Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, January 31, 2026

–        #2 R AVERIE LYNN was very game in defeat last out (6F, LRL, 01/09/26), only succumbing to a 6/5 fav. Cut back to 5 1/2F today could help.

–        #3 YUMYUM EAT EM UP sat a slightly wide trip when finishing 5th last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) – minor UPGRADE. It did not impact upon her finishing position, though.

–        Having pressed the honest pace along the rail into the far turn, #5 INFASTUATION had to very briefly steady ~7/16 pole before going onto score last out (6F, LRL, 01/09/26). However, it did not result in her losing any position or significant momentum and in conclusion was inconsequential. She saved ground throughout and was game late – result and speed fig fair.

–        #8 SAPPHIRE BEAUTY was slightly wide last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) but it made no difference to them result. She’ll need more today, period.

–        There was no visible reason as to why either #3 BOSS MODE (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/14/25) or #6 STICKTOTHESYSTEM (6F, Lrl, 12/28/25) underperformed in their respective efforts last time and both will need more today, period. The tape suggests today’s cut back to one turn should help, #3 BOSS MODE, though, and both will benefit from the class drop.

–        #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. Looks a strong stayer.

–        After showing good early speed, #1 MAGIC BAY had to steady at the ¼ pole last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 10/08/25) but was backpedaling at the time and it’s hard to argue that it cost him a position. (Very slightly upgrade speed fig, not position). Class drop today should help if ready off the bench.

–        Although well beaten in the end, #3 DIVINE SWAGGER deserves something of a pass for his most recent effort (6F, CNL, 08/26/25) as he was slightly pace compromised as a closer (slow pace held well), the track was presenting a strong speed bias, and he was caught very wide on the turn. Expect more if ready off the bench today.

–        #5 MANSEEYASWAY was caught slightly wide on the turn when finishing 3rd last time (4 1/2F, CT, 01/14/25); his trip likely cost him a length or so but not a position.

–        Although he was slightly wide from the ¼ pole into the lane and took a bump upon straightening #8 LANNISTER was backpedaling at the time and there were no excuses for his defeat as the 1/1 fav. However, it should also be noted that he was not persevered with in the lane which greatly exasperated the margin of defeat and it seems likely that we’ll see much more from him second off the bench and down in class today.

–        After dueling in the 2P throughout, a lack of race fitness looked to take it’s toll on #7 ZIO LINO when returning from 240 day layoff last time (6F, LRL, 12/21/25). Suspect we’ll see an improved effort second off bench at 5 1/2F today.

–        #3 SHIGEKO was caught slightly wide throughout last time (1M, PEN, 11/28/25) which, seeing as there was only 1 3/4L between her and the 3rd place finisher, likely cost hr a position (or a few). Feel she ran a point or two better than her speed fig suggests (no more than that though; seems she underperformed a little regardless, as his fig was much lower than her par (possibly because she was wheeling back on 8-days rest?)).

–        There was no visible reason as to why #1A ROWSIE EXPRESS ran so far below par last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 11/30/25) – she never traveled and was done early. Freshened up since, she’ll need to bounce back today.

–        The chart comment about #5 ADE’s last start (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/26/25) mentions that she “hung”, but that seems very harsh; she made an eye-catching move while slightly wide on the far turn, then flattened out late behind the rail skimming wire winner (#2 FITNESS) but kept trying to the line. There was no attitude issue, and one suspects she’ll be more effective back at a mile today.

–        #2 FLYING TO WORK’s most recent effort (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) possibly needs downgrading (slightly) as he skimmed the rail throughout while benefiting from a fast pace that favored closers. Saying that, though, he did show a very likable attitude and was the least experienced of the top five finishers, so he does retain room for improvement.  (#5 SIN SIN (4th) also performed well in that same race and showed a game attitude after angling 5W off the bend. He looms as a logical contender today).

–        #7 BABBLE was pinched at the start last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) which resulted in him getting away very slowly (unideal); however, he sat a great trip thereafter and had a fast pace to run at; at 93/1, the start likely made little difference to the result.

–        Granted he had a fast pace to close into, #8 Q GOT HOPS got away slowly last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) after bumping with #7 BABBLE at the start but then stayed on and galloped out well enough to suggest that, with lasix now on, a career best is possible at 7F today – potential price horse to consider.

–        #10 GONNA MAKE IT used up plenty of gas dueling through fast fractions for the lead while 3W (with #9 TUG to his inside on the rail) through the opening half of his latest start (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/10/26) which took it’s toll on him late; he could be seen to better effect today with a wide draw and cut back to 7F.

–        #2 BRAZINGA looked to be getting out a little last time (6F, LRL, 11/30/25); needs more today.

–        Despite not quite having a sufficiently fast pace to close into #3 BRAQUET stayed on well enough last time (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/31/25) to suggest she can improve on that effort (likely back into the low 70 Beyer range) at 7F today with a fast pace forecast.

–        Although she finished a nose behind the re-opposing #6 I’M A CUTIE PIE last time (1M, LRL, 12/19/25), #4 NEXT GIRL raced wider than that foe on the bend and was then floated out by that rival through the stretch (minor contact was made); it wouldn’t be a surprise to see her reverse that form today, especially as she now receives 3lbs from I’M A CUTIE PIE (gave her 3lbs last time).

–        #5 LOVE YOU MORE deserves something of a PACE UPGRADE for her recent win (7F, LRL, 12/14/25): having drawn the rail, she was hard sent early and set fast fractions that benefited closers yet still managed to hold on by a neck. She might not get an easier time of things on the lead today, but a wide draw could also open up the option of stalking, and she might not have peaked just yet.

–        #8 ITSAMONSTAMASH again ran in a manner to suggest today’s 7F trip could be her optimum last time (6F, LRL, 01/10/25); logical player.

–        #3 PLAY IT COOL didn’t have much pace to close into at all when racing on the turf last time (1M, LRL, 10/18/25) and did relatively well to finish 4th. He did also display a ‘turfy’ action, however, and reservations are held about how well he handles today’s surface switch.

–        On debut (1M, LRL, 12/05/25), #4 VIRGINIA GENTRY resisted the kickback early and climbed through the air while losing ground ~3/4 pole before using up gas to get back into contention 4-5W (UPGRADE) heading into and around the turn; he managed to get to ~1L of the lead at the top of the lane but then unsurprisingly flattened out late despite showing a likable attitude. Expect we’ll see much more second out today with lasix on today and he’s not to be ruled out.

–        #6 ZENCAT ran a brave race to finish 2nd at 23/1 on the turf when last seen (11/09/25), entitling him to respect today. However, he did also display a ‘turfy’ action and it’s far from certain that he’ll replicate the effort off the bench on dirt today.

–        Although his overall trip was fine, #7 TWIN LAKES was forced to wait slightly longer than ideal while boxed behind a modest pace on the turn last out (1M, LRL, 12/05/25) before staying on willingly in tight along the rail. It’s possible that if he’d been able to gather some momentum a little sooner, he’d have finished closer to the winner, and he’s entitled to build on the effort with lasix on today.

–        #8 GRAND HALL sat a slightly wide trip on debut (11/28/25) and didn’t quite get enough pace to run at as a closer; expect an improved effort second out at a mile with lasix on.

–        #1 FOR THE LADIES arguably went too fast for her own good early last time (6F, AQU, 01/10/26), dueling through fast fractions before fading in the lane (a 7/1 shot closed from a detached last to win; the pace fell apart). Still would have liked to have seen more from her as the 3/5 fav, though, (she underperformed) and will need more having drawn the rail again today.

–        #3 UNFAITHFUL ROSE sat close to a fast pace and did best of the speed when finishing 3rd at 18/1 last time (6F, FG, 12/04/25) – slight PACE UPGRADE. She’d very nearly have held on too, had she not drifted out violently ~1/16 pole, bumping with a foe when narrowly in front. She was also late with her lead change, so there are areas for her to improve again. (Lasix do come off today, though).

–        There was no visible excuse for #4 SWEET SHENANIGANS’ defeat as the 3/5 fav last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/27/25); she’ll need more today.

–        Having been fractious in the gate, #6 TAP INTO GRACE was beaten just a ½ length last time despite having been caught 3W+ (winner skimmed rail; minor UPGRADE) on the bend last time (6F, PEN, 11/26/25). She was game in defeat.

–        There was plenty to like about #7 VICTORY MUSIC’s most recent effort (6F, OP, 12/14/25): she looked to stumble slightly out of the gate (no head on available) and then lacked room from her low draw, preventing her from adopting her seemingly preferred front running position; she then made smooth progress on the bend closing into a fast pace (likable), but was forced to give away real estate by swinging 5W+ into the lane before staying on gamely for 3rd. A better break/more ground saving trip could have seen her to better effect, and she has to be respected today.

–        A moderate early pace and 6W+ trip (small UPGRADE) from ~5/16 pole into the lane dented #1 CODE OF SILENCE’s chances last time (1M, LRL, 01/10/26); he did well to finish 3rd and seems capable of more; whether we’ll see that back down at 7F today though is questionable.

–        The chart comment notes how Hazlewood dropped his crop when riding #3 AWESOME ANDY to victory last time. What it doesn’t mention, however, was that Hazlewood then used his goggles as a replacement for his crop with good effect – dropping the crop did not negatively impact this runner and his effort does not deserve an upgrade (he sat a great rail skimming trip). Regardless, it was hard not to love this runner’s attitude in the lane, gamely fighting along the rail despite being laid on by the eventual 3rd place finisher. He’s worthy of respect today.

–        It’s possible that an outside post helped #4 HOLLYWOOD IMPORT work to the lead before wiring the field in the Heft Stakes last time (7F, LRL, 12/27/25) as he had plenty of space to work forward in the clear; he’s not guaranteed together the lead again today with potential speed drawn outside him.

–        #5 HARDTOBLAME was caught notably wide (UPGRADE) on both turn last time (1M, TP, 12/27/25); it didn’t cost him the race, though, and he’ll need more today, period.

–        #7 TRENDSETTER closed gamely into a slow pace that held well (UPGRADE) when finishing 2nd off the layoff last time; looks like 7F will hit him square between the eyes and if provided a strong pace to run at, he should be very live second off the bench today.

–        #10 CLOSE THE GATE was eased down from ~1/16 pole when scoring by 9 3/4L last time (7F, LRL, 01/10/26); could easily have more to offer again third out. (Note: his debut was upgradable and very eye-catching too; better than the PPs suggest).

–        #2 ECUMENICAL broke outwards from the rail and was away slowly last time (6F, LRL, 01/10/26) which prevented him from adopting his preferred front running tactics. He didn’t look uncomfortable behind horses and sat a great rail skimming trip thereafter, though, so it’s hard to argue that the break was why he underperformed. He’ll need more today.

–        We can probably draw a line through #4 AMERICAN LITIGATOR’s last start (1M, LRL, 01/09/26): he stumbled very badly at the start (possibly tweaking something as it was an awkward stumble) and got away slowly in rear, then chased the pace while losing ground ~3-5W before being eased in the lane. He’s best judged on his prior efforts.

–        #5 BLO BY’EM was pinched at the start last time (6F, LRL, 01/10/26), then caught wide on the turn (it wasn’t an ideal trip); however, he remained in range after the break (especially as he’s a closer) and he was struggling too early on the turn to blame either the start or ground loss for his below par effort. A better trip should help him, but he does have things to prove now. Returns to Magee.