Unlock the other 7 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 — October 18, 2026

October 18, 202610 racesAll Laurel Park picks

Clear skies and a crisp 54°F greet us at Laurel Park on Sunday, October 18 — ideal conditions for a full 10-race dirt card. When the weather cooperates like this in mid-October, the track typically comes up fast and consistent, and that's good news for speed horses looking to wire the field.

Today's card runs the gamut from Maiden Claiming sprints to a mile-and-an-eighth test for maidens, with a pair of Allowance Optional Claiming races (Races 3 and 9) that should attract some of the sharpest horses on the grounds. There's something here for every kind of bettor — short-priced standouts, mid-card value plays, and at least one longshot angle worth exploring.

TrackWiz analysis covers all 10 races. The first three are on the house — full breakdowns available to every reader. Races 4 through 10 are unlocked for subscribers, including pace projections, exotic ticket structures, and our best multi-race wager recommendations.

Best Bets

Race 1

4:00 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A wide-open maiden claimer on the dirt sprint where TrackWiz ratings reveal a surprising top horse sitting at 8/1 — the morning line favorite doesn't match the numbers here.

win8Sugar BushML 8/1

Sugar Bush draws our top rating at 78.45 in a field where the chalk comes in well below that mark, and trainer Juan Bacallao Vega sends her out with Emanuel Rosario in the irons — a combination that commands attention. Her average speed figure of 52 is modest, but in a maiden field where several horses have no recorded figure at all, she's got a measurable edge in experience. At 8/1 on the morning line, this is genuine value if the TrackWiz model is right. The pace scenario in a 10-horse sprint should set up nicely for a horse with a legitimate figure to roll late.

place2Last Hot LoverML 5/1

Last Hot Lover is the morning line second choice at 5/1 and earns a solid 71.41 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field. She shares trainer Kathleen O'Connell with Kelly's Hardheaded, and Forest Boyce is a capable hand in the mid-Atlantic. An average speed of 54 gives her a slight edge in raw figures over several rivals, making her a logical place anchor in exotics.

show7HadidML 7/5

Hadid is the morning line favorite at 7/5, trained by Arnaud Delacour — one of the sharper outfits at Laurel — and posts the top average speed figure in the race at 55. His TrackWiz rating of 59.33 is respectable but notably trails both Sugar Bush and Last Hot Lover, which is why he slots third in our analysis despite being the public's choice. He's a safe show ticket and a key underneath in exacta and trifecta plays.

Race 2

4:32 PM EDT

Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Kwan looks like the class of this claiming field and is tough to beat, but She's a Dancer lurks as a serious price threat that the win-only crowd may sleep on.

win1KwanML 8/5

Kwan is as dominant a top selection as you'll find anywhere on this card — a 89.12 TrackWiz rating combined with a stunning 66% career win rate makes her the clear standout in this six-furlong claiming field. Trainer Michael V. Simone hands the reins to Angel Cruz, and the 8/5 morning line reflects the public's respect, though the underlying numbers suggest even that price might be generous. She's been here before and knows how to close the deal.

place7She's a DancerML 8/1

She's a Dancer is the genuine value play in Race 2, earning a 77.62 TrackWiz rating while sitting at 8/1 on the morning line — a meaningful gap between her rating rank and her odds. Trainer Anthony Pecoraro sends her out with Emanuel Rosario, and a 33% career win rate tells you this horse shows up on talent days. In a six-furlong sprint on the dirt, she has the speed figures to be competitive and should factor strongly for second money.

show5Brown Sugar BettyML 5/2

Brown Sugar Betty posts a 66.67 TrackWiz rating alongside a 33% career win rate, making her a legitimate threat to hit the board at 5/2. Trainer Antonio Machado puts Jaime Rodriguez up, and her average speed of 53 is right in line with the field median. She's a natural show play and a solid exacta underneath for bettors looking to spread.

Race 3

5:04 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

Creed's Vision looks like a standout in this allowance optional claimer, but Barbados Buzz's elite win percentage injects real pressure into what could have been a walkover.

win4Creed's VisionML 3/2

Creed's Vision tops the TrackWiz ratings at 89.27 and is trained by Arnaud Delacour, who has already shown up twice on this card — a barn clearly firing. Jorge Ruiz gets the call in the irons, and the 3/2 morning line reflects legitimate confidence from the oddsmakers. His average speed of 57 ties for the top mark in the field, and in a 5.5-furlong sprint, that early tactical speed advantage could be decisive from the gate.

place5Barbados BuzzML 2/1

Barbados Buzz deserves serious respect — a 66% career win rate is the highest figure posted by any horse in this race, and Sheldon Russell riding for trainer Brittany T. Russell is a barn-and-rider combo that wins races together. At 2/1 on the morning line, she's not a throwaway price, but her 72.41 rating and elite win percentage make her a logical place anchor. If the pace scenario sets up favorably, she could easily flip the order.

show7Where's RayML 6/1

Where's Ray checks in with a 53.42 TrackWiz rating and a solid 28% career win rate, offering some mid-pack value at 6/1 on the morning line. Trainer Megan Salzman puts Joseph Rocco, Jr. up, and his 57 average speed figure ties with the top runners. He's the right horse to round out a trifecta underneath two heavy hitters.

Our three free races open the card with a nice mix of conditions. Race 1 is a 5½-furlong Maiden Claiming sprint where Sugar Bush (morning line 8/1) pops as an intriguing overlay — if you're hunting value early, that's the kind of price worth circling. Race 2 tightens up with Kwan coming in as the 8/5 morning line favorite going 6 furlongs, posting one of the stronger TrackWiz ratings (89.12) among the day's free-access picks. Race 3 steps up in class to Allowance Optional Claiming, and Creed's Vision (3/2 ML, 89.27 rating) looks like the one to beat going 5½ furlongs — a tight morning line, but the number backs it up.

With the track expected to play fast on a clear, cold afternoon, front-runners and pace pressers will have every opportunity. Keep an eye on early fractions in Race 1 — how the dirt plays in the opener can tell you a lot about what to expect the rest of 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

5:36 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Think Pink's TrackWiz rating towers over this maiden claiming field, but the 7/2 morning line suggests the public already knows — the real question is who has the legs to hit the board behind her.

win6Think PinkML 7/2

Think Pink is the clear top selection here, posting an 86.35 TrackWiz rating in a field where no other horse cracks 71. Trainer Kieron Magee and jockey Horacio Karamanos team up in what looks like a well-spotted effort, and even with a modest average speed of 52, her overall profile dwarfs the competition. In maiden claiming company, a horse with this kind of rating separation rarely needs much help from the pace scenario to prevail.

place8Stoic ReserveML 6/1

Stoic Reserve earns a 70.62 TrackWiz rating — second best in the field by a clear margin — and trainer Hamilton A. Smith sends out Jose E. Vargas at 6/1 on the morning line. Her average speed of 53 is competitive, and with the top horse likely drawing early attention from bettors, Stoic Reserve could offer real place value for those willing to look past the favorite.

show2Sugar CookieML 5/2

Sugar Cookie comes in at 5/2 on the morning line, which tells you the oddsmakers like her, and her 57.5 TrackWiz rating ranks third in the field. Paco Lopez is one of the sharper riders in this circuit, and trainer Lindsay Schultz spots her here at a winnable level. Without a recorded average speed figure, there's some uncertainty, but the odds and rating combination makes her a reasonable show play.

Race 5

6:09 PM EDT

Claiming · 1 mi · Dirt

Fifteen horses going a mile in claiming company creates a traffic minefield — pace will be messy, and the horse with the highest ceiling rating at 5/2 looks like the way through it.

win15Vaya JeffeML 5/2

Vaya Jeffe leads all horses in this massive 15-runner field with an 87.81 TrackWiz rating, and trainer Anthony Farrior sends him out with Jeiron Barbosa at a fair 5/2 on the morning line. A 27% career win rate in claiming company shows he's competitive on his best days, and at one mile on the dirt, horses that can settle and accelerate tend to have an edge in big fields. This is the play to key in exotics across the board.

place2CoperniumML 6/1

Copernium is the most intriguing supporting piece in this race — a 50% career win rate is an extraordinary figure that suggests he wins when he shows up ready. Trainer Kieron Magee (also firing with Think Pink in Race 4) puts Paco Lopez up at 6/1, and a 60.43 TrackWiz rating ranks him solidly in the top half of this crowded field. At that price, he's a very attractive place play for bettors looking for value underneath the top selection.

show1Walking in MemphisML 7/2

Walking in Memphis earns a 57.16 TrackWiz rating and draws the rail in a 15-horse field — a tricky spot that Martin Chuan will need to navigate carefully. The 7/2 morning line reflects some public support, and trainer Michael E. Jones, Jr. has him positioned in a race where pace chaos could set up a stalker's run. He's a reasonable show hedge and an interesting trifecta piece.

Race 6

6:41 PM EDT

Allowance · 5 1/2 fur · Dirt

A sprawling 16-horse allowance field on the dirt sprint is a bettor's puzzle, but Jungle Glow's rating stands well above the crowd and Knockanara offers genuine place value at a reasonable price.

win13Jungle GlowML 3/1

Jungle Glow tops this massive field with an 87.08 TrackWiz rating and draws Martin Chuan under trainer Jamie Ness — a combination that knows how to put horses in the winner's circle. A 23% career win rate is steady in allowance company, and his average speed of 57 ties for the top mark in the field. The 3/1 morning line is a fair price given his rating advantage, and in a 5.5-furlong sprint where early position matters, he's the horse to beat.

place6KnockanaraML 9/2

Knockanara posts a 77.33 TrackWiz rating alongside a 26% career win rate, and Jorge Ruiz gets the call for trainer Sarah Nagle at 9/2 on the morning line. Her average speed of 57 matches the top horses in the race, and a 26% career win rate tells you she fires consistently. In a full field where pace could get hectic, a horse with her speed figures and rating should be fighting for second money at minimum.

show5BrightshininglightML 6/1

Brightshininglight earns a 70.99 TrackWiz rating and a 14% career win rate, but the interesting angle here is the jockey-trainer combo — Tais Lyapustina in the irons for Eveline Kjelstrup at 6/1. Her average speed of 57 matches the elite tier of this field, and while the win percentage is modest, her raw speed gives her a legitimate shot to hit the board in a race where 16 horses can create trip issues for everyone. A fine trifecta inclusion.

Race 7

7:13 PM EDT

Allowance · 6 fur · Dirt

A genuine two-horse battle shapes up between Ready as Ever and Skillian in this allowance sprint — the numbers say it's closer than the morning line, and the third spot is anyone's guess.

win3Ready as EverML 2/1

Ready as Ever leads the TrackWiz ratings at 88.54, edging out morning line favorite Skillian despite going off at the slightly higher 2/1 price. Trainer Jamie Ness — showing up twice on this card — puts Mychel J. Sanchez up, and a 33% career win rate mirrors Skillian's exactly, meaning this shapes up as a genuine class-versus-class showdown. Her average speed of 54 is slightly below Skillian's 56, so expect this to be decided in the lane, and our model gives her the edge.

place1SkillianML 7/5

Skillian is the 7/5 morning line favorite with good reason — a 33% career win rate and an 81.34 TrackWiz rating make him a legitimate contender in this allowance spot. Trainer Lacey Gaudet puts Jevian Toledo aboard, and his 56 average speed leads all horses in the race. He's almost certain to hit the board and represents the place play if you're looking to take a stand against the slight favorite for the win.

show2LaysenML 8/1

Laysen is the price horse in this small field at 8/1 on the morning line, posting a 56.71 TrackWiz rating and a 30% career win rate that's quite respectable. Trainer W. Thomas McMahon sends out Emanuel Rosario, and his 55 average speed keeps him within range of the top two horses. With only seven runners, Laysen is a sensible show ticket and a worthwhile trifecta piece at a price that rewards the risk.

Race 8

7:45 PM EDT

Maiden Special Weight · 1 mi · Dirt

Rio Grande comes in as a dominant maiden special weight favorite, but the real intrigue is whether Executive or Hard Freeze can emerge from a surprisingly competitive supporting cast at long odds.

win2Rio GrandeML 6/5

Rio Grande tops the entire card's maiden fields with a 89.71 TrackWiz rating — the highest mark posted by any maiden today. Trainer Brittany T. Russell puts Sheldon Russell in the irons, and this barn-and-rider combination has already appeared in Race 3 and Race 6 on this card, showing the stable is active and confident. At 6/5 on the morning line, there's not much price here, but the rating margin over the field is substantial enough that she's the anchor of any exotic structure you want to build in this one.

place7ExecutiveML 6/1

Executive earns a 66.01 TrackWiz rating — third best in the field — and trainer Horacio De Paz sends out Vincent Cheminaud at 6/1 on the morning line. His 54 average speed is competitive in this MSW group, and without a win on his ledger, stepping into a 10-horse maiden field gives him a clear path to hit the board. The 6/1 price makes him a logical place play for bettors looking for value behind a heavy favorite.

show3Hard FreezeML 20/1

Hard Freeze is the sleeper of this race — a 53.48 TrackWiz rating might not sound flashy, but at 20/1 on the morning line, any positive outcome is essentially free money on the show end. Trainer Suzanne Stettinius puts Jorge Ruiz up, and a 54 average speed figure keeps him in range of the competitive mid-pack. In a full ten-horse maiden field, anything can happen in traffic, and Hard Freeze offers outstanding show value at that price.

Race 9

8:18 PM EDT

Allowance Optional Claiming · 6 fur · Dirt

Alani looks like the class of this allowance optional claimer, but Joyous Song lurks as a serious 8/1 value threat that gives exacta players a real reason to get involved.

win2AlaniML 3/2

Alani earns a 89.27 TrackWiz rating — tied for the highest number in today's allowance ranks — and trainer Michael M. Moore puts Andy Hernandez up at 3/2 on the morning line. A 30% career win rate in allowance-level company demonstrates consistent competitiveness, and her 54 average speed is solid for a six-furlong dirt sprint. She's the clear top selection and the right horse to key in all exotic formats.

place5Joyous SongML 8/1

Joyous Song is the value angle in Race 9 — a 76.7 TrackWiz rating paired with an 8/1 morning line creates a meaningful gap between what our model says and what the market is offering. Trainer Todd M. Beattie sends out Yabriel O. Ramos, and a 26% career win rate with a 55 average speed — highest in the field — gives her legitimate tools to run a big race. She's the key place play and a top contender for the exacta alongside Alani.

show7Dwelling LegacyML 7/5

Dwelling Legacy enters as the second morning line favorite at 7/5 despite ranking third in our TrackWiz ratings at 73.53. Trainer Gary Capuano sends out Leandro M. Briceno, and a 28% career win rate with a 54 average speed makes her a reliable board finisher. The disconnect between her odds and rating — she's priced tighter than her model rank suggests — means she's best used as a show anchor rather than a primary win play.

Race 10

8:49 PM EDT

Maiden Claiming · 1 1/8 mi · Dirt

Sixteen maiden claimers going a mile and an eighth to close out the card — it's a chaos race on paper, but Putter Man's rating stands out from a deep, mostly evenly-matched field.

win6Putter ManML 6/1

Putter Man tops the Race 10 ratings at 82.71 — a meaningful margin over the next tier of horses in this 16-runner maiden claiming finale. Trainer Tim Woolley puts Mychel J. Sanchez up, a jockey who has been active all card, and the 6/1 morning line offers genuine value given the rating edge. His 52 average speed is modest, but in a maiden field going a mile and an eighth, stamina and pace setup matter as much as raw figures, and Putter Man's overall profile gives him the best chance.

place2Red SeaML 7/2

Red Sea earns a 73.17 TrackWiz rating with an average speed of 55 — one of the top figures in the field — and Horacio Karamanos gets the ride for trainer A. Ferris Allen III, who also saddles Louisville Liam in this same race. At 7/2 on the morning line, he's not a price play, but the combination of a strong speed figure and a solid rating makes him the logical place anchor in a wide-open field. Key him underneath Putter Man in exactas.

show5NostromoML 5/2

Nostromo posts a 69.02 TrackWiz rating and an average speed of 53, sitting at 5/2 on the morning line — the second shortest price in the race. Trainer Danielle Hodsdon sends out Taylor Kingsley, and while first-time maiden winners are always uncertain, his numbers suggest he belongs in the conversation here. He's a reasonable show hedge and a natural trifecta inclusion for bettors trying to cash in the finale.

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's Laurel Park card is a solid Sunday slate with real betting opportunities from top to bottom. Our top-rated horse is Rio Grande in Race 8, while Sugar Bush in the opener is the longshot angle worth watching. Creed's Vision and Kwan headline the free races, giving every reader a strong starting point. For pace maps, exotic tickets, and the full Race 4–10 breakdown, subscribers have everything they need waiting inside TrackWiz. Good luck at the windows — let's have a big Sunday.

← All Laurel Park picks & predictions

You're reading 3 of 10 races free