Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Friday, January 30, 2026

–        While making a decent 4-5W move on the far turn, #1 BOYS GO TO JUPITER suddenly flopped leads (to her right leg) ~5/16 pole on the bend last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/14/25) and then stopped abruptly, (strongly) indicating something may have gone amiss; wonder whether we can draw a line through this effort and expect a return to form today?

–        #2 WAMPY lugged out on the bend last time (6F, LRL, 12/07/25).

–        In first time blinkers, #3 REHOBOTH AVENUE stayed on well enough in the lane last out (7F, LRL, 12/12/25) to suggest a return to a mile today will see her to better effect.

–        In first time blinkers, #4 MAIDSTONE stayed on and then galloped out well enough last time (6 1/2F, AQU, 01/02/26) to suggest a stretch out to a mile today will see her to better effect, especially now dropping in class.

–        #6 JULIA’S A FOX had everything in her favor when breaking her maiden last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25): she saved ground, had a wicked pace to close into that fell apart late, and the track was also presenting a closer bias – DOWNGRADE this effort.

–        In first time blinkers #9 WEEKEND WIFE sat a very slightly wide trip last time (7F, LRL, 12/28/25) before staying on well enough to suggest an improved effort is possible stretched back out to a mile today.

–        The chart comment notes how #3 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. Blinkers on today may help her stay straighter, regardless.

–        #6 STROLL TRIPPIN failed to switch leads in the lane last week (6F, LRL, 01/16/25) which may have dented her finishing effort.

–        #7 KELSEY HILL GIRL had to check from between rivals at the top of the lane last time (5 1/2F, LRL, Turf, 11/07/25) which put an end to any chance she may have had; she was then not preserved with in the lane, exasperating the margin of defeat. Impossible to tell where she’d have finished had the interference not occurred, but she wasn’t in contention at the time and seemingly underperformed, period. Makes dirt debut today.

–        #1 DUBSTEP was caught wide on the turn after making quite an early move to the front-end last time (1M, LRL, 11/27/25), but neither factor explain why she finished quite so poorly; needs to bounce back today.

–        #2 IT’SFIFTYSHADETIME was bumped and pinched at the break last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/19/25) but it’s a stretch to say that was the reason behind her poor effort; she’ll need more today, period.

–        #5 MORE RANSOM didn’t have a bad trip last time (1 1/8M, LRL, 12/07/25), but it was a slightly messy race for her that likely didn’t see her to best effect: she hopped at the break and got away in a tangle, then rushed up from the outside post and ran keen while ~4W on the first turn; finally settled into a stalking position down the back stretch but then became very keen again when #4 GENIEINABRIDLE loomed upsides and applied pressure, forcing her to race between horses (unideal); she then chased the pace while 3W on the far turn before fading to 5th, just 1L off 3rd. If she can settle better with a smoother, more ground saving trip today, she could improve on this latest try.

–        #3 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.

–        #6 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).

–        #7 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 #4 TWELVE NELSON today, though).

–        #1 HOPPETUSE broke in a tangle last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 11/30/25), but it made no difference to his trip or the result (he still won in convincing style).

–        #2 MO MISSILE was slightly pinched at the start last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) but his slow beginning was more a result of him simply breaking slowly (again), rather than him being impeded by other rivals. He then sat a slightly wide trip on the bend which cost him 4th (against the re-opposing #4 MOSE SMOKIN; was beaten just a nose by that rival) but it was not a wide enough trip to warrant an upgrade (speed fig seems fair).

–        Both #3 BLIND LOVE (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25) and #4 MOSE SMOKIN (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) sat slightly wide trips last out (hardly enough to warrant an upgrade, though).

–        #5 PAYNTED LION’s last start can be UPGRADED as he was caught 5W+ on the bend and then bumped heavily on both sides ~1/16 pole when fighting bravely for the lead between foes. He was promoted to 1st as a result of the interference in the lane and is therefore, he’s still yet to cross the wire first; however, he was best in that last race. (Don’t know how he’ll fare back at 6F, though, as he did look a router on tape).

–        #7 IN HONOR OF JEFF sat a great ground saving trip closing into a fast pace that favored closers last time – potential DOWNGRADE.

–        #5 TEA ROSE sat a slightly wide trip when beaten by just a neck last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25) and also drifted out in the lane under left-handed urging; she gave away more real estate than the margin of defeat and it’s easy to argue that she should have won that race. However, it should also be noted that she had a very favorable pace setup (fast pace favored closers), and the track was presenting a closer bias (DOWNGRADE).

–        We can give #7 CHESTERTOWN JANE something of a mulligan for her most recent defeat (5 1/2F, LRL, 10/04/25) as she bore out at the start and got away slowly, preventing her from adopting her preferred front running tactics, then she was used early to get into contention while giving away ground 4W on the turn. Furthermore, the effort was followed by a layoff, possibly indicating that something went amiss in the race. If ready off the bench, it wouldn’t be a surprise if she gets back to her better form today.

–        In her first start for 357 days and her first with lasix (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/21/25), #8 HEY ALEXA lost ground on the turn but then finished up in eye-catching fashion to run 4th before galloping out well in a race that saw speed hold well; it was a visually more promising effort than the bare PP’s suggest. Second off the bench with an extra 1/16 to work with today, she could play a role.

–        Although her finishing effort was uninspiring whichever way you slice it, #11 FEEL THE BOLT can be given something of a pass for her most recent defeat (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25): she stumbled out of the gate, then rushed up and dueled through fast, closer friendly fractions on a track presenting a closer bias over a distance that stretches her on her best day – she was always going to fold late under those circumstances. Back at a sprint trip today, a return to her par form looks likely.

–        Granted, she had a fast pace to run at, but #4 CAMPAIGN MISCHIEF finished well for 3rd after enduring a rough start and 4-5W+ trip (UPGRADE) on debut last time (6 1/2F, TP, Synth, 12/27/25); provided she takes to the dirt, an improved effort can be expected second out with lasix on at 7F. Makes debut for Maldonado.

–        #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.

–        #6 HOOF AND BOOTS showed a very likable attitude in defeat last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/14/25).

–        #1 HOWGREATISNATE’s most recent effort when finishing 2nd by just a head (6 1/2F, PRX, 11/26/25) is worthy of a fairly sizable UPGRADE because A) there was a significant speed bias present that day and the early pace was slow, compromising his chance as a closer and allowing the winner to wire the field; and B) he lacked room ~1/16 pole and briefly had to check his momentum (it was only a slight check, but enough to cost him the race). There’s a chance he improves again today placing him high on the shortlist.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #2 BOUNCER ran quite so far below par last time (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/08/25) – he needs to bounce back today.

–        #4 BUMP N RUN did relatively well to finish 4th last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/21/25) having lacked room at the start and given the field a few lengths head start. (Slightly) UPGRADE this effort.

–        #5 NO EASY DAYS’ last start (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/31/25) can be UPGRADED, even though he had a favorable pace setup: he hopped slightly at the start, then took a hefty bump and had to check which resulted in him racing out of position early (was ~10L back early, usually stalks); he then tried to build momentum and advance heading into the far turn but lacked room in the 4P and was forced to steady, checking his momentum slightly and shifting him off course; from there, he finished well for 2nd but the winner had already gotten the jump on him. Expect more today.

–        #6 WORCESTER sat a wide trip last time (1M, LRL, 12/21/25) and was slightly better than his 4 1/4L winning margin suggests (small UPGRADE).

–        #8 KARAN’S NOTION ran with credit despite sitting a slightly wide trip last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) – (small) UPGRADE.

–        #2 I CAN DO IT gave the field a head start when breaking in the air last time (6F, LRL, 12/19/25) then lost real estate racing 5W+ on the far turn – UPGRADE this effort.

–        #3 DESTINATION was allowed to set a slow pace (that held well) with an uncontested lead on a track presenting a speed bias when winning last time (6F, LRL, 11/08/25) – DOWNGRADE this effort (but also consider that she was wrapped up in the final 1/16 and won with something in hand).

–        #5 CHICKIN LICKIN uncharacteristically flopped to her left lead in the lane last time (1M, CNL, 07/19/25) and the effort was followed by a layoff, possibly indicating something went amiss in the race – maybe we can draw a line through the effort?

–        #1 YES PICNIC took a nice step forward to break her maiden last time (6F, LRL, 12/13/25); however, she did have everything in her favor that day as she saved ground while closing into a fast, closer friendly pace on a track presenting a slight closer bias – her effort needs DOWNGRADING slightly, though she does remain lightly raced and open to further improvement.

–        #2 PICHU’s latest effort (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/10/26) can be UPGRADED as she took a hefty bump at the start that resulted in her getting away very slowly in last and prevented her from adopting her preferred front-running tactics; she then lost real estate racing wide into the lane and ultimately did well to finish 4th. Expect more today.

–        #3 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.