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The Pick Pony Handicapper’s Report is published daily and provides analysis of all races on the card. The report is prepared by one of our Pick Pony analysts, so selections may differ from , which are based on the consensus of all analysts.
Racing proceeds as scheduled at Laurel Park on Saturday, November 1, 2025, with an 11-race card featuring a mix of claiming races, maiden events, and allowance contests across both dirt and turf surfaces.
Track Conditions and Weather Overview
Current track conditions show fast dirt and off turf status with partly cloudy skies and temperatures around 50°F. Cool November weather with light winds from the northeast creates ideal racing conditions for both horses and jockeys. The turf course rail is positioned at 52 feet for applicable races.
Race-by-Race Analysis
Race 1 – Starter Optional Claiming ($30,000)
Distance: 1 Mile Turf (moved to dirt if turf unavailable)
Field: 9 fillies and mares
Key Contenders:
Sleepwalker (4) emerges as the standout choice for trainer Brittany Russell and jockey Sheldon Russell. This 4-year-old filly possesses the class edge in this field and has shown consistent form at the claiming level.
Secondary Choices:
Diamond Sue (1) with Horacio Karamanos brings experience and tactical speed that could prove effective if she can secure favorable positioning early.
Longshot Consideration:
My Dear Antonia (9) appears on the also-eligible list but carries only 119 pounds with apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood, offering significant weight relief if she draws into the race.
Wagering Strategy:
Win bet on Sleepwalker as the logical favorite. Consider exacta box with Diamond Sue for value.
Race 2 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Dirt
Field: 7 fillies and mares
Key Contenders:
Granuaile (5) shows as the morning line choice for trainer Jose Corrales with consistent form at this level. Her tactical speed and proven ability at the distance make her formidable.
Secondary Choices:
Bounty Killah (3) brings experience and Richard Mitchell’s riding skills to challenge the favorite.
Race Dynamics:
Sprint distance favors horses with early speed. Granuaile appears best positioned to control the pace from her outside post.
Race 3 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 5½ Furlongs Turf
Field: 16 fillies and mares
Key Contenders:
Running Rio (12) gets the nod from expert handicappers at 7-2 morning line odds with trainer Anthony Farrior and jockey Jevian Toledo. The large field creates opportunities for value plays.
Secondary Choices:
Beyond Question (5) from the Michael Trombetta barn brings proven turf form and tactical speed.
Pace Analysis:
With 16 runners, early positioning becomes crucial. Expect a fast early pace that could set up closers in the final furlong.
Race 4 – Maiden Special Weight ($45,000)
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles Dirt
Field: 8 two-year-old colts and geldings
Key Contenders:
Let’s Go Lando (8) receives strong support from experts at 4-1 morning line with trainer Gary Capuano and apprentice Yedsit Hazlewood. First-time starters often show improvement, making this colt interesting.
Breeding Angle:
This restricted race for Maryland-bred or sired horses showcases local talent. Pedigree analysis suggests several have potential for improvement.
Race 5 – Maiden Claiming ($30,000)
Distance: 5½ Furlongs Turf
Field: 16 two-year-old fillies
Key Contenders:
Let Her Pass By (3) receives strong endorsement from expert analysis at 3-1 odds. Trainer Richard Sillaman shows 33% strike rate moving horses from maiden special weight to maiden claiming with $3.09 ROI.
Expert Analysis:
KITTYUP posted a 55 Beyer when finishing third at 16-1 last time, but the form hasn’t held up with subsequent runners averaging an 11.5 point Beyer drop. Let Her Pass By showed steady improvement with Beyer pattern of 40, 44, 49 and drops into claiming company for the first time.
Secondary Choices:
Lucky Esther (7) from the Michael Matz barn brings proven connections and tactical speed.
Race 6 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 1 1/16 Miles Turf
Field: 15 horses
Key Contenders:
Be Here (9) offers value at 6-1 odds despite recent moderate Beyer figures. His recent races came where speed held exceptionally well, compromising his closing style. Tom Hagen (10) gets expert support at 8-1 from Madison Meyers’ barn.
Pace Setup:
Multiple speed horses suggest Be Here could get the favorable pace scenario he needs as a closer. His 5-1-3 record from 16 starts at 1 1/16 miles adds confidence.
Trainer Angle:
Kieron Magee strikes at 33% second off the claim following a top-three finish with $2.11 ROI.
Race 7 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 1 Mile Dirt
Field: 11 horses
Key Contenders:
Camp David (1) gets expert backing at 9-2 from Keri Brion’s stable. The tactical speed and proven dirt form make him dangerous in this field.
Secondary Choices:
Morning Thoughts (6) brings fresh form and could benefit from the cutback in distance.
Coupled Entry:
Bestsugardaddyever (3A) and Waldrip (5A) run as a coupled entry from Jamie Ness, providing betting value if either performs.
Race 8 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 5½ Furlongs Turf
Field: 16 horses
Key Contenders:
Deadpan (10) receives strong expert support at 5-2 despite recent moderate form. Horses cutting back from routes often run well in 5½ furlong sprints at Laurel where the long stretch catches true speedballs. Summer Vibes (4) gets additional expert backing at 3-1.
Trainer Angle:
Anthony Farrior strikes at 26% off the claim, and Deadpan returns to turf where he’s done his best work. The 13 entered horses are combined 7-for-105 in 2025, suggesting opportunity for a new shooter.
Apprentice Advantage:
Hazlewood’s 5-pound allowance provides significant weight relief.
Race 9 – Maiden Special Weight ($47,000)
Distance: 1 Mile Dirt
Field: 8 two-year-old fillies
Key Contenders:
Limited Vintage (3) earns expert support at 3-1 from Brittany Russell’s barn with jockey Jevian Toledo. The breeding and connections suggest improvement potential.
Secondary Choices:
Diamondquist (4) from Michael Trombetta brings proven connections and could show improvement in her second start.
Race 10 – Allowance ($48,000)
This restricted allowance race for Maryland-bred or sired horses features non-winners of a state-bred race other than maiden, claiming, waiver claiming, or starter conditions. The race offers excellent betting opportunities with competitive fields and established connections.
Key Contenders Analysis
Sharmin (4) – 3-1 Morning Line
Jockey: Yedsit Hazlewood | Trainer: James Casey | Weight: 118 lbs
Sharmin emerges as the top selection based on her dominant recent form. Post 12 couldn’t slow down this filly in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap, where she took control and crushed the field by four lengths for her second consecutive win on grass. This represents her first start for trainer James Casey, who sent out a first-time-in-the-barn winner just yesterday, suggesting excellent timing.
Tactical Analysis: The significant weight relief with Hazlewood’s 5-pound apprentice allowance brings her down to 118 pounds, providing a meaningful advantage over rivals carrying 123-126 pounds. Her proven ability to control pace and her recent dominant grass form make her extremely dangerous.
Mopo (8) – 2-1 Morning Line Favorite
Jockey: Mychel Sanchez | Trainer: Phillip Capuano | Weight: 121 lbs
Mopo appears as the algorithmic favorite based on expert analysis at 2-1 odds. She makes her first appearance since being scratched from the Maryland Million Ladies, a race where she would have been one of the favorites. The expert analysis identifies her as the race’s controlling speed, suggesting early positioning advantages.
Form Concerns: Her absence since the Maryland Million scratch raises questions about current fitness. However, the Capuano barn typically brings horses back ready to fire, and her projected role as the controlling speed provides significant tactical advantages in this field.
All Gas No Brakes (5) – 3-1
Jockey: Daniel Centeno | Trainer: Keri Brion | Weight: 121 lbs
This 3-year-old filly brings proven form, having actually run in the Maryland Million Ladies where she finished a rather punchless fourth. Two starts back at Colonial, she won from off the pace with a strong late bid, demonstrating closing ability. The question becomes whether she can recapture that winning form after her disappointing Million effort.
Secondary Contenders
Juniper Juice (1) – 4.50-1
Forest Boyce brings experience to this Kevin Boniface trainee who shows as a solid secondary choice in expert algorithms at 1.9 expected finish. Her career record shows consistency with form figures suggesting competitiveness at this level.
Concrete Faze (7) – 4.50-1
Jamie Ness trainee with Martin Chuan riding carries top weight at 126 pounds but shows competitive recent form. The Ness barn excels with horses dropping in class and tactical positioning.
Longshot Considerations
Touisset (6) – 6-1
This 5-year-old mare with Horacio Karamanos brings experience and tactical speed that could prove effective in a pace meltdown scenario. Edward Allard’s training provides solid foundation for upset potential.
Kobe’s Hope (11) – 8-1
Ismerio Villalobos guides this 3-year-old filly for Joanne Shankle at attractive odds of 8-1. Young horses often show improvement in restricted company, making her an intriguing longshot play.
Pace Analysis
The race sets up favorably for closers with Mopo likely controlling early fractions as the designated controlling speed. Sharmin’s tactical versatility allows her to sit anywhere in the field, while All Gas No Brakes profiles as the main closing threat.
Early Pace: Expect honest fractions with Mopo setting the tempo and Concrete Faze providing early pressure from the outside post.
Late Pace: The 1 1/16-mile distance favors horses with proven stamina. Sharmin’s recent dominant victories suggest she can handle pace pressure and still have enough left for the stretch drive.
Trainer and Jockey Angles
James Casey shows excellent timing bringing Sharmin to this spot first time for his barn, especially after yesterday’s first-time-claimed winner success.
Yedsit Hazlewood continues providing excellent value with his 5-pound apprentice allowance, particularly effective on turf routes with improving horses.
Phillip Capuano typically excels with horses returning from brief layoffs, suggesting Mopo’s absence might not be a significant concern.
Wagering Strategy
Win Bet: Sharmin (4) offers excellent value at 3-1 with her dominant recent form and favorable weight relief.
Exacta Strategy: Box Sharmin with Mopo and All Gas No Brakes for coverage of the most likely scenarios.
Trifecta Value: Include Juniper Juice and Touisset in trifecta combinations for potential value payouts.
Upset Special: Small win bet on Kobe’s Hope at 8-1 for longshot value given the competitive nature of the field.
Final Recommendation
Top Selection: Sharmin (4) at 3-1 morning line odds provides the best combination of current form, weight relief, and tactical advantages.
Win-Place Coverage: Mopo (8) at 2-1 as the logical favorite deserves respect despite layoff concerns.
The race presents excellent betting value with multiple legitimate contenders and the potential for attractive payouts in exotic wagers.
Race 11 – Starter Optional Claiming ($24,000)
Distance: 6 Furlongs Dirt
Field: 8 three-year-olds and up
Key Contenders:
Nola Boss (6) receives detailed expert analysis at 7-2 odds. After romping by 8¼ lengths at Colonial in July with a 73 Beyer, this Brittany Russell trainee returns to dirt with a favorable wide draw. Mr. Bogan (4) shows as another expert choice at 2-1.
Trainer Pattern:
Brittany Russell strikes at 33% with horses ridden by Sheldon Russell moving from turf to dirt with $3.73 ROI. However, caution advised on Mr. Bogan as horses claimed off Jamie Ness following career-best Beyers are 1-for-13 at Laurel.
Pace Analysis:
Lack of speed besides Night Preacher should allow Nola Boss to secure favorable positioning.
Jockey and Trainer Notes
Yedsit Hazlewood continues to provide significant value with his 5-pound apprentice allowance, particularly effective on turf sprints and with improving horses.
Brittany Russell shows excellent patterns with horses moving surface preferences and coupled entries with husband Sheldon Russell riding.
Anthony Farrior demonstrates strong 26% strike rate off claims, particularly with horses returning to preferred surfaces.
Michael Trombetta brings consistent form and tactical expertise to multiple entries across the card.
Best Wagering Strategies
Single Race Focus:
Target Race 5 with Let Her Pass By dropping into claiming company with improving Beyer pattern and favorable trainer statistics.
Value Plays:
Be Here in Race 6 at 6-1 offers excellent value given pace setup and distance preferences.
Multi-Race Sequences:
Consider Pick 3 sequences focusing on logical favorites in Races 1-2-3 with Sleepwalker, Granuaile, and Running Rio.
Exacta Opportunities:
Race 8 presents exacta value with multiple contenders at square odds in a competitive field.
The card offers multiple angles for profitable wagering with expert analysis supporting logical favorites while identifying value opportunities in competitive races.
