Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, February 27, 2026

–        Having been hard used from the rail last out (6 1/2F, CT, 02/04/26), #1 JUDY G dueled through honest fractions to the far turn, gamely hung in there vying for the lead into the lane and then grudgingly dropped back a little before finding herself in tight through the final few yards which lost her ~1/2 to 3/4L; the trouble didn’t cost her a position but she was very slightly better than the beaten margin suggests and it wouldn’t be a shock if she were to improve slightly cut back to 5 1/2F today.

–        #2 SNOWBOARDER set fast, closer friendly fractions in front last out (6F, LRL, 02/14/26), turned for home traveling well with a good-sized lead, then ultimately tired late on. He’s deserving of a small PACE UPGRADE for his effort and should be suited by the cut back to 5 1/2F today.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #3 JUST A CLICK ran so far below par last out (6 1/2F, CT, 02/12/26); she’ll need to bounce back today.

–        #4 KELSEY HILL GIRL had to check from between rivals at the top of the lane last time (5 1/2F, LRL, Turf, 11/07/25) which put an end to any chance she may have had; she was then not preserved with in the lane, exasperating the margin of defeat. Impossible to tell where she’d have finished had the interference not occurred, but she wasn’t in contention at the time and seemingly underperformed, period. Makes dirt debut on first start for Geralis today with lasix on off bench.

–        #5 DESPERATE DREAMS broke out from the rail, bumped a rival hard and bobbled a little at the break last time (6 1/2F, TP Synth, 01/22/26); her poor start doesn’t really explain why she ran poorly though – she never lifted a hoof thereafter and more will be needed today as she returns to dirt on debut for Salvaggio.

–        #6 PRINCESS AZARA didn’t get as forward early as she had been in prior starts having drawn the rail last out (6F, LRL, 02/13/26), then came fractionally wide into the lane and wasn’t hard ridden through the final ~75Y which cost her 5th (beaten just a nose for that spot). Overall, however, her trip was fine, and she seemed to run to form, showing a likable attitude once again. Logical contender on the drop; wider post may help.

–        #7 BELLA’S PASSWORD sat a fine trip last time (1M, LRL, 10/31/25) and was fully extended to the wire. Now cuts back in trip today (which could suit) off the bench.

–        #1 HEAT CHECK ran well off the bench in behind #6 MISTER ROSCOE last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26); the early pace that he set was not fast though (23.19, 47.20) which led to speed holding well (top three finishers at odds of 5/1, 5/2 and 6/1 filled the top three positions throughout; MISTER ROSCOE coming from ~2L back in 3rd) and therefore, his effort needs downgrading a little. Still, he was game in defeat and is eligible to step forward second off as he makes his debut for Ness. Note: he raced a little awkwardly on the turn last out too (leaning out); the bump he took at the 1/16 pole was inconsequential.

–        #2 DANCING DENAE sat a good trip last out (1M, LRL, 02/13/26) and was fully extended to the wire. Cuts back to 6F today (uncertain to suit).

–        #3 PAUL’S GUITAR vied for command through even fractions on the rail last out (6F, LRL, 02/06/26), dropped back a little on the far turn, then raced awkwardly when taking kickback for the first time and lost slightly more ground than necessary before staying on well again through the lane (seemingly had a little more to offer); a wider, kick-back free trip, should help him improve one the drop today, especially if he can rate a little more early.

–        Although very wide on the far turn, there was no true visible reason as to why #4 PAYNTED LION ran below par last out (1M, LRL, 02/04/26); he didn’t particularly look fast enough to sprint and much more will be needed back at 6F today.

–        #5 CASEOFTHEMONDAYS sat a good trip last out (6F, LRL, 02/06/26) and was fully extended to the wire, winning the bob gamely.

–        Although one would still have liked to have seen a little more from him late on, #6 MISTER ROSCOE can be given a slight pass for his most recent effort (6F, LRL, 02/06/26): he settled off the even pace, then looked to be coming with run along the inside on the far turn but was short of room ~3/8 pole and forced to steady; he then continued to find himself stuck behind retreating foes on the run to the top of the lane and was shuffled even further back; after then finding little off the bridle when clear in the lane (disappointing), he was eased through the final 1/8th, exasperating the margin of defeat. He does now have a couple of questions to answer but regardless, granted a clean trip, a step back in the right direction today seems highly likely on the drop.

–        After boring in at the break and causing some issues inside, in first time blinkers, #1 MATHEW’S TICKET was very aggressively ridden on the lead last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) and probably ended up doing too much too soon; he showed a likable attitude and ran well regardless for 3rd but it seems he can probably step forward if rationing his speed out slightly better in start number three; contender.

–        #2 MAKE IT QUICK ran slightly better than looks last out (6F, LRL, 01/16/26): he was carried out by a rival to his inside at the break and away a beat slow in last; he then used plenty of gas chasing/moving into the hot pace (set by #1 MATHEW’S TICKET) while giving away a little ground 3-4W on the turn; somewhat understandably, he then faded (grudgingly) in the lane. Suspect he’d have fared better if he’d allowed the speed to come back to him rather than pursuing it out wide on the turn (and if he’d had a better break, of course); eligible to step forward again today.

–        #6 BALLINACLASH sat a fine front-running trip last out (6F, LRL, 02/06/26) and ran to form. He wasn’t overly vigorously ridden through the lane, though (jock only used crop once) – potential room for more as lasix go on today. Note: he did lug out slightly on the bend last time too; it was also mentioned in these lines prior to his last start that he appeared to have some ‘hang’ in him when beaten two back.

–        #8 CAPITAINE sat a good ground saving trip last out (5 1/2F, PRX, 12/01/25) and was fully extended to the wire when making a professional debut. Lasix go on in start number two today.

–        In his last start (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/15/26), #1 DEVIL’S CAY failed to get the lead (which his recent PPs suggest he may need) and he was a little wide (3-4W) on both turns too, warranting a tiny upgrade. Overall, however, he had no real excuse and ran to market expectations with a fine effort. Cuts back in trip today.

–        #5 UNCLE CAT’s most recent effort – a win at 22/1 – (7F, LRL, 01/23/26) is worthy of a PACE UPGRADE: he took plenty of pressure in front and set closer-friendly splits yet still managed to pull away in the lane and hold safe. Doubt he’ll improve on the effort today (he skimmed the rail throughout and was all out late on) but he’ll no doubt be dangerous again today if in similar form right back.

–        #2 BROTHER CONWAY, #3 SUPER ACCELERATE, #4 IN THE CHASE, #6 DON’T WAIT UP and #7 UNION FLEET all sat suitably fine trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire – their results and speed figs seem fair. Blinks on #3 SUPER ACCELERATE today.

–        Last out (7F, LRL, 01/23/26), #1 SHERIFF RONNIE was caught between horses while wide on the turn (unideal) and then shuffled back a little when tight between horses at the top off the lane; however, he was struggling to hold his position from ~1/2m pole and had been heading in a backwards direction all the way around the turn; he looked flat throughout and although things didn’t go 100% his way, there was no true reason as to why he underperformed. Needs to bounce back today.

–        #2 LET’S HAVE A PARTY saved every inch of ground with a great trip when posting a career best Beyer (66) last time (7F, LRL, 01/16/26); don’t want to knock him too much because it was a great effort in defeat (and he could have maybe done with even more pace to run at), but do be cautious about assuming he’ll replicate the exact level of form again today.

–        Prior to stumbling at the break and losing the jock last out, while accepting that he had a fast (closer friendly) pace to run at and the bug weight off his back, #3 HELDISH ran well to finish 3rd after sitting a notably wide trip (3-7W) before his layoff two-back (6F, LRL, 10/31/25). Slightly UPGRADE that effort. (FWIW: he romped without the jock last time!).

–        #7 EL DIVINO NINO lost a little ground when caught slightly wide (3-4W) on the turn last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/13/26) but that doesn’t really explain why he performed below par; back out to 7F today.

–        #8 DAUFUSKIE ISLAND used up plenty of gas early when sent hard contesting fast fractions through the opening half of his last race (6F, LRL, 02/06/26) and so it wasn’t a surprise to see him tire late on; however, the speed with which he stopped at the ¼ pole was a little concerning and the other speed kept on to the wire – he underperformed, period, and will need more today.

–        #9 FORWARD MOVE was pace compromised (slow pace held well) on a speed favoring track last out (6 1/2F, PRX, 01/13/26); he wasn’t hard ridden through the final 1/8th either, exasperating the margin of defeat – UPGRADE the effort and expect more at 7F today.

–        #4 PUDGE BOY PALACE, #5 WHITE SERIES and #6 MASAKADO all sat suitably fine trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire – their results and speed figs seem fair.

–        #1 CATAHOULA MOON was slightly wide and in tight between horses on the turn last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/20/26), neither of which helped his chances at 5 1/2F on the slop. His overall effort under the circumstances was fine though and the result/fig seemed a fair reflection of his effort; 7F should be more to his liking today if handling the short turnaround.

–        Sure, he was 61/1 and returning from a freshening, but there was still no visible reason as to why #2 MAJESTIC TIGER ran quite so poorly last time (1M 70Y, PRX, 01/05/26) – he stopped very quickly on the far turn and was no factor. He has the connections and back class behind him to not to completely rule him out, but he does now have questions to answer.

–        #3 LADDIE DANCE ran a nice race last out (6F, 02/06/26), staying on from rear with a smooth ~4W move to run 2nd; a repeat effort with an extra 1/8th to work with today should make him competitive again. It should be noted, though, that he also had a very favorable pace setup in that race which potentially aided his finishing position. In the same race, #4 SPOTTED BULL also took advantage of the fast pace while skimming the rail throughout – he had everything in his favor, and we should slightly DOWNGRADE his effort. #7 PIT STOP MAN similarly had a set up in that race but failed to capitalize on it with just an even effort. He did race wide on the bend (~3-5W) but in the grand scheme of things that was relatively inconsequential and he’ll likely need more today.

–        Although #5 DEADPAN had a very favorable pace setup when winning last out (1M 70Y, MVR, 02/04/26), potentially warranting a downgrade, it should be noted that he was also bothered at the break and consequently failed to get forward early like usual, then didn’t look to be in love with the muddy kickback entering the first turn which led to his rider opting for a kickback free but real estate losing 3-6W trip throughout – should we upgrade or downgrade the effort, or do nothing with it and just accept that he visually looked as good as he has done for a while now? Cuts back to 7F today; respected.

–        #8 DADDY YANKEE was caught 3-5W on the bend last time (1M, LRL, 12/06/25) – slightly UPGRADE his effort. Cuts back to 7F today.

–        #6 ARTILLERY GUNNER and #9 TALKLESSWORKMORE both sat suitably fine trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire – their results and speed figs seem fair. Based off his last effort, however, (showed handy pace before failing to quite see out the distance at 1 1/16M), the latter could be better suited by today’s 7F distance.

–        #1 HITTHEROADJAK, #2 J D FACTOR, #4 PAY BILLY and #5 FEELING WOOZY all exit the same race (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/05/26) in which the early pace was wicked (23.23, 46.88): #1 HITTHEROADJAK sat a good trip and took advantage of the pace collapse, staying on evenly past beaten rivals from last for a non-threatening 3rd; doubt he’d have finished that close in an evenly run contest, possibly warranting a DOWNGRADE. #2 J D FACTOR was ridden aggressively from the outside gate, became very keen and then dueled through the unsustainably fast fractions before understandably tiring late on; he’d have finished closer in a more evenly run race and can be given a slight pass for his defeat; bounce back contender if the pace is slower today. #4 PAY BILLY and #5 FEELING WOOZY were both suitably positioned and sat good trips – their finishing positions/figs seem fair.

–        #3 INDY CHARGES ON was a touch wide last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/12/26) but overall sat a fine trip and was fully extended to the wire, winning well again – result/speed fig fair.

–        #6 QUICK TO ACCUSE lost a little ground swinging wide into the lane and didn’t quite get enough pace for him to show his best at the distance last time (7F, AQU, 02/14/25), potentially warranting a small UPGRADE; he ran well under the circumstances regardless and will demand respect as lasix go back on and he stretches back out in trip today.

–        #2 BABBLE was chasing the field in rear at 41/1 when the rider’s stirrup broke on the turn last out and he was eased; we learned nothing about how he can perform with lasix on. Prior to that in his two-back effort, FWIW, he was pinched at the start (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) which resulted in him getting away very slowly (unideal); however, he sat a great trip thereafter and had a fast pace to run at; at 93/1, the start likely made little difference to the result.

–        Although slightly wide and caught between horses (often unideal) on the far turn last out (6F, LRL, 02/20/26), there was no real visible reason as to why #3 RIO DEL VALLE underperformed last time (maybe it was the sloppy track, but she didn’t show any visible signs of resentment towards it); needs more stretching out to a mile off 7 days rest today.

–        #1 TRIATHELON, #4 TREASURE OUR TIME, #5 PERKINS GEM, #6 TUG (although wide) and #7 BOSS LILY all sat okay trips in their respective last starts – their results and speed figs seem fair.