Questions about Laurel

[steve1904]

would anyone answer questions I have about Laurel race track? Im looking to change tracks for a while and wanted to ask about laurel. Thanks

[fast4522]

Originally Posted by steve1904

would anyone answer questions I have about Laurel race track? Im looking to change tracks for a while and wanted to ask about laurel. Thanks

For me it is all about field size and what has been the trend the last 2 days if my focus was on the one track. I suggest following the connections at a track first, but I have followed trainers and how they cycle runners when they send and when it its training time. It make a real difference when you know lets say King Leatherberry or Linda Rice moves or who you follow. Sometimes that day slot in time is what your looking at and what is running in the times that you want to play. I just dump any card that has 4 horse fields, getting value is on me if fields are full. The specific questions 1,2,3, and 4 would draw more responses I think.

[steve1904]

i look at field sizes as well. I agree with you about 4 horse fields. I look at 6 horses or less as no bets. If there are a lot like that i go to a different card. I was looking at the 31 December card at Laurel and was surprised and the large fields. Do you play Laurel a lot? Any fav trainers or barns? Thanks

[Saratoga]

Originally Posted by steve1904

would anyone answer questions I have about Laurel race track? Im looking to change tracks for a while and wanted to ask about laurel. Thanks

Handicap the same way as you have done before...

There's no secrets!!!

Every time I look to play a Maryland track....its 5 feet under water....

[Robert Fischer]

Originally Posted by steve1904

would anyone answer questions I have about Laurel race track? Im looking to change tracks for a while and wanted to ask about laurel. Thanks

CJ knows a lot about Laurel and a lot about racing. If he's willing to offer some time, I'd definitely respect what he has to say about it.

While there isn't the love/hate volume of NYRA or California racing, there are a fair number of players here who have talked Laurel and Maryland racing over the years. I probably should be able to recall a bit more of them than I can, and I don't have them memorized, but the 'Suspension' thread a few/several slots down on this General Racing page seems to bring a few recently active members who either follow Laurel and/or have an opinion on things back up again.

Laurel is my home track at the moment, and I spend a lot of time handicapping and going over details. Depending on your questions etc... I'd probably enjoy answering and sharing.

If you are a DRF member/fan, you may be interested in following Dan Illman (x twitter). He's an accomplished handicapper and has some quality content.

Some of the general comments here on race selection and considerations over 'having a track' vs. 'screening for value from a wide array' are significant as well. I can add some of those things. Ask away in this thread, or shoot me a PM, and I'll see if we are on the same wavelength. Good luck. - Jason

[Ruffian1]

Originally Posted by steve1904

would anyone answer questions I have about Laurel race track? Im looking to change tracks for a while and wanted to ask about laurel. Thanks

I worked there from 1972-mid 1976 and trained there from mid 1976-early 2001.
Ask away if that works for you.

[lefty359]

I like field sizes of 7 or more. When I get them I've always done well at Lrl

[fast4522]

Originally Posted by steve1904

i look at field sizes as well. I agree with you about 4 horse fields. I look at 6 horses or less as no bets. If there are a lot like that i go to a different card. I was looking at the 31 December card at Laurel and was surprised and the large fields. Do you play Laurel a lot? Any fav trainers or barns? Thanks

I play the time slots that are open to what life allows, life tends to take over and racing becomes secondary. The answer is I follow speed on the weed, my homegrown software features ability times that work real well. Although I only bet horses that will pay over $10 I often cash some that pay a little less but when I bet they were over $10. To follow just Laurel my turf plays would be very limited right?

[proximity]

i enjoyed this track maybe 25-30 years ago when it ran pretty much w-sun at about the same times as the nyra tracks.

the invention of colonial and mr stronach coming in with his boring one turn miles, alternate finish lines, and horse wizard machines threw water on the fires of my enthusiasm. colonial ruined the momentum of the circuit for me and i enjoyed the handicapping challenge that the two turn routes provided with heightened importance on early speed, jockey tactics, trips and so on. jmo

[Ruffian1]

Originally Posted by proximity

i enjoyed this track maybe 25-30 years ago when it ran pretty much w-sun at about the same times as the nyra tracks.

the invention of colonial and mr stronach coming in with his boring one turn miles, alternate finish lines, and horse wizard machines threw water on the fires of my enthusiasm. colonial ruined the momentum of the circuit for me and i enjoyed the handicapping challenge that the two turn routes provided with heightened importance on early speed, jockey tactics, trips and so on. jmo

WOW ! This might be jmo, "just your opinion", but I have never heard a Laurel Md. customer say more in one short post.

You nailed it sir.

Very well done ! IMO of course.

[Robert Fischer]

Twitter

__________________
Preparation. Discipline. Patience. Decisiveness.

[Saratoga]

Better......

[proximity]

Originally Posted by Ruffian1

WOW ! This might be jmo, "just your opinion", but I have never heard a Laurel Md. customer say more in one short post.

You nailed it sir.

Very well done ! IMO of course.

i had a plan called triple crown casino at laurel park.

but i guess mr stronach had a different plan?

anyhow, i wish it would have all worked out.

[Ruffian1]

Originally Posted by Robert Fischer

https://twitter.com/LaurelPark/statu...40143152402627

Yep. He sure did have a different plan.

Take a look at the background. Not the eye candy but the clubhouse reserved boxes.

You see 1 fan.

I went there last April on a weekend and went up to my old box seats just past the finish line on the glass to see the track and a race from that view again. At 1:30 on a live race day there were a total of 4 people in all the box seats AND all the grandstand combined.

Live racing and 4 people. And remember they built a false wall to hide thousands of empty grandstand seats that were filled on a weekend with people saving their seats with newspaper wrapped around them while they bet. All the betting windows are now empty. No tellers. A virtual ghost town.

It was sad to see.

Whatever that plan was that ownership had, nice job.

I cannot imagine my thoughts if I was still training.

What a shame.

[thespaah]

Originally Posted by proximity

i enjoyed this track maybe 25-30 years ago when it ran pretty much w-sun at about the same times as the nyra tracks.

the invention of colonial and mr stronach coming in with his boring one turn miles, alternate finish lines, and horse wizard machines threw water on the fires of my enthusiasm. colonial ruined the momentum of the circuit for me and i enjoyed the handicapping challenge that the two turn routes provided with heightened importance on early speed, jockey tactics, trips and so on. jmo

I have to ask..What does Colonial have to do with Laurel?
How is the existence of Colonial a detriment to Maryland racing?
Is it your contention that the State of Maryland has an exclusive on east coast racing south of Newark DE and north of Hallandale Beach , FL?
Look, if Laurel can't hang on to its best horses and trainers when a track nearly 250 miles to the south opens , how is that the problem of Colonial Downs?
BTW, a good percentage of the races at Cnl are carded for VA Breds. Also, Cnl is the only track that has a dirt course that cards majority turf events.
I'm not here to argue. I'd prefer a discussion.