Laurel Park: Late pick five play for Maryland Million Day
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RACE 8: DON’T TELL DEREN comes off a couple of improved Beyers, and her tactical speed should mean she’s once again well spotted behind the speeds. A quick, contested pace would certainly help the cause. GIFT OF GAB is the one to beat on the strength of her Beyers. Distance is the question, but it’s tough to leave her off the ticket given the figure edge. BAY STREET has been away since August but fits on her best efforts if she can run back to them. She should be well spotted behind the pacesetters. The posts hurt the chances of DOESN’THURTTOFLIRT and SET ABLAZE, but both merit respect. Doesn’thurttoflirt ran a subpar race last time but fits on prior figures, while Set Ablaze had little chance to close much ground in the last one due to the tepid fractions. (5).
RACE 9: WALT’S NOTION is obviously the one to fear and the one to beat in the Maryland Million Nursery, given the fact that he’s a head short of an unblemished record and has strong figures. The fact that he rated a bit in his debut score adds to the appeal, as there is a good amount of early zip in this field. ARUBA ARIBA is the main threat off that last running line and Beyer. He rated effectively there and could be tough to stave off late given a similar stalking trip. (2)
RACE 10: HARDSPUN REASON is the lone runner on the also-eligible list in this Maryland Millions Turf, but he has to be included in this sequence if he gets to run as he could well upset heavy favorite THUNDERING if he’s able to scratch in. He didn’t run badly at 1 1/2 miles in his first start off a short freshening, but he has every right to take a step forward with that race under his belt and at this more conventional distance. Thundering is clearly the one to beat, and that won’t likely happen if he’s able to run to his best recent Beyers and Hardspun Reason doesn’t get to run. He’s been away a couple of months, but trainer Derek Ryan excels under these circumstances. (2)
RACE 11: BARBADIAN RUNNER is going to be an extremely short price, but he’s tough to take a stand against as he’s clearly in very good form. Based on his latest figures, he’s just much better than these. He won the 2025 Maryland Million Classic, and it’s hard to envision a scenario where he’s vulnerable in the 2026 edition as his tactical speed and inside post should mean he’s well positioned from the outset. (1).
RACE 12: ON A PROUD NOTE has speed but also can rate, and that versatility is a big reason for her success. The layoff is a slight concern, but her last couple of works were solid and she has every right to win this off the bench given a clean trip and the right setup. (1)
THE PLAY: 5, 6, 7, 13, 14 / 9, 10 / 7, 15 / 2 / 6 = $10 ticket
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