Laurel Park Tips and Trips – MD Million Day 2026

–        #1 ITALIANO KID sat a notably wide trip last time and may be capable of more today drawn low.

–        Although #2 BABBLE sat a very wide trip last time, it was not the reason he underperformed; he was done early and needs to bounce back today.

–        #3 ALL FRUITS RIPE deserves a little extra credit for his effort two-back (his last on turf) as he did best of the forwardly placed horses in an honestly run race over a ‘good’ listed turf course; makes first start against winners today after breaking his maiden in an off-turf event last time.

–        Although neither factor were the sole reasons for his defeat, #5 SUPER ACCELERATE was pinballed at the start and away slowly in last, then sat a wider-than-ideal trip on the turn, neither of which helped his chances; turns to turf routing for the first time today.

–        #6 FIERY DEBUT sat a slightly wider than ideal trip at Colonial last time; lasix added today.

–        #7 BAD BOY BLAZE ran well in his last turf start, two-back, but he did also take advantage of an excellent pace setup (speed collapsed) which might make it more difficult for him to reproduce that exact level of form getting back to the grass today.

–        Regarding #2 TOP MANIPULATOR’s last start, ignore the chart comment “steadied 3/8: because it was negligible and not the reason he was beaten; returns to sprinting with lasix on today.

–        #3 BAND CAMP could not have asked for a better trip and setup when winning at Parx last time, closing into fractions of 21.79, 44.40 whilst saving ground throughout.

–        #6 CLOSE THE GATE was beaten at odds of 1/5 last time, but he was probably best in that race because there were only three runners and the winner – who just held on – was able to set a very easy, uncontested lead, while not providing ‘CTG’ with an adequate setup to score from the position he was in early; don’t hold that short-priced defeat against him.

–        #8 HAILEYSFIRSTNOTION was very game to beat SPIKEZONE off the bench using different off-the-pace tactics at Delaware last time, and he no doubt will be a leading player again today; we should note, however, that he did receive an exceptional pace setup in that last race (21.93, 44.70) and also benefited from the track slightly favoring closers.

–        Although #1 TETCHED was caught a little wide on the far turn last out, he also received a favorable pace setup as a closer.

–        Having been under pressure throughout, rallied late to just miss, and then galloped out in front when making his first start for Nazario last time, #3 AMAZING BERNIE strongly left the impression that he’ll appreciate today’s 7F trip.

–        #5 HELDISH was the foe who lugged in on top of #4 ADDY’S LADDY T N T last time, causing that rival to check.

–        Not saying he wasn’t best anyway, but #8 DO IT FOR MICHAEL did ride an inside bias with only 116 pounds on his back when winning last time; it might be a little difficult for him to replicate that exact level of form today back in the Robb barn; player, nonetheless.

–        #10 BACKNTHEWOODS’ two-back effort is deserving of a little extra credit as he held on for 2nd after setting the pace over a heavily closer biased track; he then caught a heavily speed biased track last week which slightly played against him as it made his task of running down the always forward winner more difficult.

–        Having chased from well back and then raced wide on the turn, #11 KERNESS K finished with a rush to win for the 10th consecutive time (!) going away when last seen at Delaware; he should appreciate today’s extra 1/8 and there’s no reason why he can’t extend his winning streak.

–        After bobbling at the break (negligible), #12 FLYING TO WORK benefited from a closer bias last time.

–        With the rails at 70ft, #2 NICK’S NOTION didn’t quite receive enough of a pace setup in the All Along Stakes last time and did well under the circumstances; player.

–        #3 LENDALFOOT was no match for #2 NICK’S NOTION when last seen at Colonial; however, Brion’s runner was shuffled back a little entering the first turn and then briefly hemmed in when looking to advance around foes on the far turn, both of which are factors that maybe cost her 3rd.

–        #6 JUNIPER JUICE could have done with more pace to run at last time; she’s capable of improving on that latest run today.

–        Prior to a nice win last time, speed had held well in #7 HIGH VIEW’s two-back race at Delaware, compromising her chances as a closer.

–        #10 MOPO was caught a fraction wider than ideal on the turns at Delaware last time; big player.

–        Although she was best anyway, it should be noted that there was a speed bias present when #2 BLO YOUR MIND broke her maiden on debut courtesy of a forward trip. Note: she failed to switch leads in the lane (green).

–        Prior to a very convincing win last time, #6 OLIVIA’S LEGACY had done best of the speed in Delaware’s Small Wonder Stakes when the track was presenting a small closer bias – slightly upgrade that effort; player.

–        #1 BOASTFULLY IRISH once again finished very well to score over a flat 5F at the Meadowlands two-weeks ago; he should certainly improve for the extra 1/16 and long stretch today.

–        #11 NOTION IN MOTION was somewhat aided by being forwardly placed in a slowly run race that saw speed hold well last time (23.35, 46.28).

–        There was no visible reason as to why #1 DIVINE INTENTIONS ran below par last time; she needs to bounce back.

–        Not saying that she wasn’t a country mile the best of five anyway, but there was a speed bias present when #6 RERUN TABLE wired a field on an uncontested lead last time; needless to say, things will be a little more difficult today.

–        #7 DIVINE SEEKER was brilliant in victory last time, powering clear with tremendous energy under largely a hand ride in the lane before being wrapped up late and coasting under the wire with her ears pricked; she looked to have plenty more to offer and if in the same form today sin lasix, she should play a major role.

–        Although #9 ONYX TEN was second best to #8 IRISH JIG when last seen, she did sit closer to the hot pace that foe and there was also a lean to closers that day, too; there might have been less between the two than the 2 1/4L margin suggests.

–        #7 GIFT OF GAB ran a huge race in the Sensible Lady Turf Dash two-back (her last on turf): tracked the hot pace from ~6L back on the rail into the lane; briefly waited in behind horses, then switched to the center mid stretch and rallied well. Although she did have to sit in traffic a little through the lane, we shouldn’t upgrade her effort because the pace setup was very much in her favor; still, the result and speed fig seem fair, and she’s obviously demanding of respect today. Note: she galloped out strongly at Belmont last week, suggesting today’s stretch out will be within her reach.

–        #8 RYLNNSLOOKINGLUCKY was notably wide on both turns when winning under an amateur rider last time; it was a nice effort from her beating a next out winner and she could be providing a little value at 20/1 ML today.

–        #9 HAPPY THIS DAY had no excuse last time after setting a slow, uncontested pace in front; she needs to bounce back.

–        #10 BOYS GO TO JUPITER didn’t nearly do enough to earn an upgrade in her last turf start, two-back; however, the race setup was completely against her, with a slow pace leading to a very tightly bunched field (in which she was at the rear) and a sprint to the finish, and she also had to steady very slightly in the lane; she’s capable of more than that with the right setup today following a nice off-turf win last month.

–        #12 FIVECOMMATWO benefited from the hot early pace (22.92, 46.85) collapsing when last seen finishing second (to a rival who had a tough trip) at Penn National in August.

–        #14 SET ABLAZE sat a notably wide trip last time; she will benefit from having more pace to run at than she has in her last two starts and is respected on the drop today.

–        It was impressive to see the ML favorite #9 WALTZ NOTION run down the lane and hit the line with strong strides last time considering he’d set some legit fractions in front early; he might be able to offer more again if rationing out his speed a little more efficiently, although it would be a surprise if he managed/did that in this race today.

–        Prior to routing his rivals at short odds last time, #10 ARUBA ARIBA had been squeezed/intimidated out of a tight spot between horses in deep stretch when finishing behind #6 MONSTER MITCH on debut; that effort can be slightly upgraded, although it is important to note that he was never beating ‘MITCH’ that day.

–        #11 REMEMBERTHEWORD (AE) managed to bag the win last time despite having wasted both his and his rider’s energy pulling hard inside early.

–        #12 METALICAN (AE) has been visually impressive in all three starts to date and could well improve again for today’s extra 1/16 if drawing in.

This wasn’t a terrible trip; however, the race wasn’t run to suit him with the field being tightly bunched after a moderate half entering the far turn (he could have done with a faster pace); he also had to navigate traffic in the lane which wasn’t terrible but did slightly hinder his ability to level off properly.

He did well to finish 2nd in this race given he’d contested some taxing enough early fractions (23.96, 47.98) over the SOFT turf which set things up nicely for closers; a small pace upgrade can be awarded for his effort.

–        After tracking the hot pace from 4th, #7 THUNDERING split foes and kicked away with good energy under just a hand ride before being eased up late on in the Find Stakes at Colonial last time; that run strongly suggested he has more to offer and today’s 1 1/8M should suit perfectly again; massive contender.

–        Following a troubled 3rd two-back, #9 GALATOWN GUY won last time despite having done nothing but prick his ears when he hit the front; he left the impression that he has more to offer.

–        #12 MAJESTIC BLUE took advantage of a speed bias when winning an off-turf event last time; still, he ran well and showed a good attitude, the addition of blinkers clearly having helped him.

–        Considering all his best effort have come via deep closing trips, it’s safe to say that #5 IN THE DANCE did not nearly have enough pace to run at to be seen to best effect when making his debut for Ness at Delaware last time; he can likely offer more with a better setup today and isn’t completely discounted at a price.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #8 WICKEDDIVINE failed to fire at Delaware last time; he needs to bounce back stepped up in trip for the first time.

–        #2 HEY ALEXA can likely offer more than she showed when last seen as she was tasked with closing from last into a controlled pace over a speed biased track; today’s 7F trip could suit ideally, too.

–        #4 YES PICNIC impressed when winning again last time: she pressed the hot pace in a tricky position between horses to the far turn, then opened up before fending off the closers late; she should play another big role today. Note: there was a speed bias present when she ran her big speed figure courtesy of a wire trip two-back; view that fig cautiously.

–        Switches back to the dirt, #9 OVER MY CENTS hardly came off the bridle when cruising to a 2 1/2L victory last time; she left the impression that she can offer a little more with a stronger ride today.

–        While there’s no denying that #12 SUNFLOWER STATE performed below par last time and she needs to bounce back today, she was also trying to close over a speed biased racetrack which did not aid her chances.

–        #14 MARRIEDTOTHEGAME (aren’t we all!) won really nicely at Delaware last time, cruising late on in a manner to suggest she has more to offer; contender.