Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Laurel Park – Racing News and Analysis for April 18, 2026


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Pick Pony Condensed Handicapper Report — Laurel Park, April 18, 2026

Partly cloudy, mid-50s to low 60s, fast or good main track, firm to good-to-firm turf. Speed bias favors inside-to-middle posts on dirt; turf routes allow more positional flexibility. Northwest wind at 10-15 mph creates a backstretch headwind that may compress pace in routes.

Race 1 — Maiden Claiming $35,000 | 1⅟16 Miles | Turf

Christmas Jones (9) is the morning line favorite with respected connections and a natural fit for the grass. Queen Of Wands (4) gets a ground-saving trip from a favorable post and is the logical second choice. Truly Thrilling (8) is a fair-priced third option if she takes to the turf.

Race 2 — Optional Claiming $62,500 NW1 | 1⅟16 Miles | Dirt

Big Cuddle (2) is the dominant morning line choice in a thin six-horse field, with stablemate Buds Notion (3) offering exotic value as the uncoupled barn partner. Palacios (4) is the primary outside threat.

Race 3 — Maiden Claiming $12,500 | 1⅟10 Miles | Dirt

Vino Bella (1) holds a clear class edge over this modest field and is the straightforward single. Valerie Street (8) closes from outside if the pace collapses up front. Fastfeld (4) presses from a favorable inside post.

Race 4 — Allowance NW1 | 1⅟10 Miles | Dirt | Fillies & Mares

Especially (2) and Enigmatic (8) share co-favoritism in what shapes as a match race; Especially (2) gets the slight edge based on connections and post. Fabia (3) and Lord's Lady (7) are the best prices for trifecta structures. Moon Cache (1) could wire a soft field from the front.

Race 5 — Allowance NW1 | 1⅟6 Miles | Turf | Fillies & Mares

Coach Mazzula (10) is the top selection in this 14-horse turf field, with stablemate Mambo Queen (1) offering additional coverage from the inside post. Protective Custody (11), Fire's Out (3), and Sharmin (6) are legitimate secondary threats; Jittier Girl (12) at 8-1 is the best longshot play in a wide-open exotic race.

Race 6 — Maiden Special Weight | 6 Furlongs | Dirt | Two-Year-Olds

Mizner (7) is the clear morning line single in an unpredictable juvenile debut field. Cool Customer (4) is the most credible alternative, with Bruno (6) close behind. Tax And Tags (1) and Story Of Rory (2) are worth including in trifecta bottoms at 8-1.

Race 7 — Dahlia Stakes $100,000 | 1⅟8 Miles | Turf | Fillies & Mares

Ribaltagaia (4) is the top selection on the strength of trainer Graham Motion's outstanding grass stakes record at this oval. Summerintahoe (5) is the pace factor and co-favorite. Curlin's Angel (6) is the third key contender; Calamity (1) at 8-1 and Mahra's Love (8) at 10-1 are the best longshot inclusions.

Race 8 — King Leatherbury Stakes $100,000 | 6 Furlongs | Turf

Determined Kingdom (11) is the top value play of the entire card — a 5-1 Michael Trombetta grass sprinter in an open field is the angle to emphasize. Doncho (5) is the pace-setting co-favorite and Outlaw Kid (6) is the best-priced key contender. Schwarzmeier (10) at 8-1 is a credible California shipper worth including in exotics.

Race 9 — Weber City Miss Stakes $150,000 | 1⅟8 Miles | Dirt | Three-Year-Old Fillies

Jumping The Gun (8) is the clear single as the dominant Delaware Park juvenile champion making her three-year-old debut. Law School (2) is the most logical threat if the favorite shows any layoff rust. Wiretapped (1) at 12-1 is the top overlay on the card — Todd Pletcher does not ship to Maryland without a live horse, and the even-money favorite will inflate every other price in the win pool.

Race 10 — Henry Clark Stakes $100,000 | 1⅟8 Miles | Turf

Cruise The Nile (7) is the top selection based on Graham Motion's exceptional turf stakes credentials, with 4-1 representing fair-to-generous value. Neat (8) and Horsepower (5) are the co-secondary choices. Sherlock's Jewel (6) at 12-1 for Claude McGaughey III is the best longshot flag in this race.

Race 11 — Federico Tesio Stakes $150,000 | 1⅜ Miles | Dirt | Three-Year-Olds

Volendam (2) is the morning line favorite and the horse to beat, with trainer Michael Maker's Classic prep record making this the most credible Preakness contender in the field. Taj Mahal (10) and Let's Go Lando (5) are the primary threats. Code Of Silence (9) at 5-1 and Hixon (1) at 10-1 with Jevian Toledo are the best exotic inclusions at price.

Race 12 — Claiming $30,000 NW2 | 6 Furlongs | Turf

Midnightloveaffair (7) is the morning line choice in a genuinely competitive five-way field at the top. Chitchatchitchat (4) is the key rival and Ballykeefe (9) is the third selection. Whatarewedoing (6) at 6-1 and Hidden Quarry (5) at 8-1 round out the exotic coverage; Turkish Breeze (8) at 20-1 is worth a glance as a possible European grass type.

Before wagering, check the Latest Race Scratches, Changes, and Conditions post for any last-minute scratches or race changes.


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