Pick Pony Mini Tip Sheet for Laurel Park – Racing News and Analysis for March 20, 2026


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Eight races are scheduled at Laurel Park today, covering distances from 5½ furlongs to one mile, all contested on the main dirt surface. The card features a Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 carryover of $19,082 running through races 3-8. Multiple significant scratches have reduced several races to three-horse fields, including Race 2, Race 3, and Race 8. The scratches of Enigmatic from Race 5 and several others fundamentally alter the competitive landscape across the card.

Weather and Track Conditions

Temperatures stood at 44°F at 9:10 a.m. with sunny skies and light southerly winds of 2 mph. Conditions will warm through the afternoon with a projected high of 66°F and south-southwest winds increasing to 12 mph by post time. There is a 7% rain chance through the 2:00-6:00 p.m. window and a 52% chance of showers after 8:00 p.m., meaning the racing surface should remain intact throughout the card. The main track is listed FAST with no turf course available. No weather events have altered the surface from recent days.

Track Bias and Post Position Analysis

Laurel Park has shown a pronounced speed and rail bias in 5½-furlong dirt races, with 42% wire-to-wire winners and the rail post showing the best historical winning percentage. The six-furlong distance shows 32% wire-to-wire victories with a mid-to-outside post advantage, meaning horses in posts 3-6 have been most productive. Over routes of one mile, the 95-foot-wide track provides room for closers to maneuver, with outside posts showing an advantage and only 18% of route winners coming from the two inside stalls.

Jockey and Trainer Highlights

Yedsit Hazlewood leads all riders with 33 wins from 117 starts for a 28% win rate. He rides six horses today including Focusyn (1), Elusive Sionna (3), Laysen (2), Rowsie Express (2), and Galibean (5). His partnership with trainer Jamie Ness runs at 31% win rate. Jevian Toledo carries a 21% win rate and rides Robert's Moon (2) in Race 1. Carlos Eduardo Lopez operates at 19% and pilots Bruno (6) in Race 3 and Bushido (3) in Race 7.

Jamie Ness leads all trainers with 16 wins from 87 starts and saddles Rowsie Express (2) in Race 5 and Laysen (2) in Race 4. Gary Capuano runs at 37% and handles Elusive Sionna (3) in Race 2 with Hazlewood. Anthony Farrior leads in win percentage at 32% but his main entrant Dr. Buzzy (3) is scratched from Race 3. Jose Corrales operates at 18% with multiple runners including Mister Roscoe (6) in Race 4.


Race 1 — Starter Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs, $26,000

Post Time: 12:00 PM

Pace Analysis: Firmantown (6) and Robert's Moon (2) are the identified early speed. If Firmantown gets a clean break, an early duel develops that could set up closers. The pace leans toward honest-to-contested early fractions.

Key Contenders: Focusyn (1) is the consensus top selection with a career-best 85 Beyer figure two starts back and gets leading rider Yedsit Hazlewood from the rail. He is 110 days off his last start but his form two back is the relevant guide. Robert's Moon (2) connects with Jevian Toledo and has sharp recent figures, but his most recent win came in a downgrade scenario with an uncontested lead on a speed-biased track.

Secondary Choices: Brindano (3) was an eye-catching closer last out, making up the most ground despite racing wide. Listed at 8-1, he represents value if the early pace is contested.

Longshots: Firmantown (6) was 4-for-4 in gate-to-wire wins before suffering a defeat due to a starting gate bump and traffic issues. Platform (4) may improve today after racing against the speed bias last time.


Race 2 — Claiming $16,000, 1 Mile, $24,000

Post Time: 12:29 PM

Three-Horse Field: Barbados Bulldog (2) and Kittyup (5) both scratched, leaving Iamdependingonyou (1), Elusive Sionna (3), and Stroll Trippin (4).

Pace Analysis: With only three fillies, the pace will be moderate. Iamdependingonyou and Elusive Sionna are both capable of pressing forward early.

Key Contenders: Elusive Sionna (3) is the consensus top selection with trainer Gary Capuano (37% win rate) and Yedsit Hazlewood aboard. She broke her maiden at today's distance last September and has run well in both starts since returning from layoff. She was outpaced sprinting 6 furlongs last out but galloped out strongly, suggesting the return to one mile will suit her. Stroll Trippin (4) exited the same race and similarly appeared to need the added ground.

Secondary Choices: Iamdependingonyou (1) ran below her usual form last out, possibly disliking the off going. She was not persevered with from the 3/8 pole. If she bounces back on today's fast surface, she is a live contender.


Race 3 — Maiden Special Weight, 5½ Furlongs, $47,000

Post Time: 12:58 PM

Three-Horse Field: Dr. Buzzy (3), Kiss The Ring (4), and R J's Ice (5) all scratched, leaving N.Y. FINEST (1), Big Tiger (2), and Bruno (6).

Pace Analysis: The pace will be dictated by whichever runner breaks alertly. With so few horses, a lone speed scenario is possible, which historically benefits the front-runner at 5½ furlongs.

Key Contenders: N.Y. FINEST (1) carries the strongest credentials, rated 76 with two placed efforts. He tried 1 1/16 miles last out without lasix and struggled; today he returns to his preferred 5½ furlongs and adds Lasix for the first time. Big Tiger (2) is a Vino Rosso gelding making his career debut for trainer Emanuel Geralis.

Secondary Choices: Bruno (6) makes his debut for Daniel Eubanks, whose trainer-jockey combination with Carlos Lopez produced a 50% win rate in the last 21 days. He is an Independence Hall colt bred for dirt sprinting.


Race 4 — Claiming $25,000, 5½ Furlongs, $30,000

Post Time: 1:27 PM

Five-Horse Field: My Boy Bud (4) scratched. This race features a rematch of the top three finishers from March 8 at Laurel.

Pace Analysis: Sticktothesystem (1) set blazing fractions of 22.44 and 46.23 last time that set up closers, was beaten only three-quarters of a length. Feels So Right (3) contested early and gave way. The pace scenario today is genuinely contested.

Key Contenders: Laysen (2) is the consensus top choice. He clearly improved for the addition of Lasix in his maiden-breaking effort, winning going away with energy to spare. Trainer Jamie Ness (meet-leading 16 wins) partners with Yedsit Hazlewood, a combination going at 31% together. Sticktothesystem (1) gets a meaningful pace upgrade after setting suicidal fractions in the prior meeting. If more restrained today, he could control the pace more efficiently.

Secondary Choices: Feels So Right (3) drops from $40,000 company and should contest the early lead. Mister Roscoe (6) won last out but required an extreme wide trip and hot pace setup.

Longshots: Sugar On Fire (5) was shuffled back near the half-mile pole last time and rallied strongly. His effort is upgradable and he represents a live longer price.


Race 5 — Starter Optional Claiming, 1 Mile, $24,000

Post Time: 1:58 PM

Five-Horse Field: Ade (3) and Enigmatic (4) both scratched. Enigmatic, a dominant recent winner, was removed by stewards. Field includes Ginger Girl (1), Rowsie Express (2), It'sfiftyshadetime (5), Why Not Grace (6), and Genieinabridle (7).

Pace Analysis: With Enigmatic scratched, the pace picture opens up. Ginger Girl (1) is a stalker-type and Why Not Grace (6) has produced wire-to-wire victories. The pace will be moderate with no dominant lone front-runner.

Key Contenders: Rowsie Express (2) garners most consensus support in this revised field. She was sharp at this track last fall but has not duplicated that form in 2026. She carries 114 pounds for trainer Jamie Ness with Yedsit Hazlewood aboard. Her ability to sit a ground-saving trip on the inside suits today's one-mile distance. Genieinabridle (7) makes her debut for new trainer Daniel McKenzie off 13 days rest. She lost ground 3-4 wide on the first turn last out and tired late.

Secondary Choices: Why Not Grace (6) from Michael Gorham (24% win rate) earned a slight downgrade from her last win when gifted a perfect trip. She is a legitimate contender who will likely be on or near the front.

Longshots: It'sfiftyshadetime (5) did not receive her preferred setup as a closer last out when the pace was slow. Today's likely faster pace over a longer distance suits her better. Ginger Girl (1) ran far below par last out, stopping quickly. She has shown aversion to off going before, and today's fast track may help.


Race 6 — Maiden Claiming, 6 Furlongs, $22,000

Post Time: 2:28 PM

Seven-Horse Field: Candy Luna (6) scratched by stewards. Field includes I'm A Lil Wicked (1), Onetime For Lar (2), Eimear (3), Fastfeld (4), Galibean (5), Fortune Garden (7), and Kelsey Hill Girl (8).

Pace Analysis: Multiple speed-types will contest the early lead. The bias data showing mid-to-outside post advantage at 6 furlongs suggests horses in posts 3-6 have a historical edge. The pace will be honest, potentially setting up a closer from outside.

Key Contenders: Kelsey Hill Girl (8) draws the widest post but garners significant support as the consensus top choice. She rallied well for third in her last start despite a strangely run race. She could improve in her second start off the bench. Fastfeld (4) has hit the board in her last four starts, most recently closing well for second. Her consistency is notable in a maiden field, and the fourth post position suits the 6-furlong distance.

Secondary Choices: Eimear (3) received time off following a dismal January effort and has recorded Beyer figures in the 60s in two prior dirt starts. She has Lasix on today and gets Paul Luna aboard.

Longshots: I'm A Lil Wicked (1) from the Annette Eubanks barn carries reduced weight with Jose Vargas on a 3-pound claim. Galibean (5) runs for Carlos Mancilla with Hazlewood aboard.


Race 7 — Starter Optional Claiming, 6 Furlongs, $37,000

Post Time: 2:58 PM

Four-Horse Field: Backnthewoods (1) scratched by regulatory vet. Field includes Don't Wait Up (2), Bushido (3), Uncle Cat (4), and Radical Right (5).

Pace Analysis: Bushido (3) is the controlling front-runner. He blew the doors off rivals in his first start off the Lacey Gaudet claim, setting fast fractions and drawing off under a mild hand ride. The pace scenario will be modestly fast with Bushido controlling the tempo, potentially setting up closers if he goes too fast.

Key Contenders: Don't Wait Up (2) has finished second in each of his last four starts and has run Beyer figures of 88 or higher in three of those races, the best consistent figure in this field. Trainer Ferris Allen and jockey JG Torrealba handle this consistent performer. His last effort included a slight bump at the top of the lane that knocked his back end momentarily off track. Bushido (3) is the likely favorite for trainer Lacey Gaudet after his gate-to-wire win showed athleticism and tactical speed. Carlos Lopez (19% win rate) is aboard.

Secondary Choices: Radical Right (5) drops in class after multiple tries in second-level allowance company. He was noted for lugging out persistently in his last race. From his outside post today without rail support, his tendency to lug could be a concern.

Longshots: Uncle Cat (4) gets Andres Chavez and trainer Somraj Singh (12% win rate). He has been competitive at this level and can close from off the pace at 6 furlongs.


Race 8 — Maiden Claiming, 1 Mile, $22,000

Post Time: 3:27 PM

Three-Horse Field: Edelweiss (3) and Kitty's Son (5) both scratched, leaving Railroad Inn (1), Soo Handsome (2), and Under The Rug (4).

Pace Analysis: Soo Handsome (2) has raced close to or near the pace in recent starts and may default to the early lead without pressers. Railroad Inn (1) has both the best early and late pace figures in the field.

Key Contenders: Railroad Inn (1) is the consensus top selection with seven in-the-money finishes in 13 career starts. He is in quickly improving form with the best early and late pace figures in the field. Trainer Kenneth Cox and jockey Andres Chavez are the connections. This represents a now-or-never spot for a horse with clear ability who has not yet won. Soo Handsome (2) may take the lead by default in this small field and extend through the lane. If he gets a soft, uncontested lead, the one-mile distance could work in his favor.

Secondary Choices: Under The Rug (4) carries 126 pounds for trainer Eveline Kjelstrup and jockey Tais Lyapustina (6% win rate). He is a deeper closer who will need the two rivals to tire in front of him.

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