by Jeremy Plonk
February 16, 2021
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
Postponed due to winter weather, last Saturday’s $900,000 Winter Sprintfest stakes card will be re-offered this Saturday, Feb. 20, in its entirety. Co-features among the 6 stakes include the Grade 3 Barbara Fritchie and the Grade 3 General George. Shippers already on the grounds like Majestic Dunhill and Sharp Starr remained at Laurel Park to train … The Rainbow 6 carryover will be $4,889 heading into Friday’s start to the racing week … In only his second mount after neck and back fractures forced him to the sidelines for 200 days, jockey Feargal Lynch returned to the winner’s circle Monday on the President’s Day card at Laurel.
Stronach 5
Last week’s Stronach 5 paid $511 to 354 winning tickets, all winners at 4-1 or less. Stronach 5 races this Friday, February 19, will be:
Leg A – Laurel Park Race 9 with an approximate post time of 4:17 pm ET
Leg B – Santa Anita Park Race 3
Leg C – Laurel Park Race 10
Leg D – Gulfstream Park Race 9
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 30% wins. It was a rare week in which speed factors were not among the most effective.
Last 3 Race Class
Trainer Meet
Trainer 6 Months Win %
Trends Last Week
-- Laurel ran only 18 races last week with cancellations Saturday and Sunday. No jockey had more than 2 wins and only 1 trainer had multiple winners.
-- Leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez kept his roll going at 9: 3-0-1. He’s gone 9-22 over the past 2 weeks, including 4-8 with jockey Angel Cruz.
-- Trainer Keiron Magee went 3: 1-0-1 and upped his mark over the past 2 weeks to 8: 3-0-4. All 7 of his in-the-money finishers came in the claiming or maiden claiming ranks.
-- Trainer Jerry Robb finished second with his lone starter and is now 5 for 12 over the past 3 weeks.
-- Favorites under-performed at 18: 5-2-7, netting 28% wins and 39% in the exacta.