Laurel: Turf racing returns, “thankfully”
Eight weekend races slated for the lawn
The Biz
April 9, 2026
“We bring back turf racing this weekend, thankfully,” Maryland Jockey Club president Bill Knauf told the state Racing Commission Wednesday.
Thankfully is right: after averaging just 5.7 starters per race over the last month-and-change, there are 21 runners entered in the two Friday turf events.
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The first of those — Friday’s opener at Laurel Park — is a 1 1/16-mile claiming event for fillies and mares that, on paper, looks like a competitive way to kick off the 2026 grass season.
At the head of the market is Cha Cha Chukka, the 9-5 morning-line favorite for trainer Jamie Ness. A two-time winner on turf, the 5-year-old mare brings a class edge, having faced significantly tougher company at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and Kentucky Downs last year. While her recent form on dirt at Parx was dull, she lands in a softer spot here and should appreciate the class relief.
Her main rival could be Divining Smile (3-1), a consistent sort who has yet to break through on grass but has hit the board in five of six turf tries. She exits a trio of solid efforts against similar company and owns one of the better late pace profiles in the field, suggesting she’ll be running on late if the tempo is honest.
Also in the mix could be I’m a Sure Thing (7-2). The Horacio De Paz trainee has been first and second in two local turf starts, has outings that would win here, and owns the tactical speed to work out a trip. Angel Cruz will ride.
Among the longer-priced runners, Hockey (15-1) is something of a wild card. She has shown early speed and even wired a field two starts back on a wet track, but her limited turf résumé and tendency to fade late raise questions about her ability to see out the trip on grass.
Bossy Jeans (20-1) is another who figures to be involved early. A recent gate-to-wire winner at Charles Town, she has plenty of turf experience but has struggled to finish against similar competition, often weakening in the final furlong.
A more intriguing price play may be Hazelmoor Beach (15-1), a veteran with extensive local turf experience. While her recent form is uninspiring, she has back races that fit and could clunk up for a share if the pace melts down.
Later, in the sixth of eight races, a dozen are entered in a 5 ½-furlong maiden special weight test on the turf. The Graham Motion-trained Vinalia, winless in eight career outings, has been tabbed as the 9-5 morning line favorite.
But the return to turf — and fuller fields — is the real headline. The track, which was off the turf just one day during turf season in 2025, has carded eight turf contests for opening weekend, including five in nine races Sunday.
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