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Laurel Park Picks & Predictions — October 24, 2026

October 24, 202612 racesAll Laurel Park picks

It's a crisp, clear Saturday at Laurel Park — 55°F, no wind to speak of, and the kind of autumn afternoon that makes mid-Atlantic racing feel like it's operating at its absolute best. Twelve races are on the card, and this isn't your typical weekend filler. We've got stakes action scattered from Race 2 all the way through Race 11, with turf and dirt both getting serious attention today.

The going figures to be honest on both surfaces under these conditions. A clear, cool day like this tends to keep times tight and figures reliable — no excuses for underperformers, and no artificial boost for horses who need a soft or sloppy track to fire. In other words, the best horse probably wins today. Probably.

Eight of the 12 races carry Stakes conditions, which means the competition level is elevated across the board. Whether you're playing the early pick sequences or building toward a late-card multi, there's plenty to work with from first post to finale.

Best Bets

Race 1

3:15 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A sprawling 12-horse turf starter handicap where the TrackWiz ratings create a clear top tier — but the morning line suggests the market hasn't fully caught up with the form.

win8OwhataniteML 7/2

Owhatanite tops the TrackWiz ratings in this field at 86.35, a significant gap over the nearest competitors, and that kind of separation in a starter handicap on turf carries real weight. Trainer Suzanne Stettinius puts the horse out at a competitive 7/2 on the morning line, suggesting connections believe this is a live spot. The 8% career win rate looks modest, but in a field this full of low-rated runners, Owhatanite's overall profile stands well above the pack. Jockey Jeiron Barbosa gets the call — keep an eye on this combo at a price that might look generous by post.

place10BrightyML 3/1

Brighty draws the morning line favoritism at 3/1 and backs it up with the second-highest TrackWiz rating in the field (72.82), which makes a place ticket here a fairly comfortable play. Trainer Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon is active on the card and clearly targeting this spot. The 11% career win rate is modest, but on a 12-horse turf field where consistency counts, Brighty should be firing late.

show11Our Ham SandwichML 6/1

Our Ham Sandwich (yes, really) sits third in the TrackWiz ratings at 59.66 with a 12% career win rate, making this runner a sensible show hedge at 6/1. Jean Gregor Briceno has been busy at Laurel and gets the mount for trainer Miguel Vera. In a race where the top two picks are fairly short-priced, including the 'Sandwich' in your exotics at morning line value adds some juicy upside to tickets.

Race 2

3:43 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

A 6-furlong dirt stakes that looks like a two-horse war at the top — but the morning line favorite isn't the top TrackWiz-rated horse, and Band Camp lurks as a live price underneath.

win8HaileysfirstnotionML 8/5

Haileysfirstnotion posts the highest TrackWiz rating in the field at 89.12 and backs it with a blistering 46% career win rate — best in this field by a wide margin. Trainer Gary Capuano sends this one out with jockey Emanuel Rosario, a strong pairing on the Laurel dirt. At 8/5 on the morning line, this figures to be a short-priced favorite, but a 46% strike rate at the career level is the kind of number that makes chalk plays feel safer. Six furlongs on dirt is a proven distance for runners with this kind of firepower.

place7Celtic ContenderML 3/2

Celtic Contender checks in right behind at 87.19 on the TrackWiz scale and owns a 31% career win rate, which is legitimate stakes-level production. Forest Boyce gets the mount and trainer Hamilton A. Smith has a strong reputation with this type. At 3/2, Celtic Contender may actually go off shorter than the morning line suggests — this is a horse to use wide in your exactas.

show3Band CampML 8/1

Band Camp is the show selection here at 8/1, and there's real substance behind the price. A 40% career win rate is eye-opening, and trainer Daniel G. Eubanks gets Paco Lopez in the irons — Lopez is one of the sharper riders on this circuit. The TrackWiz rating of 70.21 places Band Camp third in the field, and if the top two horses set a hot pace, this one could be sweeping late at a generous number.

Race 3

4:18 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 7 fur · Dirt

Kerness K is one of the most dominant favorites on the entire card — but Do It for Michael and Master Schemer give the race legitimate depth for exotic players.

win11Kerness KML 4/5

Kerness K is a wrecking ball in this spot — a 90.0 TrackWiz rating paired with a staggering 61% career win rate puts this horse in a class of its own in a 7-furlong dirt starter handicap. Trainer Jamie Ness is one of the sharper conditioners on the mid-Atlantic circuit, and Martin Chuan gets the call. At 4/5 on the morning line, the odds won't be generous, but when you're looking at a horse that wins nearly two-thirds of its starts, you play it and build your tickets around it.

place8Do It for MichaelML 5/1

Do It for Michael owns a 33% career win rate and a TrackWiz rating of 77.1 — a legitimate second horse in a race that's otherwise dominated by the heavy favorite. Xavier Perez is a capable hand at Laurel and trainer John J. Robb puts runners out ready. At 5/1, the place price on Do It for Michael should be acceptable, making this a strong inclusion in exactas and doubles.

show6Master SchemerML 6/1

Master Schemer sits third in the field ratings at 61.49 with a 20% career win rate and draws Horacio Karamanos, who knows this track well. Trainer Daniel J. McKenzie sends this runner out at a fair 6/1 morning line. For players building trifecta tickets underneath the chalk, Master Schemer is the right price to fill the third slot.

Our three free previews today cover Races 1, 2, and 3 — a nice cross-section of surfaces and conditions to kick off the afternoon. On the turf in Race 1, Owhatanite draws our eye in the Starter Handicap at 1 1/16 miles, posted at 7/2 on the morning line with a TrackWiz rating of 86.35. Then we shift to the dirt for a pair of standouts: Haileysfirstnotion tops Race 2's Stakes field at 8/5 in a 6-furlong sprint, and Kerness K enters Race 3 as the imposing 4/5 morning line favorite with a max TrackWiz rating of 90 — the highest single-race score on the entire free portion of the card.

The common thread in the early races is pace pressure on the dirt. Both Race 2 and Race 3 look like they'll be contested early, so horses with tactical versatility — or the ability to rate just off a fast pace — get a small but meaningful edge today. On the turf in Race 1, the 1 1/16-mile distance rewards closers who can navigate traffic late, and this cool weather should keep the ground firm enough for a rangy, ground-covering stride to thrive.

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Full Card Analysis

Race 4

4:56 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A turf stakes at a mile and a sixteenth where Mopo commands the field on ratings, but Nick's Notion and Lendalfoot make this a competitive exotic race with overlapping win chances.

win10MopoML 9/5

Mopo leads all comers with an 88.83 TrackWiz rating and a 26% career win rate on what shapes up as a favorable turf route scenario. Trainer Phillip Capuano sends this one out with Paco Lopez in the irons — Lopez is one of the best turf riders on the card and knows how to save ground on a route. At 9/5 on the morning line, Mopo is the deserving top choice and the one to beat.

place2Nick's NotionML 2/1

Nick's Notion checks in at 73.1 on the TrackWiz scale with a 20% career win rate, and Forest Boyce — a rider with excellent turf credentials — gets the assignment for trainer W. Robert Bailes. The 2/1 morning line reflects legitimate top-tier status in this field. If Mopo gets into any trouble on the far turn, Nick's Notion has the tactical speed to pounce.

show3LendalfootML 9/2

Lendalfoot rates at 72.1 — virtually identical to Nick's Notion — and owns a 25% career win rate that signals a consistent performer in spots like this. Trainer Keri Brion is sharp with turf routers and Martin Chuan gets the call. The 9/2 morning line makes Lendalfoot an attractive third wheel in trifecta tickets, offering better value than the top two while still having the profile to hit the board.

Race 5

5:35 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

Whitten Way looks like a standout in this 6-furlong dirt stakes, but Olivia's Legacy and Talking Foolish keep the race honest and the exotics interesting.

win12Whitten WayML 6/5

Whitten Way tops this field with a 89.71 TrackWiz rating and a remarkable 75% career win rate — a figure that stands out even in stakes company. Trainer Gary Capuano taps Emanuel Rosario, a trustworthy combination at Laurel. At 6/5 on the morning line, the price is short, but a 75% win rate is the kind of number that justifies playing chalk. This looks like the most dominant win candidate on the afternoon card.

place6Olivia's LegacyML 2/1

Olivia's Legacy rates second in the field at 81.04 and carries a 50% career win rate, meaning this horse hits the board far more often than it misses. Paco Lopez takes the mount for trainer Anthony Pecoraro, and the 2/1 morning line could easily shorten as post approaches. Use Olivia's Legacy underneath Whitten Way in exactas and expect a fight for second at the very least.

show3Talking FoolishML 9/2

Talking Foolish comes in third on the TrackWiz scale at 79.54 with a 33% career win rate, and trainer Hamilton A. Smith gets Jevian Toledo — a combo that has produced on this circuit before. The 9/2 morning line is solid value for a horse that ranks third in a stakes field. As a show play or third leg in trifecta tickets, Talking Foolish fits neatly in the mix.

Race 6

6:10 PM EDT

Stakes · 5 1/2 fur · Turf

A short 5½-furlong turf sprint that features a top-heavy rating gap but a fascinating battle for show between mid-priced runners like Had to Have Him and Witty.

win8WhenigettoheavenML 2/1

Whenigettoheaven carries the top TrackWiz rating in the field at 88.54 and pairs that with an average speed figure of 58 — the highest among all runners. Trainer Nolan Ramsey sends this one out with Paco Lopez, who is arguably the best short-turf jockey on this circuit. At 2/1, the price reflects respect, and the combination of elite speed and a top rider in a sprint makes this the clear selection.

place9WittyML 9/5

Witty rates at 72.0 with a 34% career win rate — strong production for a horse going at 9/5 on the morning line. Trainer Elizabeth M. Merryman gets Jaime Rodriguez for the mount, and at 5½ furlongs on turf, tactical speed matters. Witty's higher career win percentage compared to some of the favorites in the field makes a place ticket comfortable here.

show4Had to Have HimML 4/1

Had to Have Him comes in at 61.48 on the TrackWiz scale and logs a 25% career win rate with an average speed figure of 58 — matching Whenigettoheaven for pure pace numbers. Trainer John E. Salzman Jr. gets Jevian Toledo, a jockey who consistently fires at this distance. At 4/1, this is an excellent third horse to include in trifecta constructions.

Race 7

6:45 PM EDT

Stakes · 7 fur · Dirt

A 7-furlong dirt stakes with a surprising shape — the top-rated horse is NOT the morning line favorite, giving TrackWiz players a built-in value angle.

win10SlewperstitusML 4/1

Slewperstitus leads all runners with an 85.01 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate, yet the morning line places this horse at 4/1 — a significant overlay if the ratings hold true. Trainer W. Robert Bailes teams with Jevian Toledo, a sharp combo on Laurel's dirt. Seven furlongs suits this profile well, and an average speed figure of 56 is among the best in the field. This is the kind of value play that TrackWiz analysis is built to find.

place2TakethemoneyhoneyML 6/5

Takethemoneyhoney draws the 6/5 morning line favoritism — the crowd's top choice — and carries a remarkable 70% career win rate backing that up. Trainer Michael M. Moore sends this runner out with Eliseo Ruiz. The gap between this horse's win rate and its TrackWiz rating (69.98) is interesting — it rates third in the field despite winning nearly three-quarters of its starts, which could mean an exceptionally competitive spot today.

show7Divine SeekerML 3/1

Divine Seeker sits at 69.21 on the TrackWiz scale with a 37% career win rate and goes postward at 3/1. Trainer Robert E. Reid Jr. gets Mychel J. Sanchez, and this horse has the average speed figures (55) to keep pace through seven furlongs. As a third horse in trifectas, Divine Seeker offers the right combination of ability and price.

Race 8

7:20 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 1 1/16 mi · Turf

A wide-open 14-horse turf starter handicap where the two top-rated runners are separated by value — Gift of Gab leads on ratings but Set Ablaze offers strong support.

win7Gift of GabML 5/2

Gift of Gab leads the field with an 87.21 TrackWiz rating, bolstered by an average speed figure of 57 — highest among any runner in this race. Trainer Suzanne Stettinius gets Jorge Ruiz in the irons, and a 28% career win rate in a field full of single-digit winners is a meaningful edge. The 5/2 morning line positions this as a fair-priced top choice in what shapes up as a value-friendly card.

place14Set AblazeML 9/2

Set Ablaze rates second in the field at 84.9 with a 25% career win rate and lands Forest Boyce — one of the better turf riders at Laurel — for trainer W. Robert Bailes. The 9/2 morning line makes this an attractive place play, and the rating gap between Set Ablaze and the rest of the field (third-ranked horse drops to 66.17) creates a clear top two in this race.

show5Bay StreetML 5/1

Bay Street comes in third on the ratings at 66.17 and pairs Paco Lopez with trainer Damon R. Dilodovico at a reasonable 5/1. The 17% career win rate is right in line with starter handicap expectations, and Lopez's familiarity with routes gives this one a trip advantage. In a 14-horse field, having a sharp jockey navigating traffic at a mile and a sixteenth is a real asset.

Race 9

7:51 PM EDT

Stakes · 6 fur · Dirt

The morning line may favor Walt's Notion, but TrackWiz analysis flips the script — Metallican rates highest in the field and could be the play of the race at a double-digit price.

win12MetallicanML 9/2

Metallican tops the TrackWiz ratings in this 6-furlong dirt stakes at 84.9, packing an average speed figure of 57 — the best in the field — and a perfect career record in the sample. Trainer Jamie Ness, who is sharp on this circuit, sends this horse out with Carlos Eduardo Lopez, and the 9/2 morning line suggests the public hasn't fully locked onto this one. When the top-rated horse is also posting the highest speed figures and goes at a price, that's a core TrackWiz value play.

place9Walt's NotionML 4/5

Walt's Notion draws the heavy 4/5 favoritism with a 66% career win rate and an 78.05 TrackWiz rating — clearly a serious threat to win, just not the top of our analysis. Paco Lopez handles this one for Phillip Capuano, and at short odds the place price won't be generous, but the horse's win rate makes it a near-certain board finisher. Pair it underneath Metallican in exactas.

show11RememberthewordML 6/1

Remembertheword rates third in the field at 65.19 and owns a 40% career win rate — legitimate production. Jean Gregor Briceno gets the call for trainer Joseph M. Murphy, who is active all card long. The 6/1 morning line makes this a very reasonable third leg in trifecta tickets behind the top two choices.

Race 10

8:22 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/8 mi · Turf

Thundering arrives in this 15-horse turf route as one of the most dominant favorites on the card — but Alakan at 5/1 and a surprising Magical Mondays value angle give exotics players something to work with.

win7ThunderingML 4/5

Thundering carries a perfect 90.0 TrackWiz rating — the ceiling — and goes off at 4/5 on the morning line in a field of 15. Trainer Derek S. Ryan puts Paco Lopez on board, and in a 1⅛-mile turf route, Lopez's ability to rate a horse and find a trip is a genuine asset. The 23% career win rate is honest in a tough stakes spot, and the rating superiority here is simply too large to ignore. This is a play-to-win scenario despite the short price.

place2AlakanML 5/1

Alakan rates second in this sprawling field at 68.71 and goes at 5/1, making it the best-priced horse in the top tier. Trainer H. Graham Motion is one of the premier turf trainers in the country and sends Alakan out with Jose E. Vargas. A 10% career win rate sounds low, but at the stakes level in turf routes, board finishes pile up — and Motion doesn't miss many spots like this.

show3Magical MondaysML 15/1

Magical Mondays comes in at 63.67 on the TrackWiz scale with an average speed figure of 55 and goes at 15/1 morning line — a significant overlay for the third-rated horse in a 15-horse field. Trainer Tim Woolley and jockey Jorge Ruiz combine for what could be a sneaky show inclusion. In a race this large, third-place finishers can pay well, and Magical Mondays at 15/1 is worth a few spots on your trifecta tickets.

Race 11

8:54 PM EDT

Stakes · 1 1/8 mi · Dirt

The chalk here is Barbadian Runner at near even-money, but Derbyness — the TrackWiz top pick — goes at 5/1, setting up a classic ratings-vs-market tension in the finale's penultimate stakes.

win9DerbynessML 5/1

Derbyness leads the field with an 84.17 TrackWiz rating and a 33% career win rate, while going at 5/1 morning line — a meaningful overlay compared to the heavy public choice. Trainer Brittany T. Russell puts Sheldon Russell in the irons, and this husband-wife training/riding combo has clicked at Laurel before. An average speed figure of 53 is consistent with the field, and at 1⅛ miles on dirt, stamina and class combine — two areas where Derbyness grades well.

place2Barbadian RunnerML 2/5

Barbadian Runner is the public's 2/5 favorite and owns a 40% career win rate — the kind of number that earns that kind of support. Forest Boyce, one of the circuit's top riders, takes the mount for trainer Henry Walters. The TrackWiz rating of 80.07 is strong, just not the field's best, which is an interesting nuance. Use this horse to place, but the overlay on Derbyness is too good to pass up in win spot.

show8WickeddivineML 8/1

Wickeddivine sits third on the TrackWiz scale at 74.47 with a 28% career win rate and lands Jeiron Barbosa for trainer Kenneth M. Cox. The 8/1 morning line is genuinely attractive for the third-rated horse in an 11-horse stakes field. Wickeddivine's average speed figure of 55 is actually among the better numbers in the field, making this a legitimate trifecta anchor at a price.

Race 12

9:26 PM EDT

Starter Handicap · 7 fur · Dirt

The card closes with a 15-horse dirt starter handicap that's packed with contenders — On a Proud Note leads on ratings but faces serious challenges from Lady Zeta, Marriedtothegame, and a pair of live Jamie Ness horses.

win6On a Proud NoteML 7/2

On a Proud Note tops this loaded field with an 85.54 TrackWiz rating and a 43% career win rate — elite production for a starter handicap. Trainer Joanne Shankle gets Raul E. Mena for the mount, and the 7/2 morning line still offers reasonable value given the field size. An average speed figure of 54 is right at the top of the field, and in a 7-furlong sprint, this horse's combination of class and consistency makes it the strongest win candidate.

place13Lady ZetaML 8/1

Lady Zeta rates second in the field at 76.52 with an average speed figure of 56 — the highest in the entire race — and goes at 8/1 on the morning line. Trainer Bruce M. Kravets puts Paco Lopez on board, which is always a signal to pay attention. The raw pace numbers here are fascinating: if Lady Zeta's speed figures translate, this horse could actually be dangerous to win, making 8/1 a legitimate overlay for place money.

show14MarriedtothegameML 5/1

Marriedtothegame comes in at 75.17 on the TrackWiz scale with a 50% career win rate — the best strike rate among the top horses in the race. Trainer John J. Robb sends this out with Jose E. Vargas and a 5/1 morning line that reflects solid market confidence. An average speed figure of 55 pairs nicely with the 50% win rate, and in a big field at 7 furlongs, a horse that wins half its starts is always dangerous. Strong show play and a live exacta underneath On a Proud Note.

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A 12-race stakes-loaded Saturday at Laurel, under clear skies — this is the kind of card you clear your afternoon for. Our top plays to track all day are Kerness K and Thundering (both rated 90 by TrackWiz), with longshot angles on Slewperstitus and Derbyness for subscribers looking for value deeper on the ticket. Races 1–3 are fully covered and free to read. For the rest of the card — including pace maps, exotic plays, and our full best-bet ranking — grab a TrackWiz subscription at /pricing and get in the game before first post.

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