Unlock the other 5 races on today's card, plus AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet ticket construction.

The winner is in our top 4 picks 75% of the time, across 17 tracks.

Daily Picks

Laurel Park Picks & Predictions — September 11, 2026

September 11, 20268 racesAll Laurel Park picks

Laurel Park puts an 8-race card on the table this Friday, September 11th, and the conditions are about as cooperative as Maryland gets in early fall — cloudy skies, a comfortable 76°F, and no rain in the picture to mess with the turf. That matters today because five of eight races are carded on the grass, meaning surface quality is front and center in your handicapping.

The card mixes claiming and starter optional claiming races on the front end with a pair of allowance-level bouts in the back half — including what shapes up as the best race of the day in Race 8. Unbeatable earned a flat 90.0 TrackWiz rating, the highest on the card, and hits the board at even money on the morning line. That kind of number at that price deserves your full attention.

Three races are open to all TrackWiz readers today. Races 4 through 8 are part of our premium full-card breakdown — more on that below.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:00 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

A wide-open turf sprint with two clear TrackWiz rating standouts pulling away from the pack — but there's enough pace pressure from the middle of the field to make this competitive top to bottom.

win1HoppetosseML 9/2

Hoppetosse tops our TrackWiz ratings at 84.9 and draws the rail in a field that sets up nicely for a stalking type. Xavier Perez is in the irons, and with an 18% career win rate, this horse has shown a consistent knack for hitting the board. The 9/2 morning line is fair value for the highest-rated horse in the race. In a turf sprint at 5.5 furlongs, pace can be everything, and Hoppetosse's position in the running style should allow a clear run to the wire.

place6BrocktonML 4/1

Brockton is right behind Hoppetosse in our ratings at 80.77 and is another horse that looks well-suited to this trip on the turf. The 4/1 morning line on a horse rated second-best in the field makes the place ticket very attractive for exacta and trifecta construction. Angel R. Rodriguez provides a competent pilot, and a 12% career win rate in a field this competitive still represents solid reliability.

show5Gimme Two ShotsML 2/1

Gimme Two Shots is the morning line favorite at 2/1 and carries a 74.47 TrackWiz rating — strong enough to hit the board even if the win-pick is out of reach. The short price reflects public confidence, and Jose E. Vargas is a busy rider in this meet who knows how to save ground on turf. For exotic bettors looking for a trifecta key, this one belongs in the bottom slot.

Race 2

4:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Veneto looks like a dominant class standout in this six-furlong dirt claimer, but the real intrigue is whether a pair of capable closers can catch the favorite if the pace scenario plays out.

win3VenetoML 7/5

Veneto's TrackWiz rating of 89.42 towers over every other horse in this six-horse field, and the 7/5 morning line reflects that the market agrees. Leandro M. Briceno picks up the mount, a capable rider who should settle Veneto into a good position early. The 6-furlong dirt distance is a sharp, pace-dependent trip, and a horse with this kind of raw rating advantage should be able to dictate terms or respond to pressure. At near even money it's not a value play, but it's the kind of confident top-choice bet that anchors your exotics.

place5Karma's InthehouseML 6/1

Karma's Inthehouse is our value play here at 6/1 on the morning line with a 76.81 TrackWiz rating — second-best in the field by a meaningful margin. Jevian Toledo is one of the sharper riders at this meet, and a horse with that caliber of pilot at a price deserves respect in the place slot. The 5% career win rate may look thin, but the underlying rating says this one is capable of running well beyond that win percentage.

show6Uncle ZebML 8/1

Uncle Zeb slots in third in our ratings at 72.41, and at 8/1 there's legitimate show value here for trifecta players. Paul A. Luna gets the call, and trainer Juan Bacallao Vega has reason to believe this horse can compete at this level. With Veneto likely drawing most of the attention, exotics that include Uncle Zeb in the third slot offer attractive payouts if the top two hold serve.

Race 3

5:04 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

Claudee Boy stands out on ratings in this turf sprint, but Wora's 20% career win rate and the morning-line favorite Tiz No Clown make this a three-way showdown worth watching closely.

win3Claudee BoyML 4/1

Claudee Boy leads all horses with a 85.62 TrackWiz rating and posts the best average speed figure in the field at 57, matching Point Liam for top speed but holding the edge on overall rating by a wide margin. Jean Gregor Briceno gets the mount, and trainer Hassan Elamri puts this horse out at 4/1 — fair odds given the rating edge. The 5.5-furlong turf trip is quick enough that a horse with legitimate early foot and a sound rating advantage should be tough to catch.

place5WoraML 9/2

Wora brings a 20% career win rate — tied for the top mark in the field — and a 60.03 rating that slots in solidly as our second choice. Trainer Renaldo Richards has this one primed off a 9/2 morning line, and Leandro M. Briceno is a rider who tends to get the most out of turf horses in sprint situations. The pace scenario could help Wora, as there's enough early speed in this field to set up a closer.

show2Tiz No ClownML 2/1

Tiz No Clown is the morning-line favorite at 2/1 and carries a 59.53 TrackWiz rating — just a tick behind Wora. Tais Lyapustina has been riding with confidence and should have this horse well-placed early in the 5.5-furlong sprint. Even if Claudee Boy dominates up front, Tiz No Clown's public support suggests enough ability to grab a share, making the show slot a reasonable hedge in the exotics.

Our free coverage today spans the first three races — two turf sprints sandwiched around a 6-furlong dirt test. Hoppetosse opens the day at 9/2 on the morning line in Race 1 with an 84.9 rating, offering legitimate value if the pace sets up right on the turf. Veneto is the standout in Race 2 on the dirt at 7/5, backed by the strongest rating of the free trio at 89.42 — when a morning-line favorite carries that kind of number, the market is usually on to something. Claudee Boy rounds out the free card in Race 3 at 4/1 in another turf sprint, a solid price for a horse rated 85.62.

The through-line in the free races? Speed figures reward pace pressure on Laurel's turf course when the ground is firm, and cloudy, mild conditions today should keep things consistent from race to race. Don't just play the individual picks — watch how the pace scenarios in Races 1 and 3 develop, because what you see early on the turf could inform your approach to the grass routes later in the card.

Send me tomorrow's free Laurel Park card before post time.

Free picks in your inbox each morning. No card required, unsubscribe anytime.

Full Card Analysis

Race 4

5:35 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Do It for Michael enters this six-furlong dirt starter optional claimer with a commanding rating advantage, but Artillery Gunnar's elite career win percentage makes the second slot anything but automatic.

win1Do It for MichaelML 8/5

Do It for Michael paces this field with an 89.12 TrackWiz rating and an outstanding 28% career win rate — one of the highest conversion numbers in today's card. Taylor Kingsley takes the mount for trainer Lacey Gaudet, and the 8/5 morning line signals strong public confidence. The six-furlong dirt distance is a prime setup for a horse with this kind of rating edge, and at that career win percentage, this one consistently delivers when asked.

place8Artillery GunnarML 4/1

Artillery Gunnar brings an eye-popping 35% career win rate, second only to Miles Ahead's 36% in this field, and a solid 62.25 TrackWiz rating. Leandro M. Briceno is an experienced hand who should keep this one in the mix, and trainer Jose Corrales has multiple horses working on this card today — a sign of a barn in good form. At 4/1, Artillery Gunnar offers real value in the place slot and makes a logical exacta partner with the top pick.

show4Without PretenceML 8/1

Without Pretence carries a 58.17 rating and slots in at 8/1 on the morning line, representing genuine show value in a race where the top two are well above the field. Andre Shivnarine Worrie gets the call for trainer Charlton Baker, and a 13% career win rate is workmanlike for a horse at this price. For trifecta players, Without Pretence is a logical bottom-rung inclusion that pays well if the favorites hold the top two spots.

Race 5

6:06 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

It's a wide-open maiden turf mile with 14 first-time-win-seekers, making this one of the toughest puzzles on the card — but three horses separate themselves from the pack on TrackWiz ratings.

win9Plenty On TapML 4/1

Plenty On Tap tops our ratings at 85.62 and draws program number 9 — a workable post in a wide turf field at a mile. Jorge Ruiz is in the saddle for trainer Tim Woolley, who has familiarity with this type of horse at this distance. In a maiden field where every horse is still looking for win number one, rating edges become even more important, and Plenty On Tap's lead over the next-best competitors is meaningful. The 4/1 morning line offers solid value for a horse with this kind of score.

place8StarmetalML 3/1

Starmetal sits right behind Plenty On Tap with a 71.97 TrackWiz rating and draws post 8 in a field that figures to spread out nicely on the turf. Gavin Ashton picks up the mount for trainer Michelle Nihei, and the 3/1 morning line reflects legitimate public respect. This horse's average speed figure of 53 is competitive in context, and in a maiden field this large, horses near the top of the ratings tend to find their way into the exacta.

show11Red SeaML 3/2

Red Sea is the morning-line chalk at 3/2 with a 71.41 TrackWiz rating — essentially a coin flip with Starmetal for second-best in the field. Horacio Karamanos handles the mount, a proven turf rider who should have Red Sea in a good spot at the mile. Even at a short price, including Red Sea in the show slot of trifectas makes sense given the depth of the field and the horse's consistent rating profile.

Race 6

6:37 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

Nothinglesswilldo holds a clear rating edge over a competitive allowance turf field at 1 1/8 miles, but a 33% career win rate and a sharp second choice make this a race to attack in the exotics.

win6NothinglesswilldoML 7/2

Nothinglesswilldo leads this field by a comfortable margin with an 86.35 TrackWiz rating and a remarkable 33% career win rate — the horse simply wins at a high clip. Jose E. Vargas has been one of the busiest and most effective riders on this card, and trainer Mary E. Eppler puts this one out at a generous 7/2 morning line given the rating superiority. The 1 1/8-mile turf distance rewards horses that can sustain a pace, and Nothinglesswilldo's profile checks all those boxes.

place7Put a Rock On ItML 5/2

Put a Rock On It rates out at 70.74 — second in the field — and Horacio Karamanos is a savvy turf pilot who will give this one every chance to hit the board at the longer distance. The 5/2 morning line makes this a pricey place bet on its own, but the horse's credentials in an allowance field at 1 1/8 miles on turf are solid. For exacta players, the 1-2 combination with Nothinglesswilldo looks like the foundation of a logical ticket.

show4Magic BeamML 10/1

Magic Beam is a sneaky-good inclusion at 10/1 morning line with a 61.88 TrackWiz rating — third-best in the field and well-clear of the rest. Gavin Ashton takes the mount for trainer Elizabeth M. Merryman, and a 20% career win rate suggests this is a horse that shows up when conditions are right. At that price, trifecta tickets that include Magic Beam in the show slot offer meaningful upside if the top two hold their spots.

Race 7

7:08 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Zero Blitz is one of the most statistically dominant horses on today's card, entering this one-mile dirt allowance optional claimer with elite ratings and a jaw-dropping career win percentage — but the pace setup could get spicy.

win6Zero BlitzML 9/5

Zero Blitz is the star of this race — an 88.83 TrackWiz rating combined with a 57% career win rate is exceptional, and the 9/5 morning line reflects that. Jorge Ruiz gets the call for trainer Joanne Shankle, and this horse's average speed figure of 56 is the best in the field by two ticks. At a mile on dirt, a horse that wins at better than half its starts and rates this well should be tough to run down. This is the kind of top selection you structure your ticket around.

place5WorcesterML 7/2

Worcester slots in at second in our ratings with a 79.29 score and brings a 30% career win rate to this allowance optional claimer. Xavier Perez has a comfortable relationship with trainer Jamie Ness — who also sends out Adero in this race — and the 7/2 morning line represents genuine value for the second-best rated horse in the field. If Zero Blitz gets hung wide or faces pressure, Worcester is ideally positioned to benefit.

show4DerbynessML 8/1

Derbyness rates third in our analysis at 78.8 and carries an impressive 34% career win rate — an angle that shouldn't be ignored in an optional claiming race where class matters. Sheldon Russell is aboard for trainer Brittany T. Russell, a husband-wife jockey-trainer combo that tends to fire fresh. The 8/1 morning line makes Derbyness a sharp trifecta inclusion for players who want the high-conversion horses stacked in the bottom slots.

Race 8

7:39 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

Unbeatable lives up to its name on the ratings sheet — the highest TrackWiz score of any horse on today's full card — but Daring Venture's profile gives this turf sprint at least one legitimate threat.

win1UnbeatableML EVN

Unbeatable carries a 90.0 TrackWiz rating — the top mark across all eight races today — and backs it up with a 40% career win rate and an average speed figure of 58, best in the field by a full point. Jevian Toledo is one of the sharpest riders on this circuit, and trainer Ethan W. West puts this horse out at even money, which is where the public usually ends up on a horse this dominant. In a 5.5-furlong turf sprint, a horse with this combination of raw speed and elite win conversion is the kind of bet you make with confidence, even at a short price.

place7Daring VentureML 7/2

Daring Venture is the clear second choice in our analysis with an 80.14 TrackWiz rating and a strong 28% career win rate. Sheldon Russell takes the mount for trainer Brittany T. Russell — the same sharp combo we noted in Race 7 — and the 7/2 morning line is legitimate value for a horse rated this well. If Unbeatable stumbles or gets a rough trip, Daring Venture is the horse most equipped to exploit it.

show4Golden DescentML 6/1

Golden Descent checks in third in our ratings at 75.51 with a 22% career win rate and an average speed figure of 57 — competitive with the top two. Kevin Gomez handles the mount for trainer Caitlin Keil, and the 6/1 morning line gives trifecta players a reason to include this horse in the third slot without breaking the bank. In a field that tilts heavily toward the top two, Golden Descent at that price is a value-conscious hedge that could pay nicely.

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

Today at Laurel comes down to a turf-heavy card where pace and surface read are everything. Veneto is the clearest free-play best bet, Unbeatable headlines the premium card with that spotless 90.0 rating, and there's exotic ticket value hiding in the back half for subscribers willing to dig in. Free picks are live now — and if you want the full picture on all 8 races, the complete breakdown is available to TrackWiz subscribers at /pricing. Good luck at the windows.

← All Laurel Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 8 races free