Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, January 17, 2026

–        #1 KEEPING IT COUNTRY gave away real estate swinging very wide into the lane when racing on the slop here at Laurel 7-days ago. It likely cost him a position or two (suspect he’d have finished 5th or 6th with a more ground saving trip), but no more than that.

–        #4 MISTICAL CURLIN was caught 3-4W on both turns when finishing 6th as the 8/5 favorite at Penn National (11/28/25). While the wide trip didn’t help him and his effort is worthy of a (small) UPGRADE, it a stretch to say that it cost him a place; he underperformed, period, and will likely need to bounce back today.

–        #5 MASTER OF NONE was slightly bothered at the break racing over 1 1/8 Miles here at Laurel last out (12/13/25). However, he also broke slowly himself and quite honestly, factoring in his typical running style as well, it made no difference to the result. What did make a difference, however, was that his rider was slow to react to the increase in tempo entering the far turn – he sat fairly motionless while the others quickened away from him, arguably costing him 3rd.

–        A wide trip (UPGRADE) and inadequate 6F distance seemed to be the factors behind #10 STRIKING SPARKS’ sub-par effort here at Laurel last out (12/26/25). (He visually didn’t look to have regressed; he was just outpaced throughout). A stretch back out in distance and more ground saving trip should see him get back on track today. (Although he’ll need to work a trip to save ground from his wide post).

–        #1 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.

–        With blinkers removed (noteworthy), #5 QUEEN VALENTINE stayed on well enough over 6 1/2F at Charles Town last time (01/02/26), despite racing ~5W+ on the far turn (UPGRADE), to suggest that today’s stretch out in trip would be to her benefit.

–        #3 JUNIPER’S JUBILEE slightly lugged in through the stretch when racing over 7F here at Laurel Park last time (12/12/25) which impacted upon her momentum – costly when beaten by just half a length. She also stumbled slightly at the start, but owing to the pace of the race and her overall trip, that seemed negligible.

–        #4 ITTY BIDDY CITY’s debut effort over 6F at Penn National (12/05/25) is worthy of a notable UPGRADE as she set very fast closer-friendly fractions in front on a track that presenting a strong closer bias. She was only collared deep inside the final 1/16 and is eligible to take a notable step forward in start number two today.

–        #5 AQUA BLAZE’s debut effort over 6F here at Laurel Park (12/19/25) was full of promise and room for improvement. Having been unhurried after an alert break from gate two, she absolutely hated her first experience of kickback as the field bunched entering the turn, throwing her head violently while losing ground and momentum. She then shifted out into the clear 3W, advanced into 3rd and finished with credit to hold the show behind a more experienced rival (#1 MY GIRL BACK HOME) and a talented wire winner who followed up last weekend. She was better than the result/fig suggest and with blinkers on today, one imagines she’ll be sent to avoid the kickback (expect her to be a pace factor), helping her take a large step forward in her second start with lasix on.

–        After showing early speed, #8 TRULY THRILLING was not hard ridden in the stretch when beaten over a difficult debut distance (7F) here at Laurel Park last time (12/12/25). Second start with lasix on and a cut back to 5 1/2F, improvement is expected.

–        Prior to being outclassed at 30/1 in a stake on his synthetic track debut last time, #2 NATIONAL LAW had endured a wide trip on both turns (UPGRADE) when returning from a layoff going 1 1/16 miles here at Laurel Park on 11/14/25 (his last start on dirt). Back to the main track for his third start of the form cycle today, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him produce a better effort than he has in either of his last two starts. Blinkers back on today.

–        #3 PHANTOM SPEED had to steady off heels at a crucial stage of his last start going 1 1/8 miles in the Richard W. Small Stakes here at Laurel Park (11/22/25). He lost both ground and momentum and did very well to finish 2nd – UPGRADE this effort and expect more with blinkers on first time today.

–        #5 SPOTAFREEONE had a very troubled start in the 7F City of Laurel Stakes here at Laurel Park last out (11/29/25) which left him racing much further off the pace than ideal. He stayed on late in a manner to suggest today’s trip will suit him and a bounce back to form looks likely.

–        #6 CROSSLAND found himself in tight ~1/8th pole when battling gamely for the lead between rivals over 1 1/16 miles here at Laurel Park last time (11/14/25). He had to briefly check his momentum which didn’t cost him the win but almost certainly cost him 2nd against the re-opposing #2 NATIONAL LAW.

–        Although there was a closer bias present, #7 IN THE DANCE was much the best when winning over a mile here at Laurel Park last time (12/13/25), swinging 5W into the lane, inhaling his rivals and drawing off by 4L. No need to downgrade this effort.

–        #2 THE GODDESS FACTOR’s last start when finishing 3rd over 1 mile here at Laurel Park (11/28/25) is worthy of an UPGRADE. She was bumped very hard at the start which left her racing in a detached last early; had to work early to get back into contention, then gave away real estate by racing 3-5W all the way around the far turn. Mark up this effort and expect more today.

–        #5 GOURMET was caught in an awkward, undesirable spot contesting the pace tight between horses early here at Laurel Park last time (12/12/25); it might have been a factor in her regressive effort.

–        Speed held very well in the 6F race that #7 BLO BY THE FIELD exits at Penn National (12/18/25) which makes her effort worthy of an UPGRADE; she was pinched at the start and had to take up, instantly putting her on the back foot as she got away slowly in last before rallying against the race flow. Her finishing effort suggests today’s stretch back out in trip will be to her benefit and more can be expected.

–        The slow early pace in last year’s renewal of the Geisha Stakes here at Laurel Park (01/18/25) held well, compromising #3 ONCOURTCOMMENTATOR’s chances as a deep closer. Still, she closed against the pace flow while wide on the far turn for 2nd – her effort is worthy of an UPGRADE. Returns from a year layoff today.

–        #5 LATE NITE CALL’s last effort in the 1 1/8-mile Carousel Stakes here at Laurel Park (12/20/25) is worthy of a fairly sizable upgrade: the track was presenting a closer bias and she set a fast pace in front that played into the hands of the closers; still managed to hold 2nd, beaten just a neck – it was a huge run. She also endured some bumping with the eventual winner in the lane, but it was mostly her own doing and it impacted the winner equally as much as her.

–        #7 TAKETHEMONEYHONEY’s win in the 6F Politely Stakes here at Laurel Park last out (12/20/25) was more impressive that the PPs suggest owing to the fact that she was boxed in under a tight hold behind rivals for the majority of the far turn (when she’d ideally have been building momentum) and then found herself short of room/briefly blocked ~3/16 pole – she was more than 1-length the best. She hit the line in a manner to suggest today’s trip will suit and another improved effort third off the bench looks possible.

–        There was no visible reason for #2 BLUE KINGDOM’s sub par effort last time; he needs to bounce back.

–        #4 QUINT’S BREW’s return off a 230-day layoff in the 7F Howard and Sondra Bender Memorial Stakes here at Laurel Park on 12/20/25 was more promising than the PP’s suggest: after breaking from the inside post, he took a firm hold and over-raced slightly behind horses into the turn, then had to wait in traffic racing to the ¼ pole (when he really needed to be building momentum). This allowed the talented winner, SLAM NOTION, to get the jump on him; despite then finding clear sailing at the top of the lane, the slow early pace meant that ‘SN’ was not for catching in the lane, yet ‘QB’ still gave game chase to the wire and galloped out okay – his trip and the race flow arguably cost him the win. Provided he settles (because he was keen last time), a notable step forward can be expected second out with a better trip forecast.

–        #7 MACLEAN’S ROOK’s win over 1 1/16 miles here at Laurel Park on 12/06/25 was visually very impressive: despite racing slightly wide on both turns (small UPGRADE), he cruised into the lead from ~10L back under minimal urging into a pace that held well (another small UPGRADE); he only came off the bridle ~1/8th pole; he only received two (unnecessary) taps with the crop; and he hit the line and galloped out with great energy, indicating he has more to offer again. Don’t be surprised if he posts a new career best today.

–        #1 DISCO EBO’s last start in the restricted Unique Bella Stakes (6F) at Parx on 06/15/25 can be tossed. She reared as the gates opened giving the field a large head start and prevented herself from adopting her preferred forward position; the early pace was then very modest, allowing the top three finishers (at odds of 2/5, 11/1 and 11/1) to run 1-2-3 throughout, so she was also pace compromised; plus, she was also forced to race ~5W into the lane. All things considered, she did well to finish 4th and if ready off the bench today, an improved bounce back to form can be expected.

–        #2 DWELLING LEGACY won well despite failing to switch leads over 5 1/2F at Laurel Park last time (12/07/25).

–        #7 VIEUX CARRE lost more ground than the head she was beaten winging wide into the lane and then shifting to the center when making up an impressive amount of ground to finish third over a mile here at Laurel Park last time (12/19/25). Although she produced an eye-catching closing effort, her overall trip was fine, and her performance doesn’t need to be upgraded. However, her recent form figures should probably read 3,2,1, not 3,2,3.

–        #3 ONE MORE SCOOP’s last effort going 6 1/2F at Parx lacked a visible excuse but was too bad to be true and followed by a layoff; he never ran a step, and something was seemingly amiss; he’s best judged on his prior form.

–        #5 FULL MOON MADNESS had a slightly troubled trip in the G3 Elite Power Stakes (6F) at Aqueduct last time (12/06/25): he was caught very tight between foes and bumped around as the field scrummaged for position through the opening furlong, then he had to take up and check slightly ~9/16 pole as the leader crossed to the rail; following that, he found himself boxed in rounding the home turn when he really needed to be building momentum; speed also held well in this race which didn’t help his chances. A clean trip with lasix back on can surely see him improve today.

–        #8 PEGASUS TWIN overcame a slightly wide trip when gamely scoring by a nose over 6F at Laurel Park last time (11/22/25) – he was arguably a little better than the nose margin of victory suggests.

–        #3 DOCTOR’S ORDERS lost a length or so racing wide into the lane when finishing 4th over 6F at Penn National last time (12/19/25); he was also not hard ridden through the final 100yds and it’s easy to argue that he should/could have finished 3rd (tiny UPGRADE). There was a closer bias present at the track this day which possibly aided his chances, though. The “shuffled start” highlighted in the chart comment was inconsequential.

–        #5 BIRRAVINO BLVD overcame a slightly wide trip (4-5W first turn, 3-4W second) when winning at Penn National last time (12/04/25) – very slightly UPGRADE this effort.

–        #7 AMAZING BERNIE raced wide on the far turn when finishing just behind #4 HAPPY JAUNT (4th & 5th) over 1 1/16 miles here at Laurel Park on 12/27/25; easy to argue he was best of the two.