Laurel Park Stakes Picks: Preakness Day Best Bets, Value Plays & Race 9–13 Selections

Laurel Park Race 9 J.W. Murphy Stakes

3 Zihnal ran a quick time on the dirt on debut at Santa Anita. Gelding only managed to finish 4th that day for trainer Johnathon Thomas. Thomas doesn’t usually have his firsters all cranked up on debut. He does much better in second career starts, hitting at 26% winners and 32% first on grass. This Gelding’s momma was a good turf runner and he should relish the surface switch today. Win Contender 

4 Attfield was last seen finishing a fading 9th in the Grade 3 Transylvania. Colt was facing much tougher competition and should appreciate the drop in class. This Thomas Morley trainee does his best running on a firm turf which he’ll get today. Win Contender 

5 Proton is another in here who runs well when the blades are firm. Gelding’s lone Laurel turf start was Maiden breaking score in September of 2025. Johnny V rides. Major Player

Selections 3-4-5-6

Laurel Park Race 10 Dinner Party Stakes Grade 3

6 Dresden Row has been a model of consistency having never finished out of the money 16 lifetime starts while sporting 7 trips to the winners circle. He’s the only horse in this field who has ever run multiple triple digit turf speed figures. Top Pick

3 Cruise the Nile has reeled off 4 straight victories while climbing the class ladder. Gelding recently defeated a packed field of 11over this Laurel turf and seeks his first Graded Stakes win. Win Contender 

4 Fort Washington is stone cold closer who has back class. He’s pace dependent and I’m not sure he gets the proper set up today. Use Underneath 

Selections 6-3-4-7

Laurel Park Race 11 Gallorette Stakes Grade 3

4 Warming gets back on turf after failing to find the winners circle on dirt at Del Mar and the All-Weather surface at Turfway Park. Filly is Grade 3 winner on the lawn and is must play at the 12-1 morning line odds. Live Longshot 

3 Accent had an excuse in most recent when finishing 4th. Filly started off her career with 3 straight victories before the troubled trip last out. She gets an upgrade in the jockey department to turf Stud Flavien Prat. Win Contender 

7 Children of the Moon sports some of the best late pace numbers of her rivals in here today and would benefit from a hot early pace. Major Threat

Selections 4-3-7-8

Laurel Park Race 12 Jim McKay Turf Sprint

4 Chasing Liberty ran a huge race when finishing second last out over this turf course. Colt didn’t have the best of trips that day and raced wide throughout on a turf course that was benefiting the inside. He gets huge upgrade to Irad Ortiz Jr and makes his second start off the bench. Win Contender 

11 Had to Have Him could make some noise at a price in a race that is wide open with a plethora of horses who could cross the finishing line first. Gelding is 3-time winner on this turf course, enters here with 2/65 bullet and makes his second start off the layoff. Live Longshot 

3 Jean Valjean has come back from a year and a half hiatus and has already found the winners circle. Gelding appears to be the controlling speed in here and could possibly take this group gate-to-wire. Win Contender 

Selections 4-11-3-1

Laurel Park Race 13 Preakness Stakes Grade 1

12 Incredibolt finished a better than it looked 6th in the Derby despite a uneventful trip. I loved this guy as my Derby pick but looking back that 7 week layoff between races and the troubled trip did him in at the end. I believe he’s the best horse in here. He’s the only Graded Stakes winner at two turns and with all the early speed signed on, I feel he’ll be motoring in the stretch drive. Top Pick

1 Taj Mahal is unbeaten in 3 starts here at Laurel and has been training lights out. As this distance gets longer, this son of Nyquist keeps getting better. He faces the acid test today with this much tougher field and needs to be careful not to engage with early speed. If this one gets a patient ground saving trip on the rail, he’ll definitely be a player at the wire. Win Contender 

2 Ocelli is still a maiden but ran huge in the Derby, finishing a fast closing 3rd. He comes back on just two week rest which could not bode well after such a game effort. If somehow he can run back to that Derby effort, he’ll have something to say at the wire. Use with Caution 

Selections 12-1-2-6

Best Bets

Most Likely Winner 

Laurel Park Race 10

#6 Dresden Row

Top Value Play

Laurel Park Race 9

#3 Zihnal(6-1)

Longshot Play of the Day

Laurel Park Race 11

#4 Warming(12-1)