Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, April 18, 2026

–        #1 NAOMI AND RUTH lost ground when floated out on the turn last out, which could entitle her to a small upgrade; however, she was also positioned close to the pace (which although was fast, held well) on a speed bias track. That may well have helped her stick around for longer than she otherwise would have done. Makes turf debut today.

–        The chart comment notes how #2 BELLE’S BABY resented the kickback on debut, which she did. However, she only climbed and lost ground because of the kickback for a couple of strides after breaking from the outside post, and we can’t use that as a full reason as to why she ran below par. Makes turf debut today.

–        #5 NATTIE’S BOSS actually ran well for a long way in a strongly run 7F dirt contest on the dirt at Colonial last time. She took a light bump when tiring ~1/8th pole and was not persevered thereafter, exacerbating the margin of defeat, but could be suited by 5 1/2F on the grass today.

–        We can be very forgiving of #13 ROCK TALK’s debut on the dirt because she broke from the rail and did not handle the kickback at all, climbing through the air and dropping back to a detached last. She then ran evenly through the lane and galloped out okay when out of the dirt. Improvement seems inevitable switching to the turf second out.

–        #5 CASEOFTHEMONDAY’s was the foe who pressured #3 BUD’S NOTION on the lead last out. He too ran with credit to finish 3rd and is also deserving of a small pace upgrade. He’ll seemingly need more if he’s to reverse form with that foe, however.

–        #6 G Q WORTHY is deserving of a tiny slice of extra credit for his most recent try at Colonial as he didn’t have quite enough pace to close into (speed held relatively well). He finished up nicely however and galloped out powerfully too. There could be more to come from him with a faster pace expected today.

–        #3 MODERNIS SILVER was keen early and weak late when sprinting 6F last time. She’ll need to settle better if she’s to handle today’s mile distance. Note: she rode a speed bias two-back.

–        #6 QUALITY SWAG was slightly wider than ideal when running on the slop last time but was not wide enough to upgrade her past the re-opposing #4 FASTFIELD (who also sat a wide trip and beat her comfortably).

–        The chart comment notes how #1 MOON CACHE “steadied ¼” last out, which she did; however, she was already on the retreat at the time, and her trouble was not significant enough to warrant an upgrade.

–        #3 FABIA had a slightly rough beginning when sprinting last time, but it in no way cost her the race and she ran as expected at the distance. Stretches back out in trip today which should suit.

–        The chart comment notes how #4 C C COMMANDER lugged in on her way to victory at Colonial last time, but that sounds worse than it was. She drifted in a path or two and bumped a rival ~1/8 pole (possibly out of greenness) but was corrected and went back to running straight thereafter – it’s not something we should be concerned about. Overall, it was a nice effort in which she overcame a wider than ideal trip (tiny upgrade) and her gallop out was decent, offering hope that she’ll handle today’s stretch out. Do note that she was also hard to load into the outside gate last time which kept her rivals waiting and may therefore have been beneficial to her.

–        #5 IAMDEPENDINGONYOU was only ridden using hands-and-heels when beating three rivals last time and seemingly won with something in hand.

–        #7 LORD’S LADY sat a dream ground saving trip on her way to posting a career best Beyer last time. Makes debut for Payne today.

–        #2 HER MAJESTY won nicely at Sam Houston last out despite having given her rivals a head start when breaking very awkwardly. We should be slightly reluctant to give her effort an upgrade, however, because she had a very favorable pace setup as a closer thereafter and sat a great closers’ trip too. Nevertheless, she retains obvious upside.

–        In a modestly run affair at Turfway last time, #3 FIRE’S OUT lacked the late pace to challenge sprinting 6F, instead finishing at an even pace. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she was to offer more at two-turns on the turf (her prior turf sprints also pointed towards turf routes being her best game; toss her one turf route when something was evidently amiss).

–        Not quite sure how to assess #5 BINT MISCHIEF’s last effort (2nd) going two-turns at Gulfstream. The rails were out, the pace was slow and speed held very well (1-2-3 finishers filled those positions throughout) which, seeing as she was positioned in a stalking 3rd throughout, could warrant a downgrade. However, she was also boxed in of the far turn and unable to build momentum/pressure the leader, which ultimately made life easier for that foe to kick clear late and more difficult for BM to oblige as the fav.

–        Something was clearly amiss with #6 SHARMIN last out (stopped fast on the far turn, eased and laid up since). We can likely toss that race and expect her to bounce back returning to the turf today. To what degree she bounces back is the question, though.

–        #7 RUBY HAMILTON was in tight quarters ~1/8th pole and lost a length or two as a result when last seen in November (tiny upgrade). She was beaten at the time, however, and up to that point seemed to have benefited from a good trip and the flow of the race (forward inside stalking trip; speed held fairly well with rails out). Note: her two back effort was upgradable – she’d very likely have hit the board with a clean trip. Returns off layoff today.

–        After sitting relatively close to a hot pace, #12 JITTIER GIRL showed a very likable attitude and made a pleasing visual impression, driving away for a cozy maiden breaking success. She then galloped out well enough to suggest she’ll handle today’s stretch out in trip as she makes her turf debut.

–        With blinkers added, #4 COOL CUSTOMER became very keen and probably did a little too much too soon when last seen, making it all the more impressive that he hung around for 2nd and briefly had the talented winner under pressure in the lane. If settling just a touch better under Vargas (and provided he doesn’t bounce), he could be difficult to reel in back down to 5 1/2F.

–        Regarding #5 DR. BUZZY’s debut effort at Charles Town, the chart comment “blew the first turn” is a bit of an exaggeration – he drifted a few paths wide entering the bend but was quickly corrected and really didn’t lose any momentum or ground. The result and speed fig seem fair.

–        #6 BRUNO made a likable impression on debut.

–        As she does in her homework, #4 RIBALTAGAIA pulled hard in front when last seen returning from a layoff in the Violet Stakes at Monmouth when last seen. She did well under the circumstances to only just fail. Returns from another layoff today.

–        Admittedly aided by a good trip, #8 MAHRA’S LOVE (IRE) ran like she (understandably) wasn’t at peak fitness when returning from a layoff and making her US debut at Turfway last time. She could easily strip fitter and therefore improve returning to turf today.

–        Having been outrun early, #1 EAMONN finished up nicely in the 5F Silks Run Stakes at Gulfstream last time and galloped out well too. He may benefit from having an extra 1/16 to work with today.

–        The chart comment notes not #3 KING COVEE steadied at the ½ last time. While this did happen, the steady was insignificant and hardly cost him any ground or momentum. He was also slightly wider than ideal (5W) entering the lane, but as a closer (who benefited from a great pace setup), this was not devastating to his chances. Returns off layoff today.

–        #10 SCHWARZMEIER was very impressive at the Fair Grounds when last seen: he blasted through fast fractions in front, remained under a hold until the 3/16 pole, then scooted further clear when the rider shook the reins at him. Visually he looked as if he could have a little more to offer; however, it must be noted that this race was a “merry go round” race in which the running order never changed throughout (exactly what happened in the prior turf sprint on the card, too), raising slight questions about the race’s validity.

–        #1 WIRETAPPED spent the entirety of her last start at Gulfstream racing on the rail which, throughout the winter, was not the place to be (potential upgrade). Lasix off today.

–        Similarly to above, #2 LAW SCHOOL was on inside throughout in the Beyond The Wire Stakes last out – there was a possible outside lean this day which have have hindered her finishing effort.

–        #4 THREE SIXTY looked far from the finished article when breaking her maiden impressively at Aqueduct last time: after setting an honest pace in front (borderline pace upgrade), she coasted into the lane under a hold, then shied out ~3/16 pole when the rider asked her to put the race to bed, flashed her tail when receiving a backhander ~1/8 pole, and then flopped to her left lead late on. She still looks green and therefore may have more to offer. Returns off freshening to make her first start against winners today.

–        A half to GSW FORT BRAGG who looks to have found her best game going long on the dirt sin blinkers, #7 A. P.’S GIRL made a very nice visual impression when winning her second straight race at the Fair Grounds last time and she will demand respect today. It should be noted, however, that she only faced three rivals that day and was forwardly placed throughout in a slowly run race (25.42, 50.67), possibly warranting a downgrade.

–        #9 MOMAXIE lost her back end when stumbling out of the gate last time, but it’s hard to use that as an excuse for her defeat – she recovered very quickly and sat a perfect trip thereafter.

–        If handling today’s surface switch and the removal of lasix, #4 BARTLETT may be able to improve on his last start as he was close to a fast pace (22.78, 46.11) that eventually collapsed and also running off the layoff.

–        #5 HORSEPOWER ran a very nice race on the synthetic at Gulfstream last out, holding on for 2nd after sitting close to a fast pace (23.41, 46.18). The talented winner was also forwardly positioned, so it’s hard to upgrade his effort too much, but other heavily bet speed horses did not fare nearly as well (extra credit). Note: Timeform US also has the track listed as being slow/closer friendly this day too, but this was the lone synthetic race on the card, so while it may have been, it’s a little hard to say for certain that it was.

–        Both #7 CRUISE THE NILE and #9 KING SIZE won with good energy and galloped out nicely too in their respective last out front-running scores. Both hinted that they may still have more to offer (KING SIZE was running off the layoff too).

–        The 5/1 gate-to-wire winner of #11 BABY MAX’s last race established an uncontested lead early and then set slow fractions in front; although BABY MAX sat a nice trip himself the pace evidently made his task of running down that loose leader much more difficult, and he can be excused for his even-money defeat (borderline upgrade). Lasix off for turf debut today.

–        #1 HIXON was floated very wide off the turn before going onto score last time. The eventual runner-up was the horse who floated him out though (and so also lost ground) in this four-runner race, and there was a slight outside bias this day too, so the effort is not deserving of an upgrade. A nice performance, nonetheless.

–        #2 VOLENDAM made a very nice visual impression when breaking his maiden sprinting on the synth at Turfway last time – whether he’s as effective going long on dirt is another question (gallop out was okay), but he looks a runner.

–        #3 CHAYTON also made a nice impression when kicking away from a next out winner with good energy to win on the synth at Turfway last time. Lasix off for dirt route debut today.

–        There was a slight outside bias at Laurel on March 21 when #5 LET’S GO LANDO finished 3rd in the Private Terms. He spent the entire race on the rail and therefore may be deserving of a small upgrade/pass for his defeat as the 9/5 fav. His gallop out was nice enough (not as good as WILD WARRIOR, though), and he may also benefit from the extra 1/16 today.

–        #10 TAJ MAHAL settled much better than expected and could not have displayed a nicer attitude when winning the Miracle Wood Stakes last time. With that level of determination and maturity between starts one and two, he needs to be taken seriously (duh!) once again.

–        #3 GRANUAILE did not look suited by the mile distance at Turfway last time. Cutting back to 5 1/2F and returning to the turf should help her rebound as she returns to Corrales’ barn.

–        #4 CHITCHATCHITCHAT was slammed at the break sprinting on the synth at Gulfstream last time, spotting the field a couple of lengths. While we can’t say that this was the sole reason for her finishing last (she recovered quickly and was never far away), it certainly didn’t help, and the kickback also looked quite back this day, which she may have resented. Returns to the grass (1-for-1 over) and drops in grade today. Note: she lugged in through the stretch when winning on the grass two-back.

–        At even money, #6 WHATAREWEDOING duly obliged in nice fashion off the layoff at Charles Town last out. There’s no denying she was best in that race and she deserves respect today. It does need to be noted, however, that there was a speed bias present at CT that last day, which may have helped her in one way or another. Note: her gallop out was fairly uninspiring, raising questions about her carrying her speed an extra 1/8 as she makes her turf debut today.

–        There was a speed bias present when #8 TURKISH BREEZE won courtesy of a forward ground saving trip last time – potential downgrade. Makes turf debut and first start against winners today.

–        #9 BALLYKEEFE ran a huge race at odds of 94/1 when last seen in October, finishing just 1 1/4L behind the winner despite having been positioned slightly wide than ideal throughout and closer to the fast pace than three of the four horses who beat her (borderline upgrade). Adds lasix for her return today. (The fast pace in that aforementioned race was set by #10 FLOYNESS, who simply went too fast for her own good over 6F. Returns to the grass (now with lasix) and cuts to 5 1/2F back today.