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 7: Claiming 12K, 3YO+F, 6F, Dirt
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| MELANCIA | CLM16K, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/30/25 – 1st | Three runner race. MELANCIA won as a ½ favorite should in this race. Broke sharp, set blistering fractions with a 3-4L lead to ~5/16 pole, then widened to the wire. She was utterly dominant in victory and will demand respect again today. However, she’s unlikely to improve on this effort; today’s rivals are considerably tougher and with other speed signed on, there’s a a chance she’ll end up doing too much early today from the rail (she’s very strong early and there’s no rating her; she also slowed up considerably in this race late – 32.24 final 3/16). Respected, but no lock. |
| WHATTA WORLD | SA, PRX, 6F, Fast D, 09/15/25 – 5th | This was a disappointing effort from WHATTA WORLD as the 6/5 favorite. Broke sharp from the rail, then set honest, pressured fractions to ~5/16 pole before gradually fading to the wire and drifting out a little in the lane. There was no visible excuse for her subpar effort which, with other speed signed on today, makes it hard to endorse her with confidence. She’s shown in the past that she’s capable of more but needs to bounce back. Risky. |
| ANOTHERHOPE | CLM12K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast D, 09/14/25 – 3rd | ANOTHERHOPE didn’t run her best race here, but she by no means disgraced herself either. Following a clean break, she chased the even pace in mid-pack from ~4L back while in the clear ~4W to the turn, then crept closer in the 3P, took a bump at the top of the lane and edged further out into the 5P, then stayed on willingly to the wire. Her wide trip entitles her effort to a slight upgrade and with a record as consistent as her’s, she worthy of respect. |
| SOUTH PACIFIC | CLM12K, LRL, 6F, Fast D, 09/12/25 – 1st | SOUTH PACIFIC was a dominant winner of this race. Following a sharp break, she pressed the hot pace in the 2-3P to the turn, then took command while in hand racing to the top of the lane and kicked away. She sat a perfect trip here and might not have any further improvement in store, but if she can repeat this effort, she’ll have every chance again, and she’s worthy of respect. |
| BOND’S BELLE | CLM10K, TIM, 4F, Fast D, 09/01/25 – 3rd | Although well beaten in this race, there’s reason to believe we’ll see an improved effort from BOND’S BELLE this afternoon because this 4F distance was just too short for her, especially as the track was speed favoring. She stayed on willingly throughout despite having had to steady slightly entering the bend and again the top of the stretch (upgrade) and galloped out well too, but she just wasn’t quick enough to land a blow. Back at 6F today on a conventional track, she can be expected to return to the level of form she was showing prior to this effort. That could be good enough to see her hit the board and if playing vertical wagers, she shouldn’t be ruled out. Like her attitude. |
| JUST THE THING | CLM16K, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/30/25 – 6th | JUST THE THING ran as her 38/1 odds suggested she would in this race. She wasn’t rushed from the gate and dropped to rear early, then trailed the field while under a ride on the rail to the wire and never factored. It’s hard to see how or why she’ll take a big step forward from this run today and she’s probably best watched for now. |
| CORRI FELICE | CLM16K, TIM, 6 1/2F, Fast D, 08/23/25 – 3rd | CORRI FELICE didn’t disgrace herself at all in this race. Following a clean break, she worked forward to contest the even pace in the 2P rounding the first turn, then began to come under pressure approaching the far turn and looked be be struggling but consistently responded to pressure while 3W and gamely held 3rd. She sat a good trip here (though was 3W on the final turn) and it’s unlikely that she has a lot more improvement in store. But if she can simply run back to this level of form, she’ll have every chance and with an attitude as likable as hers, she shouldn’t be ruled out in a hurry. |
| CURL N ROD | CLM12K, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast D, 09/14/25 – 4th | This was a big effort at 7/1 from CURL N ROD. Despite breaking very sharp, her rider took her back and settled her ~4L off the even pace between horses in the 3P racing to the turn. She traveled well in this position to ~5/16 pole, then had to briefly sit in behind traffic rounding into the lane before she tried to force her way out and bumped with a rival upon straightening. She then found room between rivals, came under a ride, shifted back out into the 4-5P and stayed on willingly to the wire, just missing 3rd. Her imperfect trip didn’t cost her the race, but if she’s been able to build more momentum racing to the top of the lane and not been bumped, she could have at least finished 3rd. Didn’t like how she stayed on her left lead in the lane but still, with a better trip/ride, she can likely improve a length or so today, entitling her to respect. 6F should see her to better affect too, player. |
Race 8: Allowance, 3YO+F, 5 1/2F, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| J Z’S LAST SCHANCE | SA, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/26/25 – 2nd | Ignore the chart comment ‘steadied 5/8’ – that didn’t happen. J Z’S LAST SCHANCE broke well, then raced keenly while stalking the honest pace 2W to the top of the stretch and stayed on willingly to the wire. This was another respectable effort from ‘JZ’; she wore first time blinkers that resulted in her showing more speed and traveling more powerfully than she had done in the past, and a similar level of performance will make her competitive again today. However, as a result of showing more early speed, her finishing effort wasn’t as strong, and she also sat a perfect trip, making it hard to see how she can take a step forward today, which she may have to in order to win. Respected, but probably more an underneath play. |
| SPORTING LADY | MSW, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 08/23/25 – 1st | This was a respectable maiden breaking score from SPORTING LADY. She broke sharp, then dropped down to the 2P and tracked the honest pace from 2L back to ~1/4 pole, angled out 3W at the top of the lane and gamely responded to pressure, edging away into a healthy lead and holding safe to the wire. There wasn’t much to dislike about this performance; however, she did sit a perfect trip and was fully extended to record this 3/4L win, making it difficult to see her finding enough improvement to beat today’s tougher rivals. Best watched for now. |
| WUNDERKIND | MC40K, CNL, 5F, Firm T, 08/30/25 – 1st | This was a very game maiden breaking score from WUNDERKIND that can be upgraded somewhat, not because she had to steady early (that made hardly any difference to her trip), but because she gave away many lengths racing 4-5W throughout. With a more ground saving trip, she’s capable of more; however, today’s rivals are so much tougher than those she faced in this race that it’s unlikely she can improve enough to factor heavily. Love her attitude, but she’s best watched for now. |
| LADY ENSIGN | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Good T, 09/07/25 – 3rd | This was a very likable career best effort from LADY ENSIGN. She broke sharply from the rail, then traveled well stalking the even pace from ~3L back to the top of the stretch before staying on gamely along the inside to the wire. She found herself in tight along the inside ~1/16 pole which dented her momentum somewhat; however, it didn’t cost her as much as the chart comment suggests it did, and although she may have been able to finish ~1/2L closer, 3rd was the best she was ever going to achieve. What’s more, the rest of her rail skimming trip was as good as it gets, and even if she has a trouble-free stretch run today, she could still have a tough time reversing the form with WAITTILMIDNITEHOUR. She’s definitely worthy of respect, just don’t read the chart comment and assume a clean trip will result in her improving a heap. |
| OBLIGING | CLM30K, MTH, 6F, Fast D, 09/01/25 – 1st | There wasn’t much to dislike about this winning performance from OBLIGING. She broke sharply, contested the even pace while riding the rail to the top of the stretch, then responded willingly to her rider’s urgings and drew off in style. She hit the line with good energy, suggesting she maybe had more in the tank, and her attitude was extremely commendable. However, she couldn’t have asked for a better trip in this race and so, unless the surface switch brings about improvent (which it might), it’s a little difficult to see her stepping forward enough to beat today’s tougher rivals. Not ruled out at a respectable price, but maybe more an underneath type. |
| MARTYNA’S JOY | ALW, DEL, 1M, Good T, 08/16/25 – 6th | This race did not see MARTYNA’S JOY to best effect as she was held up in behind a slow pace early, she gave away ground racing wide on the far turn, and she was also racing off a lengthy layoff. Her ability is almost certainly than this result/speed figure suggests; however, she didn’t show enough pace to suggest that she’ll be suited by the cut back to 5 1/2F; today’s rivals are tougher; and it is far from certain that we’ll see her at her best today either. Her connections entitle her to respect, but others seemingly hold stronger claims. |
| WELLAREYOUHAPPYNOW | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Good T, 09/07/25 – 2nd | WELLAREYOUHAPPYNOW ran to form in this race. She tracked the even pace from ~3L back between horses in the 3P to the top of the lane, then stayed on willingly to the wire. She flopped leads late but maintained her stride well, so that wasn’t too much of an issue. If she saves a little more ground, she might be able to find ~1L improvement on this effort; but she sat a pretty perfect trip overall, and it’s unlikely she has enough in store to win this afternoon. Still, she’s a consistent horse who’s in form and shouldn’t be ruled out as an underneath type. |
| WAITTILMIDNITEHOUR | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Good T, 09/07/25 – 2nd | Ignore the chart comment ‘steadied 5/8’ – that didn’t happen. WAITTILLMIDNITEHOUR sat a perfect trip: broke sharp, then traveled powerfully stalking the even pace between horses from ~2.5L back in the 2P to ~1/4 pole, tipped out 3W and finished willingly to the wire. She threatened to take the lead ~1/16 pole, however, undesirably, she then flopped leads and drifted in which dented her momentum and arguably cost her the race. There’s no doubt that, with such a consistent record and the potential to reproduce this effort today, she’ll demand plenty of respect; however, she could be vulnerable if flopping leads and drifting in through the stretch again. Maybe it was a one-off blip, but it’s something to consider if wading in at a short price. |
| CRUSADER RABBIT (MTO) | ALW, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast D, 04/13/24 – 4th | CRUSADER RABBIT pressed the pace while being nudged along in the 2-3P to the 5/16 pole, then dropped back a little, floated 4W into the lane and finished evenly. She had a clean trip and (other than a slightly racing slightly wide) no excuse in defeat. However, this was a good field she was taking on in career start number two; she didn’t disgrace herself at all. The lengthy layoff she’s coming off today is obviously a cause for pause, but she retains scope for further natural improvement and will demand respect if this race comes off the grass. |
| CHANTICO | CLM30K, CNL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 08/27/25 – 1st | There wasn’t much to dislike about this win from CHANTICO who was wearing first time blinkers. She was away alertly from the rail draw, then traveled well stalking the even pace to the top of the lane, tipped out into the 2P, gradually reeled in the longtime leader and went on to score comfortably. She had a perfect trip here and you can ignore the chart comment ‘eased up late’ – she wasn’t going to win by further than she did – so it seems unlikely that she’ll improve further on this win today. But even a reproduction of this effort will see her go close today and she has to be high on the shortlist. |
| SWEETERTHANWHISKEY | SA, LRL, 6F, Firm T, 09/14/25 – 2nd | Ignore the chart comment ‘shuffled start’ – it made no difference to SWEETERTHANWHISKEY’s trip. She was unhurried from the gate, then traveled well chasing the hot pace from ~5L back to ~3/8 pole, made smooth progress around horses on the turn, came 6W into the lane, then stayed on willingly to the wire despite twice flopping leads. Owing to her wide trip, this effort can be slightly upgraded, and I suspect she’s capable of more than this result/speed figure suggests. However, having failed to get up in time going 6F, despite having had a very fast pace to chase, you have to wonder whether 5 1/2F today will again be on the sharp side. Furthermore, her lead leg antics in the lane did hinder her momentum somewhat, which raises doubts about her ability to run down horses late. She’s worthy of respect and capable of more, but whether we see it today is questionable and what you do with her should very much be determined by price. |
Race 9: Claiming 40K, 3YO+, 1 1/8M, Turf
| HORSE | RACE | TRIP NOTE |
| LAZLO | ALW, LRL, 1 1/2M, Firm T, 09/20/25 – 5th | This was a slightly disappointing effort from LAZLO who was sent off at 6/5. He was heavily restrained to settle in mid-pack, 4L off the pace while 2W racing through the first mile of this contest, then dropped back slightly entering the far turn, came under a hand ride but failed to pick up, remained ~4L back to the top of the lane, then finished evenly to the wire. He sat a perfect trip and had no issue with the distance, but he just didn’t fire his best shot. He’s proven in the past that he’s capable of more than this and shouldn’t be ruled out in a hurry, but he will have to bounce back somewhat today. |
| RUDDY BUDDY | VA HCP, CNL, 1 1/16M, Firm T, 09/13/25 – 5th | RUDDY BUDDY tracked the modest pace under a tight hold from ~1.5L back while 2W to the far turn, then gradually weakened to the wire, not for lack of trying though. He couldn’t have asked for a better trip and as he sat close to a modest pace that held up well and so his effort probably needs downgrading slightly. But it’s hard to knock him too much as he was 52/1 and facing much tougher rivals than he’ll meet today. He’s unlikely to improve on this effort, but he has a likable attitude and back down in class today, he’s still worthy of respect, especially if playing vertically. |
| TRANSACTIONAL (GB) | SA, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm T, 09/21/25 – 9th | TRANSACTIONAL ran as his 99/1 odds suggested he would here. Lacked speed early and settled on the rail ~7L off the fast pace, remained under a hold in rear to the top of the lane, then failed to advance. His lack of speed and even finishing effort suggests he could be seen to better affect stretched out in trip this afternoon, but it’s hard to see him improving enough to feature heavily and he’s best watched for now. |
| JUST FOR LUCK | SA, BAQ, 1 1/16M, Firm T, 09/12/25 – 5th | This wasn’t a bad effort at 11/1 from JUST FOR LUCK. He worked across from gate 7 to settle on the rail in mid-pack, ~7L off the even tempo racing to the far turn, then built as much momentum as he could while in behind horses on the rail racing to the top of the lane, straightened for the drive ~4L back, then finished evenly to the wire. He didn’t quite get enough pace to run at in this race, and as he raced on the inside around the far turn (although he never checked or stopped), he seemingly wasn’t able to gather full stride as early as his rider would have liked either. With a different setup he can offer more, especially over today’s trip, and he has to be respected. But, on the flip side, he is very pace dependent and there might not be enough speed signed on this afternoon either. |
| MICKEY SHILLELAGH | ALW, MED, 1M, Firm T, 09/20/25 – 5th | Although beaten at a short price, there was plenty to like about this effort from MICKEY SHILLELAGH. He was held up in rear and patiently handled ~7L off the even pace while 2W to the far turn, then came under a ride and initially failed to respond; however, having then been floated ~7W into the stretch, he straightened for the drive and offered a powerfully rally; he just had too much to do. Because he lost significant ground coming wide into the lane, his effort in this race can be upgraded, and I doubt he really took the back step his speed figures suggest he did. The faster they go early, the better this guy’s chances will be today as he lacks a rapid turn of foot; but in short, with an extra 1/8th to work with, regardless of the pace scenario, this was a likable effort and he has to be high on the shortlist. |
| MR FLOWERS | CLM50K, CNL, 1M, Firm T, 09/01/25 – 2nd | MR FLOWERS ran a winning race here and lost nothing in defeat. He rated ~6L back off the dueling leaders in 3rd racing to the far turn, then closed the gap racing to the ¼ pole, swung (unnecessarily) ~5W into the lane, then stayed on well to the wire but fell a nose short. When comparing the ground he lost racing wide into the lane (and he really didn’t need to go that wide) with the rail skimming trip the winner enjoyed, it’s fair to say that MR FLOWERS was was probably ~1L better than the result indicates in this race, and if in similar form today, he could offer more. Also, do note that the position he found himself in – solo chasing the dueling leaders – is a very vulnerable position for a horse to be in. He’ll be more comfortable adopting his typical close-up stalking/pressing position today and he has to be high on the shortlist. |
| HYTECK PRINCE | ALW, CNL, 1M, Firm T, 08/23/25 – 7th | This was a subpar effort from HYTECK PRINCE that lacked a visible excuse. He adopted his customary hold up position in last early, ~9L off the even pace, rode the rail to the far turn, then came under a ride but failed to respond along the inside and remained well back to the wire. He sat a perfect trip but just put in a very flat performance; although he may have ‘bounced’ off his win two back and might be able rebound this afternoon, it’s hard to endorse him with any confidence. |
| JOE THE JET (MTO) | SA, LRL, 7F, Good D, 06/08/25 – 1st | It’s really hard to fault this effort from JOE THE JET. Following a sharp break, he vied for command in the 2P through the opening 3/16, then went on and set an even pace on his own to the turn, dropped to the rail and easily opened up by ~5L at the top of the lane, then under a strong ride, he maintained his stride impressively to the wire. The layoff might give cause for pause today and having been fully extended after sitting a perfect trip in this race, he might not have that much improving left to do; but still, if this race comes off the grass, he’ll likely be a major factor. |
Horses to Follow
R7: ANOTHERHOPE (9/2 ML)
Trainer John ‘Jerry’ Robb has been on something of a tear recently. Between September 20 and October 01, he sent eight runners postward and walked away with four wins, two seconds, and a third, which only strengthens the case to be made for his ANOTHERHOPE, who’s set to line up in today’s seventh. A tremendously consistent 3-year-old daughter of UNION RAGS with a lifetime record of 2-5-1 from 13 starts, ANOTHERHOPE has really clicked with apprentice rider Yan Rodriguez. They teamed up for a gutsy maiden-breaking score over today’s course and distance back in June (60 Beyer), then recorded their second success together when beating three next out winners in a competitive 6-furlong affair at Colonial two-back (63 Beyer). On paper, it would then appear ANOTHERHOPE took a backwards step when last seen finishing third over 5 1/2-furlongs 21 days ago, and maybe she did. However, as highlighted in the trip notes, her wide trip entitles her effort to a slight upgrade, and even in defeat she earned a 54 Beyer that ranks amongst the fastest on offer this afternoon. Back at 6-furlongs today with the three morning-line choices set to burn each other up on the front end, ANOTHERHOPE should get a perfect setup and she looks well spotted to extend Robb’s strong recent run of form.
R8: CHANTICO (8/1 ML)
On paper, Mike Trombetta’s WAITTILMIDNITEHOUR is the horse to beat in today’s eighth, and she no doubt demands respect. However, she has been turned over at short prices in both starts since returning from a layoff in August, and as highlighted in the trip notes, squandered her chance for the second time in a row by flopping leads and drifting in late through the stretch last time. 9/5 is just too short of a price to swallow about a filly who’s struggling to see the job out at the moment and could be vulnerable again today, so I’ll give the nod to a better priced filly instead, CHANTICO. In form trainer Lacey Gaudet claimed this 3-year-old daughter of MUNNINGS for $30k back in July, instantly equipped her with blinkers, and then strolled right into the winners’ circle as she crushed a competitive field of two-lifers at Colonial when last seen. The big speed-figure improvement she posted, jumping her Beyer from a 51 two-back to a 76 could look suspicious to some; however, when the fifth and seventh place finishers from that race returned next time to finish first and second with Beyers of 75 and 70, respectively, I’m willing to trust that there was no fluke about her performance, the blinkers just made all the difference. Having sat a perfect trip that day, she might not have that much more improving to do, but even a reproduction of that effort will see her give WAITTILMIDNITEHOUR plenty to think about, and her 8/1 morning-line odds are just too big to ignore.
R9: MR FLOWERS (9/5 ML)
Since 2021, with horses who posted a career-best Beyer last time, trainer Jamie Ness and jockey Michael Sanchez have combined for a 34% strike rate (39-for-116, $2.01 ROI). And quite honestly, to my eye at least, it’s tough to see how they won’t enhance that statistic in today’s nightcap with MR FLOWERS. A 5-year-old son of NYQUIST who’s hit the board in each of his last eight starts, MR FLOWERS was turned over as the 9/5 favorite when last seen at Colonial 34 days ago, and that could be a concern to some. However, as highlighted in the trip notes, he found himself in an awkward spot chasing the dueling leaders from a lone third that day, then unnecessarily gave away ground when floating five wide into the lane; seeing as he fell just a nose short to a rival who had scraped the paint on the rail throughout, there’s little doubt he was best. Despite the defeat, he still earned a career-best 83 Beyer that towers over today’s rivals, and with a lack of speed in this contest likely leading to him sitting a more comfortable trip towards the head of affairs, he could just be too much for this group. A confident single to round out the weekend’s action.
‘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
Hey Will,
How ya doing? Wayne here. About 3 weeks ago I was watching a race where a horse named Sirona was in it. I thought she was very game at the end. I put her in my Equibase stable + got notified she’s running at Aqueduct 2day. If I get any kind of a decent price I’m betting her. Just realized this morning she comes from ur boss’ stable. Any chance you’ve been on her? Good luck 2 the team!
Hi Wayne,
You’re right, she was very game in defeat last time. I haven’t sat on her myself but know that she’s doing well and should step forward this afternoon. It’s a very competitive race but we’re hopeful that she can run well.
Thanks,
Will