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

Headlines

Laurel Park has announced its 24-stakes winter program, highlighted by the Feb. 13 traditional Winter Carnival of elite sprint stakes in the G3 Barbara Fritchie & G3 General George … Unbeaten Nov. 5 Maryland Juvenile Championship winner Jaxon Traveler may return to Laurel for the new 7-furlong Spectacular Bid Stakes on Jan. 16, or try Aqueduct’s Grade 3 Jerome next on Jan. 1 … A $9,136 Rainbow 6 carryover welcomes horseplayers back this week on Thursday, kickoff to a 4-day week beginning daily at 12:25 pm ET.

Stronach 5

Last week’s carryover Stronach 5 paid $3,607 to 39 winning tickets. The Dec. 11 Stronach 5 will be comprised of the following races:

Leg A – Laurel Park Race 8 with an approximate post time of 3:49
Leg B – Gulfstream Park Race 8 with an approximate post time of 4:06
Leg C – Laurel Park Race 9 with an approximate post time of 4:18
Leg D – Gulfstream Park Race 9 with an approximate post time of 4:36
Leg E – Gulfstream Park Race 10 with an approximate post time of 5:06

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 36% winners. For the second straight week, Speed factors swept the top 3.

Speed Last Race
Best Speed Last 3
Avg Speed Last 3

Trends Last Week

-- Apprentice jockey Crispin Alexander had another strong 13: 4-4-1 week that netted 31% wins. The past 2 weeks, he’s 27: 8-6-2 for 30% wins, 52% in the exacta and a $1.37 ROI for every $1 bet. His 8 wins were for 7 different barns, doubling up only with Salamon Rodolfo Sanchez.

-- Jockey Victor Carrasco had a big week with a 7: 4-0-0 mark in limited tries. All 4 wins were for different barns, including a $34 winner.

-- Trainer Brittany Russell’s high-percentage roll continued with a 6: 3-2-0 week in which the public refuses to let her go at a price. All 3 wins were 6-5 or less odds. Russell is now 13-for-24 dating back to November 1 with 9 winners at 3-2 or less.

-- Trainer Anthony Farrior was on point with an 8: 3-3-1 record. Of those, 6 went off 2-1 or less, including winners at 4-5, 8-5 and 2-1. Farrior went 3: 2-1-0 teamed with jockey Sheldon Russell.

-- Trainer Hugh McMahon’s barn was 6: 3-2-0 while 5 of those runners were 5-2 or less odds. Jockey Katie Davis was the rider of both winners.

-- Trainer Mario Serey won with both starters, popping 2-1 and 10-1 winners sprinting 5-1/2 furlongs in claiming company. Serey is 5-for-18 since Nov. 5 at Laurel with a $1.61 ROI for every $1 bet.