race 9: MSW, 3-6YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 MUNNY PROBLEM | MSW, 1M, GP, Firm Turf, 02/27/26 – 7th | Slow start; chased even pace from mid-pack 4-5W into lane, then finished evenly. | After a slow start (forgivable considering it was her first start), she sat a wide enough trip in this turf race to earn a small UPGRADE. She was also racing off the pace which, when the rails were out at GP over the winter, proved disadvantageous (winner of this race wired the field at 9/1). We could see a notable improvement from her today. |
| Other notes:
– None. |
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Horses to Follow
R5: LUCKED IN (10/1 ML)
LUCKED IN has been a frustrating horse to follow of late, but he may be worth one more chance at a price in today’s fifth. He comes in off back-to-back upgradable efforts—checking early before closing for second into a pace that held well on February 28, then overcoming a wide trip and no real setup to finish third last time. He’s been running better than the PPs suggest, and today’s pace scenario looks far more favorable. Back at a one-turn mile—where he’s 2-3-0 from six starts—he also gets a valuable five-pound weight break with Vargas’ allowance. At a 10/1 morning line, he’s easy to overlook, but not without a chance.
R8: ADERO (6/1 ML)
Following a productive 2025 that included a win over last week’s Native Dancer Stakes winner WILD VINE and a couple of near misses behind recent G2 Carter and General George Stakes winner POINT DUME, ADERO kicked off his 2026 campaign with a solid effort at Parx last month. Likely short of peak fitness and unsuited by a slow early pace, he still gave a good account in chasing home WILD VINE and Native Dancer runner-up WARP NINE. Now making his second start of the year—and his Laurel debut for John Servis (22%, $2.01 ROI at Laurel)—ADERO looks primed to step forward with plenty of pace signed on and a fast track expected. His form and figures with Lasix stack up well against this group, and at six years old, he could be poised to notch his tenth career win.
