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

First post time: 12:00 p.m.

Carryovers (mandatory payouts in all wagers): 
Chesapeake Jackpot Pick 6 (races 3-8) — $7,342
Jackpot Super High 5 (race 6) — $2,083
Early Pick 5 (races 1-5) — $0
Late Pick 5 (races 4-8) — $0

This article contains affiliate links. If you click and buy, we may earn a commission at no extra charge to you.

Check out our other handicapping here!

RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

5-7-3-1

#5 My Life Story (6-5) kicked away to clear his non-winners of two condition impressively on the Turfway Park synthetic last out. In his last grass start, which came at Aqueduct last fall, he missed by a neck despite a very wide trip. Mike Maker shipped him here in search of an easy place to clear his non-winners of three condition, and it looks like he’s found it. #7 Great Artist (9-2) showed a good closing kick here last year, but didn’t always get to show it, considering he was often facing much better fields than this one. He was in improving form last fall, and looks poised to run a career-best race first off the bench. #3 Watch Out World (5-1) tracked the pace and faded behind a better field than this one last out, but at least gets class relief at this condition in his third start of the year.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

1-6-2-4

#1 It’sfiftyshadetime (7-2) was well-beaten in her last few starts, but made a sneaky-good rally for fourth against better last out. In a race where many of the top contenders look like speed-and-fade types, she’ll be poised to take advantage when they tire. #6 Ade (9-5) has been in consistently sharp form all year, save for two starts back when she was forced to check out of contention against a better field. This looks like the perfect type of spot for her. #2 Dubstep (3-1) is one of the aforementioned speed horses I don’t entirely trust, but she did show tactical speed to win by open lengths last October, so the ability to last is in there somewhere.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

3-1-4-6

#3 Mille McCall (7-2) won the battle but lost the war first time on dirt last July. She sat off the pace and finished well-clear of the rest of the pacesetters, but was outkicked by last-to-first closer Silly Lily and forced to settle for second. In her first start off a seven-month break last out, she swerved out at the break and was no factor behind much better horses than these. Look for a dramatically improved effort today. #1 Valerie Street (1-1) is firmly in “professional maiden” territory. She’s hit the board in her last six dirt starts without a win to show for it. She did improve second off a 4 1/2-month break last out when she chased the pace and finished second, but she’s burned too much money for me to use on top. #4 Belle’s Baby (6-1) switches back to dirt and drops to a career-low level second off a three-month layoff. She’s lightly-raced and has some glimmers of promise, making a respectable late rally when well-beaten in that aforementioned grass effort last out.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-2-3-4

#5 Red Spittfire (2-1) sat a perfect trip and converted to clear his non-winners of two condition in easy fashion last out. The second and third-place finishers, Italian Wine and Manseeyasway, returned to finish first and second, respectively, in the same race on April 25. This one has been in career-best form lately, with his three best brisnet figures coming within his last three races. #2 Searcy (7-5) and #3 Ellinger (5-1) were second and third in this class on April 12. Ellinger showed his usual early speed before tiring to third. Searcy won the battle but lost the war, as while he came from off the pace and finished five lengths clear of Ellinger, he was outkicked for the win spot by City Panda. Still, a similar dynamic should unfold between these two, which gives Searcy the edge.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-1-4-3

#2 Printrack (5-2) showed no signs of rust off a 14-month layoff last out. He went gate-to-wire at Parx over the very sharp Harp’s Hot Corner with a 91, his best figure in a long time. The only threat to another gate-to-wire win is #1 Prado Road (3-1). He lasted through an early duel to beat first-level allowance rivals two starts back, and while he couldn’t handle the heat on a step up in class last out, he looks fast enough to tangle with Printrack and hold his own. If those two burn each other out, look for #4 Take a Hint (7-5), who also has abundant speed but can rate and run well if needed, to pick up the pieces. Yedsit Hazlewood picked this Gary Capuano trainee over Jamie Ness-trained Printrack, who he rode to victory last out.

RACE 6: STARTER ALLOWANCE $7,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

5-4-3-6

#5 Kerness K (6-5) has won his last three starts in contemptuously easy fashion. He came from further off the pace than usual last out, but drew away to win by 9 1/4 lengths, the biggest margin yet in his winning streak. He’ll be another very low price, so the best move with him is to single in the late pick 4 or late pick 5 and move on. #4 Waldrip (8-1) has great tactical speed and strong closing kick, which he’s used to finish in the exacta in his last six dirt starts. He raced wide throughout last out and finished a clear-cut second to Masakado, who won going 1 1/8 miles next out. While his recent races have been further than this, he is undefeated at the distance, breaking his maiden going seven furlongs at Remington Park in December 2023. #3 Artillery Gunnar (20-1) was off-form for most of 2025, but put it together second off the bench last out with a dramatic, great-trip victory with a career-best 86. He’ll try to work out another good setup here and try to outkick everyone except Kerness K.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-RESTRICTED, 1 MILE (GRASS)

1-7-2-8

#1 Magical Mondays (9-5) makes his first start of the year. He ran a respectable fourth in the Maryland Million Turf last out behind the impressive winner, Coringa, as well as classy rivals Youknownothing and Jack’s Legend. He’s run an 85 three times in his last four starts and gets Jorge Ruiz, who’s ridden him in both of his victories, back aboard. #7 Dalinar (5-2) has spent most of his time running in one-turn races, but he did go gate-to-wire around two turns last year, and will certainly be able to set the pace here. From there, it’s a matter of how long he can last. #2 Brighty (10-1) ran well on grass last out, opening a long stretch lead, only to get run down by the sharp Graham Motion trainee Longhi. He’ll get another great trip off the pace, and there’s no Motion trainees to worry about in this spot.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-6-5-3

#1 Knucker Puck (12-1) got into a duel and faded first off a six-month break last out. He’s relatively lightly-raced, ran in the upper-60s with consistency just over a year ago, and should get closer to his best form second off the bench. #6 Railroad Inn (1-1) has run in the mid/upper-70s in his last two sprint races, which should bury these. However, he’s disappointed at low odds in his last few starts, and he might want more distance than he’ll get here. Buyer beware at a short price. #5 Flying to Work (5-2) also loves coming close and never winning, but he always hangs around late and is a must-use in any vertical play.

21+ where applicable. Please bet responsibly. Need help? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling.

CHECK OUT THE LATEST OFF TO THE RACES RADIO!