Pick Pony Picks – Consensus Expert Picks for Laurel Park, March 20, 2026. 38% WIN RATE + 1 EXACTA + 2 BOXED TRIFECTAS


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Race 1 – Starter Optional Claiming, 6 furlongs, Dirt, purse n/a

Win: Focusyn (1) – 72% confidence
Place: Platform (4) – 65% confidence
Show: Robert's Moon (2) – 55% confidence 🥉
Alternative: Firmantown (6) – 45% confidence 🥇

Race notes: Analysts overwhelmingly key around Focusyn (1) as the class and figure standout off the prior strong comeback, with Platform (4) the main alternative pace presence and Robert's Moon (2) viewed as somewhat dressed up off a bias-aided win. Brindano (3) and The Count Is On (5) project as late-running underneath players who need a collapse, while Firmantown (6) has some support as a rebound candidate if he can secure a cleaner trip. Other runners include: Brindano (3), The Count Is On (5).

Race 2 – Claiming, 1 mile, Dirt, purse n/a – BOXED TRIFECTA

Win: Barbados Bulldog (2) – 64% confidence
Place: Elusive Sionna (3) – 60% confidence 🥈
Show: Kittyup (5) – 55% confidence 🥉
Alternative: Iamdependingonyou (1) – 30% confidence 🥇

Race notes: Opinion is fairly tight between Barbados Bulldog (2) as the proven local and Elusive Sionna (3) as the stretch-out filly expected to improve routing. Kittyup (5) is almost universally treated as a minor-awards type off the maiden win, and Iamdependingonyou (1) intrigues a few analysts as a potential bounce-back if she handles the surface better. Other runners include: Stroll Trippin (4).

Race 3 – Maiden Special Weight, 5½ furlongs, Dirt, purse n/a

Win: Kiss The Ring (4) – 62% confidence
Place: Dr. Buzzy (3) – 55% confidence
Show: N. Y. Finest (1) – 50% confidence 🥇
Alternative: R J's Ice (5) – 40% confidence

Race notes: This is viewed as a deep, volatile maiden where multiple analysts lean on the upgraded trip of Kiss The Ring (4) and the first-out profile of Dr. Buzzy (3). N. Y. Finest (1) is widely seen as a strong cutback candidate, while R J's Ice (5) and Bruno (6) attract consistent underneath support in exactas and trifectas. Other runners include: Big Tiger (2), Bruno (6).

Race 4 – Claiming, 5½ furlongs, Dirt, purse n/a – WIN + EXACTA

Win: Laysen (2) – 66% confidence 🥇
Place: Feels So Right (3) – 52% confidence 🥈
Show: Mister Roscoe (6) – 48% confidence
Alternative: Sticktothesystem (1) – 40% confidence

Race notes: Analysts gravitate to Laysen (2) as the most reliable forward mover off the maiden win, with Feels So Right (3) and Mister Roscoe (6) oscillating between win and underneath slots depending on how strongly each analyst upgrades their last trips. Sticktothesystem (1) is consistently cited as pace-upgraded but vulnerable if pressured again, while Sugar On Fire (5) is respected as a late-running exotics piece more than a win threat. Other runners include: Sugar On Fire (5).

Race 5 – Starter Optional Claiming, 1 mile, Dirt, purse n/a – WIN

Win: Enigmatic (4) – 74% confidence 🥇
Place: Rowsie Express (2) – 60% confidence 🥉
Show: Ade (3) – 48% confidence
Alternative: Genieninabridle (7) – 42% confidence

Race notes: Enigmatic (4) is the strongest single on the card on raw win-percentage from analysts, though several explicitly caution about her prior loose-lead setup, which pulls consensus confidence just under “free square” territory. Rowsie Express (2) repeatedly shows up as the key alternative and exacta partner, with Ade (3) and Genieninabridle (7) forming the core of the trifecta/superfecta structure. Other runners include: Ginger Girl (1), It'sfiftyshadetime (5), Why Not Grace (6).

Race 6 – Maiden Claiming, 6 furlongs, Dirt, purse n/a

Win: Fastfeld (4) – 70% confidence 🥈
Place: Kelsey Hill Girl (8) – 58% confidence
Show: I'm A Lil Wicked (1) – 48% confidence 🥉
Alternative: Galibean (5) – 35% confidence

Race notes: Fastfeld (4) earns clear top billing on accumulated placings and consistent figures, with Kelsey Hill Girl (8) the primary upside horse analysts want on all tickets second off the layoff. I'm A Lil Wicked (1) is pegged as the grinding type likely to land in the frame more often than win, and Galibean (5) is the most commonly cited price to spice up deeper exotics. Other runners include: Eimear (3), Onetime For Lar (2), Fortune Garden (7).

Race 7 – Starter Optional Claiming, 6 furlongs, Dirt, purse n/a

Win: Bushido (3) – 68% confidence
Place: Don't Wait Up (2) – 60% confidence 🥇
Show: Radical Right (5) – 52% confidence 🥉
Alternative: Uncle Cat (4) – 38% confidence 🥈

Race notes: Bushido (3) is treated as a strong pace-and-talent standout off the visually impressive last, while Don't Wait Up (2) enjoys broad support as the main challenger capable of capitalizing if the favorite regresses. Radical Right (5) is a popular third-choice who fits many analysts' projected pace shape, and Uncle Cat (4) is the key “other speed” or stalker type who could upend the exacta if he steps forward. Other runners include: Backnthewoods (1).

Race 8 – Maiden Claiming, 1 mile, Dirt, purse n/a – WIN + BOXED TRIFECTA

Win: Edelweiss (3) – 64% confidence 🥇
Place: Railroad Inn (1) – 60% confidence 🥉
Show: Soo Handsome (2) – 46% confidence 🥈
Alternative: Kitty's Son (5) – 40% confidence

Race notes: The finale is viewed as a two-horse struggle between Edelweiss (3), who many analysts upgrade on trip, and the hard-knocking but often second-best Railroad Inn (1). Soo Handsome (2) tends to sit in the third slot on most sheets as a logical underneath piece, while Kitty's Son (5) and Under The Rug (4) are popular mentions for deeper trifecta/superfecta structures at presumed better prices. Other runners include: Under The Rug (4).

Recommended Exotic Plays by Race

Race 1 – Recommended Exotics

Analysts generally build around Focusyn (1) on top in verticals, using Platform (4) and Robert's Moon (2) as the primary exacta and trifecta partners with Brindano (3) and Firmantown (6) underneath. The most common structure is an exacta Focusyn (1) over Platform (4), Robert's Moon (2), and Firmantown (6), with a saver exacta reversing Platform (4) on top for coverage. For trifectas and supers, analysts lean on 1 with 2,4 over 2,3,4,6,5, allowing Brindano (3) and The Count Is On (5) to populate the bottom rungs at a price.

Race 2 – Recommended Exotics

Vertical strategies often key Barbados Bulldog (2) and Elusive Sionna (3) together, with Kittyup (5) as the consistent third horse to round out trifectas. Exacta bettors are frequently advised to play 2–3 both ways, with 5 added underneath in tris as 2,3 over 2,3,5 over 1,4,5, capturing possible improvement from Iamdependingonyou (1) or Stroll Trippin (4). Some analysts advocate using all five entrants in the third and fourth spots of supers because field size is modest and class/form gaps are narrower than they first appear.

Race 3 – Recommended Exotics

Given the perceived volatility, many analysts avoid heavy win exposure here and instead emphasize spread trifectas and superfectas keyed around Kiss The Ring (4) and Dr. Buzzy (3). A typical exotic approach is 3,4 over 1,3,4,5 over 1,2,3,4,5,6, which uses N. Y. Finest (1) as a logical underneath player and ensures exposure to R J's Ice (5) and Bruno (6) at prices. Analysts also mention small win savers on Kiss The Ring (4) while keeping the bulk of capital in deeper vertical structures.

Race 4 – Recommended Exotics

Race 4 exotics usually revolve around Laysen (2) as an A-horse, with Feels So Right (3) and Mister Roscoe (6) as strong B-levels and Sticktothesystem (1) as a pace-volatile C. Popular exacta tickets are 2 over 1,3,6 and 3,6 over 2, while trifectas commonly take the form 2 over 1,3,5,6 over 1,3,5,6 to capture a possible Sugar On Fire (5) late run. Some analysts also suggest a small superfecta wheel 2 with 1,3,6 with 1,3,5,6 with 1,3,5,6 in anticipation of a compressed finish among the main quartet.

Race 5 – Recommended Exotics

In Race 5, Enigmatic (4) is an A-level single in many exacta and trifecta constructions, with Rowsie Express (2) the most frequent second horse and Ade (3) plus Genieninabridle (7) populating the lower rungs. Analysts often suggest exactas 4 over 2,3,7 and a small reverse 2 over 4 as insurance against a pace collapse or regression from the favorite. Trifecta structures frequently appear as 4 over 2,3,7 over 1,2,3,5,6,7 to allow for a second-tier improvement from Ginger Girl (1), It'sfiftyshadetime (5), or Why Not Grace (6).

Race 6 – Recommended Exotics

Exotic play in Race 6 typically centers on Fastfeld (4) and Kelsey Hill Girl (8) as co-keys, with I'm A Lil Wicked (1) the preferred underneath grinder and Galibean (5) the price enhancer. A common approach is an exacta box 4–8 for coverage, plus 4,8 over 1,5,3 in exactas and 4,8 over 1,3,5,8 over 1,3,5,7,8 in trifectas. Some analysts additionally suggest small superfecta plays using 4 and 8 in the top two spots while spreading in the third and fourth slots to capture a chaotic finish among the remainder.

Race 7 – Recommended Exotics

Race 7 exotics most often treat Bushido (3) as the primary win anchor, with Don't Wait Up (2) and Radical Right (5) filling out exactas and trifectas. Exacta players are typically pointed to 3 over 2,5,4 with saver tickets 2 over 3,5 in case the favorite regresses second off the bench. Trifectas commonly appear as 3 over 2,4,5 over 1,2,4,5, with Uncle Cat (4) and Backnthewoods (1) considered modest upside options to sneak into the frame.

Race 8 – Recommended Exotics

In the finale, analysts tend to spread slightly more but still tilt their verticals toward Edelweiss (3) and Railroad Inn (1) as the two most reliable horses. Exacta structures frequently include 3–1 boxes, with 3,1 over 2,5,4 as an extension when trying to hit at a slightly better price. Trifectas like 3,1 over 1,2,3,5 over 1,2,3,4,5 are popular, capturing the likely inclusion of Soo Handsome (2) and Kitty's Son (5) while preserving room for Under The Rug (4) to appear on the bottom.

Value Play Observations

Analysts generally see Focusyn (1) in Race 1 as a short-priced favorite whose true win probability probably matches a heavy morning line but still leaves slight value on exacta structures emphasizing Platform (4) and Robert's Moon (2) underneath rather than pressing a win bet at very low odds. In Race 2, the split between Barbados Bulldog (2) and Elusive Sionna (3) suggests that whichever of the pair drifts above even money near post will likely offer better value relative to the consensus-implied probabilities.

Race 3 is flagged as a fertile ground for overlays because several analysts upgrade Kiss The Ring (4), yet maiden races of this profile often produce mispriced first-time starters and second-time improvers such as Dr. Buzzy (3) or R J's Ice (5). In Race 4, the strong tilt toward Laysen (2) may create a mild underlay situation if the price collapses, making Feels So Right (3) or Mister Roscoe (6) comparatively attractive if they float above their morning-line ranges.

Race 5's heavy consensus on Enigmatic (4) almost guarantees a short price, and several analysts explicitly downgrade her prior bias-aided win; that combination marks her as a likely underlay in the win pool even as she remains a must-use in multi-race tickets. In Race 6, Fastfeld (4) and Kelsey Hill Girl (8) command clear support, so I'm A Lil Wicked (1) and Galibean (5) project as possible overlays in the place and show pools and as key price horses in trifectas given their more modest consensus backing.

Race 7 displays a classic favorite-versus-secondary-contender structure where Bushido (3) could be overbet relative to a true win chance that, while strong, may not justify a very short price; Don't Wait Up (2) and Radical Right (5) are logical alternatives if they hover in mid-range odds bands. In Race 8, Edelweiss (3) and Railroad Inn (1) share top billing, so Soo Handsome (2) and Kitty's Son (5) are the likely overlays if public sentiment focuses too narrowly on the top pair.

Overall Wagering Strategy

Strongest consensus races on this card appear to be Race 5 and Race 6, where Enigmatic (4) and Fastfeld (4) respectively command notably high projected win confidence, and Race 7, where Bushido (3) receives broad support as a pace-dominant favorite. Analysts treat Enigmatic (4) as the most likely winner on the program despite some concern about last-out trip, while Fastfeld (4) is seen as a reliable maiden with a high floor and Bushido (3) as a horse who can again control the race from the front. These races lend themselves to heavier win-exacta involvement and to being used as central building blocks in horizontal sequences.

Split-opinion races include Race 2 and Race 3, where probabilities are more evenly distributed among two or three runners and trip or development can easily tilt the outcome. In Race 2, Barbados Bulldog (2) and Elusive Sionna (3) essentially share the top slot, making it hazardous to lean on a single short-priced favorite; in Race 3, the combination of lightly raced horses and upgraded trips for Kiss The Ring (4) and others creates a more chaotic environment. For experienced bettors, these races are better attacked with modest win bets on whichever runner offers clear value near post, alongside spread-centric trifectas that embrace outcome uncertainty rather than forcing a narrow opinion.

Multi-race sequences such as early Pick 3s or a rolling Pick 4 can be structured to lean heavily on consensus races like Races 5, 6, and 7, using Enigmatic (4), Fastfeld (4), and Bushido (3) as A-level anchors. In more contentious legs like Races 2, 3, and 8, a two- or three-deep approach with logical contenders (for example, Barbados Bulldog (2) and Elusive Sionna (3) in Race 2, Kiss The Ring (4) and Dr. Buzzy (3) in Race 3, and Edelweiss (3) with Railroad Inn (1) in Race 8) can balance ticket cost against realistic coverage. This type of structure aims to exploit the lower volatility in the most strongly handicapped spots while still allowing for reasonable spread in races where analysts' opinions diverge.

Exotic value tends to cluster in races where pace shape or class transitions could make favorites vulnerable, especially Race 1, Race 3, and Race 4. In those spots, superfecta and trifecta wheels that keep the most likely winners on top but spread widely underneath—using runners like Brindano (3), The Count Is On (5), R J's Ice (5), Bruno (6), Sugar On Fire (5), or similar second-tier horses—can return outsized payoffs if one or more “A” horses underperform slightly but still hold the frame. Structurally, concentrating superfecta spend on combinations that have a clear logical narrative (for example, a hot pace melting down, or a pace-upgraded type repeating a strong effort) is preferable to broad, unfocused coverage.

Environmental and track factors drawn from analyst commentary suggest that recent Laurel cards have at times displayed speed-favoring bias, particularly on days when some of these key horses were upgraded or downgraded based on trip and pace flow. Where speed bias reappears, forwardly placed types like Focusyn (1), Laysen (2), Enigmatic (4), Fastfeld (4), and Bushido (3) may outperform their raw figures, whereas deep closers could again be compromised; conversely, if the surface plays more neutral, then the upgraded closers noted in the trip analysis may close ground more effectively than their past running lines indicate. Monitoring early-race flow and adjusting the weight given to pace-upgraded or downgraded trips is critical to refining live wagering decisions through the card.

Across the program, the key takeaways for bettors are to respect but not overpay for the most heavily touted favorites, to use strong-consensus races as structural anchors in horizontals rather than as isolated win plunges, and to exploit analytical disagreement in mid-card races via carefully constructed verticals that emphasize price horses underneath. It is also important to continually reassess bias and pace trends as the day evolves, adapting bet size and structure, especially in races where the consensus view leans heavily on speed or on horses whose prior efforts were significantly influenced by track conditions.

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