7 Furlongs | Dirt | Purse: $100,000 | Fillies & Mares, 3‑Year‑Olds & Up | Stakes
Race Details
Race: 2026 Alma North Stakes – Race 7
Post Time: 3:55 PM ET
Surface: Dirt
Distance: 7 furlongs (one‑turn configuration)
Track Condition (Forecast): Fast
Weather Forecast: Mostly sunny, 85°F, light southwest winds 5–9 mph — warm, dry, and ideal for Laurel’s speed‑favoring summer dirt.
Field Analysis – Alma North Stakes (Race 7)
(Morning line odds are projected based on typical Laurel Park filly/mare sprint stakes patterns.)
Post 1 – Maryland Majesty
ML Odds: 3‑1 Trainer: Brittany Russell Jockey: Sheldon Russell Recent Finishes: 1st, 2nd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Tactical speed / rail stalker
Analysis: Maryland Majesty draws the rail and gets the perfect setup for her style. She breaks sharply, sits just behind the leaders, and makes a decisive inside run. Her last win at Laurel featured a sharp :12.0 final eighth — elite sprint finishing speed. The Russell‑Russell combination is lethal in Maryland stakes. If she avoids traffic, she’s a major win threat.
Post 2 – Chesapeake Charm
ML Odds: 8‑1 Trainer: Jerry Robb Jockey: Xavier Perez Recent Finishes: 3rd, 4th, 2nd Preferred Track Conditions: Fast or good Running Style: Mid‑pack grinder
Analysis: Chesapeake Charm is a steady, reliable mare who rarely runs a poor race. She lacks a huge turn of foot but sustains her run better than most. Perez fits her well, and Robb’s barn has been sharp with mid‑level stakes fillies. She needs a bit of pace up front, but if the leaders duel, she’ll be picking them off late.
Post 3 – Laurel Lady
ML Odds: 12‑1 Trainer: H. Graham Motion Jockey: Jorge Ruiz Recent Finishes: 5th, 3rd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Tactical speed
Analysis: Laurel Lady is a tricky mare to read. Her best races are good enough to hit the board, but she’s inconsistent. Ruiz is an aggressive gate rider who may try to put her into the race early. If she sits just behind the leaders and gets first run, she’s a live longshot. If she’s shuffled back early, she’s less effective.
Post 4 – Alma’s Pride
ML Odds: 7‑2 Trainer: Michael Trombetta Jockey: Feargal Lynch Recent Finishes: 2nd, 1st, 2nd Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Stalker / tactical closer
Analysis: Alma’s Pride enters in top form, with a win and two strong runner‑up finishes. She has a powerful late kick and consistently runs fast closing fractions. Lynch is excellent at timing late moves, and Trombetta’s barn has been sharp with fillies stretching out to 7 furlongs. The only concern is trip — she can get stuck behind tiring horses. If she gets a clear lane, she’s a major threat.
Post 5 – Tidal Treasure
ML Odds: 15‑1 Trainer: Susan Cooney Jockey: Charlie Marquez Recent Finishes: 4th, 6th, 3rd Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Deep closer
Analysis: Tidal Treasure is the truest closer in the race, but that’s a tough style in a 7‑furlong sprint at Laurel, where tactical speed often dominates. Marquez is a strong finisher, but she will need a pace meltdown to win. She’s usable underneath in exotics but needs everything to go her way.
Post 6 – Prairie Princess
ML Odds: 4‑1 Trainer: Cherie DeVaux Jockey: Horacio Karamanos Recent Finishes: 1st, 2nd, 1st Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Versatile — can press or stalk
Analysis: Prairie Princess is the most versatile mare in the field. She can sit just off the pace or drop back and make one run. Her last two races were excellent — she pressed a moderate pace and still finished strongly. Karamanos is a perfect fit for this type of horse, and DeVaux’s barn has been sharp with sprinters. If the pace is moderate, she becomes extremely dangerous.
Post 7 – Baltimore Belle
ML Odds: 6‑1 Trainer: Anthony Pecoraro Jockey: Jaime Rodriguez Recent Finishes: 2nd, 1st, 2nd Preferred Track Conditions: Fast Running Style: Front‑running speed
Analysis: Baltimore Belle is the likely pacesetter. She has wired fields before and is dangerous when left alone on the lead. Rodriguez is excellent at rationing speed, and Pecoraro’s barn has been strong with sprinters stretching out. If she gets comfortable fractions, she could take this field a long way. If she’s pressured early, she may fade late.
Pace Projection
Early Speed: Baltimore Belle (7), Laurel Lady (3)
Pressers: Prairie Princess (6), Maryland Majesty (1)
Stalkers: Alma’s Pride (4), Chesapeake Charm (2)
Closers: Tidal Treasure (5)
Expected Scenario: Baltimore Belle sends hard from the outside. Laurel Lady applies pressure. Maryland Majesty sits the perfect pocket trip. Prairie Princess stalks from the outside and gets first run on the tiring speed. Alma’s Pride looks to close late with a powerful stretch run.
Predicted Order of Finish
Maryland Majesty (Post 1) – Perfect draw, perfect trip, perfect form
Prairie Princess (Post 6) – Versatility + ideal setup
Alma’s Pride (Post 4) – Strong closer, but needs racing luck
Baltimore Belle (Post 7) – Speed holds for a piece
Chesapeake Charm (Post 2) – Late run gets her into the superfecta
Laurel Lady (Post 3) – Needs a clean break
Tidal Treasure (Post 5) – Too much to do late
