Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, June 13, 2026

–        When #7 LOUVAR last ran on the flat on the turf (over today’s course and distance, 10/10/25), she didn’t run poorly at all, closing into an even pace from last after hesitating badly at the start. If retaining that same level of ability, a better start and possibly a stronger pace could see her get involved today.

–        There was a strong speed bias present when #4 NAOMI AND RUTH overcame an early duel to break her maiden going 5 1/2F last time. Steps right out in distance making her first start against winners today.

–        #6 CHICKIN LICKIN gained the early lead last time, then dropped to the rail which allowed the eventual winner (who romped) to apply pressure and push her through a 47.87 opening half mile which seemingly was too much. Wonder whether an outside post/different ride today can allow her to conserve a little more energy early (by not having anyone outside her pressuring her) and therefore help her step forward?

–        #2 ARMED N DANGEROUS exits a slightly odd race on the dirt at Churchill Downs in which the pace was even, yet the top three finishers – at odds of 7/1, 5/1 and 10/1 – still managed to fill those positions throughout. Wonder whether we should award him a little extra credit for finishing 4th as he was seemingly against the flow? Returns to turf today.

–        Not helped by the fact he was a little short of room on the far turn, the rider on #3 LONGHI waited a long time before pulling the trigger, but he clearly knew what he was sitting on: the newly gelded gray closed impressively in the stretch to win, making up 5 1/2L inside the final furlong before galloping out nicely in a manner to suggest he’d have won by further/may have more to offer again if he can get rolling sooner. Note: he was likely aided by the strong pace in that race, not only because he’s a closer, but he was also quite strong early and it helped him settle; connections are likely hoping for a similar setup.

–        The pace (23.28, 46.77) fell apart in #4 PATRICK’S PROMISE’s last race, with the top three finishers (at odds of 5/2, 8/1 and 10/1) having been 11 ½, 14 and 13 lengths off the lead at second call. While he may have still been best as the 5/2 fav, we should probably place an asterisk by that effort.

–        Racing without cover after being hustled from the rail, #1 SILVER SABER became keen and ended up doing too much in front going two turns on the turf last time. Cutting back to 6F could be a good move. Lasix added.

–        Not sure it made any meaningful difference o the order of finish, but it still might be worth highlighting that there was a speed bias present at Delaware when #3 FAROOQ finished 2nd in a modestly run 5 1/2F sprint (47.11) on the slop last time. It was a nice effort from him whatever the case.

–        When working his way through traffic, #4 PIPPIN THE WARRIOR had to very briefly tap on the brakes ~1/4 pole when last seen in October; it wasn’t significant enough to warrant an upgrade but seeing as he then rallied nicely through the lane to be beaten by just a neck, one could argue that it cost him the race. Lasix added for return off the layoff today.

–        While accepting that he saved ground every inch of the way, and there were many troubled trips in behind him, #5 COUNTRY BUMPKIN still did well to finish as close as he did when making his turf debut last time, as he pressed and then contested a fast pace (21.83, 45.00) that favored closers. Player returning to dirt and dropping today.

–        In his last start on turf, (05/02/26), #4 STICKTOTHESYSTEM had to pause when in a little tight ~1/4 pole; while it didn’t help his chances and he may have finished a touch closer otherwise, it’s hard to argue that it cost him a position or that his effort needs upgrading. He was last seen running well in a fast-paced race sprinting 6F on the dirt, in which he did best of the speed.

–        #5 FAIRFIELD BAY (MTO) had to await room in behind rivals on the turn which likely cost him 2nd last time (beaten a neck for that position; hardly cost him the win, though).

–        #8 IMAGINE IT ALL sat a wide trip in his last turf start (coming off the layoff, 05/02/26); he was then again very wide last time when running an excusably below par race on the slop (which he seemingly disliked) last time.

–        #3 ORIGINAL SCORE has run a number of races going long in which he’s shown good early speed but failed to see out the distance; cutting back to 5 1/2F today with the long Laurel stretch could suit him perfectly as a potential closing sprinter.

–        #9 GOODLUCK ROAD ran a likable race off the layoff last month, finishing 3rd at odds of 20/1, and he’s deserving of major respect today. Do note, though, that hardly any runner made up any ground in that race, and it was very difficult for closers to get involved, which likely aided him. Maybe just take that form with a pinch of salt.

–        With blinkers removed last time, #10 TRANSQUAKING broke sharp and took the early lead on the rail but was then quickly restrained back into a stalking position which didn’t see him to great effect. Seemed like connections were deliberately trying to get him to switch off, but it’s clear his best race was when he took the lead – the only time he’s done so – and put his rivals to the sword in front going 5 1/2F. Blinkers back on today and a switch to the turf for the first time, it feels there’s untapped potential here; expecting and aggressive ride and wouldn’t rule him out.

–        With blinkers back on, #11 MOONLIT FROST became very keen in his last start on turf going long last November, hence the chart comment: ‘steadied along ¾ to 5/8’ when he was in danger of running up on heels. We shouldn’t mistake that comment for a bad trip, because he never had to properly check or loose his momentum, and his effort isn’t deserving of an upgrade. However, with the blinkers retained today, provided he’s ready off the bench, he could be interesting cutting back to 5 1/2F as the equipment certainly brings out the sprinter aggression in him on turf, and his two prior turf sprint tries – without blinkers – weren’t bad.

–        None.

–        It was suggested in these lines that after he broke his maiden on debut, #2 BRIGHTSHININGLIGHT’s ability probably lies much higher than his winning effort/speed figure suggested, owing to the fact that he pricked his ears when hitting the front and didn’t do a lot close home (looked to be waiting on company), and he was fractious in the gate, which is often an undervalued reason as to why horses can improve (heart rate is already sky high before the race has begun which, among many other consequences of getting upset in the gate, typically leads to horses tiring much faster and earlier). He then backed up that theory when running another PB in defeat back on what could be his lesser preferred surface (dirt) after the May 23 card was washed off the grass last time. Connections seem to believe the grass is his best surface, so as he returns to it today, we may see more from him again.

–        In his second start with blinkers on, #4 MAGICAL MONDAYS showed good speed before fading late around two turns last week; cutting back to 5 1/2F today with the long Laurel stretch and blinkers (sprinter aggression) retained, he could be seen to good effect as a closing sprinter.

–        Not convinced it made a great deal of difference to the result, but #8 JESSICA’S EYES did sit a wide trip without cover going two turns in the James W. Murphy Stakes last time; feel he’ll be seen to better effect back sprinting with lasix on today.

–        #10 DARING VENTURE finished well and galloped out nicely going a flat 5F when last seen at Pimlico last year. Provided he’s ready off the layoff, today’s 5 1/2F trip could be more to his liking.

–        We shouldn’t use the slightly rough start that #1 INSTPARTY endured last time as an excuse for her defeat – it was only very minor interference and as a closer, she was always going to end up racing in the positive she found herself in early. Needs pace to run at cutting back to 5 1/2F today.

–        On the face of it, #2 DON’T TELL KELLY’s winning effort last time could be seen as upgradable, but it wasn’t: she was pinched back to last at the start, but as a closing sprinter by trade – who had a pace to run at – it wasn’t a major inconvenience to her (she didn’t drop that far back at all); she then had to very lightly tap on the brakes ~1/2 mile pole, but this was fairly insignificant and barely hindered her momentum; and her 3-4W move into the lane wasn’t a hindrance to her either, as it simply allowed her to maintain her momentum without facing traffic. Whatever the case, it was still a nice performance and if she gets a pace to run at again today, she should be right there at the wire.

–        #4 FIVECOMMATWO was shuffled back a little at the 5/8 pole last out, but we can’t use that as an excuse for her defeat as it only left her racing upsides #2 DON’T TELL KELLY, who then went on to score with a similar trip. In other words, it by no means left her in an impossible position as a closing sprinter by trade.

–        #8 WONDER GIRL did best of the speed in an honestly run 6F contest that saw the top two finishers rally from 9th and 6th, respectively, at first call last time; cutting back to 5 1/2F could make her very dangerous third back today, especially if the early pace is moderate.

–        In her last start sprinting (GP synth, 02/14/26), #11 LET’S DANCE AGAIN sat a slightly wide trip; she then won very nicely in wire fashion at two-turns last time – 5 1/2F on the Laurel turf with the long stretch could see her to good effect as a closing sprinter. Makes debut for Maldonado.

–        #1 SNOW BELLA failed to see out the mile distance when last seen; cutting back to 6F today (now with fitness under her belt which she didn’t have when posting a career best at the distance (first time lasix) two-back) should see her to better effect.

–        #2 TRULY AN HONOR didn’t do enough last time to earn an upgrade for her effort, but we may still see improvement from her today because the pace was slow and there was a large speed bias present which made her task of running by the front two (who ran 1-2 throughout) difficult; also, she didn’t look entirely happy taking the sloppy kickback after breaking from the rail. Expect more on a fast and fair track today as she makes her debut for Farrior.

–        #6 KARA M S showed speed but failed to stay a mile last time; cutting back to 6F and dropping in class should make her more effective today.

–        #7 HURRICANE LYNN was wider than ideal on the turn and then forced in violently towards the rail ~3/16 pole when trying the turf last time; neither factor was the reason for her defeat and she didn’t do enough to earn an upgrade (wasn’t going anywhere when the incident ~3/16 pole happened), but neither helped her either and she’s probably capable of more than that.  Note: there was a strong speed bias when she ran 3rd on the dirt courtesy of a forward trip two back. Also note: she has quite a ‘turfy’ action, which might not be as effective on fast dirt as it has been the last twice when she ran on slop and grass.