Blog Laurel Park

Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Thursday, November 27, 2025

by ITM WillHumphrey4 weeks ago16 min read

Top pick selections for all races at Laurel Park today, plus select trip notes and 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 Selections

R1: 8-1-2

R2: 5-1-3

R3: 8-7-4

R4: 8-4-1

R5: 10-2-3

R6: 4-2-1

R7: 5-1-3

R8: 11-14-1

R9: 7-6-1

Trip Notes – Recent performances that deserve an asterisk. All others: trust the past-performances.

Race 1: MC12k, 3-6YO, 1 Mile, Dirt

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#2 EDELWEISS	Maiden Claiming 12k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Fast Dirt, 11/02/25 – 3rd	Was patiently handled leaving the gate and content to let the speed go; chased the modest pace from 10L+ back to the far turn, then angled out into the 4P+ and built momentum racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~6L back in 4th, then stayed on nicely for a 3 1/3L defeat in 3rd.	Closed on a speed favoring racetrack into a modest pace that held well, while also racing very wide on the far turn. This was an UPGRADABLE effort and a standout among the four to run back from that race this afternoon.
#5 RAILROAD INN	Maiden Claiming 12k, LRL, 6F, Wet Fast Dirt, 11/09/25 – 3rd	Lacked speed; chased the even pace from rear into the turn, then began passing foes ~4W; swung 6W+ into the lane, then stayed on with credit to the wire (although the top two finishers were in a race of their own and he had no chance of catching them).	Finished with credit after racing very wide (UPGRADE) on the turn, then galloped out nicely; stretching out to a mile could be a good move for him.
Other notes: – #1 TELL ‘EM I’M COMIN raced notably wide on the turn 09/14/25 (his last start on dirt).

Race 2: Claiming 7.5k, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#1 KEEPING IT COUNTRY	Claiming 7.5K, PEN, 6F, Fast Dirt, 11/06/25 – 2nd	Chased the even pace from ~2L back while in the clear toward the center of the track racing to the far turn; held his position despite racing 4W+ racing to the ¼ pole, then dropped back slightly angling 6W into the lane and stayed on well again for 2nd.	Wasn’t beating the winner but still, he sat a very wide trip here and was better than the margin of defeat/speed fig suggests – UPGRADE.
#5 PUDGE BOY PALACE	Claiming 7.5K, LRL, 1M, Fast Dirt, 11/16/25 – 2nd	Chased the hot pace from ~3L back through the opening ¼, then made an early bid between horses in the 3P to take a share of the lead entering the bend; went and took a slim lead racing to the top of the lane in hand, then took pressure from the eventual winner; drew clear of 3rd with the eventual winner racing to the ~3/16 pole, then lost the lead but stayed on gamely for 2nd.	Made a big early move into an already fast pace that favored closers and did well to hang around late on; this effort was better than it looks on paper and deserves a PACE UPGRADE (other prominent runners early faded to finish 11 1/4L back in 4th, 13L back in 5th and 18 1/2L back in 7th).
Other notes: – #2 QUINCANNON was in tight at the start last out, then wide on the turn; it wasn’t a great trip but at the same time, the trip didn’t fully explain/provide an excuse for his overall poor effort. – Although he never truly threatened, # 7 MIDNIGHT RENEGADE overcame the slow pace last time, closing slightly late and improving his position to earn show honors; he deserves a little extra credit for that. (Speed held well in his race two back too).

Race 3: OC25K/SAL25K, 3YO+, 5 ½ Furlongs, Turf

HORSE

RACE

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Other notes:

– #3 SAME DAY AS LJ’s last start was not nearly as troubled as the chart comment suggests. He was extremely keen and a real handful for his rider to hold in behind horses on the rail but essentially, he was just traveling powerfully on the heels of a slow pace. If anything, as he rode the rail while close to a slow pace, we should probably downgrade his effort a little; don’t be fooled by the chart comment into thinking it was a troubled trip!

– Other than slightly wide trips from #6 TWIRLING EXPRESS and #7 KING COVEE (not enough to warrant significant upgrades, though) all other runners’ recent efforts have come courtesy of clean trips and appear fair reflections of their current form levels.

Race 4: OC25K/SAL25K, 3YO+F, 7 Furlongs, Dirt

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#1 RUNSWEETLY	Claiming 40K, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/24/25 – 4th	Broke considerably inwards from the rail and lacked speed; chased the even pace from ~5L back into the turn, then steadied as the field bunched and dropped back into a detached last; switched out into the clear ~5W, regathered stride while widest of all on the bend, then stayed back on to be beaten just 4L but lacked the pace to challenge for the W.	Steadied into turn, then raced extremely wide (widest) while trying to close into a pace that held fairly well – wouldn’t have won with a clean trip, but could potentially have beaten the re-opposing DON’T FOOL WITH ME and can improve with a sharper break and cleaner/more ground saving trip, especially over 7F (looks set to suit).
#7 DEVASTATING	Claiming 40K, LRL, 1 1/8M, Firm Turf, 10/24/25 – 2nd	Stalked the honest pace from ~4L back on the rail to the far turn, then crept closer on the inside; passed the ¼ pole just 1L back on the rail, then was forced to wait on the retreating leader’s heels and was shuffled back a little (losing momentum) racing to ~1/8th pole; she then slipped through the narrowest of openings on the rail and rallied into 2nd but could not catch the winner in time.	Was shuffled back entering the stretch loaded with run, allowing the eventual winner to get the jump on her. Granted, she’d sat a great trip up to that point, but she was best in here and this effort was better than it looks. Switch back to dirt today could make this trip note irrelevant, but at least we know she’s in fine form (better than the PPs suggest).
#8 ARISE MY LOVE	Claiming 40K, LRL, 1 1/8M, Firm Turf, 10/24/25 – 3rd	Chased the even pace from ~7L back in mid-pack/rear racing to the turn, then found herself boxed in while 3W racing to the turn; waited, then angled out into the clear ~5W+ off the turn and finished well but lacked the speed to truly threaten.	You have to watch the head-on to see that she lacked room on the turn which prevented her building momentum (crucial for a horse with her running style) approaching the stretch. She also raced wide into the lane. A sneakily bad trip that didn’t allow her to show her absolute best.
Other notes: – #6 FIVEOCLOCKSOMEWHERE was trying to close into a slow pace on a speed favoring track last time and raced slightly wide on the far turn. These factors do not explain why she ran quite so poorly (beaten 15 1/2L at odds of 8/5) but they didn’t help her at least; the cut back to 7F being a good move and it wouldn’t be a complete surprise to see her offer more today.

Race 5: Claiming 7.5k, 3YO+F, 1 Mile, Dirt

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#10 DON’T TELL KELLY

Starter Alw, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/26/25 – 7th

Broke slow in rear, then rushed up out of cover in the 4P racing into and around the first turn; pulled hard ~5L behind the modest pace in the 4P racing to ~1/2m pole, then crept closer into 3rd; chased the leading duo form ~3L back in the 3P on the far turn as the pace increased, then came under a ride at the top of the lane but was out kicked and lost positions.

This was a bad turf trip (pulled hard while wide and out of cover out of cover) and the race was not run to suit either (does her best work closing into fast paces; this pace was slow which resulted in her racing much closer to the pace early and she was then out kicked when the tempo lifted late); did well to be beaten just 2 3/4L under the circumstances. Switch back to dirt today could make this trip note irrelevant, but it’s still worth noting she’s in better form than the PPs suggest.

Other notes:

– #3 BABY SOX, #5 SKIP THRU DA FIRE, #8 MAINSTREAM SELLOUT and #9 WATCH YOUR TONE all sat slightly wide trips last time; their ground loss did not cost them a finishing position, though.

Race 6: Maiden Claiming 16k, 3-6YO, 1 1/16 Miles, Turf

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#2 MUSICAL ENTOURAGE	Maiden Claiming 16k, LRL, 1M, Firm Turf, 11/02/25 – 3rd	Hustled forward to lead narrowly on the rail rounding the first turn, then dropped back to race in a stalking position in the pocket, ~1L off the fast pace racing to the far turn; traveled powerfully while waiting on the leader’s heels racing to the top of the lane, then eased out into the clear and kicked into a 1L lead; was collared inside the final 1/16th and grudgingly settled for 3rd.	Sat close to an honest pace that slightly favored closers – (small) PACE UPGRADE.
#4 RENFRO’S RECEPTION	Maiden Claiming 25k, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 11/02/25 – 3rd	Pressed the honest pace between horses in the 2P racing to the far turn, then dropped back as the front two kicked away racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~7L back, then stayed on again late despite looking a little green.	Found himself sandwiched tightly between horses while contesting a fast pace to the far turn – far from an ideal position to be in routing on the turf for the first time (often a trickier/more demanding position than it appears). Didn’t disgrace himself, though, and a step forward can likely be expected in start #3, route start #2.
Other notes: – #10 ROYAL RENEGADE was floated wide into the first turn last time, but it didn’t make much difference to his trip/the result. – #11 SHOWPIECE sat a notably wide trip last time.

Race 7: OC40K/N2X, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#1 RIYADH MOON	Claiming 32k, BAQ, 6 1/2F, Fast Dirt, 10/11/25 – 2nd	Stumbled at the break and got away slowly in rear; chased the modest pace from ~9L behind in a detached last racing to the top of the lane, then finished with good energy into 2nd (but had no chance of catching the gate-to-wire winner).	Closed into a slow pace after stumbling at the start – UPGRADE this effort.
Other notes: None

Race 8: MD-Bred Allowance, 3YO+, 1 Mile, Turf

HORSE	RACE	TRIP	NOTE
#8 JOE THE JET (MTO)	Starter Alw, LRL, 6F, Fast Dirt, 10/17/25 – 5th	Broke alertly and showed up well through the opening strides but was then put in tight ~5/8 pole, bumped and shuffled back to last; chased the honest pace from ~8L back into the turn, then raced 3-4W to the top of the stretch and stayed on mildly but could not get properly involved. He then galloped out nicely.	Had a troubled beginning and then raced slightly wide; this was not a perfect trip and he can likely offer more second off the layoff today. Finishing effort and decent gallop out suggest the stretch out in trip will help too.
#11 NOTHINGBUTBLUESKY	Allowance, LRL, 1 1/16M, Firm Turf, 10/25/25 – 7th	Was unhurried and content to race on the rail in a detached last, ~10L off the even pace racing to the far turn; crept a little closer while still under a hold as the field bunched racing to the top of the lane; straightened for the drive ~6-7L off the lead in the 2P; remained under a hold (!) to ~1/8th pole, then finished well under a (very sympathetic) hand ride but had far too much to do and a wall of horses in front of him late.	Was never put into the race and could have almost certainly finished closer with a different ride (asked for his run earlier, given a more vigorous ride in the lane). Looks capable of much more than this result/figure suggests. Blinkers on today.
Other notes: – #7 DOCLE VITA saved ground closing into a fast pace on a closer friendly racetrack last out. DOWNGRADE that effort. – #10 MUGATU underperformed last time, period. However, he wasn’t helped by the fact he was bottled up behind a slow pace throughout. A stronger paced race and drop in class should see him to better effect. – #15 CRAB DADDY finished off his last race and galloped out well enough to suggest today’s stretch out could bring about improvement.

Race 9: OC25K/SAL25K, 3YO+, 6 Furlongs, Dirt

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#7 WINNING TRIP

Starter Alw, LRL, 7F, FAST DIRT, 11/15/25 – 1st

Prompted the hot pace from ~1L back in the 2-3P racing to ~3/8 pole, then crept closer under a mild hand ride to take a slim lead while receiving fresh pressure from the 4/5 fav on his outside; straightened ~1/2L up in the 3P, extended his lead to a full length racing to the 1/16 pole, then gamely held off a late thrust from the runner up.

Sat close to a fast pace that favored closers and gamely held on – PACE UPGRADE. Confirmed he’s taken a step forward for his gelding operation and could have more to offer again third off, back at 6F.

Other notes:

– #4 JUST FOR THE MONEY stumbled at the start last time but it didn’t make any great difference to his trip/the result.

Horses to Follow

R2: PUDGE BOY PALACE (3/1 ML)

PUDGE BOY PALACE ran better than the PPs suggest over a mile last time, gamely holding on for 10/1 place honors after making a big early move into an already fast pace that ultimately favored closers. He now faces a slightly weaker group and cuts back to his winningest distance of 6 furlongs (2-3-2 from 10 starts), with Hazlewood taking 5 lbs off. It also looks as if the pair could emerge as lone speed from gate five and, if so, they could be tough to peg back at 3/1 on the morning line. Note: Jose Corrales and Yedsit Hazlewood are 10-for-39 together (26%, $2.70 ROI) in dirt sprints.

R6: RENFRO’S RECEPTION (4/1 ML)

RENFRO’S RECEPTION took a nice step forward from his promising debut when switched to the turf last time, finishing just 3 3/4 lengths back with a 63 Beyer. However, he still looked far from the finished article, and his trip — caught tight between foes while contesting a fast pace all the way to the far turn — was far from ideal. He’s entitled to take another step forward in career start number three this afternoon and should be helped by a lack of speed drawn outside of him.

R8: NOTHINGBUTBLUESKY (11/1 ML)

The tape on NOTHINGBUTBLUESKY’s October 25 run paints a very different picture from the PPs. He was taken back to a detached last, ridden completely ice cold until the eighth pole, and only then allowed to finish — and he did, surging late with real energy to wind up just 2 1/4 lengths behind despite being little more than hand-ridden. Given how much ground he had to make up into the even pace and the half-hearted ride he was given late, it’s hard to imagine that the 71 Beyer he earned represents anything close to his ceiling. He now returns in race eight with blinkers added, a rider switch, and a projected fast pace in front of him — a trio of positives that make him a live price play in Laurel’s final turf race of 2025.