Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, February 13, 2026

–        #3 MEZZO SOPRANO showed significant improvement second out (1M, LRL, 01/17/26): fitted with blinkers and using lasix for the first time: he sat within striking range of a hot pace, angled 3W into the stretch and took the lead, then fought bravely between foes but could not fend off a deep closer with much more experience. Tactical speed and plenty of grit with scope to improve further.

–        Although the early fractions weren’t blazing, when #4 MASTER SCHEMER, #5 TIZ THE GREAT and #6 PAID VACATION squared off last time (1M, LRL, 01/23/26), the pace did fall apart in the lane somewhat with the two runners positioned last and second last at the 1/2m pole (11L and 10L off the lead, respectively) coming through to finish 1st and 2nd (MASTER SCHEMER), well clear of 3rd (TIZ THE GREAT). TIZ THE GREAT and PAID VACATION were both within 2L of the lead at second call, so it’s potentially worth giving them a pass for their defeats, while MASTER SCHEMER – who benefited from the setup – may need his effort downgrading. That being said, MASTER CHEMER, using lasix for the first time – did race much wider than either of his re-opposing foes and visually looked best of the bunch.

–        Having set an honest pace in front, #2 FORMAGGIO simply failed to stay the distance going a one-turn mile last out (1M, AQU, 01/15/25); expect an improved showing back at 6F, down in class.

–        #3 PNEUMONIA WARRIOR stumbled at the start last time (6F, LRL, 12/26/25) which resulted in her getting away a length or two slower than usual. However, it wasn’t a horrific stumble, and she remained in touch with the field at the break (before being outrun/outclassed) – her result/speed fig seem about fair and the effort is not worthy of a significant upgrade. Drops in class today.

–        #4 CROSS OF VALOR (2nd) and #6 CHILLY GIRL (3rd) both exit the same race (1M, LRL, 12/05/25) run over a good surface in a snow shower; they both sat clean trips and were 2nd and 3rd best respectively on the day; it’s potentially worth noting, however, that the running order in that race – from first to last – didn’t change from ~7/8 pole home, making one wonder how much we can/should trust that form line? Both cut back today. (CHILLY GIRL also drifted in again through the lane – a bad habit of hers that could be troublesome with her wide post today).

–        #5 C C COMMANDER ran a very likable race on debut (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/21/25) and is worthy of a second look today. She was extremely (almost too) professional first out, though, and also saved every inch of ground with a rail skimming trip, possibly reducing her scope for improvement as she moves up in class.

–        KERNESS K’s latest effort (7F, LRL, 01/23/26) deserves a slight UPGRADE as he was bumped at the break and away a fraction slower than he can be, then he made an early move into a hot pace while 4W on the turn before understandably fading late. A slightly cleaner break, more patient ride and ground saving trip coupled with a cut back in trip can help him improve.

–        #6 PACO THE TACO MAN was caught 3-4W on the turn last time (6F, LRL, 01/23/26) but it’s hard to say that was why he ran below par – he was weak in the stretch and will need more today.

–        #7 EL DIVINO NINO ran a very likable race in defeat last time (7F, LRL, 01/23/26) sitting close to a fast pace (small PACE UPGRADE) while ~3W on the turn. He did well to hold 3rd and will demand respect cutting back to 5 1/2F while making his debut for Farrior today.

–        #1 RHODES beat a promising next out winner, and future stakes placed performer (CLOSE THE GATE) when breaking his maiden last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/19/25). It should be noted, however, that the runner-up was very green that day and left plenty of room for improvement before galloping out in front. Don’t take the form line too seriously and assume that RHODES is simply 6 1/2L better than ‘CTG’ (but do still pay RHODES major respect because he was good in victory and could be better again with lasix).

–        #2 WORKER BEE finished with decent energy (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/09/26) after racing 3-5W (tiny UPGRADE) on the turn in a competitive affair last out; he ran in a manner to suggest that, now gelded, he can play a major role against seemingly softer rivals today with an extra 1/16 to work with.

–        #3 WILDNCRAZYGUY simply failed to stay a mile last time (1M, LRL, 01/10/26) and looks to be suited by the cut back today. (Makes first sprint start with lasix on).

–        #4 TOP MANIPULATOR was really bumped and roughed around at the break last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) which resulted in him getting away much slower than he had on debut (he can be more forward). The break, however, could have been a blessing in disguise, as he then was forced to sit back off a hot pace (contested by three live horses) that fell apart and set things up well for him to break his maiden, aided by a good trip.

–        #5 IHAVEANAPPFORTHAT was beaten just 3/4L last out (7F, CT, 01/22/26) despite having raced three paths wider than the rail skimming winner around the first turn and half of the second turn. It wasn’t a wide enough trip to warrant a speed fig upgrade, but he could well have been best in there.

–        #6 WALL ART was a good winner on debut, then looked to have either bolted or had a tack malfunction when last seen being pulled up (6F, DEL, 08/14/25) (no head-on available). He did not look to physically go ‘wrong’. Returns from layoff today.

–        #3 YUMYUM EAT EM UP stumbled slightly at the start last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/04/26) but recovered quickly, didn’t lose contact with the field or fall any further behind than expected, and sat a perfect trip thereafter. The break was negligible; result/speed fig fair.

–        #4 DUBSTEP was caught wide on the turn after making quite an early move to the front-end last time (1M, LRL, 11/27/25), but neither factor explain why she finished quite so poorly; needs to bounce back off freshening today.

–        The top two finishers (who were also the 6/5 and 2/1 fav and second choice) ran 1-2 the whole way around in #6 BAY STREET’s last race (6F, LRL, 01/09/26). She, however, was heavily restrained to race in rear, 6L+ off the even pace entering the far turn, then stayed on (with a good trip) into 3rd but had no chance of catching the front pair. She probably wasn’t ever winning the race, but the tactics employed on her made it near impossible (to catch the two front running favs) from the start. She did well under the circumstances and could offer more at 7F today. Note: she was also only hand ridden through the lane last out.

–        #9 LADY CHARLOTTE vied for the lead between horses through the opening 1/8th before steadying back ~3/4L in a little tight ~5/8 pole last out (6F, LRL, 01/23/26); while it wasn’t an ideal situation and prevented her from adopting what appear to be her preferred front running tactics, the interference hardly cost her momentum or ground and she sat a great trip thereafter (the interference doesn’t explain her speed fig drop, she simply looked to run below par). Stretches out to a mile today.

–        #3 EMMA MERMAID was bumped hard at the start last out (6F, LRL, 01/16/26) and away slowly in rear, then advanced through the pack, was caught 3-5W (small UPGRADE) on the turn and finished well to just miss the show spot (from #4 PRIINCESS CHARMING who saved more ground throughout). Expect her to improve second off the bench today.

–        Granted, she had a fast pace to run at, but #7 CAMPAIGN MISCHIEF finished well for 3rd after enduring a rough start and 4-5W+ trip (UPGRADE) on debut last time (6 1/2F, TP, Synth, 12/27/25); provided she takes to the dirt, an improved effort can be expected second out with lasix on. Makes debut for Maldonado.

–        #1 FEELS SO RIGHT deserves something of a pass for his most recent effort (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26): he showed his customary early speed and was close to the pace on rail heading to the 1/2m pole but then found himself tight against the fence and was checked/shuffled back into 6th (3-4L back) heading into the bend; he then remained in tight until ~5/16 pole before tipping out and not making much of an impression late, partly due to the fact that the pace was slow and held very well in front (the interference left him pace compromised as well as out of position). Although one would have liked to have seen more late interest, this trip/race certainly didn’t see him to best effect. Stretches back out to a mile today.

–        Using lasix first time, #3 TACTICS lost ground racing 3-4W on the turn last out (1M, LRL, 01/10/26), then had to steady slightly ~3/16 pole (small UPGRADE) before finishing evenly (with a degree of credit) into 5th and galloping out strongly. He ran in a manner to suggest that he’ll be better suited by a stronger early pace (which he’s likely to get today). With a clear/more ground saving trip forecast too, he can improve this afternoon.

–        #6 DIGITAL SECURITY consistently responded to his rider’s urgings having been under pressure from the get-go last out (6 1/2F, CT, 01/03/26) and was strong at the finish; he ran in a manner to suggest he can be equally/more effective at a mile.

–        Using lasix for the first time, #7 BOSS MODE won convincingly last out (1M, LRL, 02/04/26) despite having raced widest (~4W) on the turn (he was much the best and might have more to offer still).

–        #1 DIAMOND SUE had to steady slightly from between horses ~3/8 pole last time which cost her a little momentum and ~1-2L; she then stayed on willingly into 2nd. While the interference didn’t cost her a position, with a clean trip, she might be capable of improving her speed fig by a point or so off a freshening today.

–        Not sure why, but after breaking sharply from the rail and setting a 25.31 opening 1/4 last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/27/25), the rider on #2 OLD BAY was content to concede the lead and drop back to 4th racing down the back stretch (which now meant that they were tasked with closing back into a slow pace). What’s more, the rider also moved her off the inside and raced 2-3W throughout (allowing the winner – who beat her by a neck – to take advantage of a now available inside rail skimming trip). It wasn’t the jock’s finest moment; rider switch today.

–        #4 DAZZY, who took over the pace from #2 OLD BAY in that aforementioned race (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/27/25), was beaten a neck at the wire despite having lost real estate racing 5W+ on the first turn.

–        #5 BELLS BEACH was bumped and pinched at the break last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/27/25) which left her racing in a detached last early behind the slow pace (was pace compromised). Having then advanced along the inside on the far turn, she lost ground again by swinging 4-5W into the lane; from there, she stayed on with credit but looked to be slightly caught out by a lack of recent match fitness late on and failed to hit the board. A better break/setup should help her improve notably second off the bench today.

–        #6 AUDIBLY was bumped hard at the break last out (1 1/8M, LRL, 12/20/25); she’s a deep closer who was likely to be coming from last anyway, though, and she sat a fine trip (possibly aided by a slight closer bias) thereafter, so this effort is not worthy of an upgrade.

–        Having chased the hot pace from 2nd, then been fanned 4W into the lane and floated out another path in the stretch, #4 SUREMEANTOBE was strong in the final 1/8th and an impressive winner off the bench with seemingly more to offer last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26).

–        #7 MEDAGOOCH was very impressive in victory last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/09/26) and is deserving of major respect today. He did receive a perfect ride and sit a great rail skimming trip in that race, though; not saying it was a fluke by any means, but it does reduce his ability to improve further and/or the likelihood of him running back to the exact same level of form today.

–        #1 SCARLET’S DREAM’s last effort (6 1/2F, AQU, 01/02/26) is worthy of an UPGRADE: she lost ground racing ~4W on the turn and was also tasked with racing against the track’s speed bias (that helped the winner wire the field). Second off a 222-day layoff today, she can offer more.

–        #2 MARGARET P sat a perfect trip when posting a career best 57 Beyer last out (6F, LRL, 12/14/25) meaning that, although she could, it’s far from certain that she’ll repeat that level of form over a mile today.

–        #3 DESTINATION was allowed to set a slow pace (that held well) with an uncontested lead on a track presenting a speed bias when winning last time (6F, LRL, 11/08/25) – DOWNGRADE the effort (but also consider that she was wrapped up in the final 1/16, won with something in hand and could get loose on the front end again today). Returns off freshening to make debut for Vera.

–        #4 MAP TO THE MOON was bumped and pinched at the break last out (6F, LRL, 01/23/26) which left her racing even further off the pace than usual. Her trip thereafter was good, though, and as a 99/1 shot it’s difficult to assess quite what she’d have accomplished with a smooth beginning.