Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, June 26, 2026

–        #1 BOSS LILY received an excellent pace setup when breaking his maiden at short odds last out, closing from rear with a smooth trip into fractions of 23.37, 46.91 which seemingly helped him produce his career best Beyer.

–        #2 MAJESTIC BLUE raced much wider than ideal on the turn when staying on for 3rd in an off-turf event last time; if in the same form today, he may be capable of improving with a more ground saving trip as he returns to the turf with blinkers added for his new barn.

–        #3 EFFICACY did well to win when last seen at Tampa given he failed to find any cover early and was then running keen while 3-4W on both turns; seems he has the potential to offer more with a different trip as he returns to Shankle’s barn today.

–        #4 BREWMASTER returned off the layoff last time with a fine effort in what was a very slowly run affair (25.05, 49.86); while one could argue that the pace benefited him as he was positioned within 3L of it for the majority, he did then become a little outpaced as the tempo lifted before finishing evenly in a manner to suggest he may actually have preffered to have some pace to run at. Recon he can step forward from that return today.

–        #9 OXFORD UNION finally got the maiden broken last time courtesy of an overall good trip and setup; he did, however, have to briefly tap on the brakes when trying to launch a bid on the far turn, for which he can be awarded some extra credit; he hit the line like today’s 1 1/8M trip could be his best, and he demands respect right back.

–        Returning off a layoff, #2 FINAL ENGAGEMENT was not ridden efficiently last time: she tracked the hot pace from 3-4L back into the turn, then made an early move into the fast pace while 3-4W to take a close 2nd before understandably tiring again in the lane; she’d have been better off saving ground on the turn and waiting for the speed to come back to her a little before launching a bid in the stretch, rather than advancing into the hot pace when it was still holding strong. All things considered, she did well to hang on for 3rd and second back today, she could have a big say with a more patient ride.

–        #4 THE RIZZLER’S GIRL was put in a bad spot by her rider racing into the turn on the grass last out and then had to steady back a little; while this mightn’t have been an ideal scenario, it certainly wasn’t the reason behind her 14L defeat, and she’ll need much more today.

–        #2 WICKHAM LANE ran a disappointing race without a visible excuse last time; on debut, however, he’d ran well and his effort can be upgraded – trip note from debut: “He wasn’t beaten far in the end despite the fact that after a babyish start he was tasked with closing into a modest-slow pace that held very well (top four finishers filled those positions throughout), and he had to steady twice as well! He was only able to level off ~1/8 pole and did very well to make up over 5L in that time”. Convinced he has more ability than he’s shown on either occasion, maybe the addition of blinkers today will bring that out?

–        #3 TASKER was positioned close to an even-slow pace that held well last time, possibly warranting a downgrade; that being said, however, he has shown tactical versatility in the past and was making his first start back from a layoff, so we shouldn’t rule him or a step forward out, even if that last start did flatter him a touch.

–        #4 PAID VACATION was positioned close to a slow-even pace that held well two back, which could often lead to a downgrade; however, he then improved when taken back and given a fast pace to run at (23.15, 46.87) last time (aided by a great trip), which seems his preferred setup, and that run seems a truer reflection of his ability. Would rank him higher on the shortlist if today’s pace threatens to heat up.

–        Both of #5 M D FIELDSTONE’s efforts sprinting on the grass suggest he’ll improve for today’s stretch out in trip third back. He also raced wide on the turn last out too, for which he can be awarded some extra credit. Not ruled out.

–        #8 SHAKIN MY HEAD lacked the late kick required to threaten in an even-slow paced affair two back, then failed to sustain the gallop in a fast-paced race last time; if today’s pace is just even, he might be capable of stepping forward a little on both those recent effort third back.

–        #2 DEAN DELIVERS broke through the gate pre-race last out, then he raced wide on the turn and he was not ridden through the final 1/8, exacerbating the margin of defeat; there are plenty of reasons as to why he can offer more/get back on track as he drops into calmer waters today.

–        We can forgive #3 ALL THE HARDWAYS for his regression on the Beyer scale last out because after finding himself in tight shortly after the break, he was then left trying to close into a slow pace over a heavily speed biased track while wide; his prior efforts appear a fairer reflection of his ability and he shouldn’t be dismissed now dropping in class.

–        Although he eventually finished last of five, #5 DEWY’S BEAST actually ran a very nice race going 7F off the layoff last time considering he was conceding match fitness all round and he pressed a fast pace (22.93, 46.05) along the inside early. We can forgive him for fading late on and expect an improved effort second back at 6F today.

–        #4 ADDY’S LADDY T N T lost ground racing wider than ideal on the turn last time; he can offer more with a ground saving trip third back today; makes debut for Magee.

–        Although the fractions were solid (22.08, 44.25), speed still held fairly well in #5 TOUGH WORKOUT’s last start (24/1 pacesetter finished 2nd, nearest stalker early was beaten just 2 3/4L despite trouble); TW therefore had no real excuse and will likely need more returning to dirt today.

–        #6 ICING ran another solid race to hold 3rd last out after contesting an honest-fast pace with the 3/5 winner early. He could be dangerous back at 6F today with weight off, especially if saving just a little more for the stretch.

–        #1 DATS TAP was squeezed at the start last time and then left racing against the ‘flow’ that saw speed hold relatively well; he did well under the circumstances to finish 4th and may be suited by today’s stretch out in trip.

–        Exiting the same race as #1 DATS TAP, in which it appeared difficult to make up ground, #3 CALL ME A CAB raced notably wide on the turn; he could be suited by today’s stretch out in trip.

–        Although #4 MR FUNTASTICO’s latest effort isn’t quite deserving of an upgrade, it’s easy to argue that he would have won with a different ride: in a slowly run race (25.05, 49.86), the jock was not nearly aggressive enough into the first turn and allowed the eventual winner to take what should have been his spot/trip (which proved to be a winning one); he instead found himself pulling in between and behind horses off the slow pace to ~3/8 pole, and then he couldn’t reach the winner who had gotten the jump on him. Recon he was every part as good as the winner (who ran a 71 Beyer), and he may be capable of showing that while making his debut for Salzman Jr today.

–        Exiting the same race as above, both #5 MAUPANSANT and #8 LOMAX (very wide on both turns) appeared unsuited to the slow pace and could be capable of offering a little more today. Meanwhile, #10 CELTIC PRINCE was aided by racing prominently to the slow pace (because he’s not the strongest finisher at two turns), which negates the potential for us to upgrade his effort due to his wide trip. Respected right back, whatever the case.

–        #9 KEEN TALENT ran with credit to pick up 3rd last out seeing as the pace was just even (he’s best closing into a fast pace), and there was a speed bias present. Switches back to turf today.

–        #3 CURLENE’S SPIRIT made a splash in the slop when last going two turns in February despite a notably wide trip (6W 1st, 3-4W 2nd) that entitles her to a possible upgrade (although remaining wide can often be advantageous on the slop); returns off layoff with a cut back in trip and lasix added today.

–        Having ridden speed biases in her starts two and three back, it was pleasing to see #5 RERUN TABLE actually step forward to produce a career best with a very game stalk and pounce trip (albeit in defeat) over a fair track last time; she couldn’t go with the talented winner inside the final 1/16 but still maintained stride well and galloped out nicely; could be tough back at 6F today.

–        Although the track appeared to be playing fairly, it’s worth noting that #6 GENA B’s last race at Aqueduct was a merry-go-round race, with the five runners never changing position once throughout – the two 9/2 shots ran 1-2 in front, ‘GB’ chased them (while wide – potential extra credit) in 3rd, the 8/5 fav never landed a blow from 4th, and the re-opposing #1 LAW SCHOOL (3/1 in that race) trailed throughout. We might be best served to take that form line with a pinch of salt. Note: she dictated a slow pace over a speed biased track when breaking her maiden (and posting her best Beyer) three back.

–        After adopting more patient tactics than previously, #1 JUST FOR THE MONEY failed to switch leads in the lane last out.

–        #6 ARTILLERY GUNNER was no match for the impressive #4 DAUFUSKIE ISLAND (who arguably won with a little in hand after working a great trip) last time; however, ‘AG’ did race 2-3 paths wider on the turn while carrying 10 pounds more than ‘DI’; wonder whether he can narrow the margin – or reverse the form – if saving more ground today with just four pounds weight difference between them?