Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, February 14, 2026

–        #2 STYLISH GEM traveled well while close to a fast pace last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26), loomed upsides the leader in the 2P on the turn and took over while going best at the top of the lane, then fought hard with fresh challengers (who closed from behind her) to ~1/8th pole before fading grudgingly late on. It was an effort that suggested a cut back in distance (which she gets today) would be to her advantage and as she now makes her first sprint start with lasix, a big effort seems possible.

–        There was no visible reason on as to why #3 AS THE BELL TOLES ran so far below par last time (6F, LRL, 12/19/25); surely it was too bad to be true? She’ll need to bounce back today regardless; makes debut for Russell with lasix first time and blinkers off.

–        #5 BACK WALL BANDIT’s last start over 5 1/2F here at Laurel (11/29/25) is worthy of a small to medium sized UPGRADE. She was shuffled back a little ~9/16 pole in just a modestly paced contest, then lost real estate when caught 4-6W on the bend. Her finishing effort to snatch 3rd was creditable (and offered hope she’ll improve for today’s distance), and more can likely be expected of her, granted a clean ground saving trip, with lasix on first time.

–        The chart comment notes how #7 PONEY ISLAND “drifted out badly 1/8” when finishing 5th last time (12/20/25); while she did wander into the center of the track and then back out again (maybe costing her 3rd as she was just 3/4L off that spot), she did so gradually and not in an erratic fashion that would have dented her momentum; the chart comment makes it sound worse than it was and the speed fig seems fair. Lasix and blinkers on today may help her stay straighter, regardless. (Her overall performance and the visual was fine/promising).

–        #1 MIGHTY LINDSEY’s stumble at the start last out (6 1/2F, PRX, 01/07/26) was inconsequential – she recovered instantly, sat a good trip overall and won well; don’t be misled by the chart comment. She also showed signs of greenness in the lane, swishing her tail each time the rider used the crop.

–        Although the running line shows #3 THEY GOT CURRY wiring a field of maiden claimers on impressively debut (6F, PRX, 01/22/26), it may be worth noting that she actually broke slowly in last and only took the lead 3/16 miles into the race after being rushed along the rail. Also, despite her rider’s requests, she stubbornly refused to switch leads in the lane. A promising effort, nonetheless.

–        #4 TACTIC VALUE lugged out on the turn last time (7F, LRL, 12/06/25).

–        #5 MISS FULTON GAL galloped out very strongly after rallying inside for 2nd last out (1M, LRL, 01/10/26); her effort suggested a strongly run 1 1/16M test (which she’ll likely get today) will see her to good effect.

–        Having broken inwards and bumped with a rival, #2 JUNIPER’S JUBILEE was rushed and pulled between horses racing into the turn last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/17/26) which put her in a tight spot (the rider had to check slightly but it didn’t cost them position, ground or momentum and although unideal, it was fairly inconsequential); she then continued traveling powerfully tight between horses in the 2P on the turn which led to her being completely boxed in and forced to wait for a run from ~5/16 pole all the way to just inside the 3/16 pole (a stage of the race when she really needed to be building momentum); from there, she muscled her way into the clear along the inside and came under a ride but was shortly after forced to steady hard ~1/8th pole as a foe drifted in front of her, costing her all momentum and chance of winning; 3rd was her best hope thereafter. This was a disastrous trip from the start and she’s eligible to take a big step back in the right direction with a better trip today; best judged on prior efforts.

–        #5 YAU MAJESTY had a rough stretch run last time (1M, CNL, 09/11/25), shifting off a retreating foe’s heels and then being forced to take up when drifting out into another foe ~1/16 pole; neither factor helped her chances and her margin of defeat was exasperated as a result (effort can be UPGRADED by a length or so as she then ran on with some credit late); however, she was fully extended, out of contention at the time, and not going to be a major factor regardless of the interference.

–        #8 HOOF AND BOOTS showed a very likable attitude in behind a next out winner last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/14/25). Gets lasix first time and a tactical post today as she makes her debut for Maldonado.

–        #1 KUAGA’s last effort (6F, LRL, 12/13/25) is worthy of an UPGRADE: she set a fast and pressured closer-friendly pace in front on a track presenting a slight closer-bias, turned away the other speed at the top of the lane and opened up, only to be nailed on the wire by a deep closer (the re-opposing #2 YES PICNIC). A case can be made that she was best in there; gets lasix first time today.

–        #2 YES PICNIC, on the other hand, had everything in her favor winning that aforementioned race (6F, LRL, 12/13/25): she saved ground while closing into a fast, closer friendly pace on a track presenting a slight closer bias – her effort needs DOWNGRADING. However, she did look good in victory, and she remains lightly raced and open to further improvement, so is not one to be quickly dismissed.

–        With lasix on first time, #6 BARBADOS BULLDOG won in commanding fashion last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/10/26) despite having given away ground racing 3-5W around horses on the turn – (tiny) UPGRADE. (The track was listed as “good” this day, however, so it is possible that she was actually racing on a faster part of the track). A nice performance regardless, she’ll demand respect today.

–        #7 RERUN TABLE was caught 4W racing into the lane last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/27/25), but it didn’t have much effect on the result or speed fig. Neither did the “bore in start” mentioned in the chart comment – she very slightly broke inwards and brushed the winner, but it was minor contact and of no consequence – the result and speed fig are fair. Gets lasix first time today.

–        #1 SAILOR’S RETURN’s last start (1M 70Y, Prx, 01/07/26) can be UPGRADED: he took a hefty bump leaving the gate which gifted the field a 3L+ head start on him (even though he’s a closer, it was far from ideal); he then chased the honest pace into the back stretch, shifted to the center, crept closer racing to the 1/2m pole, then began passing rivals despite losing significant ground racing 5W+ on the bend; he then stayed on willingly for 5th (just a nose off 4th). A more ground saving trip in particular can help him improve. Makes debut for White with blinkers off.

–        The rider lost the irons leaving the gate on #3 COLLECTION DAY last out which resulted in the pair contesting the pace 3W around the first turn and therefore, may well have cost them 4th (beaten just a two short-heads for that position). Overall, however, the incident didn’t seem to have a huge impact on his trip/performance, and his speed fig seems about fair.

–        #4 PRINCE KHOZAN was slightly bumped nearing the 1/2m pole last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/16/26) but it does not explain why he performed below par; he needs to bounce back today. (Note: he ran better when much more aggressively ridden from the gate two and three back).

–        #6 COACHES MEETING was badly outpaced when returning from the layoff over 6F last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) but he did stick to his task with credit in the lane; expect more second off back up in trip.

–        #8 MISTICAL CURLIN found himself boxed in along the rail when traveling well on the far turn last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/17/26) when he really needed to have been building momentum; this allowed the eventual winner to get the jump and open up a 4L advantage on him at the top of the lane; when gifted some running room, he then swung out from behind horses into the 4-5P from ~1/4 pole and rallied in the lane but couldn’t quite get by. He was arguably best in here and his effort is deserving of a slight UPGRADE. Note: he was also pinched leaving the gate but in the grand scheme of things, this was inconsequential.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #10 CATATUMBO ran so far below par last time (1 1/8M, LRL, 12/13/25); freshened up since, he needs to bounce back today.

–        #11 FIGHTERTOWN dueled through very fast fractions (23.93, 47.26) on the lead last time (1M, LRL, 12/21/25), then understandably tired and was not persevered with late, exasperating the margin of defeat. Would still have liked to have seem more from him (he was done early and the top 3 finishers were all within 5L at second call) but he can offer more today regardless (even for just a stronger ride in the lane).

–        Having broken from the rail, #12 QUINCANNON found himself boxed in when seemingly full of run approaching the ¼ pole last out (6F, LRL, 01/10/26) – a time when he really needed to be building momentum; while he may never have beaten the winner, that foe was therefore able to get the jump on ‘QUIN’ and he was arguably better than the beaten margin suggests (he stayed on well when clear late for 2nd). Stretches back out in distance today.

–        #1 SULTRY LASS sat close to an honest pace in the Carousel Stakes last out (1 1/8M, LRL, 12/20/25) – a day in which the track was presenting a notable CLOSER BIAS. We can therefore be somewhat forgiving of the fact that she faded through the lane, and we can likely expect a slightly better showing (provided there is no closer bias again) back down at 1 1/16M today. Makes debut for Russell. Note: the honest pace in the Carousel was set by #5 LATE NITE CALL who, despite the bias, was only nailed late on a beaten just a neck by #7 COMPLEXITY JANE. LATE NITE CALL’s effort in that race deserves a notable UPGRADE. On the contrary, both #4 THE SKY IS FALLING (3rd) and #7 COMPLEXITY JANE (1st) came from off the pace to hit the board in that race, possibly aided by the bias (downgrades?).

–        #3 NAVANI’s most recent effort finishing 2nd in the Geisha Stakes (1M, LRL, 01/17/26) deserves an UPGRADE: she was patiently handled out of the gate and settled in last early, ~8L off the pace (which held very well with the first three runners at first and second call (at odds of 1/9, 16/1 and 32/1) sticking around to finish 1st, 3rd (#5 LATE NITE CALL) and 4th (#8 KISSEDBYANANGEL) – NAVANI was racing against the flow); she then began to advance along the inside racing into and around the far turn but lacked running room and checked ~3/8 ((at a time when she desperately needed to be advancing/building momentum) not sure why the jock was intent on going inside when there wasn’t a run); when finally in the clear, she finished well into a clear 2nd but had no chance of catching the winner. Not sure she ever was beating the winner, but she was almost certainly better than the beaten margin suggests and can offer more today. Note: she also remained on her left lead in the lane last out.

–        #1 JOKESTAR came 4-6W into the lane and rallied with credit from 10th to be beaten just 4L on the synthetic last time (1M, 70Y, GP Synth, 01/24/26), despite speed holding extremely well in that race (top four finishers ran 1-2-3-4 throughout); he was racing completely against the flow and therefore, his effort is deserving of an UPGRADE. Returns to dirt today with extra distance guaranteed to help. Lasix off.

–        Overall, #4 CADET CORPS sat a good trip in the Louisiana Stakes (G3) last out (1 1/16M, FG, 01/17/26). However, he did have to wait for a few strides when absent of a clear path on the home turn (a stage when he really needed to be building momentum), and then he was forced to give away ground by angling into the clear 5W off the home turn, allowing the top two finishers to open up on him. Neither factor greatly impacted upon his speed fig but as he then rallied in the lane to be beaten just a 1/2L at the wire, an argument can be made that he was better than the beaten margin (and winner) suggest. (Runner-up missed the break, was 5W first turn, 3W second, coming off the bench and arguably best). It was a huge effort from ‘CC’ whichever way you slice it. Lasix OFF today.

–        #1 DRY POWDER was caught 4-5W on both turns in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff last time (1 1/8M, DMR, 11/01/25) which, as a 25/1 shot, didn’t help her cause. Neither did the fact that the track was playing very kindly to speed – we can be somewhat forgiving of her defeat.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #2 HOLD YOUR BREATH underperformed to quite such an extent as the 3/5 favorite last time (6F, LRL, 01/17/26). Maybe she bounced off her big effort two back? She’ll need more today, regardless. Lasix come OFF.

–        #4 TAKETHEMONEYHONEY looked to barely come out of second gear when winning the Geisha Stakes last out (1M, LRL, 01/17/26); she was very tenderly handled through the lane and then wrapped up on through the final ~100yds. Almost certainly had more in the tank.

–        Not sure how relevant this is, but #8 ON COMMAND bobbled/stumbled enough from a low draw in the Intercontinental Stakes when last seen (5 1/2F, SAR Turf, 06/05/25) that she was prevented from adopting her front-running tactics. Maybe that hurt her chances (and contributed to her slight Beyer drop) but she was 37/1 in that spot. Returns to dirt off layoff today.

–        #2 PEGASUS TWIN sat a wide enough trip (4-5W turn) last out (6 1/2F, LRL, 01/17/26) to warrant a small UPGRADE. He also came home in a manner to suggest today’s extra 1/16 will be to his benefit. Lasix off today.

–        Last year’s General George winner #4 QUINT’S BREW (who had a troubled trip when finishing behind #7 SLAM NOTION two-back) stumbled a little at the break in the Jennings Stakes last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26) (it wasn’t a terrible stumble); he was a then heavily restrained into a stalking spot (allowing #1 BLUE KINGDOM to get away with a modest opening ¼ split of 24.29) before going on the chase as the pace heated up in front and he dropped over 6L behind; having then worked hard to get back within striking range while ~4W from ~5/16 pole, he fought well to draw almost level with front pair ~1/16 pole, at which point he shimmied in and out, flopping to his left lead; this hurt his momentum notably and he was brave thereafter to still get up in time over #1 BLUE KINGDOM. Wonder whether he was just getting tired on that lead racing to the second wire and if the cut back to 7F (first wire) will help him today? Note: #1 BLUE KINGDOM didn’t have any major excuse but was extremely game in defeat to QUINT’S BREW regardless, and deserves significant respect again today: he broke sharp from the rail and set a reasonable opening ¼, then was taken on by the hard pulling MACLEAN’S ROOK, dropped back into 2nd and tipped into the 2P ~ 9/16 pole; he then went on the chase rounding the far turn and got to within a length of the lead ~5/16 pole; his rider then took a peek over his shoulder, saw QUINT’S BREW on his outside and allowed ‘BK’ to float off the turn (to force ‘QB’ even wider; Hazlewood was sharp to act on ‘QB’, however, and ducked back inside before losing significant ground); ‘BK’ then stayed on very gamely in the lane, got the better of the long time leader but was nailed in the last jump.

–        #5 POINT DUME posted an impressive career best 97 Beyer in victory last out (6 1/2F, LRL, 01/17/26) despite the fact he was getting out on the turn and through the lane. He was in some ways fortunate that he was racing between horses in the 2P on the bend as those rivals actually looked to be helping him corner (to a degree). He then had a rival to his outside in the lane too. Wonder whether he can get away with that [getting out] twice in a row and against this level of competition again?

–        #2 SOUPER VINNIE found himself boxed in on the turn last out (6F, WO Synth, 12/12/25) when just 2-3L off the lead (he really needed to be building momentum at this point of the race and looked to have the run to do so); he then found daylight shortly after entering the lane but, not helped by the speed bias that was present at Woodbine this day, he was unable to close stoutly enough and came home evenly in 6th. Recon he’d have finished closer with a cleaner trip/fairer track; (slightly) UPGRADE this effort and expect more today (provided he takes to the dirt).

–        #5 BOLD MIRAGE was instantly put at a disadvantage when stumbling badly at the start last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25) and he then wasn’t helped by his rider taking him extremely wide on the bend and into the lane; he’s definitely entitled to step forward notably second off the bench today; still, he was 28/1 in that spot and it would have been nice to have seen a little more spark in him, regardless of the circumstances.

–        #7 THUNDER CRY was once again very keen early in his last start (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/09/26); there looks to be no rating of him and he’s likely to ensure there’s plenty of pace in this race (potentially favoring off-the-pace types).

–        #8 QUAHOG REPUBLIC was caught 4W+ on the turn last time, warranting a (slight) UPGRADE. (Maybe not enough to confidently say he’ll reverse form with #6 TWELVE NELSON today, though).

–        Having dueled through unsustainably fast fractions last out (6 1/2F, TP, 01/02/26), #9 RUN TZU looked to be getting out on the run to the top of the lane when already backpedaling. Makes debut for Ness today.