Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, January 23, 2026

–        The chart comment regarding #1 LADDIE DANCE’s effort when finishing 2nd last out (6F, LRL, 12/26/25) could be mistaken for poor trip but it wasn’t; his result and speed figure are a fair reflection of his current ability. Today’s extra furlong looks to suit.

–        #2 B WEST overcame a slightly wide trip (minor UPGRADE) when winning by a nose last time (6F, LRL, 11/21/25) and once again ran in a manner to suggest today’s extra furlong would suit. It should be noted that he had a very favorable pace set up in that race, though.

–        Having broken from the rail, #5 TOP BLOOD pulled too hard in front before tiring quickly in the stretch last time (1M, LRL, 12/06/25). While there were no visible excuses for this sub par effort, it could be worth noting that he was running off just 7-days rest and his record when drawing the rail is poor (beaten a combined 101 lengths in 5 starts breaking from the rail with Beyers of 40, 45, 12, 57 and 41, all of which are far below his par), so there are possible excuses for that recent defeat; cut back to 7F today should suit.

–        #6 JUST FOR THE MONEY’s most recent effort (3rd, 6F, LRL, 12/13/25) can be (slightly) UPGRADED as he took a hefty bump at the break, then was caught racing wide in mid-pack behind a slow pace that held well. He did well to finish 3rd at 18/1. Makes debut for Farrior today.

–        #7 MURRAY’s most recent effort (5th, 1M, LRL, 11/23/25) can be UPGRADED as he was caught very wide (5W+) on the far turn, possibly costing him a position or two. He was also pinched leaving the gate which left him racing even farther off the pace than usual – unideal in a race that saw speed hold well. A bounce back to form seems possible today.

–        #9 AZTEC just missed with a fast finish behind a wire winner last out (1M, AQU, 12/27/25) despite having raced 4-5W wide on the turn (UPGRADE); easy to argue he was best in there and he looms as a solid win contender today.

–        Granted, he had a fast pace to close into, #1 RIO DEL VALLE closed well to be beaten just 3 1/2L on debut last out (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) despite having broken from gate 12 and raced ~4-5W+ on the turn (UPGRADE). Provided the experience allows him to hold his position better through the mid-section of today’s contest, improvement can be expected second out with a more ground saving trip.

–        #3 IMPRESSIVENESS briefly lacked room and had to wait at the top of the stretch before finishing well into 2nd last time (6F, PRX, 01/05/26) – (tiny) UPGRADE. He looks open to further improvement with lasix now on.

–        #6 SUGAR ON FIRE bobbled slightly out of the inside gate before finishing 3rd last out (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) but it’s a reach to say that it made a difference to the result; his result/speed fig seem fair. (Could potentially be suited by a wider post today, though, allowing him to save a little more for the stretch run rather than sending early, as he did last time).

–        #5 NO MORE CALLS lost ground, momentum and position when slightly shuffled back behind a retreating foe ~5/16 pole last time (7F, LRL, 01/10/26). It didn’t cost him the race, and his effort doesn’t deserve an upgrade (his finishing effort in the lane was poor, period) but the interference didn’t help him in any way and there’s reason to expect a better showing today down in class.

–        Although he was forced wide from ~1/4 pole, #6 TIZ THE GREAT had no real excuse when beaten as the 8/5 fav last time (1M, LRL, 12/13/25). Wonder whether he could have done with a stronger early pace, though, as visibly he looked to have become outpaced when the slow (25.26, 50.57) pace lifted.

–        #7 MASTER SCHEMER’s last effort is not quite worthy of an upgrade, but he did hop out of the gate and get away slowly before getting caught ~4W on the far turn which wasn’t ideal; suspect he can improve second time going long today with lasix on.

–        #1 COULD BE A COUGAR’s most recent effort can be UPGRADED as she set fast fractions in front on a track presenting a strong closer bias. The placings were dominated by closers, and she did well to hold on for 3rd, beaten just 1 1/4L.

–        #2 ANOTHERHOPE was beaten just a nose last out (6F, LRL, 12/27/25) despite having raced wider on the turn that the winner; her trip doesn’t warrant an upgrade, but her recent form should probably read 4,3,1 and not 4,3,2.

–        #3 ISABELLA’S GLORY had a very favorable pace setup (fast pace collapsed) when winning over a mile last time (LRL, 12/21/25), possibly warranting a slight downgrade. (She also raced wide into the lane but owing to her running style, that will be the case more often than not).

–        #5 VELVET VIXEN had to lightly check ~1/8th pole when finishing 5th last out (5 1/2F, LRL Turf, 10/10/25) which cost her ~3/4L.

–        Both #1 HONOR THE TRUTH and #6 LACHICAFORTEQUILLA had a very favorable pace setup (fast pace collapsed) when finishing 2nd and 4th, respectively, over a mile last time (LRL, 12/21/25), possibly warranting a slight DOWNGRADE for both.

–        Whatever chances #2 BY THE GALSS had of winning at 71/1 last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/05/25) were not helped by her wide trip (4-5W both turns) – (slight) UPGRADE; a drop in class and more ground saving trip third off the bench can see her to better effect.

–        Both #3 MAINSTREAM SELLOUT and #4 PENNY POLKA were caught ~4W on both turns in their most recent efforts but their wide trips were not the reason behind their sub-par efforts; both need to bounce back today.

–        #7 IT’SFIFTYSHADETIME was bumped and pinched at the break last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/19/25) but it’s a stretch to say that was the reason behind her poor effort; she’ll need more today, period.

–        #9 DIVINE GRACE was caught ~5W entering the first turn of her last race (1M 70Y, PRX, 12/29/25) but in the grand scheme of things, it made no difference to the result.

–        After setting an honest pace, #10 MISSY BOSS was all but pulled up at the top of the lane when just 4L down in a share of 2nd last time (seemingly running okay); she didn’t just fade like a light, as the running line suggests, and if whatever issue the rider felt last time has now been sorted out (which, by the entry, one suspects it has), a bounce back to form seems possible.

–        After showing strong early speed, #4 HOCKEY was not hard ridden in the stretch when last seen (1M 70Y, GP, Synth, 04/11/25), slightly exasperating the margin of defeat.

–        #8 MAP TO THE MOON had to very slightly steady ~3/8 pole last time (7F, LRL, 12/28/25) but she was backpedaling at the time, and it made no difference to the result.

–        With blinkers removed, #10 AERONYX ran a nice career best breaking her maiden last out (6F, LRL, 12/26/25). However, she did also sit a great trip and have a very favorable setup, rating off a fast-paced duel contested by the 4/5 and 6/5 post time favorites that no doubt softened those two rivals up in the lane – she was arguably a fortunate winner.

–        #11 READY FOR MAGIC was caught slightly wide on the turn last time (6F, LRL, 12/14/25) which maybe cost her 3rd – (very slight) UPGRADE.

–        #2 FREEZE THE FIRE’s most recent win (6F, LRL, 12/20/25) can be (slightly) UPGRADED as he was positioned relatively close to a very fast pace that favored closers on a track presenting a closer bias.

–        #7 SHERRIF RONNIE looked to be getting out slightly on the bend when wide last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/09/25).

–        #9 KERNESS K’s bobble at the break last out (6F, AQU, 12/31/25) was inconsequential. She was caught ~3W on the bend but that can not be given as the reason behind her defeat as the 6/5 fav (she underperformed, again).

–        #10 KALADIN lost position when absent of a clear path entering the bend before (re)gathering momentum, circling the field ~4-5W on the far turn and going onto win comfortably last time (6 1/2F, CT, 01/03/26). His effort can be very slightly UPGRADED.

–        Things didn’t go #3 DAVYJONZ’ way last time (7F, LRL, 12/20/25): He stumbled very badly at the start and was away slowly, then found himself somewhat pace compromised as the modest early pace held fairly well (although there was a closer bias present). He stayed on evenly enough to suggest today’s extra furlong will be to his benefit and an improved effort looks possible.

–        #4 LONESOME ROAD was barely asked for an effort and seemingly won with any amount in hand last time (6F, LRL, 12/26/25); it was a visually very impressive performance, and we can likely expect more second off the bench today.

–        Having built up strong forward momentum entering the bend last time (1M, LRL, 12/21/25), #9 STATES UNITED found himself boxed in racing to the top of the lane and was forced to halt his momentum in traffic until straightened for the drive (when he really needed to be sustaining/continuing to build momentum). He then found room in the stretch, picked back up again and drew off to win comfortably by 3L. Easy to argue he was better than the margin of victory/speed fig suggest.

–        #2 STRAIGHT TO WATER ran a big career best when winning last time (7F, LRL, 12/13/25); it should be noted, however, that he had a very favorable setup saving ground while sitting off a ferocious pace duel contested by two live contenders (3/1 and 8/5 shots) that unquestionably took it’s toll on those rivals late. He also carried less weight than any other rival with Vargas up and although he could (because he’s in good form currently), it shouldn’t be taken for granted that he’ll reproduce that level of performance today.

–        #4 GREAT HEAVENS finished up well enough (16.99 final 3/16) from a long way back last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25) to suggest he can reverse form with the three re-opposing rivals who beat him that day (#7 PACO THE TACO MAN, #6 FEAR NOTHING, #3 WICKEDDIVINE) now back at 6F. He has been expensive to follow, though.

–        #4 ENGLISH DADDY can be given something of a mulligan for his most recent defeat as the 3/5 fav (6F, DEL, 09/18/25): he veered in from the inside post and raced awkwardly through the opening strides which caused him to get away slowly and prevented him from adopting his preferred position on the lead; he was then taken to the outside and lost ground racing ~4-5W on the turn; when beaten in the lane, his rider then eased up on him, exasperating the margin of defeat; seeing as the effort was then followed by a layoff, there’s a strong possibility something went amiss in the race too and if ready off the bench today, a much better showing can be expected.

–        #4 LOU’S BIRTHDAY was under heavy pressure and completely out of contention when forced to check over a fallen foe ~1/16 pole last out (01/07/26); he underperformed, period.

–        Something looked to go amiss with #7 PARALEGAL last time (7F, TAM, 02/21/25) and he was all but pulled up in the lane before going to the sidelines for 336 days (he wasn’t just that bad!); probably best to look past that effort (to an extent).