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Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Laurel Park – Racing News and Analysis for March 13, 2026

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Laurel Park runs an eight race all dirt card on Friday, March 13, 2026, featuring a mix of maiden claiming, claiming, and a Maryland bred or sired restricted allowance sprint. Field sizes range from five to ten, creating a card where connections, pace, and current local form are especially important, with several high percentage local barns and riders appearing multiple times. Recent winter weather disruptions earlier in the meet make current Laurel form more reliable than out of town lines or long layoffs in harsher conditions.

Weather and Track Conditions

Local forecasts and recent Maryland Jockey Club reporting point to cold but generally dry March weather, with daytime temperatures near or slightly above freezing. The main track has recently been listed as fast on comparable March programs, and today's all dirt card is also expected to be run on a fast, tight surface. Under these conditions, the track has been playing fairly, rewarding tactical speed while still allowing off pace types to win when pace setups are favorable.

Track Bias and Post Position Bias

Meet level At a Glance data through March 9, 2026, show that at six furlongs on dirt, about one third of winners go wire to wire, with early and early presser styles most successful but not dominant. Middle and outside posts have a slight statistical edge in six furlong sprints, while the rail is serviceable but not especially advantageous. At one mile, inside posts have not dominated, and outside or middle gates combined with tactical speed have performed slightly better overall. Independent bias guides similarly indicate that Laurel's main track is generally fair with only mild tendencies, favoring tactical runners over deep closers but not imposing a strong inside or outside bias.

Race 1 Summary

Race 1 is a six furlong maiden claiming sprint for three year old fillies at the $16,000 level, with six entrants. The likely pace comes from Turkish Breeze (1), Eastcoastgirlsrhip (5), and Stylish Gem (6), with Turkish Breeze (1) drawn on the rail for a typically aggressive Kieron Magee and Carlos Eduardo Lopez combination. Stylish Gem (6) for John Robb, drawn outside, shares key contender status with Turkish Breeze (1) due to trainer strength and a flexible trip from the outer post. Modernis Silver (3) is the main secondary stalker type for Jose Corrales and Kevin Gomez, while Rosie's Fortune (2) offers minor secondary appeal with a weight allowance. Naomi An Ruth (4) and Eastcoastgirlsrhip (5) are longer shots; Naomi an Ruth (4) carries multiple illness related scratch notes, and Eastcoastgirlsrhip (5) projects more as a pace factor than a likely winner.

Race 2 Summary

Race 2 is a one mile claiming race for three year old fillies at the $25,000 to $20,000 level, with six runners. Pace should be honest, led or pressed by Back Wall Bandit (2), Yes Picnic (4), and Honor Our Country (5), with No Mo Muffins (1) needing some early speed from the rail to avoid being shuffled back. Honor Our Country (5) for Michael Trombetta and Angel Cruz is a key contender, well placed to control or press the pace from a favorable mid gate. No Mo Muffins (1) for Brittany Russell and Carlos Eduardo Lopez is another primary player, with a strong trainer rider team and a likely stalking, ground saving trip. Back Wall Bandit (2) for John Robb and Only Maria (6) for W. Thomas McMahon serve as secondary choices with tactical options from inside of mid and outside posts respectively. Diamond N Dress (3) and Yes Picnic (4) are longer shots; Yes Picnic (4) in particular may be overbet on trainer name and is more appealing underneath.

Race 3 Summary

Race 3 is a six furlong maiden claiming race for older fillies and mares at the $40,000 to $50,000 Maryland bred level, with six entrants. Pace figures and handicapping consensus indicate a contested but manageable pace with stalking and closing involvement. Lovely Lookin Lili (3) is a key contender, repeatedly running fast and finishing second, and holds a fast stalker profile with a good mid post and Jeiron Barbosa aboard. Chilly Girl (5) is another major contender, also projecting as a strong stalker with competitive figures and an advantageous outside post. Cross Of Valor (1) for A. Ferris Allen III and Angel Cruz is a top secondary closer, with strong late pace numbers but a potentially tricky rail trip. Pneumo Warrior (4) is another secondary closing threat, with a slightly better draw for off pace tactics. Peace Before Chaos (2) and Old Fashion Candy (6) are longer shots with limited data; Old Fashion Candy (6) may improve second out for Michael Trombetta but remains speculative.

Race 4 Summary

Race 4 is a six furlong claiming event for four year olds and up that have never won two races, at the $12,500 to $15,000 level, with six geldings. Pace projects as moderate to quick, primarily involving D Hopper (1) and Blo By'em (5), with Who Says So (4) and Ellinger (6) poised to stalk. Blo By'em (5) for Kieron Magee and Carlos Eduardo Lopez is a key contender, offering forward speed and an optimal mid post in this small field. Ellinger (6) for Charles Frock and Jose Vargas is another primary contender, with an outside stalking position that should allow a clear run if his prior vet scratch issues are behind him. Who Says So (4) is the main secondary choice, a lightly raced four year old who can sit just behind the speed in a favorable mid gate. A. L.'s Boy (2) and Right Of Rush (3) are aging secondary or longshot types that can pick up pieces, while D Hopper (1) is a longer shot whose rail draw and age raise stamina concerns despite potential early speed.

Race 5 Summary

Race 5 is a one mile maiden claiming race for three year olds at the $25,000 to $30,000 level, with seven runners. Pace should be honest rather than blazing, led by Its All Gravy (2), River City Runner (4), and Bigshot Ness (6), with outside posts providing a mild tactical edge. Bigshot Ness (6) for Jamie Ness and Yedsit Hazlewood is a key contender, combining a high percentage barn, a weight break, and a projected forward trip from an outside post. River City Runner (4) for Michael Trombetta and Angel Cruz is another primary contender, likely to sit close to the pace from a mid post and make a strong move on the far turn. Its All Gravy (2) for Kieron Magee and Carlos Eduardo Lopez is a notable secondary choice, especially with blinkers coming off and a return to Laurel where the barn excels. Modranach (5) for Tim Woolley is another secondary option, returning after an illness scratch with Jeiron Barbosa up and a favorable outside stalking position. Master Schemer (1), Call Me Victorious (3), and Paid Vacation (7) are longer shots; Master Schemer (1) in particular may be more useful underneath, given his rail draw and developmental profile.

Race 6 Summary

Race 6 is a six furlong claiming race for older geldings that have not won since September 13 or have never won four races, at the $7,500 to $6,000 level, with a full field of ten. Pace is projected to be fast and contested, with many speed and pressing types including More Vino (1), Magic Spin (2), Uniwinner (3), Kerness K (5), Catahoula Moon (6), Prom Knight (7), and Quincannon (10). Quincannon (10) is a key contender, drawing the far outside for Anthony Aguirre Jr. and Jeiron Barbosa, enabling a clean stalking trip behind an inside speed duel. Keeping It Country (8) for Daniel McKenzie and Angel Cruz is another primary contender, with an off pace or mid pack style from a good post and prior trainer related scratch suggesting intentional placement here. Kerness K (5) for Brittany Russell and Yedsit Hazlewood is a strong secondary choice, offering tactical speed with a weight break and a favorable mid gate. More Vino (1) for Emanuel Geralis and Carlos Eduardo Lopez profiles as an inside speed secondary choice, but the rail and likely early pressure may soften him late. Magic Spin (2), Uniwinner (3), Prom Knight (7), Find Faith (4), Mister Agent (9), and Catahoula Moon (6) shape as longer shots or deeper secondary options; among them, Find Faith (4) and Mister Agent (9) hold some appeal as late running types who could exploit a pace collapse.

Race 7 Summary

Race 7 is a restricted Maryland bred or sired allowance sprint at six furlongs for four year olds and up, with a compact field of five. Pace should be controlled rather than frantic, with Guaponess (3), Change My World (4), and Wickeddivine (5) taking up forward or pressing roles and Paco The Taco Man (1) and Enzo (2) sitting behind them. Guaponess (3) for Jamie Ness and Yedsit Hazlewood is a key contender, expected to either set or press the pace from a comfortable mid post. Wickeddivine (5) for Kenneth Cox and Jeiron Barbosa is another key horse, with a strong tactical style and the advantage of the outside post in this small field. Change My World (4) with Angel Cruz is a primary secondary contender, capable of controlling the race if unchallenged or applying pressure to Guaponess (3). Enzo (2) and Paco the Taco Man (1) are longer shot or secondary stalking types that benefit if the main speed horses engage too early, making them useful as underneath threats.

Race 8 Summary

Race 8 is a six furlong maiden claiming race for three year olds at the $10,000 to $15,000 level, with six entrants. Pace should be honest, with Rio Del Valle (1), Tug (2), Stay Fearless (3), and Poor Peanut (5) all candidates to show early speed, while Q Got Hops (6) likely stalks outside and Babble (4) is more of an unknown. Poor Peanut (5) for Carlos Mancilla and Angel Cruz is a key contender, returning after an injury related scratch with a favorable mid post and a projected stalking trip behind the inside speed. Rio Del Valle (1) for Jonathan Maldonado and Yedsit Hazlewood is another primary contender, likely to be sent from the rail with blinkers and a weight allowance in a low level maiden claimer. Q Got Hops (6) for Somraj Singh and Andres Chavez is a main secondary contender, with an advantageous outside post and a flexible pressing style that can exploit inside battles. Tug (2) and Stay Fearless (3) are additional secondary or longshot types, capable of improvement at this level but lacking strong established form. Babble (4) is the most speculative longshot, with limited form and a lower profile barn, more attractive as a deep exotic filler than a win candidate.

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