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

Racing this week will be Saturday-Sunday-Monday with first post at 12:40 pm ET … 2020 Preakness-winning filly Swiss Skydiver returns to action Saturday in the Grade 1 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn … 24 horses have nominated to the April 24 Federico Tesio Stakes and its Preakness Win & You’re In status. Among those include Remsen winner Brooklyn Strong, Hello Hot Rod and Private Terms 1-2 finishers Shackled Love and Maythehorsebewithu … April 10 Lexington Stakes winner King Fury will be pointed at the May 15 Preakness Stakes if he is unable to draw into the Kentucky Derby field, trainer Kenny McPeek said … The 2021 1/ST and Xpressbet Kentucky Derby Wager Guide, featuring Maryland Jockey Club handicappers, will be available for free download beginning April 23.

Stronach 5

Last week’s Stronach 5 paid $717.70 to 144 winning tickets. Stronach 5 races this Friday, April 16, will be:

Leg A – Gulfstream Park Race 7 with an approximate post time of 4:18
Leg B – Gulfstream Park Race 8 with an approximate post time of 4:50
Leg C – Gulfstream Park Race 9 with an approximate post time of 5:22
Leg D – Golden Gate Fields Race 3 with an approximate post time of 5:27
Leg E – Golden Gate Fields Race 4 with an approximate post time of 6:00

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 39% wins. The 1/ST BET app’s AI handicapping picked 46% winners at Laurel Park last week and showed a flat-bet profit.

Best Speed Last 3
Trainer 6 Months Win %
Best Speed Track

Trends Last Week

-- Perennial leading trainer Claudio Gonzalez got the new Spring Meet off to a flying start at 14: 7-2-2. But his 7 winners all were 2-1 or less and averaged only a 3-2 return. All wins came in sprints on dirt and 3 in the maiden claiming ranks.

-- Trainer Jamie Ness went 7: 4-0-1, including $9 and $12 scores pairing up with a couple of favorites. Jockeys Johan Rosado and Sheldon Russell split the victories, 3 of which came in the claiming ranks.

-- Trainer Emanuel Geralis won both starts and has won with 4 straight Laurel starters going back to March 14, and 6 of his last 7 since early February. All 6 wins were well-backed at 2-1 or less.

-- Jockey Angel Cruz was on point at 11: 4-1-2, but was barely break-even on the ROI. His 4 winners all were 2-1 or less, but he did have a 58-1 shot light the bottom of the trifecta. Cruz and trainer Claudio Gonzalez teamed for a 3-for-5 mark.

-- Jockey Kevin Gomez made the most of limited mounts at 8: 3-2-0, winning for 3 different barns and topping with a $12 score. He also was second with a 44-1 shot and had no less than 3 superfecta finishers at 15-1 or more odds.