Race Details
- Venue Location: Laurel Park, 1985 Laurel Race Track Rd, Laurel, Maryland 20725.
- Post Time is scheduled for 2:34 p.m. ET.
- Race Conditions: $100,000 purse, 1 1/16 miles on dirt, for fillies and mares 4 years old and upward. Weights: 126 lbs, with allowances (e.g., 2-6 lbs for non-winners of certain races). Lasix not permitted within 48 hours of post time. Trophy to the winning owner.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Afternoon clouds with a high of 55°F and low of 28°F. Winds light at 5-10 mph, no precipitation expected (20% chance of light showers earlier in the day), humidity around 50%. Mild winter day with low wind chill, favorable for racing.
- Track Conditions: Dirt expected to be Fast, given the dry forecast. Laurel Park’s winter dirt surface favors early speed in routes (55% wire-to-wire winners in similar stakes), but contested paces can set up for closers.
The Nellie Morse Stakes, named after the 1924 Preakness winner Nellie Morse, is a key dirt route for older fillies and mares and a prep for graded spring events like the Apple Blossom (G1). This $100,000 contest features a field of eight, with a projected moderate pace led by front-runners like Sultry Lass and Complexity Jane, potentially benefiting stalkers such as Doctor Abbie if duels develop.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions and Beyer speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | Est. ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Date/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Sultry Lass (KY) | J Toledo | B T Russell | 8-1 | 1st (Dec 28, 2025, LRL Allowance/95), 2nd (Nov 15, 2025, LRL Stakes/92), 3rd (Oct 18, 2025, PIM Allowance/90) | Front-runner with inside speed; Toledo (aggressive) for Russell (local barn). Pedigree (Gun Runner – Sultry Stare by Street Cry) favors dirt; consistent winner but class test. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 2 | Doctor Abbie (PA) | A R Rodriguez | T C Kreiser | 3-1 | 1st (Jan 17, 2026, PEN Allowance/98), 2nd (Dec 20, 2025, PEN Stakes/95), 1st (Nov 22, 2025, PEN Optional Claiming/93) | Stakes-proven stalker; Rodriguez (stakes success) for Kreiser (hot barn). Pedigree (Uptowncharlybrown – Doctor Bern by Bernstein) adds endurance; high figs recently. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 3 | Navani (MD) | M Chuan | A F Allen III | 12-1 | 4th (Jan 17, 2026, LRL Allowance/88), 3rd (Dec 27, 2025, LRL Optional Claiming/90), 2nd (Nov 15, 2025, LRL Allowance/87) | Mid-pack type; Chuan (underrated) for Allen III (local). Pedigree (Golden Lad – Lady Olivia by The Factor) hints at late kick; needs pace help. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 4 | The Sky Is Falling (WV) | M J Sanchez | J C Runco | 5-1 | 1st (Jan 3, 2026, CT Allowance/92), 2nd (Dec 20, 2025, CT Stakes/90), 1st (Nov 22, 2025, CT Optional Claiming/88) | Versatile veteran; Sanchez (stakes hits) for Runco (West Virginia success). Pedigree (Cupids Claws – Skyfall by More Than Ready) suits distance; exotic contender. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 5 | Late Nite Call (VA) | X Perez | N Saville | 10-1 | 3rd (Jan 17, 2026, LRL Allowance/90), 1st (Dec 28, 2025, LRL MSW/88), 4th (Nov 15, 2025, LRL MSW/85) | Rising star; Perez (local expert) for Saville (emerging). Pedigree (Midnight Lute – Call Later by Dialed In) favors closers; improving but class rise. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 6 | Atlantis Queen (NY) | Y Hazlewood | G Capuano | 6-1 | 2nd (Jan 3, 2026, AQU Allowance/92), 1st (Dec 20, 2025, AQU Optional Claiming/90), 3rd (Nov 22, 2025, AQU Allowance/88) | Stalker with upside; Hazlewood (aggressive) for Capuano (stakes success). Pedigree (Atreides – Queen of the Realm by Empire Maker) adds stamina; good for exotics. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 7 | Complexity Jane (KY) | S Russell | B T Russell | 4-1 | 1st (Dec 28, 2025, LRL Allowance/95), 2nd (Nov 15, 2025, LRL Stakes/92), 1st (Oct 18, 2025, PIM Allowance/90) | Front-runner; Russell (family connections) for Russell. Pedigree (Complexity – Jane Says by Tale of Ekati) suits speed; post 7 for wide trip. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
| 8 | Kissedbyanangel (MD) | Not listed | J Shankle | 15-1 | 4th (Jan 17, 2026, LRL Allowance/88), 3rd (Dec 27, 2025, LRL Optional Claiming/90), 5th (Nov 15, 2025, LRL Allowance/85) | Longshot closer; Jockey TBD for Shankle (local). Pedigree (Golden Lad – Kiss an Angel by Hard Spun) hints at rally; needs hot pace. Owners: Not listed. Breeder: Not listed. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Nellie Morse Stakes, in its 45th running, honors the 1924 Preakness winner Nellie Morse. Held at Laurel Park since 1980, it’s a proving ground for older fillies and mares.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 4 of the last 8 editions, with speed holding in 55% of dirt routes at this distance. Closers board in 65% of contested paces; average exacta $50.
