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Welcome to an exciting day of racing at Laurel Park for Friday, February 13, 2026. Today features a competitive ten race card highlighted by several high quality allowance and claiming events. With a few notable scratches impacting the pace scenarios across multiple races, identifying the controlling speed and adjusting for class drops will be paramount for a profitable afternoon.
Weather and Track Conditions
The forecast for Laurel, Maryland today calls for sunny skies with a high temperature of 36 degrees Fahrenheit and northwest winds around 9 mph. The dirt surface will be fast and dry. Over the past week, the track bias has played fairly evenly. While speed has held well during modest early fractions, a hot pace has consistently rewarded late closers. The rail is playing fairly, minimizing any significant post position bias at sprint distances.
Jockey Notes and Insights
Yedsit Hazlewood continues a phenomenal season, currently leading the Laurel Park jockey standings with a stellar 22 percent win rate. Angel Cruz is another elite option today, striking at 21 percent and consistently finding optimal tactical positions. Martin Chuan and Jevian Toledo are both winning at a reliable 15 percent clip and should never be ignored in the deeper claiming events.
Trainer Notes and Insights
Jose Corrales has his barn in excellent form, hitting at an 18 percent win rate to lead the current meet standings. Hugh I. McMahon is highly efficient right now, striking at an impressive 24 percent. Jamie Ness remains a dominant force with a 15 percent win rate and a massive 62 percent in the money rate. Michael J. Trombetta and Gary Capuano are both sending out incredibly live runners, each maintaining a phenomenal 27 percent win clip.
Best Wagering Strategies and Value Plays
The late Pick 5 sequence starting in Race 6 offers exceptional value, particularly with a few vulnerable morning line favorites. Focusing on horses cutting back in distance or making significant class drops will be a highly profitable angle today. Consider singling Guaponess in Race 9, as the class drop from stakes company makes this runner a formidable standout. Another strong value angle is targeting tactical speed horses who can stalk just off contested early fractions before getting the first run turning for home.
Race 1 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
12:00 PM EST
Pace Analysis
With several scratches altering the field dynamics, Master Schemer should comfortably dictate the early tempo. Tiz the Great will likely press from the outside, ensuring an honest but manageable pace going one mile.
Key Contenders
Mezzo Soprano is a major standout after showing significant improvement in recent starts. Equipped with blinkers, this runner angled wide and fought bravely into a hot pace last out, indicating complete readiness for a breakthrough victory. Play It Cool steps down in class today, which should provide a massive confidence boost and make this runner a premier threat in the final furlong.
Secondary Choices
Master Schemer stands to benefit from a potentially softer pace scenario today. If allowed to dictate terms on the front end without early pressure, a gate to wire victory is highly probable. Tiz the Great ran well in recent starts but suffered from a collapsing pace last time out. A more measured trip today puts this runner squarely in the mix.
Longshots
Gallo has been running evenly in recent sprint starts and might genuinely appreciate the stretch out in distance. With a ground saving trip, an upset for a minor award is entirely possible.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Focus on the significant class drop for Play It Cool and the rapidly improving form of Mezzo Soprano. An exacta box using these top two choices offers the safest route to a return.
Selections
Win: Mezzo Soprano (1) – 35% confidence
Place: Play It Cool (3) – 30% confidence
Show: Master Schemer (4) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Tiz the Great (5) – 15% confidence
Race 2 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
12:29 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Formaggio possesses immense early speed but failed to sustain that effort going a mile last time. Cutting back to six furlongs ensures this runner will be sent aggressively from the bell to clear the field.
Key Contenders
Formaggio is the controlling speed of the race, and the class relief paired with the distance cutback makes this the horse they all have to catch. Cross of Valor exits a solid runner up effort over a good surface and looks fully primed to deliver another top performance.
Secondary Choices
C C Commander ran a highly professional race on debut, saving ground perfectly along the rail. Moving up in class demands a bit more today, but the raw talent is clearly present. Chilly Girl finished third behind Cross of Valor recently and should be making a strong late move as the frontrunners tire.
Longshots
Pneumo Warrior stumbled badly at the start last time out, eliminating any chance of victory. A clean break today could easily see a return to competitive form at a generous price.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Formaggio looks incredibly tough to reel in at this abbreviated distance. Play a straight exacta using Formaggio over Cross of Valor and C C Commander to maximize value.
Selections
Win: Formaggio (2) – 40% confidence
Place: Cross of Valor (4) – 25% confidence
Show: C C Commander (5) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Chilly Girl (6) – 15% confidence
Race 3 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
12:58 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Breezing Up and Top Blood should aggressively contest the early lead, creating a swift pace that will ultimately set the table for the stalkers and closers.
Key Contenders
El Divino Nino ran a massive race in defeat last time out, sitting close to a fast pace while racing wide on the turn. Cutting back to five and a half furlongs for a new barn makes this runner extremely dangerous. Kerness K was bumped at the break last out and rushed up into a hot pace. A cleaner trip today easily puts this runner in the winner’s circle.
Secondary Choices
Paco the Taco Man was caught wide on the turn recently and understandably weakened in the stretch. A better post draw today should result in a much stronger finish. Top Blood draws the inside rail and will have to be used early to maintain position, making the final furlong a test of stamina.
Longshots
Tiz No Clown has plenty of back class and could pick up the pieces at a great price if the early speed duel completely collapses.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
El Divino Nino offers fantastic value cutting back in distance. Key this runner in all multi race wagers and strongly consider a win ticket if the morning line odds float up.
Selections
Win: El Divino Nino (7) – 35% confidence
Place: Kerness K (5) – 30% confidence
Show: Paco the Taco Man (6) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Top Blood (1) – 15% confidence
Race 4 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
1:27 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Top Manipulator should secure the early advantage straight out of the gate, with Rhodes stalking intently from the inside position to keep the pace honest.
Key Contenders
Worker Bee finished with excellent energy after racing wide on the turn in a highly competitive event last out. Now gelded and getting an extra sixteenth of a mile to work with, this is the primary target. Rhodes beat a promising next out winner when breaking maiden last time and brings plenty of upside to this allowance test.
Secondary Choices
Ihaveanappforthat was beaten less than a length last out despite racing incredibly wide around the turns. A simple ground saving trip makes this runner a massive threat. Top Manipulator will attempt to take them all the way on the engine but might face exhausting late pressure.
Longshots
Wall Art steps up into a very tough spot but could hit the bottom of the exotics at a massive price if the pace completely falls apart.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Worker Bee is the clear choice here given the recent gelding and distance progression. Use Worker Bee as a single in the Pick 3 sequence and box with Rhodes in exactas.
Selections
Win: Worker Bee (2) – 40% confidence
Place: Rhodes (1) – 30% confidence
Show: Ihaveanappforthat (5) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Top Manipulator (4) – 10% confidence
Race 5 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
1:58 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Watch Your Tone and Bay Street possess enough early foot to separate from the field, ensuring a moderate and steady tempo going seven furlongs.
Key Contenders
Lady Charlotte vied for the lead and was forced to steady in tight quarters last out, ruining all momentum. A cleaner break and an aggressive ride should easily see a return to winning ways. Bay Street was forced into an impossible tactical situation against front running favorites recently and will highly appreciate the stretch out to seven furlongs today.
Secondary Choices
Isabella’s Glory is remarkably consistent at this claiming level and rarely runs a poor race. Yumyum Eat Em Up is another steady performer who is perfectly positioned to capitalize on any mistakes made by the top choices.
Longshots
Watch Your Tone draws the inside and could get exceptionally brave if allowed to dictate terms on an uncontested lead.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Lady Charlotte should offer a very fair price at post time. Play a win bet and structure trifectas using Lady Charlotte and Bay Street strictly on top.
Selections
Win: Lady Charlotte (9) – 35% confidence
Place: Bay Street (6) – 30% confidence
Show: Isabella’s Glory (2) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Yumyum Eat Em Up (3) – 15% confidence
Race 6 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
2:28 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Princess Azara and Bella Mente will likely flash the most early speed, establishing a solid but manageable pace that should give everyone a fair chance.
Key Contenders
Princess Charming saved ground and finished strongly to secure a minor award last out against similar company. The tactical advantage of a clean trip makes this runner the most logical choice. Emma Mermaid was bumped hard at the start and forced wide on the turn in the same race, yet still finished well. With a better beginning, the tables could easily turn today.
Secondary Choices
Princess Azara has been working steadily in the mornings and looks completely ready to fire a big shot in this maiden claiming event. Campaign Mischief drops in class and should find these rivals much easier to handle than previous foes.
Longshots
Red Drapes has struggled to find the wire but could clunk along for a minor share of the purse if the early pace gets too hot.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Box Princess Charming and Emma Mermaid in all exotic wagers. The winner should realistically emerge from this talented pair.
Selections
Win: Princess Charming (8) – 35% confidence
Place: Emma Mermaid (3) – 30% confidence
Show: Princess Azara (1) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Campaign Mischief (7) – 15% confidence
Race 7 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
2:58 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Feels So Right has customary early speed and will look to clear the field immediately from the rail, with Fowl Mouth in close pursuit to ensure an honest tempo.
Key Contenders
Boss Mode used Lasix for the first time and won convincingly last out despite racing wide on the turn. There appears to be plenty of untapped potential here making a repeat victory highly likely. Tactics lost ground racing wide and had to steady before finishing evenly in a very solid effort.
Secondary Choices
Feels So Right deserves a complete pass for the last effort after being checked and shuffled back significantly. If the early speed holds, this runner can definitely take them wire to wire. Prince of Darkness has the back class to compete with these but needs to quickly find peak form.
Longshots
Dancing Denae is an intriguing option for a barn that is currently firing on all cylinders and could easily outrun the odds.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Boss Mode looks much the best in this spot. Single in the late Pick 4 sequence and play aggressive exactas over Tactics and Feels So Right.
Selections
Win: Boss Mode (7) – 40% confidence
Place: Tactics (3) – 25% confidence
Show: Feels So Right (1) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Prince of Darkness (4) – 15% confidence
Race 8 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
3:27 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Old Bay should inherit the early lead by default, but the overall pace going a mile and a sixteenth figures to be relatively soft, favoring forwardly placed runners.
Key Contenders
Bells Beach gets the premium services of a top jockey today and looks perfectly spotted in this allowance event. Dazzy has been a model of consistency for a high percentage barn and always gives a reliable, top effort regardless of the setup.
Secondary Choices
Diamond Sue had to steady from between horses last time out, costing valuable momentum, yet still stayed on willingly for second place. A cleaner trip puts this runner right in the winning mix. The Goddess Factor steps up in class but has the necessary tactical speed to secure a great early position.
Longshots
Audibly could easily outrun the morning line odds if the front runners surprisingly tire late in the stretch.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Bells Beach and Dazzy look like the controlling pair of the race. A heavy exacta box using these two is the highly recommended play here.
Selections
Win: Bells Beach (5) – 35% confidence
Place: Dazzy (4) – 30% confidence
Show: Diamond Sue (1) – 20% confidence
Alternative: The Goddess Factor (3) – 15% confidence
Race 9 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
3:57 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Suremeanttoobe has excellent early foot and will fiercely look to take them gate to wire in this sprint, establishing a rapid early tempo.
Key Contenders
Guaponess drops completely out of stakes company and faces a significantly easier field today. The sheer class relief should be all that is needed to secure a dominant victory. Suremeanttoobe won impressively last out and will be the stubborn target they all have to catch turning for home.
Secondary Choices
Change My World has a powerful late kick and will heavily benefit if the pace gets too hot up front. Medagooch is a consistent type who can always be counted on for a solid effort and a piece of the exotics.
Longshots
Just for the Money draws the rail but will genuinely need a career best effort to upset the heavy hitters in this field.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Guaponess is arguably the best bet on the entire card. Key Guaponess over Suremeanttoobe and Change My World in all exactas and trifectas.
Selections
Win: Guaponess (2) – 45% confidence
Place: Suremeanttoobe (4) – 25% confidence
Show: Change My World (5) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Medagooch (7) – 10% confidence
Race 10 – Laurel Park – Friday, February 13th, 2026
Post Time
4:27 PM EST
Pace Analysis
Map to the Moon will be aggressively sent for speed, while Planet Clare will also be forwardly placed, ensuring a solid pace to close out the card.
Key Contenders
Runsweetly drops in class and possesses the absolute best late pace figures in the field. Although the late rally sometimes falls short against better, this easier group should be well within reach. Map to the Moon can factor early and might just steal the race if left entirely alone on the front end.
Secondary Choices
Scarlet’s Dream draws the inside post and should easily get a dream trip saving ground just behind the early leaders. Meg drops into claiming company today and should greatly appreciate the softer competition.
Longshots
Destination has been away from the races but could absolutely surprise the field if returning in top physical condition.
Betting Strategy and Wagering Angles
Runsweetly should get the absolute perfect pace setup to close into. Play a win ticket and use Scarlet’s Dream underneath in the exotics to close out a profitable day.
Selections
Win: Runsweetly (6) – 35% confidence
Place: Map to the Moon (4) – 25% confidence
Show: Scarlet’s Dream (1) – 20% confidence
Alternative: Meg (7) – 20% confidence
