Daily Picks

Laurel Park Picks & Predictions — May 31, 2026

Sunday, May 31, 202610 racesLaurel Park

Sunday at Laurel Park is about as good as it gets for late-May racing in Maryland — clear skies, a comfortable 69°F, and firm turf conditions that should reward horses with a tactical kick. Ten races are on the board today, split evenly between dirt and turf, which gives handicappers plenty of surface switches and pace dynamics to exploit.

What makes today's card genuinely interesting is the turf-heavy lean — six of the ten races land on the grass, including a pair of allowance sprints and a classic 1⅛-mile route in Race 7. When the turf is playing fast on a dry, clear afternoon like this, closer types tend to get a little more runway and front-runners can get caught. Keep that in mind as you build your tickets.

Our TrackWiz ratings have identified some sharp spots up and down the card. Three full breakdowns are free for everyone today, with seven premium race analyses waiting for subscribers behind the paywall. Let's set the table.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:00 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 6 fur · Turf

A wide-open Starter Allowance on the turf where the top of the TrackWiz ratings is spread across three horses — but one stands out with a commanding edge in overall score and a jaw-dropping win percentage.

win6GripenML 7/2

Gripen (#6) is the class of this field by our metrics, posting a TrackWiz rating of 86.35 — a full 10-plus points clear of the second-ranked horse. That 40% career win rate is elite for any level, and trainer W. Robert Bailes has Jeiron Barbosa in the irons for what looks like a serious effort at 7/2 on the morning line. Six furlongs on the turf is a distance that rewards horses who can balance speed with tactical efficiency, and Gripen's average speed figure of 55 fits this field well.

place4Diane LeeML 7/2

Diane Lee (#4) carries a 75.42 rating and an average speed figure of 56 — actually the highest in the field alongside Carolina Sun — making her a natural backup play at 7/2. The 14% career win rate is modest, but in a race with pace questions, Milan Milosevic's runner could easily be sitting on a clean trip off the pace. She's worth including in exacta constructions beneath Gripen.

show9She CalledML 5/2

She Called (#9) checks in with a 69.31 rating and a 15% career win rate, but it's the 5/2 morning line from trainer Jamie Ness that catches the eye — that's a competitive price suggesting connections expect a forward effort. Jockey Mychel J. Sanchez is a reliable hand on this circuit, and if she fires her best, a piece of the purse is well within reach.

Race 2

4:32 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A maiden claiming sprint on the dirt that features a heavy favorite with a massive ratings gap over the field — the question is whether the price is worth playing or if you hunt for exotics underneath.

win6Flying to WorkML 3/2

Flying to Work (#6) lands on top with a 89.27 TrackWiz rating — by far the best figure in a relatively thin maiden field — and trainer Jonathan Maldonado puts Jevian Toledo up, one of the sharper jockey-trainer combinations working Laurel right now. The 3/2 morning line reflects chalk status, but that rating gap over El Papacito (68.04) and Q Got Hops (60.89) is hard to dismiss. In maiden claiming sprints on the dirt, horses who project this far ahead on ability metrics tend to convert.

place3El PapacitoML 5/1

El Papacito (#3) is our place pick at 5/1, posting a 68.04 rating — second-best in the race by a meaningful margin. Jean Gregor Briceno takes the mount for trainer Somraj Singh, and with an average speed figure of 53 matching the consensus pace of the field, he shouldn't be far off the tempo. At 5/1, he's solid value in exactas if Flying to Work does the expected.

show4Q Got HopsML 9/2

Q Got Hops (#4) sits third in the ratings at 60.89 and is stablemate to El Papacito under trainer Somraj Singh. Matilda Burnham gets the call, and while the 51 average speed figure is the second-lowest in the field, this is a wide-open maiden bottom and that rating holds up fine for a show ticket. The 9/2 morning line is reasonable for a horse that might benefit from company tactics with her stablemate.

Race 3

5:04 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

A full field of 12 in a turf claiming sprint creates a chaotic pace scenario, but one horse separates herself on the ratings by a wide margin and comes with a top connections edge.

win2Roadrunner the CatML 2/1

Roadrunner the Cat (#2) dominates this field with an 88.54 TrackWiz rating — more than 16 points ahead of the next competitor — and trainer Brittany T. Russell sends out a runner who carries a 28% career win rate, one of the best in a deep field. Jevian Toledo is aboard, and that rider-trainer combination is worth noting at Laurel. At 2/1 on the morning line, she's not going to make you rich, but the ratings edge is too large to fade.

place7Beyond QuestionML 3/1

Beyond Question (#7) rates second at 72.18 and comes in at 3/1 under trainer Michael J. Trombetta, a respected name at this level. Jorge Ruiz takes the mount, and a 5½-furlong turf sprint favors horses who can find a forward spot early — the 56 average speed figure here ties for the best in the field alongside Air One and Roadrunner the Cat. He's the logical backup in exactas and quinellas.

show1SweeterthanwhiskeyML 7/2

Sweeterthanwhiskey (#1) posts a 63.29 rating with an average speed figure of 57 — the joint-highest figure in the race — which suggests she may be capable of a faster effort than her overall rating implies. Trainer Georgia D. Andreadakis draws the rail, and Jose E. Vargas gets the call at 7/2. She's a natural show hedge in a wide field where pace can get messy from the start.

The first three races give us a nice cross-section of what Laurel is serving up today. Gripen tops our board in the Race 1 Starter Allowance on the turf at 7/2 morning line — that's a price we're happy to take given the TrackWiz rating of 86.35 in what figures to be a wide-open sprint. On the dirt, Flying to Work comes into the Race 2 Maiden Claiming as a deserving morning-line favorite at 3/2, posting our highest free-race rating of the day at 89.27. Don't let the short price scare you off — there's a real chance this horse runs away from a weak field. And in Race 3, Roadrunner the Cat at 2/1 headlines a turf claiming sprint at 5½ furlongs, a distance that can expose horses who aren't sharp early. The pace setup in that race is worth watching closely.

One thread connecting all three free picks: they're all projecting well on surfaces that should be playing true today. No rain, no slop, no excuses — the cream should rise on a card like this.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:34 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

This 6-furlong dirt claiming race shapes up as a three-horse battle at the top of the card, with the morning-line favorite carrying the highest rating in the field and legitimate class credentials.

win7EcumenicalML 9/5

Ecumenical (#7) leads all horses with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating and posts a 23% career win rate, which is strong for a claiming level. Trainer Hugh I. McMahon puts Mychel J. Sanchez up — Sanchez is one of the busiest and most effective riders on this circuit — and the 9/5 morning line reflects just how much the connections expect here. The 54 average speed figure fits the field's overall profile, and on a fast dirt track over six furlongs, this horse projects to run a forward race.

place6Estilo MagicoML 2/1

Estilo Magico (#6) is second on the ratings at 79.62 and shows a 55 average speed figure — the best in the race — suggesting there's raw pace ability here that may not be fully priced in at 2/1. Julio A. Hernandez rides for trainer James M. Casey, and a horse with that speed figure who finds a smooth trip in the first fraction could certainly threaten Ecumenical late. He anchors the place spot in exotics.

show5City PandaML 5/2

City Panda (#5) rates third at 62.9 and comes at 5/2 for trainer Jonathan Maldonado, who is one of the more active conditioners on this card today. Raul E. Mena is up, and while the 13% career win rate is modest, the horse is priced affordably relative to the two standouts. In a race where early pace could benefit a stalker, City Panda is a reasonable show play to round out your tickets.

Race 5

6:05 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Turf

A competitive 10-horse turf claiming sprint where the favorite has a clear ratings edge but double-digit morning-line longshots lurk at value prices — including one whose rating doesn't match his odds at all.

win6FrappartML 5/2

Frappart (#6) is the standout here with an 86.21 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win rate, but what really jumps off the page is the 57 average speed figure — highest in the field by multiple lengths. Trainer Katharine M. Voss sends out the horse with Jevian Toledo in the irons, a jockey who clearly gets prime mounts when he's at Laurel. At 5/2, the price is fair for a horse this far ahead of the pack on pure speed metrics.

place10Stay in TuneML 12/1

Stay in Tune (#10) is the surprise of this ticket — a 73.96 TrackWiz rating is second-best in the field, yet trainer Kieron Magee's runner sits at 12/1 on the morning line. That's a significant disconnect between our rating and public price, and Jorge Ruiz takes the mount, a jockey capable of navigating a large turf field from the outside post. At those odds, he's an excellent value play underneath Frappart in exactas.

show3NieceyML 4/1

Niecey (#3) checks in third on ratings at 60.45 with a 4/1 morning line under trainer Richard P. Sillaman. Daniel Centeno rides, and a horse with an 11% career win rate at this level isn't flashy — but that number in a turf claiming sprint just means consistency, not ceiling. She rounds out a show ticket at a price that makes the trifecta worth building.

Race 6

6:38 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 7 fur · Dirt

Seven horses line up in a Starter Optional Claiming sprint on the dirt where the favorite carries a commanding rating, but the place and show horses offer genuine value at double-digit and near-double-digit prices.

win5FightertownML 2/1

Fightertown (#5) tops the field at 88.54 with an 18% career win rate and draws Forest Boyce, a jockey with solid Laurel Park form in the irons. Trainer Lacey Gaudet saddles this horse at 2/1, and in a Starter Optional Claiming race — a condition that blends horses who've run for a tag with those stepping up or down in class — Fightertown's edge on raw rating is significant. The average speed figure of 53 won't blow anyone away, but this race isn't about blazing fractions, it's about class edge.

place3Just for the MoneyML 12/1

Just for the Money (#3) is a genuine value angle here — a 70.27 rating for a horse sitting at 12/1 on the morning line represents a real gap between our numbers and the public's opinion. Trainer Gina Perri keeps the horse in familiar territory, and Matilda Burnham takes the call. With an 18% career win rate, this horse has shown the ability to get to the wire, and at those odds, tossing her into exactas beneath Fightertown is a no-brainer.

show8BigtontenML 7/2

Bigtonten (#8) posts a 67.91 rating with a 20% career win rate — one of the better career percentages in this field — and trainer Phillip Capuano puts Jose E. Vargas up at 7/2. Capuano also runs White Series in this race, giving the barn a two-pronged attack worth monitoring. Bigtonten's combined rating and career win percentage suggest he's capable of hitting the board consistently, making him a solid show play and trifecta component.

Race 7

7:10 PM EDT

Starter Allowance · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

Eleven go in this Starter Allowance stretch test at 1⅛ miles on the turf — a distance that separates the stamina horses from the sprinters — and the ratings are tightly bunched at the top, setting up an intriguing race.

win4Put a Rock On ItML 7/2

Put a Rock On It (#4) leads our ratings at 86.35 — tied for the top score on today's card in the starter allowance division — and Jose E. Vargas takes the mount for trainer Kieron Magee. The 19% career win rate is respectable, and the 54 average speed figure holds up well in this field at 1⅛ miles on grass. Distance capability is everything in a route like this, and our analysis favors this horse to stay on at the longer trip.

place10BodecreamML 3/1

Bodecream (#10) comes in at 79.06 with a 21% career win rate — the best career win percentage among our top picks in this race — and trainer Jamie Ness sends out Mychel J. Sanchez from post 10. Outside posts in turf routes can be a concern, but Sanchez is experienced enough to find a comfortable spot. At 3/1, there's fair value here for a horse whose win rate suggests he converts regularly when the conditions are right.

show3Class PhotoML 5/2

Class Photo (#3) rates third at 75.77 and posts a 35% career win rate — the highest in the entire race field by a wide margin. Trainer Suzanne Stettinius sends out Forest Boyce at 5/2, and while the rating trails the top two picks, that win percentage is a number you can't ignore. A horse that wins more than one in three starts deserves to be on your trifecta ticket at almost any price.

Race 8

7:42 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Turf

An allowance sprint on the turf where the 8/5 favorite has a clear ratings advantage, but the real intrigue is in the secondary picks — particularly a horse with a 40% career win rate at 7/2.

win7Big EarnML 8/5

Big Earn (#7) heads into this allowance field with an 89.12 TrackWiz rating — tops in the race — and trainer Michael J. Trombetta, who is no stranger to placing horses at the right spot and at the right time. Jorge Ruiz gets the call at 8/5, and while the morning line makes this a short-priced single, the rating justifies the confidence. The 16% career win rate is fine for an allowance runner, and the 55 average speed figure is solidly in range for this group.

place4Clawless BritML 7/2

Clawless Brit (#4) is the horse of the race on career win percentage — 40% is exceptional at any level — and trainer Brittany T. Russell puts Sheldon Russell up at 7/2. A 81.83 TrackWiz rating makes her the second-ranked horse in the field, and for a race where the favorite is relatively short, she offers the best combination of form and price for exacta players. Don't sleep on this one.

show5Lady EnsignML 5/2

Lady Ensign (#5) rounds out our picks at 74.23 with a 57 average speed figure — the highest in the entire race — which suggests she has the raw pace capability to be involved early and potentially get a piece late. Trainer Hugh I. McMahon sends her out with Mychel J. Sanchez at 5/2, and in a competitive allowance field, a horse with that kind of speed figure who finds a clean trip should be knocking on the door.

Race 9

8:14 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 1/16 mi · Dirt

Eight horses go long on the dirt in this allowance mile-and-sixteenth, and the ratings are impressively tight at the top — three horses within about 10 points of each other, making pace scenario critical.

win5Tuff LuckML 9/2

Tuff Luck (#5) tops our picks with an 84.90 rating despite going off at 9/2 on the morning line — our second-highest-rated horse in the race sits as a mid-priced overlay, and that's the kind of situation TrackWiz analysis is built to find. Trainer Hugh I. McMahon has Jorge Ruiz in the irons, and a 18% career win rate in an allowance route suggests this horse has proven it can get the job done at distance. The value here is real.

place2GuaponessML 2/1

Guaponess (#2) rates second at 78.49 and is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 under trainer Jamie Ness with Mychel J. Sanchez up — two of the sharper connections on this card pairing up. The 18% career win rate matches Tuff Luck's, but the shorter price means the value plays better in second. His 53 average speed figure is one of the better numbers in this field, and he should be forwardly placed from the start.

show8Dolice VitaML 7/2

Dolice Vita (#8) posts a 76.31 rating with a 24% career win rate — both solid marks — and trainer Robin L. Graham sends out Forest Boyce at 7/2. In a tightly contested allowance route where three horses are within striking distance on ratings, Dolice Vita's career win percentage suggests she's a consistent performer who finds a way to hit the board. She's your trifecta safety valve here.

Race 10

8:46 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

The finale is a maiden claiming route on the turf — a classic guessing game with career win percentages all at zero — but ratings and speed figures tell a clear story about which horses project to run fastest.

win9Flamenco StarML 8/5

Flamenco Star (#9) lands atop our ratings at 89.12 — a commanding number in a wide-open maiden field — and trainer Jorge Duarte, Jr. puts Julian Pimentel up at 8/5 on the morning line. In maiden races, where past results are limited, our model's ratings carry extra weight, and an 89-plus score over a 10-horse field is a significant edge. The 54 average speed figure is right in the pack, but the rating suggests there's more ability here than the raw figures reveal.

place3Golf Cart RyderML 4/1

Golf Cart Ryder (#3) is our place pick at a very reasonable 4/1 under trainer Michael J. Trombetta — a barn with a track record of debuting horses properly. Jorge Ruiz takes the call, and a 78.01 rating with a 55 average speed figure — the best in the race — gives this horse legitimate pace credentials. If Flamenco Star gets the win, Golf Cart Ryder projects as the most likely second horse based on both rating and raw speed.

show5Shakin My HeadML 5/1

Shakin My Head (#5) rates third in the field at 70.75 with a 53 average speed figure under trainer Keri Brion, a capable conditioner with turf horses on this circuit. Martin Chuan rides at 5/1, and while all horses in this maiden field are winless, that rating separates this horse from the mid-pack cluster. In maiden claimers going long on the grass, pace scenarios can be chaotic — having a 70-plus rated horse at 5/1 as your show anchor is a smart play.

Premium Content

Get the Full Card Analysis

Unlock expert picks for every race, detailed speed figures, trainer angles, and our SmartBet recommendations.

View Plans Sign In

Bottom line: Laurel is giving us ideal conditions and a card with genuine depth today. Flying to Work is the standout free play, Gripen offers value on the grass, and Roadrunner the Cat rounds out a strong opening trio. For the full 10-race card — pace projections, exotic structures, and every premium pick — subscribers have everything they need waiting inside TrackWiz. Good luck out there, and as always, bet responsibly.

← Back to all picks

Best Bets

Race 1↗

Race 2↗

Race 3↗

Full Card Analysis

Get the Full Card Analysis

Race 1

Race 2

Race 3