Laurel Park Horse Racing Picks for Saturday, May 16, 2026

Below is a table for each race of the day. The table is ordered by our algorythmically calculated expected order of finish. Our program takes into account past performances, workout times, speed ratings, recency, and breeder/jockey data amoung other data points.

Using the “Expected” column, the lower number is better. When there is a clear lowest value, we like that horse best to win. In situations where many horses share low numbers, we like those horses equally well. If no horse is under 3, the results are less clear to us and bettors should examine the race more closely.

Using the “Value” column, we present the minimum payout we would recommend betting the particular horse. Look for higher-paying odds than those listed if you like that horse.

Scratches are notated and will be updated as available.

RACE NUMBER 1 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Epic Style 1.60 1 2-1
9 9 Precious Avary 8.00 5.1 10-1
3 3 Cairo Street 6.00 5.2 10-1
1 1 Sally’s Gold 8.00 5.3 10-1
8 8 Gift of Gab 6.00 5.6 11-1
2 2 Boujee Bubblez 3.50 5.7 11-1
10 10 Preparefortakeoff 30.00 5.8 11-1
4 4 Sheilahs Warcloud 30.00 9.1 17-1
5 5 Secure’s Hope 15.00 9.9 19-1
6 6 Itsamonstamash 30.00 10 19-1
11 11 River Seine (IRE) 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 2 (Allowance Optional Claiming) – Allowance Optional Claiming

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 3 Call Me Andy 1.20 1 2-1
9 9 Uncle Cat 15.00 1.5 3-1
10 11 Dean Delivers 10.00 1.7 3-1
3 2 Wickeddivine 6.00 1.8 3-1
7 7 Band Camp 12.00 2 4-1
4 4 Freeze the Fire 10.00 4.6 9-1
8 8 Deposition 30.00 6.5 12-1
11 12 Magic Mule 30.00 8 15-1
6 6 Radical Right 12.00 SCRATCH
12 13 Grand Opening 8.00 SCRATCH
1A 10 Blue Kingdom 1.20 SCRATCH
5 5 Suremeanttoobe 12.00 SCRATCH
2 1 All the Hardways 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 3 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
6 6 Munny Problem 4.50 1 2-1
4 4 Master Sommelier 4.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Scanner 5.00 3.6 7-1
3 3 Naabaahii 3.50 5.4 10-1
9 9 Ocean Sound 30.00 5.4 10-1
2 2 Margie’s Last 30.00 5.7 11-1
10 10 Drive by Johnny 12.00 5.9 11-1
1 1 Limo 2.50 6.1 11-1
7 7 Pendar 30.00 6.5 12-1
11 11 Chatbot 30.00 11 21-1
8 8 Zencat 30.00 11 21-1

RACE NUMBER 4 (Skipat S.) – Skipat S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Passage East 3.00 1 2-1
7 7 Modo 1.80 3.9 7-1
3 3 Kappa Kappa 2.50 4.1 8-1
4 4 Benedetta 8.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Striker Has Dial 8.00 5 9-1
5 5 Sporting Lady 12.00 SCRATCH
6 6 Complexity Jane 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 5 (Allowance) – Allowance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Mambo Queen 5.00 1 2-1
4 4 Sassari 2.50 3.1 6-1
6 6 Synergism 15.00 3.3 6-1
15 15 Devastating 10.00 5.8 11-1
9 9 Tideoftime 10.00 5.8 11-1
3 3 I Love Giraffes 6.00 6 11-1
1 1 Nick’s Notion 12.00 6.1 11-1
12 12 Sharmin 12.00 6.2 12-1
10 10 Buzzaway 15.00 6.3 12-1
5 5 Serenity Song 10.00 6.7 13-1
13 13 Chilly Girl 30.00 9.5 18-1
8 8 So Darn Pretty (IRE) 12.00 10.1 19-1
11 11 Determind Princess 30.00 13.6 26-1
2 2 Don’t Fool With Me 30.00 14 26-1
14 14 Lovely Lookin Lili 30.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 6 (Sir Barton S. Sponsored By Connolly Family Foundation To Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance) – Sir Barton S. Sponsored By Connolly Family Foundation To Benefit The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Final Story 2.00 1 2-1
2 2 Big Cuddle 4.50 1.4 3-1
5 5 Falcon Jet 10.00 3.1 6-1
3 3 Let’s Go Lando 6.00 4 8-1
1 1 Minorinconvenience 12.00 4.2 8-1
6 6 Pont Aven 30.00 6 11-1
7 7 Reagan’s Honor 1.40 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 7 (Chick Lang S.) – Chick Lang S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
4 4 Obliteration 1.20 1 2-1
6 6 Shane’s Wonder 3.00 1.3 2-1
5 5 Igniter 2.50 4.8 9-1
8 8 Magic Wallet 15.00 6 11-1
1 1 Fulmine 20.00 6.6 12-1
7 7 Top Manipulator 30.00 7 13-1
2 2 Hollywood Import 15.00 7 13-1
3 3 Buds Notion 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 8 (Maryland Sprint S.) – Maryland Sprint S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
1 1 Bring the Smoke 10.00 1 2-1
2 2 Faster Gator 4.50 2.3 4-1
3 3 Faust 8.00 3.1 6-1
8 8 Slam Notion 5.00 3.2 6-1
9 9 S S Sinatra 30.00 5.3 10-1
4 4 Haileysfirstnotion 3.50 5.5 10-1
6 6 Celtic Contender 4.50 7 13-1
5 5 Floodlites 4.00 SCRATCH
7 7 Hymn 12.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 9 (James W. Murphy S.) – James W. Murphy S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
5 5 Proton 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Attfield 4.50 1.4 3-1
6 6 Turf Star 2.50 3.1 6-1
1 1 My Favorite Bird 10.00 4.4 8-1
2 2 Thebabeslayer 6.00 4.5 9-1
8 8 J Cody 30.00 6.6 13-1
7 7 Jessica’s Eyes 30.00 7 13-1
3 3 Zihnal 6.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 10 (Dinner Party S.) – Dinner Party S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
3 3 Cruise the Nile 1.80 1 2-1
4 4 Fort Washington 3.50 1.9 4-1
7 7 Harrow 12.00 3.4 6-1
5 5 A Bourbon for Toby 12.00 3.4 6-1
1 1 What Say Thee 15.00 5 9-1
6 6 Dresden Row 1.40 SCRATCH
2 2 Thundering 15.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 11 (Gallorette S.) – Gallorette S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
7 7 Child of the Moon (FR) 2.50 1 2-1
8 8 Awesome Czech 5.00 2.1 4-1
2 2 Ribaltagaia 6.00 2.3 4-1
3 3 Accent (GB) 3.00 2.5 5-1
5 5 Austere 3.50 4.4 8-1
6 6 Cheetah Lady 12.00 4.5 8-1
4 4 Warming 12.00 4.5 9-1
1 1 Mahra’s Love (IRE) 15.00 8 15-1

RACE NUMBER 12 (Jim Mckay Turf Sprint S.) – Jim Mckay Turf Sprint S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
2 2 Determined Kingdom 6.00 1 2-1
4 4 Chasing Liberty 3.00 1.3 2-1
8 8 Outlaw Kid 5.00 2.9 6-1
3 3 Jean Valjean 5.00 3.3 6-1
6 6 Tidewater 30.00 4.9 9-1
1 1 Run Curtis Run 4.00 5 9-1
11 11 Had to Have Him 8.00 5 9-1
9 9 Card Trick 30.00 5.4 10-1
10 10 Fore Harp 15.00 9.1 17-1
5 5 Incinerator 30.00 10 19-1
7 7 Isivunguvungu (SAF) 10.00 SCRATCH

RACE NUMBER 13 (Preakness S.) – Preakness S.

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
14 14 Pretty Boy Miah 15.00 1 2-1
1 1 Taj Mahal 5.00 1.3 2-1
9 9 Iron Honor 4.50 1.5 3-1
2 2 Ocelli 6.00 3.4 6-1
13 13 Great White 15.00 6.1 12-1
11 11 Corona de Oro 30.00 6.5 12-1
12 12 Incredibolt 5.00 6.6 12-1
5 5 Talkin 20.00 6.7 13-1
8 8 Bull by the Horns 30.00 6.8 13-1
7 7 The Hell We Did 15.00 7.8 15-1
3 3 Crupper 30.00 12.2 23-1
10 10 Napoleon Solo 8.00 13.3 25-1
4 4 Robusta 30.00 13.4 25-1
6 6 Chip Honcho 5.00 14 26-1

RACE NUMBER 14 (Maiden Special Weight) – Maiden Special Weight

Expected Order of Finish

Prgm Post Name ML Expected Value
9 9 Mister Monday Nite 6.00 1 2-1
3 3 Love Yourself 6.00 1.4 3-1
4 4 Bruno 4.00 1.5 3-1
8 8 Holy Moly Mitole 4.50 1.8 3-1
7 7 Ballinaclash 10.00 3 6-1
6 6 Grant the Great 3.00 3.8 7-1
1 1 Funky See Funky Do 6.00 5.5 10-1
5 5 Start Tappin 15.00 5.9 11-1
10 10 Leo’s Foo 30.00 9.6 18-1
2 2 Irish Nunsense 30.00 10 19-1

Picks are based on historical performance and match-up. Keep up to date on late scratches and other changes – those are not taken into consideration. Sports from the Basement provides no warranty on these suggestions and readers should make picks at their own risk.