Daily Picks

Laurel Park Picks & Predictions — September 20, 2026

September 20, 202610 racesAll Laurel Park picks

This card ran on September 20, 2026.

Best bets at Laurel Park, September 20, 2026

Race 16CordovaML 3/112:00 PM EDT

Race 2 is free with an account, and the other 8 races are for members.

A free account opens race 2 too. Premium opens all 10, with AI ratings on every runner and SmartBet, which splits one bet across the horses you like.

Last 30 days at Laurel Park: our top pick won 16 of 67 races (24%) and finished in the money in 46.

Join Free See plans · from $9.99

Laurel Park goes to the gate for a full 10-race Sunday card on September 20th under cloudy skies and a comfortable 77°F. Conditions are ideal for the turf-heavy afternoon — five of today's ten races are contested on the grass, and with no rain in the picture, we'd expect firm, consistent going throughout.

The card has real range: a pair of maiden specials to kick things off, a trio of claiming sprints sandwiched around an allowance optional claiming on the turf, and a genuine value puzzle in Race 8 where allowance company meets a field that looks beatable at double-digit odds. There's something here for every kind of player, from the casual win-bet fan to the multi-race exotics grinder.

TrackWiz has combed through the full card and flagged ten top picks, including a few morning-line overlays that deserve serious attention. Three races are open to everyone — no subscription required — and our premium analysis covers the remaining seven in full depth.

Best Bets

Race 1

12:00 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Turf

A wide-open maiden turf mile with no prior winners in the field — the morning line spreads from 3/1 to 30/1, and at least three horses are separated by just a few rating points at the top.

win6CordovaML 3/1

Cordova draws the most favorable TrackWiz rating in the race at 56.67 and goes off as the morning-line favorite at 3/1 with Jevian Toledo in the irons — a rider who knows how to navigate turf miles. Trainer Michael Stidham has a solid reputation conditioning turf maidens, and Cordova's profile fits a horse that should be hitting a peak effort here. In a field where no one has broken their maiden yet, the combination of top rating and live connections makes Cordova our best bet to break through first.

place10Waves of SuccessML 7/2

Waves of Success (10) posts a 55.83 TrackWiz rating and is sent off at 7/2 on the morning line with Jorge Ruiz up for trainer Michael J. Trombetta, who runs a sharp operation at Laurel. The 53 average speed figure keeps her in the conversation, and the Trombetta barn is always worth respecting on the grass — if Cordova gets caught, Waves of Success profiles as a natural place finisher.

show5Gold BrewML 4/1

Gold Brew (5) at 4/1 morning line sits third in our ratings at 55.0 and brings a 54 average speed figure into this maiden turf mile for trainer W. Robert Bailes. Forest Boyce takes the mount, and at a competitive price, Gold Brew is a sensible third choice who could easily hit the board if the top two get tangled up in pace dynamics.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 2: Free with an Account

Race 2

12:39 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A six-furlong dirt claiming sprint where Tasty Time stands apart on ratings but is priced short — the intrigue is whether Why or Sweet Honey Bee can knock off the top pick at a better price.

win5Tasty TimeML 2/1

Tasty Time (5) is the clear top selection here, carrying the field's best TrackWiz rating of 88.54 and the highest average speed figure at 55. Jose E. Vargas gets the call for trainer Kenneth M. Cox, and a 15% career win rate in a claiming field is solid. At 2/1 on the morning line, you won't get rich, but this is the kind of dominant rating edge that's hard to fade in a six-furlong dirt sprint.

place1WhyML 4/1

Why (1) counters with a 77.59 rating and a career win percentage of 22% — the best win rate in this field — for trainer Hugh I. McMahon and jockey Charlie Marquez. A 22% win rate suggests this mare knows how to hit the wire first, and at 4/1, she's a legitimate contender who could push Tasty Time all the way to the wire.

show4Sweet Honey BeeML 6/1

Sweet Honey Bee (4) at 6/1 morning line comes in with a 76.28 TrackWiz rating, just behind Why on our numbers, and trainer Ashley Stees sends her out with Kevin Gomez in the irons. She's an intriguing exotics piece at a price — if the top two tangle on the front end, Sweet Honey Bee has the profile to pick up a piece of this short field.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 6 runners

The first three races are on us. We open on the turf mile with Cordova (3/1 ML, TrackWiz rating 56.67) in a maiden special weight — a tricky spot to gauge, but our analysis likes the profile. Race 2 flips to the dirt for a six-furlong claimer where Tasty Time posts the highest TrackWiz rating of the three free picks at 88.54 and goes off as the 2/1 morning-line favorite — that's the kind of alignment between our numbers and the crowd that we like to see. Then in Race 3, turf router Rio Grande (7/2 ML) returns to the longer 1 1/16-mile trip that suits his style.

The through-line on the early card: the turf is playing consistently and closers have room to work on the longer routes. Keep an eye on pace in these maiden events — fields without much experience can string out early and leave the door open for stalkers making one sustained run.

Free with an account

Open the next race free

A free account opens the first 2 races at every track, and every race at our Track of the Day. No credit card needed.

Create a free account Sign in

Full Card Analysis

Race 3

1:07 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

Two horses — Rio Grande and Resolute — tower over this maiden turf field on our ratings despite very different morning-line prices, setting up a potential value play beneath the surface of the favorite.

win9Rio GrandeML 7/2

Rio Grande (9) earns the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 78.0 and goes off at 7/2 with trainer Brittany T. Russell and jockey Sheldon Russell — a potent husband-and-wife barn that consistently shows up at Laurel. A 54 average speed figure is right in line with the top of this field, and the Russell barn's familiarity with the Laurel turf course is a genuine edge in a maiden field that's largely unproven.

place2ResoluteML 10/1

Here's the value angle: Resolute (2) is listed at 10/1 on the morning line but carries a 76.88 TrackWiz rating — just a fraction behind Rio Grande. Trainer John C. Servis is a respected conditioner who routinely develops turf horses, and Luis M. Ocasio gets the mount. The double-digit morning line on a horse this close to the top of our ratings screams overlay — Resolute belongs in every exotic play you make in this race.

show5Souper Cha ChingML 9/5

Souper Cha Ching (5) is the morning-line favorite at 9/5 for the Trombetta barn with Forest Boyce up, which demands attention despite a 58.67 rating that ranks third in our model. Trombetta consistently fires at Laurel on the turf, and if the pace sets up favorably, this one has enough class to close into a placing spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 4

1:37 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

The six-furlong dirt claiming race features a fascinating split between the morning-line favorite On the Level and our top-rated horse Leonidas Stand — expect a pace battle and a potentially rewarding outcome if the chalk gets outrun.

win6Leonidas StandML 5/1

Leonidas Stand (6) posts the field's highest TrackWiz rating at 84.17 and carries a 20% career win percentage for trainer Brandon L. Kulp with Jomar Torres up. The 5/1 morning line looks generous against a horse sitting this comfortably atop our model, and a 54 average speed figure keeps him competitive in a short-field sprint. This is the definition of a value play hiding behind an even-money favorite — TrackWiz analysis puts Leonidas Stand clearly on top.

place2CoperniumML 3/1

Copernium (2) is impossible to ignore with a 55% career win percentage — by far the highest in this field — and a TrackWiz rating of 78.55. Trainer Anthony R. Margotta Jr. saddles a horse that has clearly been in a winning groove, and Charlie Marquez takes over in a spot where class and experience could prove decisive. At 3/1, there's some value here if Leonidas Stand gets shuffled back.

show3BeltaneML 9/2

Beltane (3) checks in at 9/2 on the morning line with the field's top average speed figure at 56, which matters over six furlongs on Laurel's dirt. Trainer Anthony Aguirre Jr. sends Jeiron Barbosa out on a horse whose raw speed numbers suggest he can be on or near the lead — making him a natural exotics piece and a live show play.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 5

2:09 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

A full field allowance optional claiming sprint on the turf at 5.5 furlongs — Harewood dominates our ratings but faces a big field with multiple horses sporting 100% career win percentages, making pace projection tricky.

win4HarewoodML 2/1

Harewood (4) is the standout in this race by our model, posting an 86.61 TrackWiz rating — the highest in the field by a significant margin — and going off at 2/1 morning line for trainer Brittany T. Russell with Sheldon Russell in the saddle. A 33% career win rate on what appears to be a competitive résumé and a 55 average speed figure round out a strong profile. The Russell barn is in good form at Laurel and this looks like a horse they're pointing to win.

place8Freedom HallML 8/1

Freedom Hall (8) is the TrackWiz value angle here at 8/1 morning line — a 67.21 rating and a 33% career win percentage suggest a horse with genuine ability, and trainer Michael J. Trombetta rarely shows up at this distance without a plan. Jorge Ruiz gets the mount, and in a wide field where pace could get messy, a stalker type with those credentials has every reason to be involved at the end.

show9MontourML 9/5

Montour (9) goes off at 9/5 on the morning line and brings a 58.67 TrackWiz rating with a 100% career win percentage — albeit in a limited sample — for the Russell barn with Sheldon Russell up. With the same trainer as our top pick, these two could team up to dominate the exotics, and Montour's raw winning profile makes the show position an accessible landing spot.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 12 runners

Race 6

2:41 PM EDT

Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

A massive 15-horse turf claiming sprint where Yo Adrian stands out clearly on our model — but with this many runners, pace will be chaotic and bombs are very much in play.

win7Yo AdrianML 5/2

Yo Adrian (7) is the clear top pick with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating — the highest in this deep field — and goes off at just 5/2 on the morning line, suggesting the crowd agrees. Trainer Brittany T. Russell deploys Sheldon Russell from post 7, a workable spot in a sprint, and a 15% career win rate is respectable in open claiming company. The 57 average speed figure ties for the field's best, and in a short field where early speed rules, Yo Adrian has everything working.

place11ThisishowwedoitML 6/1

Thisishowwedoit (11) brings legitimate credentials at 6/1 — a 76.83 TrackWiz rating, a 28% career win percentage, and the field's top average speed figure of 57 shared with a handful of others. Trainer Mark V. Salvaggio puts Jomar Torres up on a horse that profiles as a pace presser who could be sitting on the shoulder of the leader at the quarter pole. In a field this big, getting 6/1 on a horse this close to the top of our ratings is a genuine overlay.

show1ACelestial SpeedML 10/1

Celestial Speed (1A) draws in as the stablemate to Conceptualize under trainer Brandon L. Kulp, and at 10/1 morning line with a 70.09 rating, this entry represents solid exotics value. A 20% career win rate and 55 average speed figure suggest a horse who can earn a check in a competitive spot — and with Vincent Cheminaud in the irons, the connections clearly believe in the entry.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 15 runners

Race 7

3:14 PM EDT

Rating Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

The one-mile Rating Optional Claiming on dirt features Ineedyoubabe as our top-rated horse but posted at a generous 5/1 — with Dyna Soar as the likely morning-line choice, there's a clear divergence between the crowd and TrackWiz analysis.

win5IneedyoubabeML 5/1

Ineedyoubabe (5) tops our model at 84.17 and brings a remarkable 55% career win percentage — the highest in this field by a wide margin. Trainer Anthony Farrior sends Jeiron Barbosa out on a horse that clearly knows how to win races, and 5/1 on the morning line for a horse this dominant in our ratings is exactly the kind of overlay TrackWiz analysis is designed to find. The one-mile dirt trip should suit a horse with this kind of proven winning ability.

place6Golden Eib MicrphnML 9/2

Golden Eib Micrphn (6) pairs a solid 76.50 TrackWiz rating with a 34% career win percentage — the second-best win rate in the field — for trainer Jonathan Maldonado with Wilfredo Corujo up. At 9/2 morning line, there's legitimate value here, and a horse with a 34% strike rate has no business being this far down the board relative to our top pick.

show3Dyna SoarML 5/2

Dyna Soar (3) is likely to be the public's choice as morning-line second choice at 5/2, carrying a 72.21 TrackWiz rating and a solid 23% career win percentage for trainer Michael Dini with Julio A. Hernandez up. While our model rates Ineedyoubabe and Golden Eib Micrphn above Dyna Soar, a 23% win rate at this class level and a legitimate speed figure of 53 make this a natural show play for those who want to cover the public side.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 8 runners

Race 8

3:45 PM EDT

Allowance · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

The allowance turf route at 1 1/16 miles features a legitimate overlay situation — Let's Dance Again tops our ratings at 8/1 while Unwavering Monarch draws more public support at 3/1 despite a lower TrackWiz number.

win7Let's Dance AgainML 8/1

Let's Dance Again (7) is the TrackWiz top pick at a tasty 8/1 morning line, carrying a 79.79 rating — the highest in the field — along with a 33% career win percentage that speaks to legitimate form. Trainer Jonathan Maldonado sends Ismerio Villalobos out on a horse whose profile fits a closer in an allowance turf route, where the ability to sustain a run through the final turn is crucial. Getting the top-rated horse in the field at 8/1 is a gift — this is the best bet on the card for value seekers.

place1FinchML 6/1

Finch (1) rates second in our model at 73.69 and draws the rail for trainer Sarah Nagle with Jorge Ruiz up. A 20% career win rate in allowance company and a 57 average speed figure — the highest in the field — give Finch a speed profile that could get her to the front early and steal this race if allowed a soft lead. At 6/1, she's a strong place candidate.

show6DevastatingML 6/1

Devastating (6) checks in at 68.21 on our model and is a 6/1 shot for the W. Robert Bailes barn with Jevian Toledo taking the mount. A 17% career win rate and 54 average speed figure are workmanlike numbers, but Toledo is a strong rider who finds a way to place horses — and at 6/1, Devastating offers a solid show price in an allowance field where the top three are bunched within range.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 10 runners

Race 9

4:13 PM EDT

Rating Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

A tight six-furlong dirt sprint in Rating Optional Claiming company — Change My World leads our model but is a double-digit morning-line overlay, while Faster Gator figures to be backed heavily as the 8/5 favorite despite lower ratings.

win2Change My WorldML 9/2

Change My World (2) tops this field with an 84.90 TrackWiz rating — well clear of the field — and goes off at a surprising 9/2 on the morning line, suggesting real value against a public that seems to be gravitating toward Faster Gator. Trainer Mary E. Eppler puts Angel Cruz on board, and a 55 average speed figure ties for the best in the race. A 12% career win rate may look modest, but our model says this is the best horse in the race, and the price makes her the most compelling win bet on the card.

place7GatsbyML 7/2

Gatsby (7) carries a 76.95 TrackWiz rating and a 20% career win percentage for the Jamie Ness barn, with Jaime Rodriguez — one of the stronger riders at Laurel — in the saddle. Ness and Rodriguez are a formidable combination, and at 7/2 on the morning line, Gatsby profiles as a horse the barn expects to be in the thick of this sprint at the wire.

show1All the HardwaysML 3/1

All the Hardways (1) draws the inside post with a 71.64 rating and a solid 24% career win percentage for trainer A. Ferris Allen III with Jeiron Barbosa up. A 55 average speed figure ties him with the top horses in this race on raw numbers, and at 3/1 morning line, he's a natural show anchor who could easily run into a placing spot if Change My World runs off and Gatsby hits trouble.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 7 runners

Race 10

4:47 PM EDT

Starter Optional Claiming · 1 mi · Turf

A full-field starter optional claiming turf mile to close out the card — Wetherby leads our ratings at 5/1 while Voluntary is the 3/1 morning-line pick, creating an interesting trifecta puzzle with Cross of Valor as a third player.

win9WetherbyML 5/1

Wetherby (9) is our top pick with an 84.17 TrackWiz rating — tied for highest in the field — and goes off at 5/1 for trainer Suzanne Stettinius with Jorge Ruiz in the irons. A 33% career win percentage is excellent for optional claiming company, and a 55 average speed figure places Wetherby solidly at the top of the pace distribution in this field. Getting 5/1 on the top-rated horse with these credentials is exactly the kind of play TrackWiz analysis is built to surface.

place7VoluntaryML 3/1

Voluntary (7) is sent out by trainer Michael R. Matz — a recognized turf conditioner — at 3/1 morning line with Julio A. Hernandez up, carrying a 78.90 TrackWiz rating and a 16% career win rate. A 53 average speed figure is slightly off the top, but Matz horses in turf routes at Laurel tend to be fit and professional, and Voluntary should find his way into the top three.

show5Cross of ValorML 7/2

Cross of Valor (5) posts a 72.72 TrackWiz rating and goes off at 7/2 morning line for trainer A. Ferris Allen III with Mychel J. Sanchez aboard. Despite a modest 5% career win rate, the rating suggests a horse that performs better than his win record indicates — possibly a consistent placer — and at 7/2 in a full field, the show price should be attractive for trifecta construction.

Live odds, scratches and ratings for all 11 runners

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

A deep turf card, a standout speed figure in Race 2, and a legit 8/1 shot in the day's marquee allowance — Laurel Park is bringing the goods this Sunday. Start with Tasty Time in Race 2 as your anchor, trust Rio Grande in Race 3 on the turf, and let our premium analysis do the heavy lifting on the back half of the card. Good luck out there — race smart.

← All Laurel Park picks & predictions