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: 11-8-7
R2: 3-1-6
R3: 9-6-4
R4: 7-6-5
R5: 12-6-3
R6: 12-14-3
R7: 4-8-7
R8: 5-1-6
R9: 6-7-1
Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.
| Race 1: Claiming 16k, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #2 BLACKTHORNE BRUSCA | Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Good Turf, 04/26/26 – 9th | Saved ground chasing the even pace from ~10L in rear heading to ½; advanced slightly closer as field bunched entering far turn; continued to travel well (he looked full of run) when ~8L off lead rounding the far turn, then checked hard off heels ~1/4, losing a couple of lengths and momentum; he then recovered and tried to close late in the lane but was persistently denied a clear run and not hard ridden as a result, ultimately settling for 9th but only 1 1/2L off 4th. | He shaped with far more promise in this return off the layoff than the bare result would indicate, owing to his troubled trip – UPGRADE this effort and expect far more second off the bench today. |
| #7 DATS TAP | Claiming 16k, LRL, 5 1/2F, Firm Turf, 04/24/26 – 9th | Chased even pace from mid-pack/rear 3W into the lane, then met all sorts of traffic while possibly lugging in a little through the lane; hardly came off bridle. | A troubled stretch run (possibly self inflicted as he was lugging in a little). We shouldn’t take this race as a guide to his current ability because he’s better than the result suggests and his prior turf route races are likely a better gauge. At least he’ll have gotten some fitness out of this return effort. |
| Other notes:
– #6 SNEAKING SUSPICION sat a wider than ideal trip and made a premature move before fading when last seen taking on starter allowance foes in November. Even if he was an 11/1 shot and not destined for victory, the trip didn’t help him, and he was running back just 21 days after his career best Beyer earning effort, too – a possible bounce at the end of a long season? Feel we can be forgiving of that below par effort. Returns off layoff today. – After breaking from the rail, #8 BETTER WATCH IT over-raced and had to check slightly off heels when stuck inside behind a very pedestrian opening ¼ of 25.15 last time. While he was never beating the winner and eventually checked in 5th, he was only a 1/2L off 2nd and without that early trouble might have hit the board. A different set of circumstances can see him to better effect as he returns from the bench today and his overall form is a better guide to his ability than this back-end effort alone. – #9 MAUPANSANT was fractious before the start of his last race – and often overlooked reason as to why they possibly underperformed and why they can possibly offer on a different day. Returns from layoff today. – #11 MAJESTIC BLUE’s effort in his lone turf route start in the Laurel Futurity last September might need downgrading slightly as he was positioned close to a slow pace that held well. He was then completely outrun over an inadequate 5 1/2F last time, but he did maintain stride well to the wire and then gallop out nicely in front – expect him to move forward off that effort back at two turns today. – Similarly, #12 KITTEN’S PLOY’s maiden breaking effort when last seen in October should have an asterisk placed by it as he took command early in the back stretch and then led the field through a front-runner-favoring half of 50.69 which led to speed holding relatively well. The rail was also way out at 35 feet that day. Returns off layoff facing winners today. |
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| Race 2: OC 30k/SAL 20k, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Notes |
| #6 NEVERWORKEDADAY | Starter Allowance, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 04/26/26 – 4th | Sluggish break from rail; sent up inside, then checked hard as a foe came across him ~5/8, losing him a couple of lengths and some momentum; regrouped, then chased hard inside before tipping out 3-4W upper stretch and finishing evenly to ~1/16; he was then not persevered with. | The interference he suffered did not cost him the win as the 3/5 fav, but it did cost him enough to earn a small UPGRADE and for us to expect more from him second off the bench today. A slow striding type, he’ll benefit from a hot early pace. |
| Other notes:
– #1 ZIO LINO lost ground swinging unnecessarily wide off the turn when last seen – small upgrade. – As disappointing as #3 LANNISTER’s effort was over a speed favoring track last time, the distance may be used as a legitimate excuse: he began dropping back while wide on the far turn and was not persevered with in the lane, exacerbating the margin of defeat. Although he now has questions to answer, a bounce back to form returned to 6F today wouldn’t surprise. – #4 KITTY’S SON’s maiden breaking effort going two-turns on the grass two-back might need downgrading slightly as he took advantage of a pace collapse closing from ~11L back to simply picked up the pieces late on. Note: he was forwardly placed in a slowly run race (the pace benefited him) when sprinting on the dirt last month. Cuts back and switches surfaces today. – Although he didn’t quite do enough running to earn an upgrade, we might be forgiving of #5 CLAVIN’s last effort facing winners for the first time as he was taking on much more experienced foes, trying two turns for the first time, caught slightly wide on the turns and crucially, he was also racing against a speed bias. He ran a likable race in defeat regardless and needs respecting cut back in trip today. |
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| Race 3: Maiden Claiming 30k, 3-6YO (F), 1 1/16 Miles, Turf |
| Other notes:
– After pulling quite hard in behind foes and consequently tipping out and off heels racing down the back stretch, #6 SPINNING CLASS lost a little ground racing 4-5W on the far turn when last seen, possibly costing her 2nd to the re-opposing #4 MAGIC BEAM, who skimmed the rail throughout. – Although sent off at odds of 118/1, there was no fluke about #7 FIRESTONE’s likable debut at Delaware last September; aided by a nice trip, she showed a willing attitude to close into an even pace and be beaten just 1/4L before galloping out in front. If ready off the layoff today, she’ll demand respect for her new trainer. – #12 WOMAN ENTICED was outpaced early sprinting on the dirt on debut but then stayed on with credit through the lane and galloped out in front. She should appreciate today’s extra distance. Switches to the turf and returns from a freshening. |
| Race 4: MSW, 3-6YO (F), 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– Although never truly a factor, an asterisk/some extra credit can be awarded to #3 PNEUMO WARRIOR for her last start on dirt (03/13/26) as she was caught wide while trying to close into a slow pace over a speed friendly track – factors that prevented her from showing her true ability. – #7 TRULY THRILLING was twice pushed out into the center of the track through the stretch when racing on the turf last time, possibly costing her 2nd. Returns to dirt with blinkers added today. Note: she was (rightly) DQ’d from 2nd and placed 3rd for drifting in through the stretch in her last dirt race. Her speed figure from that race is fair, though. |
| Race 5: Claiming 20k, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Turf |
| Other notes:
– Although his effort is only borderline upgradable (tough to say he was better than his finishing position), we should see an improved effort from #2 SELL SOMETHING today as he makes his second start off the layoff, owing to the notably wide trip he sat last time. – Returned to the turf, #8 BARNSTROMING ran well for a long way before tiring inside the final furlong last out. The cut back to a flat mile today should be to his benefit. – Although #10 FULLY BOOKED raced notably wide on the far turn before going onto score at Turfway when last seen, it’s difficult to upgrade that effort due to the fact that he had a great pace setup (fast pace aided closers) and there was also a closer bias present. Returns to turf off the bench today. – #11 NIGHT TIME NAP’s lone try on turf is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE as he held 3rd after pressing red-hot fractions (23.00, 46.67) that set up well for closers. Returns to the surface for just the second time off two dull recent dirt tries today. |
| Race 6: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Turf | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #3 SUN ABOVE | Central Park S., AQU, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 11/07/25 – 6th | Sluggish break; over-raced in behind horses in rear rounding the first turn and had to check slightly; then he fell onto the back foot as the body of the field stepped on the gas after the ½, dropping him into a detached last; sent on the chase, he made the ground back up and advanced smartly with a rail skimming run along the rail on the turn and then through the lane to be beaten just 2 1/4L, despite having to slightly alter course off heels in the stretch, and despite the fact that with the rails out, speed held reasonably well (was largely racing against the flow; the three leaders at 1st and 2nd call ended up filling three of the top four positions at the wire). | This wasn’t a terrible trip, and his effort is only borderline upgradable, but it was still an eye-catching second career start in which things weren’t entirely in his favor (he checked slightly, was put on the back foot, raced against the flow, and altered course late) that highlights his talent as he wasn’t beaten far by nice horses. A promising effort, he’ll demand respect adding lasix for his return today. |
| #11 HANKSDIVININGROD | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/19/26 – 7th | No speed; chased even pace from ~10L back on the rial into the far turn; lacked inside when trying to advance far turn and was shuffled back a little before checking ~1/4; lost momentum and a couple of lengths; turned for home hardly yet to be asked/allowed to advance but still ~12L off the wire-to-wire winner in last, then switched out and offered a late rally to be beaten 4L before galloping out well towards the head of the field. | Although it’s tough to gauge how he’d have fared with a clean trip in this race as an 18/1 shot, this was a troubled trip that, after a nice late stretch run and gallop out, entitles his effort to an UPGRADE. Expect more today. |
| #12 DRILLING FOR GOLD | Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 04/19/26 – 5th | Pinched start and last away; trailed field ~15L off wire to wire winner through 1st call; tipped out and steadily danced towards the center of the track back stretch; continued his progress despite losing ground in the 4-6P far turn; straightened for the drive 6W ~6L off the lead, then rallied well but had too much to do. | Following an upgradable effort two back (did best of speed in a fast-paced race; pace upgrade), he was left racing out of his preferred position after a troubled start in this race that saw speed hold relatively well with the rails at 70 feet; he did remarkably well to make up ~14L despite a very wide trip – UPGRADE. |
| Other notes:
– In all four of his most recent starts sprinting on the synthetic, #10 FALFURRIAS has run in the manner of a horse who needs two-turns to be seen to best effect; his prior efforts going long on turf – which make him live in this spot – are a better guide to his chances today. – #13 STICKTOTHESYSTEM had to pause when in a little tight ~1/4 pole in his last start; while it didn’t help his chances and he may have finished a touch closer otherwise, it’s hard to argue that it cost him a position or that his effort needs upgrading. |
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| Race 7: OC 62k/N1X Allowance, 3YO, 6 Furlongs, Dirt | |||
| Horse | Race | Trip | Note |
| #7 G Q WORTHY | Allowance, LRL, 5 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 04/18/26 – 3rd | Clean break from outside post; angled inside early; failed to keep pace and dropped back ~8L off the gate-to-wire winner rounding the turn; angled sharply off heels into the 3-4P passing the 5/16, then rallied strongly through the lane for 3rd before galloping out well. | He rallied against the speed bias present this day to only just miss 2nd and do best of the three horses (who raced more prominently throughout) to exit this race running back today – UPGRADE. |
| Other Notes:
– Exiting the same race as #7 G Q WORTHY, #1 PALACIOS was also racing against the speed bias and deserves a little extra credit for making up four lengths from 1st call (not as much as G Q WORTHY, though); #6 CASEOFTHEMONDAYS (4th) on the other hand rode the speed bias and will have to offer more to reverse the form today. – Although he was very much the best at odds of 3/5, it may be worth placing an asterisk by #4 WONDERMIST’s win at Aqueduct last month as there was a speed bias present that day which may have aided him/his final time somewhat. Note: he was also forwardly placed in a slowly run race when breaking his maiden three back – his only other start on dirt. Hugely respected, whatever the case. – As seems to be the theme in this race, following a very likable effort two back, #8 MINZER also raced over a speed biased track when wiring a field of eight last time. An asterisk should be placed by that effort, even though it’s hard to argue he wasn’t the best in that race and he’ll still demand respect today. – As was the case when he broke from a low draw on debut, #9 FLIRTY BAJAN backed up and didn’t do much running when outsped from the rail and faced with kickback last time. He kept his face clean when running well two and three back… maybe that’s the key to his success, avoiding kickback? If so, a wide post should be beneficial to him today. |
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| Race 8: N1X Allowance, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt |
| Other notes:
– #1 SURGICAL PRECISION was in tight at the break and consequently away slowly before running a very likable 2nd on his return at Colonial last time; suspect he can show more early speed from the rail today with a cleaner break. – As highlighted in the chart comment, #4 OUTDOOR CAT had to briefly tap on the brakes ~3/8 pole last time; it wasn’t significant though and didn’t cost him a position or much ground at all. – #6 ROGER ROGER’s fastest Beyer earning effort sprinting on the dirt – an 82 achieved at Aqueduct on 01/02//26 – is actually deserving of an UPGRADE as he closed into a slow pace over a heavily speed biased track for 2nd despite racing 4-5W on the turn; a return to that level of form will give him a shot today. Note: he then rode a speed bias when breaking his maiden two back. He simply failed to stay going two-turns last time. |
| Race 9: MSW, 3-6YO (F), 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf |
| Other notes:
– #6 MARTIAL TRUST sat a slightly wide trip when running a nice race off the layoff at Turfway last out. She’s entitled to step forward from that this afternoon. |
Horses to Follow
R1: MAJESTIC BLUE (5/1 ML)
Although you can poke holes in MAJESTIC BLUE’s fourth-place finish in last year’s slowly run Laurel Futurity, where he was aided somewhat by the pace scenario, he still held his own at stakes level on both surfaces, and there’s something to be said for that as he takes a massive class drop today. Wildly outpaced over 5 1/2 furlongs last time, he never landed a blow and was well beaten, though he did gallop out strongly toward the head of the field. Stretching back out around two turns on the turf today—the first time he’s gone long on the grass with Lasix—a significant step forward looks likely as he makes his third start off the layoff in much calmer waters.
R3: KINDA CLEVER (20/1 ML)
A neck second against open MSW company at Delaware last year, KINDA CLEVER shaped with plenty of promise switched back to the turf in a competitive $35k maiden claimer at Gulfstream when last seen, sticking to her task well through the final furlong. With another 1/16 to work with today and blinkers added, a step forward looks highly possible as she makes her third start off the layoff, and that could be enough to get the job done here. It’s also worth noting that over the last year, Michael Matz is 3-for-5 (60%, $6.88 ROI) when adding blinkers to route runners, with an additional third-place finish at 7/1.
R6: SUN ABOVE (15/1 ML)
SUN ABOVE may have his work cut out in today’s ultra-competitive sixth, but he’s certainly worthy of respect and deserves a close look for vertical exotics. Trained by Madison Meyers, the son of OPTIMIZER overcame a troubled break and wide trip to score at odds of 10/1 on debut, then confirmed that promise when beaten just 2 1/4 lengths in a strong edition of the Central Park Stakes at Aqueduct despite another less-than-ideal trip. Returning off a steady worktab with Lasix now added, he should receive a favorable pace setup under the in-form Forest Boyce, and his upside remains considerable.
R7: G Q WORTHY (6/1 ML)
With so much speed signed on in today’s seventh, G Q WORTHY could be worth keeping onside at a price, especially for vertical players. The multiple stakes-placed son of BEAU LIAM has made just two starts sprinting on dirt with both Lasix and blinkers on, but neither effort appears a true reflection of his ability as he encountered speed-favoring tracks and modest paces on both occasions. Still, he stuck on well to hit the board each time, including when beating two of today’s rivals last month. Given a fairer setup and another 1/16 to work with, today’s race shape could bring out the best in him and see him go close at a square price.
