Laurel Park picks and ponderings: October 26, 2025 * The Racing Biz

Laurel Park picks and ponderings: October 26, 2025

John Piassek
October 26, 2025

In which we pick the races from Laurel Park each day…

First post time: 12:10 p.m.

Carryovers:
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 6-11) — $6,108
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $1,334
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 7-11) — $0

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-3-4-8

#13 Shear Magic (7-2) broke his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion two starts back, then led most of the way and finished a respectable third in his first start against winners. He should be fine despite his far outside draw, considering there isn’t much speed to his inside. #3 Agent Kelly (5-1) is the only one of these to run a brisnet figure of at least 75 in each of his last two starts. He was in the mix until late at this level as the favorite, and he once again has a chance at a better price. #4 Corrected Pedigree (9-2) outfinished Agent Kelly by a nose last out. He lagged behind most of the way that day, but got the picture late and made good ground in the center of the track. He’ll have to move sooner to win this one, but should still be good for at least a small slice.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-6-7

#2 Pit Stop Man (9-2) beat similar types two starts back with a perfect stalk-and-pounce trip. He was a total non-factor on grass last out, but he’s always been a better horse on this surface. In a race where no one except the top pick has consistently solid form on dirt, #1 Citizen K (5-1) is intriguing. He missed the board in two dirt races earlier in his career, but he ran some solid races on grass throughout the Mid-Atlantic over the summer, including two wins. He’s taking a drop in price after facing $10,000-$12,500 types for most of the year and gets Yedsit Hazlewood aboard. #6 Pudge Boy Palace (10-1) showed speed and faded going 1 1/16 miles against a better field last out. He’s more at home going shorter, and that’s what he gets to do today. He’s getting his fourth jockey in as many starts; in this case, 10-pound bug Pedro Pena.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

5-6-2-11

#5 Bourbonator (9-5) has run in the 80s in each of his last two starts. No one else has run even at least a 75 in each of their last two races. He also has the best late pace figures in the race and is dropping in class from better starter optional claiming types. #6 Blackthorne Brusca (10-1) took advantage of a very fast early pace to break his maiden at ninth asking last out. He’s never had much early speed, but his late kick has gotten better and better as the year has gone on. As such, he might be a late threat even if the pace isn’t as electric. #2 Keen Surge (9-2) made a promising move on the far turn in his most recent start, but he was done in by an overland trip and faded. He should be able to save more ground here and work out a better trip.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

5-8-4-1

#5 On a Proud Note (2-1) has won back-to-back races and has hit the exacta in five straight. A claim on her was voided by the vet in her last win on September 12, but she came back to the worktab a few weeks later and drilled four furlongs in a strong 48 ⅖. As long as whatever ailed her on that September afternoon has passed, she’ll be very hard to beat. #8 Anotherhope (4-1) has also been in sharp form as of late. She’s won two of her last three starts, including a win against these types last out. If you don’t quite trust On a Proud Note, this one is the best alternative. #4 Ade (6-1) was fourth in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap behind a trio of rivals who are far superior to anyone in here. She tends to make moves from midpack that fall short but are good for a smaller share.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

12-1-5-8

#12 Biscuitwiththeboss (5-1) was stakes-placed twice against fellow 3-year-olds earlier this year, and handled her first try against her elders with ease in victory last out. Her three best figures have come in her three starts on this track. #1 Casa Juanita (5-1) just missed at five furlongs two starts back at Penn National, and ran a game second going two turns here last out. She rallied well from off the pace, but finished second behind a favored Graham Motion-trained runner who exploded from last. #5 Gastown Babe (7-2) hasn’t won in almost three years, but she’s faced much better rivals than these for most of that stretch. She was no threat in three starts this year, however, each time she ran figures that would beat these.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-5-2-12

After an impressive maiden win at Parx, Butch Reid thought enough of #1 Flyin Hawaiian (9-2) to give him a shot in the Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga. It didn’t quite work out, but if you cross out that line, he looks like much the best in this spot. #5 Hell Ofa Hillbilly (6-1) ran a big race in the Maryland Million Nursery last out. He raced wide on the pace and hung around gamely, beaten only two lengths. #2 Worker Bee (12-1) hasn’t raced since his maiden-breaking win in May, when he battled on the pace and drew off to beat well-regarded stablemate Let’s Go Lando. Notably, Yedsit Hazlewood was named on both this one and fellow Gary Capuano trainee Hollywood Import, but landed on this one when final choices were made.

RACE 7: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

6-1-10-7

#6 Don’t Tell Kelly (10-1) is another one who’s been butting heads with better for a while, and now drops further from the $20,000 starter optional claiming level after running against second-level horses most of the year. She could probably stand to be a bit closer to the pace than she’s been, but still a repeat of any of her last few wins this. #1 Solving Progress (6-1) comes out of the same race as Don’t Tell Kelly. She tried to chase a loose leader who set fast early fractions, couldn’t do it, and faded. Now, she looks like the controlling speed from the inside. #10 White Lilacs (3-1) also has potent early speed, and has shown the ability to run well from on or off the pace. Even if Solving Progress beats her to the punch early, she can press and pounce.

RACE 8: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-6-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-4-5-1

#3 Caitlin the Great (7-2) has rallied well and just missed in her first two starts at six and 6 ½ furlongs. She should relish the long one-turn mile stretch. #4 Love You More (4-1) ran into the flashy firster Shout to the Lord in her local debut last out. If you take that rival out of the mix, this one’s effort that day looks a lot better; she made a strong move to the lead on the turn and outkicked the rest by more than five lengths. She’ll try to take another step forward second time in the Horacio De Paz barn. #5 Ruby Street (20-1) didn’t take to the lawn at all last out, but has worked well since and should improve second time out for the respected Mike Stidham barn.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-8-4-3

#5 Billionaires Row (9-2) has won two of his last three starts while working his way up the class ladder, and ran a huge second in his only defeat in that stretch. Look for him to make the early lead and run them off their feet. #8 Won an Award (6-1) has held his own against these types going long all year, and now cuts back from 1 1/16 miles. He might be more potent going one turn. His dam was stakes-placed six times in grass sprints, and his half-sister, Venetian Harbor, won three graded stakes races going short on both dirt and grass. #4 Great Idea (4-1) closed for third at 17-1 in the Maryland Million Turf Sprint last out. He hasn’t been able to break through against these types, but he often runs well and gets a share at a good number.

RACE 10: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

2-6-7-5

#2 Zero Blitz (3-1) loves this track, with a 4-for-4 record here, all of them by open lengths. He’s held his own all summer long out of town, but should really shine on his return to his favorite place. #6 Optical Bijou (9-5) won in determined fashion at Delaware Park last out. He rated in midpack, battled down the stretch with favored Eastbostonbenny, and ultimately prevailed by a half-length. He’s regained his best form after a flat start to the season. #7 War Master (8-1) is 2-for-3 at this distance, and undefeated when he gets to run it on a fast track. He hasn’t done much going longer in his last few starts, but improved form is likely with the cutback.

RACE 11: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-5-3-2

#7 The Commack Kid (4-1) showed some late kick in his career debut in February at Fair Grounds. He was entered to return on the grass at Delaware in late September, but the race was washed away to dirt. Stidham kept him in, probably just wanting to get a race into him, and he stopped badly after showing speed. Nonetheless, it served as a perfect prep for today, and he looks poised for a big effort. #5 Oxford Union (8-1), has run virtually identical races in his last three starts. He sits way behind the early pace, makes a big late move, and hits the board. He’s a good type to key underneath. #3 Redemption Speight (5-2) has run well against better in his last few starts, including a respectable second last out at the Meadowlands behind New York shipper Captcha. This will be his first start for the Terri Pompay stable.