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 excellent daily handicapping guide put together by the MJC Team and grab your FREE DRF Laurel Park PPs via THIS LINK.
Race Selections
R1: 6-2-8
R2: 8-6-1
R3: 3-4-2
R4: 7-4-2
R5: 3-12-9
R6: 6-4-5
R7: 2-6-5
R8: 5-3-2
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: Claiming 7.5k, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #2 LIKEBELIVINGINMAGIC’s last start on dirt (slop) two-back is deserving of a small PACE UPGRADE as he did best of the speed (finished 1 1/4L 2nd) in a fast-paced affair (23.29, 47.70) that set up well for the eventual winner who was 10L back at first and second call. Returning to dirt and cutting back to a flat mile could suit him well today. – #4 FORREST CITY sat a very wide trip last time, possibly a deliberate move by his jockey to keep out of the sloppy kickback. – Since blinkers went on, #7 TOP BLOOD has been very headstrong in his two most recent starts and not left himself much for the finish (he pulled very hard in front and set fast fractions before fading two-back, then he was rank behind foes after a slow break last time). Back at a mile today, there has to be a concern that he’s going to do too much too soon again; that could be good news for any closers in this race, though. – Not entirely sure why, but the rider on #9 SIN PERMISO only gave the gelding a half-hearted hand ride through the lane last time and then stopped riding ~1/16 pole; he wasn’t beaten far despite this and looked to have more to offer. |
| Race 2: MSW, 2YO, 5 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Following a very likable debut effort in which he bravely took advantage of a very small rail opening and made up ground into a modest pace over a speed favoring track, #1 ISLAND BANDIT again ran a likable race last time, handling the sloppy kickback (which he took a lot of) like a pro and determinedly advancing along the inside to finish 3rd. It seems only a matter of time before he graduates and today’s extra 1/16 should be in his favor. – #4 BARU showed a likable attitude last time. |
| Race 3: OC 40k/N2X Allowance, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 BUSHIDO | Claiming 20k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 04/24/26 – 1st | Sent from rail; quickly took lead and set fast fractions into the lane; extended advantage to 3L under a hand ride upper stretch, then fended off all the closers comfortably. | Sure, he was the 3/5 fav and had a straightforward trip, but this effort is still deserving of a PACE UPGRADE due to the fact that he set fractions of 21.42, 43.65 that set up really well for closers, yet still managed to kick away in upper stretch and hold on late with ease. (The 2nd, 3rd & 4th place finishers were 6th, 5th & 7th, respectively, at first call, and they had odds of 10/1, 25/1 and 84/1 – the pace really favored off the pace types). Massive player right back. |
| Other notes:
– #1 TALENTED MAN wasn’t beaten far on the dirt last time despite having set a fast, pressured pace in front going a distance that stretches him. He should be more comfortable back down in trip today. – #4 BIG TANKNESS showed a very likable attitude to win last time, despite having been floated out numerous paths through the lane. |
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| Race 4: Allowance, 3YO+ ®, 7 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #4 DOLCE VITA | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 05/31/26 – 3rd | Clean break from outside post; 5-6W first turn; remained in center of track and settled ~4L off slow-moderate pace racing down back stretch; held position under mild urging while 4-5W far turn; came 6W into the lane, then finished nicely down the center but missed. | One can argue he was best in here as he closed into fractions of 25.11, 49.58 (winner went gate-to-wire) to miss by just a neck despite having lost a vast amount of ground with a very wide trip – UPGRADE. Clearly in ready form and deserving of respect. |
| #7 CLOSE THE GATE | Allowance, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 05/15/26 – 2nd | Bumped hard start and away slowly; advanced into the fast pace while wide racing to the far turn; made a 4W bid on the run to the top of the lane, taking a narrow lead ~1/4 pole; turned for home with a slim advantage in the 4P, then opened up a 1.5L lead ~3/16 pole; stayed on gamely from there to the wire but was run down by a deep closer late. | The hot pace in this race (23.61, 46.89) strongly favored closers such as the 16/1 winner who rallied from 9L last to win at 16/1. ‘CTG’ therefore deserves a PACE UPGRADE for his runner-up effort as he made an early move into the hot pace (22.92 second ¼) after enduring a rough start, then sat close to the speed while wide and only just missed. He’s yet to run a bad race with lasix on and 7F could suit perfectly. |
| Other notes:
– #5 DADDY YANKEE showed a really likable attitude to win over today’s course and distance last time, re-rallying strongly along the inside after dropping back under heavy pressure on the turn. He’s worthy of respect. |
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| Race 5: Maiden Claiming 35k, 3-6YO, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 CHIMNEY SWEEP | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 3rd | Chased hot pace from ~1L back into the turn; dropped back a little while losing ground in the 4-5P racing to the top of the stretch; turned for home ~2.5L down, then stayed on willingly past the leaders but could not fend off a pair of deep closers and settled for 3rd. | The two horses who beat him in this closer-friendly race (fractions: 21.83, 45.00) were 6 ¼ and 15 ½ lengths off the lead at 2nd call; CS was just 1 ¾ lengths back which, coupled with the fact that he lost a lot of ground racing 4-5W on the turn, entitles him to a notable UPGRADE (pace and trip). Major player second off the bench today. |
| #5 KUHNER | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 9th (DQ’d) | Bumped both sides start; sent from between foes; set fast pace on a pressured lead to the turn, then bore out into the 3-4P and dropped back to share the lead while visibly green racing into the stretch; turned for home level in the 3P, then drifted violently inwards and bumped a rival, hurting his own momentum; continued to race erratically yet retained a share of the lead to ~1/16 pole before fading late on. | Not only did he go too fast in this race (21.83, 45.00), but he was visibly very green, blowing the turn and racing erratically for the majority of the contest which hindered his momentum at multiple stages of the race. The fact that he was still right there in deep stretch indicates he has the ability to win at this level, and it would be disappointing if – through rationing his speed out more efficiently and racing more professionally – he couldn’t step forward notably second out. Note: he was justifiably DQ’d for his erratic behavior. |
| #9 BRIGHT TIME | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 10th | Unhurried; chased hot pace from ~9L back into the turn, then lost a little ground when missing the turn (green) and drifting wide; cut back inside ~3/8; remained well back until straightened for the drive, then began to advance nicely until checking ~1/8 pole which seemingly cost him momentum and ground; from there he was hardly persevered with while racing on his left lead. | With the tape cutting out the unfortunate stretch incident, it’s hard to fully gauge how much the interference he suffered in the lane cost him; however, after racing greenly early, it looked as if he was making nice headway before having his chance of success ended, and there were positives to be taken from the bits we can see. Expecting him to offer much more second out with a clean trip today. |
| #12 GUERRILLA MAGIC | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 8th | No speed; chased hot pace into the lane, then drifted in sharply upon straightening and bumped the rail; corrected, then checked at the 1/8 pole before he ran on again under his own power, still lugging in. | Exiting the same race as above, he too had his chances dented when checking in the lane. From what we can see on the replay, however, he was finishing well through the stretch (with more energy than BRIGHTY TIME) even though he was very green and lugging in badly. If he can straighten up today and receives a cleaner trip, he could play a role. |
| #14 RED SEA (AE) | Maiden Claiming 35k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 05/15/26 – 8th | Pressed pace while deep in the track to the far turn; lost ground racing 5-8W on the run to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~6L back in the 5P, then lugged in while staying on before checking ~1/8 pole; recovered, then finished evenly. | Racing off the layoff, he sat a very wide trip in this race and also had to check ~1/8 pole. Again, it’s tough to know – like the two above – quite how much the stretch trouble cost him – but regardless, he can surely improve on this wide and troubled comeback run, especially if he runs straighter through the stretch. |
| Other notes:
– Following a non-effort on debut, #4 TAX AND TAGS ran a nice race last out, holding 4th after setting closer friendly fractions on a pressured lead (small pace upgrade). He could be interesting if handling the turf and building again on that experience. – #6 START TAPPIN stumbled notably at the break on debut before chasing and then fading in the stretch. Switches to the turf and drops in class today. – #7 FREE COSTS TO MUCH simply went too fast in front (22.19, 44.98) last time before tiring and drifting in the lane. Suspect he can offer more if rationing out his speed more efficiently with the bug weight off today. – #11 J C’S BOYS ran a likable race in defeat last time, only failing to a deep closer after sitting relatively close to the fast pace (small pace upgrade). Respected making turf debut today. – #13 M D FIELDSTONE (EA) sat a slightly wide trip when returning from the layoff to make his turf debut and first start as a gelding last time. He seems eligible to step forward off that run. |
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| Race 6: OC 40k/N2X Allowance, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #4 RAMPAGIUS | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/17/26 – 4th | Patiently handled from inside post; settled on rail under a tight hold, ~8L off the even pace in 7th racing to the far turn; held position under a hand ride racing to the top of the lane as the sprint for home began, then stayed on very willingly – despite flopping leads – through the stretch but had too much to do. | Making his first turf and route start since August ’25, he did well to finish as close as he did in this race as speed held very well with the top three finishers (including the 18/1 pacesetter who ended up 3rd, beaten just 1 1/4L) filling these positions throughout. ‘RAMP’ was the only runner to make up any meaningful ground and is seemingly coming into this race – a switch back to dirt sprinting – in even better form than it would appear on paper. |
| #6 BAND CAMP | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 05/16/26 – 5th | Broke inwards, awkwardly and slow; trailed early chasing the even pace from ~10L back inside into the turn; steadily advanced under pressure racing to the top of the lane, then stayed on well but had too much to do. | Speed held well in this race, with the top four finishers filling those positions throughout. ‘BC’ was therefore seemingly at a disadvantage following a tardy break that afforded his rivals a head start. He was the only runner to do any serious running from the back and can take a meaningful step forward second back today. Note: he was pace compromised two-back, too. |
| Other notes:
– None. |
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| Race 7: Stormy Blues Stakes, 3YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 TAP INTO GRACE | Allowance, LRL, 6F, Firm Turf, 10/25/25 – 1st | Restless gate, slight hop, away a beat slow; tossed head around under restraint before settling in a detached last racing into the turn; rounded the bend ~10L off the lead while saving ground into the lane; crept closer under minimal urging racing through the lane but lacked a clear path to properly level off until switching out into the 6P ~100Y from the wire; from there, whoosh… she came under a strong ride and made up over 5L in the final yards of the contest with a tremendous kick to get up by a nose. | *Her only start on turf: this wasn’t a horrible trip at all, and she did receive a good pace setup, but still, it’s worth highlighting this performance because it was much more impressive than the PPs suggest – she won from an impossible position having been denied a suitably clear path until very late (could have won by further if she’d had the room to level off earlier), and we can always award extra credit to horses who get worked up in the gate. She’s clearly talented and will demand respect returning from the layoff today. |
| #5 RIVER ESCAPE | MSW ®, PRX, 6F, Fast Dirt, 11/05/25 – 1st | Took a very hard bump at the start (which nearly knocked the rider out of the saddle), off slowly in last; quickly recovered stride, moved inside and chased the hot pace from ~6L back to the ½, then advanced into the speed under minimal urging; shifted out wide while continuing to make rapid headway past rivals under a hold turn; drew level with her struggling rivals, still unasked ~1/4, then opened up effortlessly through the lane before being geared down late. | Regardless of what she beat, this was still a mightily impressive debut in which she handled the trouble at the break professionally and then advanced effortlessly into the fast pace with a bold move that she sustained from the ½ to the wire. Eased up late and a little wide on the turn too, this effort was even better than it appears on paper. Makes turf debut off the layoff today. |
| Other Notes:
– Prior to a very likable career best Beyer earning win last time, #1 SLEWPERSTITUS (MTO) had faced a very difficult task two-back trying to close into a slow pace over a speed biased track while conceding race fitness to her rivals. Her latest performance is a more accurate reflection of her current ability. – There was lots to like about #2 ONLY FOR NOW’s maiden breaking debut effort in which she circled the field from last after a slow break and ran down the long-time leader determinedly in the stretch. While one could knock her effort for the fact that she received a favorable pace setup as a closer, we should also bear in mind that she raced widest on the turn, had dropped her rider pre-race, and had become upset in the gate (leading to her poor start), which is an often-underrated reason as to why horses can improve on another occasion. She left a nice visual impression and will demand respect with Laurel’s long stretch sure to suit today. – With lasix added for the first time, #7 GIGABIT romped in an off-turf allowance at Horseshoe Indianapolis last time; it was an easy victory in the end, but don’t be fooled by the short comment “steady handling” and believe that she won under wraps – the rider was fully animated and used the crop, too. Returns to turf with lasix off today. – #8 HARK THEANGELSSING steadied very lightly close home when last seen at Aqueduct in November, but it didn’t cost her more than a half length and definitely not a position. In fact, she received excellent pace setups as a closer in her last two starts as a 2yo last year which aided her – and those efforts might need downgrading a touch. – Having been keen early, #10 THE TOWN TEMPTER didn’t have much left for the final 1/8th when going a mile last time; a return to sprinting should see her in better light today. – #11 GERRARDS CROSS simply went too fast (21.86, 44.64) in front in the 7F Gasparilla Stakes last time – we can be forgiving of the fact she tired in the final 1/8th. Returns to turf off the bench today. |
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| Race 8: Starter Allowance, 3YO+, 1 1/16 Miles, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 MR SCATTER | Starter Allowance, LRL, 1 1/8M, Fast Dirt, 04/24/26 – 3rd | Patiently handled early; settled under a hold on the rail in rear of a tightly bunched field behind the slow pace racing to the far turn; became outpaced when the tempo lifted far turn and dropped ~9L back in a detached last racing to the 5/16; then tipped out into the 3-4P and re-rallied through the lane but had too much to do. | *His two-back effort and last at Laurel before he was simply given too much to do at Mountaineer last time: his 3rd place finish should not be taken as an accurate reflection of his ability because he was visibly compromised by the slow pace (25.78, 51.55) as a closer, and if anything, he did well to earn the show. With the right setup, he can significantly narrow the margin with #2 MASAKADO. |
| Other notes:
– #1 FORMAL AFFAIR received an excellent pace setup (23.29, 47.70) and sat a great trip as well when justifying even money favoritism at 1 1/16 miles last time; we shouldn’t assume that he’ll replicate that level of performance with a different trip and pace scenario likely today. Makes debut for Farrior. – #2 MASAKADO was forwardly positioned and sat a good trip when scoring in a slowly run (25.78, 51.55) race here at Laurel two back. – #6 WARRIOR WAYNE deserves some extra credit for his two-back effort as he did best of the speed in a fast-paced race (22.60, 46.21); logical player following his win on the slop last time. |
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Horses to Follow
R6: BAND CAMP (5/1 ML)
As is the theme throughout Sunday’s card, the sixth race looks a wide-open affair, but BAND CAMP is one who shouldn’t be left off tickets at his 5/1 morning-line price. Since the start of 2024, the Daniel Eubanks trainee has hit the board in 12 of 15 starts, winning eight times and posting multiple 90+ Beyers that stack up very favorably against this group. His fifth-place finish off the layoff last time might suggest he’s lost a step, but that effort is better than it appears on paper. After breaking poorly and spotting his rivals a significant head start, he found himself chasing in a race that saw the speed held throughout, with the first four finishers filling those positions throughout. Despite that, he steadily made up ground by posting the fastest incremental splits from the half-mile pole to the finish and was eventually beaten only four lengths by today’s ML favorite FREEZE THE FIRE. With that comeback run behind him, a better break could see him take a sizeable step forward and make his presence felt at a fair price.
