Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, June 12, 2026

–        Prior to winning a match race courtesy of a very soft trip last time, #2 BACK WALL BANDIT had sat a wide trip (small upgrade) when trying two turns on grass for the first time (05/08/26).

–        It’s possible to argue that #3 STAY IN TUNE was a somewhat fortunate winner over 6F last time because the 9/5 favorite simply went too fast in front (22.35, 45.03), eliminating her chance, while the second choice gave herself too much to do after a poor start (17L behind at 1st call). ‘SIT’ therefore received a great setup with her main rivals severely compromised. Try two turns for the first time today.

–        #6 BOYS GO TO JUPITER couldn’t have asked for a better trip when posting a career best 68 Beyer two back (her last start on turf).

–        As well as possibly disliking the sloppy going, #3 CADEMAN looked to simply fail to stay a mile last time; cutting back today should help him get back to form.

–        #6 BIG MO GEE has finished well in his last two starts going one turn at Charles Town; he could be well suited by today’s extra 1/8th.

–        The go-slow-go pace scenario in #1 JOY DIVISION’s return effort at Aqueduct last time – in which the eventual 14/1 gate-to-wire winner dropped anchor and slowed the pace down for a 50.59 half – seemingly didn’t his running style; ‘JD’ should be more effective with a truly run end-to-end gallop, and he has potential to improve second back.

–        While accepting that #8 SE THAR BARR had an excellent pace setup when closing strongly to finish 2nd over 5 1/2F last time, the amount of ground he made up was still quite impressive and he could be well suited by today’s stretch out third back.

–        #2 I CAN DO IT closed with credit into just an even pace for 3rd last out after steadying slightly at the break. She may be capable of stepping forward from that effort slightly given a cleaner start and/or faster pace to aim at today.

–        Although the 7F distance probably stretched her speed too far and her defeat can in large be attributed to that (today’s distance is more to her liking), it seemed like #6 R AVERIE LYNN was still somewhat off color last time as she lost the lead ~5/16 pole (rare for her, especially at 7F) while racing awkwardly with her head high and cocked to the left, then she failed to switch leads in the lane while retaining the odd head carriage.

–        Although the pace was strong in #4 BRIGHTY’s last race going 1 1/8M, speed still held well with the top three finishers filling those positions throughout. Saying that, though, you could argue that they were just the three best in the race seeing as they finished well clear of the remainder.  Whatever the case, he’s doing good work at the moment and is deserving of a second look today.

–        #5 JIBILIAN’s last effort is borderline upgradable: he finished well to run 2nd, doing best of the closers (8th at second call) in a slow/even paced race that saw speed hold relatively well. Blinkers come off as he makes his debut for Richards today. Respected.

–        The even-slow pace in #8 VAYA JEFE’s last race held well, with the top four finishers filling those positions throughout – possible downgrade. Things will be much tougher for him today as he makes his first start against winners off the claim for Farrior.

–        #12 BARBED WIRE BARBIE failed to switch leads in the lane when running well on debut; don’t assume the chart comment “hung” means that she was unwilling – she tried all the way to the wire but just couldn’t get there. Note: when she then finished 2nd in an off-turf race last time, she was well positioned in a slowly run race that saw speed hold well over a speed biased track – place an asterisk by that effort.

–        #2 PELICAN PIER ran a nice race in defeat last time, missing by just a head after setting a pressured pace into the lane and then having raced along the rail through the stretch – often a more intimidating position for a runner to be in; on the slop, the rail can also be wetter.

–        The strong speed bias that was present on 05/22/26 possibly aided #3 PARIS BY NIGHT in finishing 3rd after setting the pace early.

–        #7 LEGEND’S GIRL was unruly in the gate on debut and then ran green into the bend, drifting into the 4P (where she remained). Seems she can only step forward.

–        #2 GOGO CHANEL had to wait a little longer than ideal and was prevented from advancing/building momentum when stuck in traffic racing to upper stretch when last seen going two turns in November. A different trip may have seen her fare better that day. Cuts back in trip off the layoff.

–        The chart comment correctly highlights how #4 PRECIOUS AVERY had to steady at the 5/8 pole when returning from a layoff last time; this, plus the fact that she was caught ~3W on the turn mean she didn’t have a 100% clean trip; however, she recovered relatively quickly from her medium sized steady (which wasn’t completely detrimental to her chances) and neither that, nor her 3W trip, quite explain why she was beaten almost 10L and put forth a tame effort through the lane. She can improve second out with a better trip, but she still has questions to answer.

–        The chart comment mentions how #7 NOQUESTIONABOUTIT checked at the ¼ pole when last seen at Keeneland in October, but that’s an exaggeration – she tossed her head a little under a hold behind horses racing to upper stretch, but it really wasn’t a check and her momentum wasn’t hindered at all; overall she sat a fine trip and her effort is not upgradable. Saying that, however, she was then transferred off the track via the equine ambulance, suggesting something may have been amiss during the race that would have hindered her chances. Returns from layoff today.

–        #4 MAX HASTE made a very likable impression on debut at Penn National when facing four much more experienced rivals. Player right back.

–        On debut, #6 IRISH NUNSENSE left the impression he’d be suited by a route of ground.