Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, October 02, 2026

–        #1 PUNXSUTAWNEY PHIL ran a huge race at Colonial last time despite a slightly wider-than-ideal trip; big player if retaining form back at 1 1/16 miles.

–        In a furiously run race (fractions of 23.63, 46.26), #8 ZEVON sat much closer to the pace than the three horses who beat him, and he also made quite an early charge at the leaders considering the pace scenario; it wasn’t a total surprise to see him fade late and under different, better circumstances today, he may be able to step back in the right direction.

–        #4 THE COUNT IS ON put forth a huge effort at Timonium last time after being severely jostled and losing his back end at the start; player right back.

–        #5 BACKNTHEWOODS failed to bag the lead from the rail last time and then found himself in behind a slow pace; a wider draw may have seen him to slightly better effect in that race considering how it unfolded; big player right back.

–        #6 HELDISH didn’t quite do enough to earn an upgrade for his last effort; however, after being bumped and pinched at the start, he then found himself pace compromised in the modestly run affair that saw speed hold well; he’s likely capable of more with a cleaner break and better (faster) setup.

Surprised the chart caller didn’t pick up on this BRUTAL trip off the layoff; it’s easy to envisage him winning this return effort.

Major player again third back.

–        #1 OLIVAR EN FUEGO broke very sharp from the rail on debut but was then quickly shuffled back before blowing the turn and stopping. While the chart comment might make it sound like he had a rough trip, it seemed more a case of him just being green; he can only improve.

–        #7 GUERRILLA MAGIC bore out on the turn last time.

–        #1 TETHERED SOUL sat a wider-than-ideal trip at Timonium last time.

–        There was a speed bias present when #3 YES CHEF finished 2nd courtesy of a forward trip last time. Note: he was also caught in an awkward position contesting the pace between horses early which prevented him from relaxing; in the end, it made no difference to the result (he was 2nd best), but a better position may help him today.

–        #4 COUCHES BURNING didn’t do enough to earn an upgrade at Delaware last time; however, he did form part of a fast early pace while racing over a closer-friendly track, neither of which helped his chances.

–        In a race where horses struggled to get involved from the back, #6 MILITARY GRADE ran a nice race off the bench last time, overcoming a wider-than-ideal trip to snatch 3rd; eligible to step forward second back today.

–        Although he sat a great trip and had a perfect pace setup, it might be worth noting that #8 FLYING TO WORK was very restless in the gate and then pinched when racing on the turf last time, instantly placing him on the back-foot.

–        #9 EL JUNIOR became caught in a speed duel that ultimately took its toll on him late at Timonium last time; if rationing out his speed more efficiently and holding the game level of form, there’s a chance he can reverse form with #5 WHO SAYS SO back at 6F.

–        #3 MY CAPTAIN was involved in a contested pace battle that led to speed collapsing last time – possibly excuse him that defeat.

–        #4 GOODLUCK ROAD didn’t do enough to earn an upgrade last out and it’s hard to argue that he was ever really going to hit it board; however, he did have to take back slightly when in tight ~1/2 (although this was no bad thing actually given the pace scenario), then he briefly lacked room at the 3/16 pole which slightly prevented him from building forward momentum; capable of more but maybe not enough to reverse form with a few familiar foes.

–        After a very solid try facing winners for the first time two-back, #5 MASTER NIBBLES simply failed to stay a mile at Delaware last time; best to look past that run and expect him to rediscover his better form back down in trip today.

–        #9 AIRBRUSH broke his maiden nicely in a race where (other than him) nobody did much running from the back at Colonial last time; he won under just a hand ride, possibly indicating that there’s more to come; today’s long stretch should suit.

–        #10 GO TO BINGO ran well last time and is deserving of respect right back; it should be noted, however, that he was the beneficiary of the aforementioned hot pace contested by GIMME TWO SHOTS and HOPPETOSSE.

–        There was a speed bias present at Laurel the day that #2 POOR JACQUI, #8 OLD MAN’S DREAM and #10 HER DECISION each made their debuts in race 3; OMD and HD were both possibly aided by the track conditions in that race whereas PJ was negatively impacted and might be capable of taking the largest step forward of the trio today.

–        #6 SORICA did not handle the turn overly well at Timonium on debut and may be more comfortable on a conventional track second out.

–        #1 SLIPPIN JIMMY put up a very strong effort in victory at Colonial last time, bursting past almost the entire field in the lane despite the pace having been just even; he briefly had to await room racing to upper stretch too, and if he’d been able to get out sooner, one suspects he could have won by further; massive player making debut for White right back.

–        While accepting that #7 DERZ SMART sat a good trip and received a nice pace setup last time, it’s probably worth highlighting that he was not agressively ridden from the gate and not asked for a true finishing effort until ultimately too late; if in similar (or even better form) second back, a different ride could well see him take a meaningful step forward; respected.

–        Although #8 CLAUDEE BOY did have to check slightly ~3/8 pole last time, it was insignificant and not the reason he was beaten.

–        #12 NOBLE JON (AE) kicked clear under a mild hand ride, then was wrapped up late when winning easily at Meadowlands last week; he definitely had more to offer; player if getting in.

–        #1 DISNEY BELLE was very game when winning at Colonial last time: she was under pressure and in tight between foes (an intimidating spot) rounding the lane, then saw off the challengers and kicked clear with a great attitude; thriving, player.

–        There was a very strong speed bias at Timonium when #5 LAST GIFT won two-back.

–        Speed held really well when #1 VICTORIA’S SONG finished 2nd courtesy of a forward trip on debut at Monmouth (possible downgrade); she then didn’t look entirely comfortable in behind kickback when drawing the rail on the dirt last time (excuse); drops today.

–        Having been outpaced early, #6 CATTY’S ANGEL circled 4W on the turn and then finished nicely (despite lugging in a touch) going 4F at Timonium last time; she was the only runner to make up any ground at all (the running order otherwise remained the same) and she finished like today’s trip would be more to her liking; not discounted second out now switching to turf.

–        After showing early speed, #8 SHANGHAI ROSE failed to see out the 7 1/2F distance at Delaware last time; today’s 5 1/2F test on the turf could be her best game.