We canvass the 1/ST BET statistical database each week to bring you up to speed with racing at Pimlico Race Course. Check back weekly for statistical trends and tidbits for premier racing in Maryland. And be sure to support Pimlico by betting with 1/ST BET, the official betting app of Maryland Jockey Club.

Headlines

Pre-entries for the Oct. 24 Maryland Million will be taken this Wednesday, setting the stage for the state’s spotlight breeding and stakes program. Final entries will be taken Oct. 21 … 4-day racing weeks expanded Oct. 11 with the return of Sunday racing in Maryland for the first time since May … Nov. 28 has been set for Laurel’s Fall Festival of Racing, featuring 6 stakes worth $100,000 each.

Stronach 5

The Stronach 5 paid $256 last week to 411 tickets, thanks to a trio of odds-on favorites and a pair of 4-1 shots. The Oct. 16 Stronach 5 will be comprised of the following races (beginning at 3:58 pm Eastern):

Leg A – Gulfstream Park West Race 8
Leg B – Laurel Park Race 7
Leg C – Laurel Park Race 8
Leg D – Santa Anita Race 3
Leg E – Golden Gate Race 3

1/ST BET Top Factors Last Week:

Horseplayers using the 1/ST BET app saw the most success with these 3 of the 52 handicapping filters for Laurel, each posting at least 26% winners. ‘Last Race Class’ produced 32% wins and a whopping $81 profit if you bet $2 win on each top player in that factor category all week at Laurel.

Last Race Class
Win %
Best Speed Distance

Trends Last Week

--Trainer Mike Stidham went 3-for-3 with all short prices 9-5 or less, including a pair of stakes victories, all with Trevor McCarthy riding.
--Trainer Richard Sillaman posted a 4: 2-0-1 record with $9 and $18 winners. Both winners claim in dirt sprints for claiming tags (1 maiden, 1 claimer).
--Trainer Brittany Russell was 3: 2-0-1 with well-backed horses all 3-2 odds or less and with Sheldon Russell in the saddle.
--Leading Maryland jockey Trevor McCarthy got the Laurel fall meet off to a fast start, posting a 22: 6-4-1 record. His 6 winners all were 7-2 or less, but did have a 7-1 runner-up. McCarthy went 3-for-3 teamed with Michael Stidham and he won 3 stakes on last Friday’s Virginia-bred stakes card.
--Jockey Jorge Ruiz went 17: 4-2-2 with a massive $3.18 ROI for every $1 bet. His victories included $11, $24 and $69 payoffs. Ruiz won 3 times on turf.
--Jockey Jevian Toledo won with 3 of his first 4 mounts and wound up 20: 5-1-1 on the week. Those victories include 4 short prices and 1 solid 4-1 return, along with a 63-1 longshot runner-up. Toledo won for 5 different trainers.