The Miracle Wood Stakes serves as a crucial prep for 3-year-olds eyeing the local Triple Crown path, including the Preakness Stakes. This $100,000 listed stakes race is open to 3-year-olds who have not received Lasix within 48 hours of post time. Run over 1 mile on dirt, it carries weights of 118 lbs, with allowances: 2 lbs off for non-winners of a sweepstakes, 4 lbs for $50,000 once, 6 lbs for $40,000 once (maiden/claiming/starter not considered). Preference goes to graded stakes performers in the past 12 months, then highest 2025-26 earnings. The field of seven emphasizes early speed and stamina on Laurel’s oval, where tactical positioning is key in one-turn miles.
Venue Location
Laurel Park is located in Laurel, Maryland, USA, situated between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. The track features a 1 1/8-mile dirt oval with a one-mile chute, known for its fair but speed-favoring surface in mid-distance races. It hosts Thoroughbred racing year-round, with the winter meet from January to March attracting crowds of up to 10,000 on stakes days, bolstered by casino and simulcast facilities.
Scheduled Post Time3:22 PM Eastern Time (ET). The card starts at approximately 12:00 PM ET, positioning this as a late-afternoon highlight on a 10-race program.
Expected Weather Conditions
Forecast for Laurel, MD, on February 21 indicates cool and wet conditions with a high of 54°F and a low of 30°F. Expect overcast skies with a 70% chance of rain (about 0.35 inches or 9 mm) and south winds at 10-15 mph. Humidity around 70%, potentially impacting track speed and favoring off-pace runners if muddy.
Track Conditions
Laurel’s dirt surface for this 1-mile stakes is likely to be sloppy or good due to forecasted rain; otherwise, fast conditions dominate the winter meet. Recent data highlights a bias toward early speed (22% wire-to-wire winners at 1 mile), with the inside rail fair but outer paths aiding closers in contested paces. Earlier cancellations in February due to cold snaps suggest caution with weather, but the track seals well in rain.
Full Analysis of Each Horse, Jockey, and Trainer
The seven-horse field features lightly raced 3-year-olds, with Balboa emerging as the standout based on class and connections. Morning line odds are provided; recent finishes include last-race speed figures (Beyer equivalents where available or estimated from form). All are 3-year-olds (C=Colt, G=Gelding).
| PP | Horse (Age/Sex, Sire – Dam) | Recent Finishes (Last Speed Figure) | ML Odds | Jockey (Analysis) | Trainer (Analysis) | Overall Horse Analysis |
| 1 | No More Calls (3/G, Kobe’s Back – Stormy Love Affair) | Broke maiden at 1m in LRL MSW (Feb 4, 2026, speed 85); prior sprints unplaced (e.g., 4th in Dec 2025 MSW, speed 72). | 30-1 | Jean Gregor Briceno: Local specialist with 12% win rate at Laurel; patient on longshots (14% in routes). Strong gate handler from rail. | Charles A. Frock: 10% stakes success; focuses on Maryland-breds (15% with geldings). Barn steady but low-volume. | Lightly raced gelding showing stretch-out improvement; inside draw aids but class rise tough. Bred for stamina; longshot if pace collapses. Owner: B and C Stable. |
| 2 | Higher Sense (3/C, Higher Power – Taqseemaat) | 4th in LRL AlwOC (Jan 10, 2026, speed 88); wired maiden at 1m in prior LRL start (Dec 2025, speed 92). | 6-1 | Carlos Eduardo Lopez: Aggressive (18% wins at meet); excels on speed horses (20% wire jobs). Good from inner posts. | Miguel Penaloza: 16% in stakes; sharp with NJ-breds (19% routes). Recent form hot. | Speedy colt who loves front end; recent wire in maiden bodes well for pace scenario. Value if uncontested early. Owner: Lyno E. Maraspin. |
| 3 | G Q Worthy (3/C, Beau Liam – Katara) | Surged to 2nd in recent allowance (Jan 2026, speed 90); 3rd in MD Juvenile S. (Dec 2025, speed 87). | 8-1 | Xavier Perez: Veteran (20% wins); tactical in stakes (22% with colts). Versatile positioner. | John J. Robb: High-strike (25% Laurel); dominates locals (28% 3yos). Consistent barn. | Outside bidder with closing punch; recent surges show form. Bias suits if speed holds; contender. Owner: Mens Grille Racing. |
| 4 | Close the Gate (3/G, Engage – Bethaven) | Steady efforts; 2nd in PA allowance (Jan 2026, speed 86); maiden win prior (Nov 2025, speed 82). | 6-1 | Ismerio Villalobos: Up-and-comer (15% wins); strong on geldings (17% mid-pack). Handles pressure. | John E. Salzman, Jr.: 14% stakes; local expert (18% PA-breds). Reliable developer. | Consistent stalker; improving figures. Mid-field draw ideal; upset potential in wet. Owner: Bird and Grady, LLC. |
| 5 | Taj Mahal (3/C, Nyquist – Unknown Dam) | Competitive in allowances; 1st in LRL optional (Jan 2026, speed 95); prior stakes place (Dec 2025, speed 91). | 5-1 | TBD: Jockey to be named; expect top rider given connections. | Brittany T. Russell: Elite (26% stakes); dominates 3yos (30% routes). Hot barn. | Talented colt with class; recent win sharp. Unknown jockey but strong team; live chance. Owner: Unknown. |
| 6 | Balboa (3/C, Not This Time – Unknown Dam) | Top form; 1st in recent LRL stake trial (Feb 2026, speed 98); consistent winner (e.g., allowance Dec 2025, speed 96). | 1-1 | TBD: Jockey pending; likely premium assignment. | Brittany T. Russell: As above; multiple entries signal confidence. 28% with colts. | Standout with peak figures; stablemate to #5. Even money reflects edge; wire threat. Owner: Unknown. |
| 7 | Let’s Go Lando (3/C, Game Winner – Unknown Dam) | Recent winner at LRL (Jan 10, 2026, speed 92); prior unplaced but improving (Dec 2025, speed 85). | 9-2 | Yedsit Hazlewood: Emerging (16% wins); good with closers (18% 1m). Outer post suits. | Gary Capuano: Solid (20% stakes); family legacy (22% MD-breds). In-form. | Late runner with recent victory; outer draw for rally. Value if race sets up. Owner: Eagle Up Stables et al. |
