Laurel Park 2026 Stakes Plays
Saturday’s (2-21-26) stakes picks from Laurel Park (Race 8).
LRL 8 (Miracle Wood, 3yo, 8f dirt) – Post Time 3:26 PM ET
Primary – #7 LET’S GO LANDO, #5 Taj Mahal
Secondary – #4 Close the Gate, #2 Higher Sense
Horse Comments:
#7 Let’s Go Lando (9-2) ran well in his last four starts. He stalked wide from the outside post and graduated by 8+ lengths as the favorite in a local MSW affair at 1 1/16 miles in November. He was a wide 3rd of 4 at a mile and a sixteenth in December, and he cut back to a mile and rolled to a big win from off the pace Jan. 10. He earned an improved number last time and might be able to make it two straight local wins at one mile.
#5 Taj Mahal (5-1) was the favorite in his local 6f bow Feb. 6 and he broke slow, raced wide, and rallied to win by 4 1/4 lengths. Brittany Russell’s $525k Nyquist colt might be this good.
#4 Close the Gate (6-1) rallied from far back to finish second in his local 5.5f bow, and he stalked from an outer post and ran away by 9+ lengths in a local MSW affair at 5.5f Jan. 10. He was 5-1 in the Spectacular Bid at seven panels Feb. 4 and he stalked from the outside post, led, and landed the place.
#2 Higher Sense (6-1) moved to dirt, chased the pace, and was clearly second best behind Mailata as a 58-1 longshot Oct. 29, and he stumbled badly at the start and was 5th of 7 as the beaten favorite Nov. 24. He turned back and was clearly second best behind runaway winner Mailata in the Parx Future Stars in December, and he returned to the maiden ranks, got clear early, and aired by 9 lengths as the favorite at this course/distance Feb. 4.
Wagers:
#7 to win
Exacta box 5-7
Trifecta 5-7/2-4-5-7/2-4-5-7
Laurel Park 2026 Free Pick Stakes Winners
Jan. 17 (Geisha) – TAKETHEMONEYHONEY ($2.20)
