Pick 4 of the Week: Laurel Park Saturday

Four black-type events will headline a fine nine-race card at Laurel Park on Saturday, and a trio of the stakes tilts are a central part of the Pick 4 of the Week. 

Race 6 Wager

$1 Pick 4: 2,4,5,8,11 with 2,3,7 with 3 with 2,3 ($30)

Race 6 – Heavenly Cause S. 

A big field of 11 fillies and mares will travel one-mile on the main oval in the opening leg, and I will spread with multiple runners to get things started in the well-matched field. #2 Catherine Wheel (7-2), #4 Opus Forty Two (15-1), #5 Vincey Girl (10-1), #8 Royal Spa (4-1), and #11 Sea Dancer (5-2) will all make the ticket. 

Race 7 – Primonetta S. 

The six furlong dash for fillies and mares attracted seven in another competitive affair. #2 B G Warrior (6-1) is the inside speed in the group and will be dangerous with the synthetic-to-dirt move for Brisset. The dark bay mare has solid form and will be sent from the break by Sheldon Russell. 

#3 Admiral Hopper (8-1) is the best value horse in the cast in her second run for Justin Nixon. The chestnut mare is 7-for-14 lifetime and could get overlooked as a win contender under Hamilton. Of the pair of Linda Rice pupils in the field, the lightly raced #7 Tipple (3-1) is the one I prefer, with Jose Lezcano taking the reins. She is two-for-two in 2025 and has a fine draw on the outside of the group, too. 

Race 8 – Whiteley S. 

A talented field of six boys will jaunt seven-eighths on the dirt and I will single in the sprint event. Morning-line choice #3 Worcester (7-5), one of two in the field for Brittany Russell, gets the nod. The Empire Maker five-year-old has been first or second in six straight races dating back to 2023, including all four outings since joining this barn, and the bay also dons a 3-2-1-0 mark on the oval, as well. Kentucky-bred has a big turn of foot and will run them down late beneath Sheldon Russell. 

Race 9 – Claiming

Fillies and mares will travel seven panels on the dirt to close out the sequence. #3 Umbral (4-1) had to need her last off of the extended layoff and is my top selection in the contest. The Ghostzapper four-year-old has some early speed in a field lacking pace, and she figures to be the one to run down late with Torrealba in the controls. 

Class dropper #2 Magically Vanished (2-1) is the only other runner in the field that I feel merits inclusion in her third run since the summer. The Good Magic four-year-old will appreciate the class relief under Weston Hamilton.