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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 Pick Pony’s Expert Picks, which are based on the consensus of all analysts.
Today’s Laurel Park card features 11 races with first post at 12:10 PM, offering solid wagering opportunities across multiple surfaces and conditions. The weather forecast shows ideal racing conditions with temperatures reaching 62°F under partly cloudy skies, providing excellent visibility for both turf and dirt racing.
Track Conditions and Weather
Current track conditions show dirt listed as fast and turf as firm, with the turf rail positioned at 87 feet for sprint races and 35 feet for route events. The forecast calls for partly cloudy conditions with temperatures in the low 60s, creating optimal racing conditions for both surfaces. Wind conditions remain light, which should minimize any impact on running styles or jockey tactics throughout the afternoon.
Race 1 – Starter Optional Claiming $16,000, 5½ Furlongs Turf
This opener features a competitive 16-horse field on the turf course. Shear Magic draws the far outside but appears to have the early speed to overcome the wide post. Agent Kelly has demonstrated consistent form with strong speed figures in his recent outings, making him a logical contender. Corrected Pedigree showed a strong late kick last out, outfinishing Agent Kelly by a nose and could repeat that effort.
The pace scenario suggests moderate early fractions with several horses possessing tactical speed. Tik Tok Daddy brings blinkers for this assignment, which could enhance his focus. The wide post positions for several contenders create value opportunities for horses breaking from the inside.
Race 2 – Claiming $7,500, 6 Furlongs Dirt
A short field of seven provides clear betting opportunities. Pit Stop Man showed strong stalking ability when defeating similar rivals two starts back and returns to his preferred dirt surface. Citizen K drops significantly in class after facing stronger competition and draws the rail with leading jockey Yedsit Hazlewood aboard.
The pace appears straightforward with limited early speed, setting up for horses with tactical ability. Pudge Boy Palace gets distance relief after struggling at longer trips and picks up apprentice Pedro Pena’s 10-pound weight allowance.
Race 3 – Starter Optional Claiming $16,000, 1⅛ Miles Turf
This route event showcases Bourbonator as the standout selection based on consistent 80s figures in recent starts while dropping in class. Blackthorne Brusca broke his maiden impressively last out despite never showing early speed, suggesting improvement. Keen Surge encountered traffic trouble in his last start but should get a better trip here.
The distance favors horses with proven stamina, particularly on the turf surface. Several runners lack experience at the route distance, creating opportunities for those with demonstrated staying power. The rail positioning at 35 feet should provide fair ground for all runners.
Race 4 – Claiming $12,500, 6 Furlongs Dirt (Fillies and Mares)
On a Proud Note enters off consecutive victories and strong recent work patterns following a veterinary scratch. Anotherhope has won two of her last three starts including a victory against these types. Ade finished fourth in the Maryland Million Distaff behind superior competition.
The race sets up for horses with tactical speed and finishing ability. The claiming conditions create value opportunities for horses stepping up or down in class. Several runners possess early speed, suggesting honest pace development.
Primary choice: On a Proud Note based on current winning form and strong workout tab. Backup selections include consistent Anotherhope and class-tested Ade.
Race 5 – Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 6 Furlongs Turf (Fillies and Mares)
Biscuitwiththeboss brings stakes-quality form to this level and handled older competition well in her last victory. Casa Juanita rallied strongly for second in her last start behind a highly regarded Graham Motion runner. Gastown Babe faces significantly weaker competition after years of racing against better.
The turf sprint distance favors horses with tactical speed and finishing kick. The wide field creates pace dynamics that should benefit closers and horses with good positioning. Several entrants bring class advantages to this assignment.
Race 6 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 5½ Furlongs Dirt (2-Year-Olds)
This juvenile allowance race showcases developing 2-year-olds competing for a $49,000 purse with several horses showing significant potential for future success.
Key Contenders Analysis
Flyin Hawaiian (Post 1, 9-2) emerges as the standout selection despite his wide morning line odds. After breaking his maiden impressively at Parx Racing, trainer Robert Reid Jr. demonstrated confidence by entering him in the prestigious Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga against graded stakes competition. While that ambitious assignment didn’t yield success, eliminating that race reveals a horse with significant ability dropping back to more appropriate company. His tactical speed and gate position provide excellent trip scenarios, and Mychel Sanchez brings strong riding statistics at the current meet.
Hell Ofa Hillbilly (Post 5, 6-1) delivered a career-best performance in the Maryland Million Nursery Stakes, finishing a strong second behind Big Cuddle while racing wide throughout. The colt demonstrated genuine heart by hanging tough despite the wide trip, beaten only two lengths in stakes company. His recent maiden victory on September 26th at Laurel Park establishes his affinity for the track surface, and the class drop from stakes competition provides significant advantages. Xavier Perez retains the mount, maintaining continuity from his recent success.
Worker Bee (Post 2, 12-1) presents the most intriguing value proposition at generous odds. His impressive maiden-breaking performance in May featured a front-running style, battling on the pace before drawing away to defeat well-regarded stablemate Let’s Go Lando. The five-month layoff raises fitness questions, but trainer Gary Capuano’s confidence is evident through Yedsit Hazlewood’s jockey selection over stablemate Hollywood Import. His proven early speed could control the pace scenario, and the significant weight allowance (114 pounds) provides tactical advantages.
Secondary Contenders
Hollywood Import (Post 12, 3-1) attracts morning line favoritism despite lacking the demonstrated class of his main rivals. His recent form shows consistency without standout performances, making the short odds questionable against horses with superior achievements. The outside post position creates additional obstacles for a horse relying on tactical speed.
Spidey Man (Post 3, 7/2) brings solid recent form for the powerful Brittany Russell barn, which leads the current trainer standings with 19 wins. Jockey Sheldon Russell provides stable connections, but the horse lacks the class credentials of the top selections.
Bonsai Warrior (Post 8, 10-1) offers longshot potential based on trainer Claudio Gonzalez’s local success and jockey Victor Carrasco’s strong statistics. His recent form suggests improvement potential, creating exotic wager value.
Pace Analysis
The race sets up favorably for early speed with Worker Bee likely controlling the pace from his inside draw. Hell Ofa Hillbilly showed willingness to press the pace in the Maryland Million, while Flyin Hawaiian possesses tactical versatility to adapt to different scenarios. The 5½-furlong distance favors horses with natural speed and finishing ability, particularly on Laurel Park’s speed-favoring dirt surface.
The projected fractions suggest moderate early pace with acceleration in the final furlong. Worker Bee’s return from layoff could create pace dynamics favoring closers if his fitness proves inadequate for wire-to-wire success.
Key Angles and Insights
The Lasix restriction adds an interesting element, as several horses must compete without their customary medication. This regulation particularly affects horses returning from layoffs or stepping up in class, potentially creating value opportunities for horses naturally suited to the restriction.
Trainer patterns show Robert Reid Jr.’s confidence in targeting stakes races with promising juveniles, while Gary Capuano’s dual entry suggests strong stable form. The jockey assignments indicate Hazlewood’s preference for Worker Bee over the favored Hollywood Import, providing significant insider information.
Wagering Strategy
Win Bet: Flyin Hawaiian offers the best combination of class, ability, and trip potential despite moderate odds.
Value Play: Worker Bee at 12-1 provides exceptional value for a horse with demonstrated gate-to-wire ability and favorable pace positioning.
Exacta Construction: Box Flyin Hawaiian and Hell Ofa Hillbilly with Worker Bee underneath for value combinations.
Trifecta Strategy: Key Flyin Hawaiian on top with Hell Ofa Hillbilly and Worker Bee in the second and third positions, adding Hollywood Import and Spidey Man for coverage.
The race offers excellent opportunities for Pick 6 players, as the Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 carries a $6,108 carryover beginning with this race. Using multiple horses in this competitive renewal creates value for players seeking tournament-style payoffs in the multi-race wagers.
Race 7 – Starter Optional Claiming $12,500, 1 1/16 Miles Turf (Fillies and Mares)
Don’t Tell Kelly steps down from higher claiming levels after competing against stronger competition most of the season. Solving Progress should control the pace from the inside post position. White Lilacs possesses early speed and tactical versatility.
The route distance on turf requires proven stamina and class. Several entrants bring experience at higher levels, creating value opportunities. The pace dynamics favor horses positioned to control or press early fractions.
Race 8 – Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile Dirt (Fillies and Mares)
Caitlin the Great has shown consistent improvement in her first two starts and should appreciate the one-turn mile distance. Love You More faced impressive competition in her local debut and showed strong finishing ability. Ruby Street should improve second time out for respected trainer Mike Stidham.
The maiden field presents opportunities for improvement from lightly raced fillies. The one-turn mile configuration favors horses with tactical speed and sustained runs. Several entrants possess pedigree advantages for the distance.
Race 9 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs Turf
Billionaires Row has won two of his last three starts while advancing through the class levels. Won an Award has competed effectively at route distances and may improve cutting back to a sprint. Great Idea closed for third at 17-1 in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint.
The turf sprint creates speed-favoring conditions with the firm going. The class structure provides betting value through the claiming option. Several horses bring proven form at this level with tactical advantages.
Race 10 – Allowance Optional Claiming, 7 Furlongs Dirt
Zero Blitz boasts a perfect 4-for-4 record at Laurel Park, all by decisive margins. Optical Bijou won determinedly at Delaware Park in his last start. War Master shows excellent statistics at this distance with two wins in three tries.
The seven-furlong distance on dirt favors horses with proven tactical speed and finishing ability. The home track advantage for Zero Blitz creates significant value considerations. Several entrants bring class and distance advantages to the assignment.
Race 11 – Maiden Claiming, 1 1/16 Miles Turf
The Commack Kid showed late kick in his career debut and returns to preferred turf conditions after a poor dirt effort. Oxford Union has shown consistent late-running style in recent starts. Redemption Speight finished respectably behind New York shipper Captcha in his last start.
The maiden claiming finale presents developmental opportunities on the turf course. The route distance requires stamina and class, creating value through the claiming structure. Several horses show potential for improvement.
Top selection: The Commack Kid for his debut promise and surface preference. Supporting choices include consistent closer Oxford Union and class-tested Redemption Speight.
Jockey Analysis
Yedsit Hazlewood leads the current standings and brings significant tactical ability to his mounts today. Mychel J. Sanchez shows strong statistical performance when riding favorites for trainer Jamie Ness. Jorge Ruiz has demonstrated consistency throughout the current meet with multiple winning connections.
Several apprentice jockeys provide weight allowances that create additional value opportunities. The jockey colony at Laurel Park shows depth and competitive balance across multiple racing conditions.
Trainer Insights
Brittany Russell leads the current trainer standings with 19 wins and shows particular strength with horses returning from layoffs. Michael Trombetta brings graded stakes credentials with 14 wins at the current meet. Jamie Ness ranks highly in the standings with nine wins and demonstrates strong statistics with specific jockey partnerships.
The trainer colony shows balanced competition with multiple barns demonstrating current success patterns across various race conditions and surfaces.
Wagering Strategy
The Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 carries over $6,108 in races 6-11, creating enhanced value opportunities. The Early Pick 5 covering races 1-5 resets with no carryover, providing standard pool dynamics. Several races feature competitive betting fields that create overlay possibilities.
Focus wagering attention on races with clear standout selections like Zero Blitz in Race 10 and Bourbonator in Race 3. The maiden races offer developmental angles that may produce longshot winners. Multi-race wagers should emphasize horses with proven tactical advantages and favorable pace scenarios.
