Competitive fields and promising talent are set to take the track this weekend at Laurel Park. The weekend’s slate includes everything from maiden special weight contests to seasoned veterans aiming for another trip to the winner’s circle.

Friday Highlights Leading off the action on Thursday, Hittheroadjak, trained by Rudy Sanchez-Salomon and ridden by Tais Lyapustina, headlines Race 5, a third-level allowance event. The 4-year-old gelding, boasting five wins from 12 starts and $183,935 in earnings, is the 5-2 favorite in what shapes up to be a wide-open contest. Having won easily iin his last two starts versus allowance foes, Hittheroadjak looks poised for another strong performance.

In Race 6, veteran gelding Rad Paisley will attempt to capture his 10th career victory in a starter/optional claiming race. The 7-year-old, trained by Joanne Shankle and guided by Jevian Toledo, has amassed over $300,000 in career earnings. He faces a deep and competitive field that includes 12-time winners Pit Stop Man and Goodluckchuck.

Saturday’s Rising Stars Saturday’s card features a mix of up-and-comers and proven talent. In Race 5, Roundtop, a Graham Motion trainee, tries dirt for the first time after competing on turf and synthetic in his eight career starts. Owned by Harrell Ventures, the 4-year-old gelding has a win and over $64,000 in the bank. He will have Victor Carrasco aboard as he tests himself against notable rivals Runandscore and Deadpan. His pedigree suggests he may handle the surface switch, being a half-brother to dirt Grade 1 winner Mongolian Groom.

Race 2 introduces Committed Games, a promising 3-year-old colt trained by Brittany Russell. Making his career debut for the high-end ownership group of Robert LaPenta and Madaket Stable, Committed Games is a half-brother to the Grade 1-winning Practical Move and was purchased for $300,000 as a yearling. He faces stiff competition, including Griffin’s Wharf, a New York shipper, as well as $450,000 auction purchase Let’s Go J J.

Laurel Park races Friday-Sunday, and first post is 12:10 p.m.