Venue and Event Details
Laurel Park is located in Laurel, Maryland, USA, between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Opened in 1911, it’s a key mid-Atlantic Thoroughbred racing venue with a 1-mile dirt oval and turf course, hosting winter racing under the Maryland Jockey Club. The Jennings Stakes is a $100,000 restricted stakes race for Maryland-bred or Virginia-bred/sired colts, geldings, and horses aged 4 and up, run over 1 mile on dirt.
Named after a historic Maryland breeder, this ungraded event showcases local talent and often preps for other regional stakes.
PostTime is scheduled for 2:52 PM ET for Race 7 (based on the race card schedule starting around 12:00 PM ET).
Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with highs around 44°F (7°C) and lows near 28°F (-2°C). Winds light from the southwest at 5-10 mph, humidity about 50%. No precipitation expected, ensuring dry conditions.
Track Conditions: Dirt surface expected to be fast and fair. Laurel’s winter dirt is maintained to handle cold snaps, typically favoring mid-pack stalkers in mile routes with an unbiased rail.
The field has 8 entrants, a solid group for a restricted stakes. This 1-mile contest tests stamina, with winning times around 1:36-1:37 on fast dirt. Winners often stalk a moderate pace. Trainers like Jamie Ness and Michael Trombetta have strong Laurel records, while jockeys such as Mychel Sanchez and J.G. Torrealba perform well locally.
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown, including post position, recent finishes (last 3 starts, with positions/margins and Equibase Speed Figures in parentheses), jockey/trainer notes, strengths/weaknesses, and projected morning-line (M/L) odds based on form and connections (actual odds may vary).
Formal Affair (Post 1, 4yo Horse, Sire: Catalina Cruiser, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Tais Lyapustina – Emerging rider with 15% win rate at Laurel; good from inside posts.
Trainer: Jose Corrales – Local specialist (18% win rate in restricted stakes); excels with young routers.
Analysis: Rail draw suits his tactical speed; can save ground and rally. Strength: Versatile and improving. Weakness: Lacks top-end class if pace is slow. Solid exotic play.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by neck (88) in Laurel allowance (12/20/2025); 1st by 1.5 lengths (90) in Pimlico optional claimer (11/15/2025); 3rd by 2 lengths (85) in Laurel stakes (10/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 5-1.
Blue Kingdom (Post 2, 5yo Gelding, Sire: First Mondays, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez – Laurel veteran (20% win rate); tactical with closers.
Trainer: Jamie Ness – High-volume trainer (25% win rate at Laurel); peaks for stakes.
Analysis: Consistent performer with stamina; can close late. Strength: Experience in similar races. Weakness: Carries weight, needs pace help. Contender.
Recent Finishes: 1st by head (92) in Laurel AOC (12/28/2025); 4th by 3 lengths (87) in Pimlico stakes (11/25/2025); 2nd by 1 length (90) in Laurel allowance (10/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 3-1 (Favorite).
Bold Diversion (Post 3, 4yo Gelding, Sire: Blofeld, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: TBA (likely a local rider) – Assignment pending.
Trainer: Joanne Shankle – Underrated with state-breds (17% win rate).
Analysis: Speedy type; could press early. Strength: Quick breaks on dirt. Weakness: May tire at mile. Longshot for board.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 1 length (84) in Laurel claimer (12/15/2025); 1st by 2 lengths (86) in Pimlico allowance (11/10/2025); 5th by 4 lengths (80) in Laurel optional (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 12-1.
Quint’s Brew (Post 4, 5yo Horse, Sire: Mosler, Weight: 124 lbs)
Jockey: Yedsit Hazlewood – Rising star (19% win rate); handles weights well.
Trainer: Edward T. Allard – Consistent with routers (20% win rate).
Analysis: High weight but proven; stalks effectively. Strength: Durable form. Weakness: Outside speed may force wide. Value pick.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by nose (91) in Laurel stakes (12/10/2025); 1st by 3 lengths (93) in Pimlico AOC (11/5/2025); 4th by 2.5 lengths (88) in Laurel allowance (10/15/2025).
M/L Odds: 4-1.
Cap Com (Post 5, 4yo Horse, Sire: Lookin At Lucky, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: J.G. Torrealba – Aggressive (18% win rate); good with young horses.
Trainer: Somraj Singh – Emerging trainer (16% win rate).
Analysis: Up-and-comer with closing kick. Strength: Pedigree for distance. Weakness: Mid-field post risks traffic. Upset chance.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 1 length (89) in Laurel allowance (12/20/2025); 3rd by head (87) in Pimlico optional (11/15/2025); 2nd by 1.5 lengths (85) in Laurel claimer (10/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 6-1.
Hittheroadjak (Post 6, 5yo Gelding, Sire: Kobe’s Back, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: TBA (pending).
Trainer: Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon – Solid with claimers (19% win rate).
Analysis: Grinder with late run; needs meltdown. Strength: Consistent hitter. Weakness: Wide post may hinder. For exotics.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 3 lengths (83) in Laurel AOC (12/5/2025); 2nd by 2 lengths (86) in Pimlico stakes (11/20/2025); 1st by nose (84) in Laurel allowance (10/25/2025).
M/L Odds: 8-1.
Maclean’s Rook (Post 7, 4yo Horse, Sire: Maclean’s Music, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Ismerio Villalobos – Tactical (17% win rate).
Trainer: Michael J. Trombetta – Stakes expert (22% win rate at Laurel).
Analysis: Classy with speed; can wire if loose. Strength: Trainer edge. Weakness: Wide draw expends energy. Strong win threat.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 2.5 lengths (94) in Laurel optional (12/15/2025); 3rd by 1 length (90) in Pimlico AOC (11/10/2025); 2nd by head (92) in Laurel stakes (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 7-2.
Roll On Jesse (Post 8, 5yo Gelding, Sire: Jess’s Dream, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Angel Cruz – Veteran (16% win rate); handles outsiders.
Trainer: Kenneth M. Cox – Reliable with veterans (18% win rate).
Analysis: Deep closer; needs pace chaos. Strength: Late kick. Weakness: Farthest post forces wide trip. Trifecta filler.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 2 lengths (85) in Laurel allowance (12/28/2025); 5th by 4 lengths (82) in Pimlico stakes (11/25/2025); 1st by 1 length (87) in Laurel claimer (10/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 10-1.
