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

The Friday-Sunday racing menu features Saturday’s $550,000 Winter Carnival stakes series, boasting 6 stakes races and the unveiling of the inaugural Spectacular Bid Stakes for 3-year-olds … Local star and 2020 Pimlico Special winner Harpers First Ride is scheduled to depart for Gulfstream and the Pegasus World Cup 10 days from the Jan. 23 showcase. Laurel-based trainer Claudio Gonzalez will breeze the veteran once over the track with Laurel pilot Angel Cruz slated to ride … The Rainbow 6 has a $2,515 carryover to start the week … Royal Number announced his candidacy for Laurel’s 3-year-old stakes series Jan. 9 with a 1-1/16 miles allowance victory by more than 7 lengths for trainer Mike Trombetta. The Feb. 13 Miracle Wood or March 13 Private Terms could be next.


Stronach 5

Last week’s $1 Stronach 5 paid $6,382 to 16 winning tickets. Stronach 5 races this Friday, January 15, will be:

Leg A – Laurel Park Race 8 with an approximate post time of 3:55
Leg B – Gulfstream Park Race 8
Leg C – Laurel Park Race 9
Leg D – Santa Anita Race 3
Leg E – Golden Gate Fields 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 27% winners. Speed factors returned to dominate the factors at Laurel, doing so for the fifth time in the last 6 weeks.

Speed Last Race
Avg 2 of Last 3 Speed
Best Speed Distance

Trends Last Week

-- Apprentice jockey Alexander Crispin starred with an 18: 8-5-3 week. Add that to his 10-for-26 prior week and we’re looking at an 18-for-44 run riding at a ridiculous 41%. He’s winning for everyone; 8 different trainers 2 weeks ago, and 7 different trainers last week.

-- Jockey J.D. Acosta had one of his best weeks in some time with a 9: 4-0-1 run. Going back to the start of December, he had been 1-for-51 prior. Acosta had riding doubles Jan. 9-10 on back-to-back days, including winners paying $9, $11 and $26. His ROI for the week was $2.80 for every $1 bet.

-- Trainer Dale Capuano was 4: 2-1-0 with limited bids. He was 2-for-2 riding Alexander Crispin ($4.60 and $8.80 winners). The barn is on an 8: 4-2-1 run since Jan. 3 at Laurel.

-- Trainer Hugh McMahon’s barn continues a strong 2021 start. His 5: 2-2-0 week makes him 11: 4-2-1 since Jan. 1 at Laurel. He’s 9: 3-3-1 with his claimers.