Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, June 27, 2026

–        Last out #1 GREY BIGGSY returned off the layoff in a competitive allowance at Delaware, in which closers struggled to get involved despite the even pace; having been bumped at the start and then trailed early, he was therefore against the flow and facing a tough task, made no easier by the fact he was wide on the far turn too; expecting him to move forward off that return back at 1 1/16 miles today with pace signed on.

–        Returning off a layoff and switching back to the turf last out, #2 SHOWPIECE tipped out 3W off the turn and leveled off really nicely to break his maiden at Penn National last time; he showed great energy through the lane and visually won with something in hand; he’s entitled to some extra credit for that effort too, because the Penn National turf course typically favors speed and certainly did in this race, with the 11/1 pace setter holding on for a close 3rd and the early presser (a 15/1 shot) finishing a close 4th (the runner up was always prominent too); would be surprised if he didn’t take another notable step forward second back today. Note: that was his first start going long on turf with lasix and without blinkers – maybe that’s the winning recipe for him?

–        #4 FREEDOM GLIDER’s latest effort in which he was beaten just a nose after setting hot (23.33, 47.61) fractions could be worthy of a pace upgrade; however, speed actually held well in the race, with the top three finishers (including the 8/1 winner) filling those positions throughout; what’s more, he was also again keen early, which reduces the rider’s ability to get him to ration his speed out more efficiently and therefore improve next time. Whatever the case, it was a very determined effort from him, and he’ll demand respect once more.

–        #5 WICKED BOSS returned off the layoff with a career best Beyer last out and will demand attention today with the chance of stripping fitter for the run; we should note, however, that the pace did completely collapse in that last race (aiding him in finishing 3rd), with fractions of (23.83, 46.77) leading to the three trailers – who were 11 ½, 14 and 13 lengths back at second call – rallying to finish 1-2-3; maybe just take that form line with a small pinch of salt.

–        #6 FLIRTY BAJAN will stretch out in trip for the first time today after making his debut in a turf sprint that saw speed hold well – the top five finishers (including horses at odds of 10/1, 19/1 and 21/1) filling the top five finishers throughout; he was arguably therefore compromised as a closer, especially as he raced wide off the turn, and may be capable of offering more today.

–        The rider on #8 TETHERED SOUL misjudged the wire when going a mile on the dirt last out, easing up at the first wire which almost certainly cost him 3rd. Having set an even pace in front despite being headstrong, he was running on fumes at the point of his rider’s mistake and unlikely to have done better than 3rd. Makes turf debut under a new jock.

–        The even-slow pace in #10 VAYA JEFE’s last race held well, with the top four finishers filling those positions throughout – possible downgrade. Things will be tougher for him today as he makes his first start against winners off the claim for Farrior.

–        There was a strong speed bias present when #1 PROBABLE ANGLE finished second of three two-back (her last dirt start), closing into a frenetic pace set by the gate to wire winner on the slop.

–        Although #6 BARBADOS BULLDOG sat a perfect trip when last seen in March, saving ground while chasing a fast pace, it should be noted that the track was very speed favoring that day and the running order in that race barely changed throughout, raising questions about the validity of the form – her prior efforts may be a better guide to her ability. Returns off layoff today.

–        Although the track was favoring closers, #7 VINALIA (GB) stopped too quickly when last seen at Turfway for us to blame her poor effort on the track. She was eased in the final 1/8th, exacerbating the margin of defeat but even so, she’ll need more returning to the turf off the bench today. Note: she can be headstrong.

–        In her last start on dirt, #7 PEACE BEFORE CHAOS endured a slightly rough first half of the contest which may have cost her 3rd, but it’s tough to be confident in that statement or to upgrade her effort as a result. She then seemingly didn’t take to the grass last out.

–        Once again, #1 BOSS LOGIC looked to be racing awkwardly on the dirt last time, carrying his head and tail high and not striding out properly; just wonder whether he actually dislikes kickback and therefore may be more comfortable trying turf today?

–        While accepting that speed did hold well (16/1 pacesetter #5 MONGOLIAN APPLE – who laid down splits of 23.42, 46.34 – held on for 4th; top three placed horses at 2nd call finished 2nd, 3rd, 4th), #3 HUNTER JOE would still be entitled to a little extra credit for doing best of the speed.

–        #4 NATE THE GREAT made heavy weather of justifying 1/5 odds in a three-runner race at Mountaineer last out, but that was largely because he let the leader walk on an uncontested lead through fractions of 25.61, 49.19; suspect he’d have won easier if the pace had been more honest.

–        #1A LOVE ME NOT steadied entering the turn last out, losing momentum and position which did his chances no favors and with a clean trip, he can likely offer a little more today; however, it’s tough for us to really upgrade his effort because he offered nothing after the trouble occurred and appeared completely done in the lane, leaving the impression that he’d have finished off-the-board regardless of whether the trouble occurred or not. May be best to take a ‘wait-and-see’ approach with him.

–        #7 HANKSDIVININGROD endured a troubled trip and put up an upgradable performance two-back, then was caught racing against the ‘flow’ which saw speed hold well last time; wouldn’t be surprised if he improved again this afternoon.

–        The chart comment correctly highlights how #5 GORDITO met traffic in the stretch last time, which he did; however, he was far back at the time that it occurred (inside the final 1/8) and not doing much running at all; even with a clean trip, he’ll need more today.

–        #7 WORK SMARTER ran an eye-catching race last time: he was jostled at the break and away slowly, then lacked speed and dropped 16L back at first call before making a steady and sustained run outside foes (wide) to get up and dead heat for 3rd. While one could argue that a better break and more ground saving trip will see him to better effect today, we should just be careful of giving him too much extra credit for that last run and expecting too much of him today, because regardless of the start, he still lacked any speed and the pace (23.15, 46.87) did collapse; therefore, it seems he isn’t guaranteed to take much of a step forward if any today if the pace is any less than what it was the last time.

–        #11 QUAIN was shuffled back shortly after the start last time, but it’s impossible to say that that was the reason for his heavy defeat, and he’ll need more today.

–        In her last stat on dirt in the G3 Distaff Stakes at Aqueduct, #1 JODY’S PRIDE just lacked a little running room when boxed in on the rail racing to upper stretch; while she never had to check, it did mean that she was being forced to wait while #6 GRAMMY’S GIRL was building momentum with a sustained run outside foes, and by the time ‘JP’ got out, ‘GG’ was away and gone; based off that race, assuming ‘JP’ is in similar form today getting back onto the dirt, it wouldn’t be surprising to see her at least narrow the deficit with that foe. Note: there was also a closer bias present at Aqueduct that day which may well have aided ‘GG’ (who closed from last and then caught another closer friendly racetrack when winning the G3 Vagrancy last time) and hindered the chances of ‘JP’ and more notably #8 HOLD YOUR BREATH, who set honest fractions in front. All three demand respect today.

–        #3 LOVE YOU MORE’s recent two victories have been visually strong and following those efforts, she’ll demand respect today; however, we should note that she formed part of a very slow pace (24.39, 48.24) going 7F two-back and then last out at Delaware, there was a significant closer bias present which may have aided her (and it reduces our ability to upgrade her effort due to the fact she closed into a modest pace and was wide). We might be best served to take those form lines with a small pinch of salt.

–        The chart comment notes how #4 ONYX TEN lacked room on the turn last out but that really wasn’t the case – she sat a perfectly fine stalking trip and delivered a determined winning effort off the bench. Wheels back on short rest today.

–        Despite flopping to her left lead in the stretch, #5 BAM’S BLISS KISS delivered another blowout performance at Aqueduct last time to register her sixth win in a row; she’s a logical contender today and the ease with which she’s been winning probably makes this a moot point, but we should note that she was able to set slow fractions in front two back and then rode a speed bias last time.

–        #9 MAIDA didn’t do enough running to earn an upgrade when last seen in the 2025 G2 Raven Run Stakes at Keeneland; however, we can probably forgive her that defeat seeing as she missed the break and failed to adopt her preferred front running tactics, then slightly lacked room to advance when riding the rail in 9th into the lane; feel her prior tries are a better reflection of her ability. Returns off bench today.

–        After sitting a perfect stalking trip behind a slow pace, #1 ARDERO powered away from his rivals under nothing more than a mild hand ride to score by 11 1/4L with a solid 92 Beyer last time; he visually looked to have more in the locker and even with lasix coming off today, he’ll demand respect making his second start for Ness.

–        #2 JOKESTAR’s three-back win in the Post Time Stakes here at Laurel can be marked up a little owing to the fact that he was bothered by a loose horse racing into the far turn and forced to steady before relaunching a bid around foes on the turn; he then ran a fine race in a slowly run (even by 1 1/2M standards) Temperance Hill Stakes at Oaklawn before failing to fire without a visible excuse on the synthetic at Woodbine last time.

–        #5 CATALYTIC ran out a smart winner when making his debut for Brittany Russell last month; he’ll demand respect off that effort, but we should note that there was a speed bias present that day which may have aided him somewhat (and compromised the chances of the runner-up). Lasix off today.

–        After sitting a nice trip stalking the oldest pace in the 2P, #6 BARBADIAN RUNNER powered away from his rivals under nothing more than a hand ride in an allowance last, winning with his ears pricked and seemingly way more in the tank; major player today. Note: his two-back effort off the bench is deserving of a notable upgrade and he closed while wide into a slow pace over an inadequate distance.

–        Not sure how much difference it really made to the result as he didn’t do a whole lot of running afterwards, but #3 TRULY QUALITY did endure a rough start in the 1 1/2M G2 Elkhorn Stakes last time; interesting that the blinkers – which went on for that race – now come back off.

–        #4 NELSON AVENUE failed to settle and pulled his chance away behind a slow pace in the opening half of his last race at Keeneland; a more inside post today may help him find cover, settle, and finish better.

–        #6 CRISPER made a nice return form the layoff at Penn National last time despite having been caught slightly wider than ideal on the far turn and having taken a minor bump in upper stretch; he’s entitled to step forward from that return.

–        #9 BELOUNI (FR) was a little rank heading into the first turn of his last race, then appears to meet trouble on the far turn too; however, it was more a case of him just throwing his head around a lot and overreacting to his rider’s instructions on the far turn (he looks light mouthed) rather than him properly encountering trouble, and we shouldn’t upgrade his effort because of it; still it was a solid effort and he should be suited by today’s return to 1 1/16M.

–        Regarding #2 WICKEDDIVINE’s last start (a very likable win going 6F), the chart comment notes how he lightly steadied ~1/4 pole; while this did happen, it was negligible interference and we should not upgrade his effort as a result of it.

–        #4 PENTATHLON exits a slightly funny renewal of the G3 Weschester Stakes in which there were only four runner, the early pace (based on the late sectionals) was slow, and there was a closers’ lean to the track as well; his two back effort might be a more solid guide to his current ability.

–        The chart comment correctly highlights how #6 FIRE PIT stumbled at the start before going on to win last time; while this did happen, it did not cost him as he recovered very quickly, didn’t lose position and then sat a perfect pocket stalking trip thereafter; the result and speed figure are fair. Note: his two-back effort – in which he returned from the layoff with a speed and fade job at BAQ – can be forgiven owing not only to his supposed lack of match fitness, but also the fact there was a closer bias present.

–        #7 PETINGAS TWIN managed to hold off the talented BARBADIAN RUNNER at Charles Town last time, but he was lucky to do so: he set slow fractions while taking only minor pressure in front which aided him and hurt the chances of the runner-up. Still, it was another solid effort from him and he demands respect today.

–        #10 HYMN made it 2-for-2 since being gelded with a very brave effort at Churchill Downs last month in which he muscled his way through traffic on the far turn and then shook off a bump in upper stretch to win going away; he’s in ready form right now and will demand attention today; love his attitude.

–        #3 HAWKSBURY HUSTLER sat a very wide trip on debut and can likely step forward second out today.

–        #5 FURIOUS GEORGE steadied a little from between foes entering the first turn last time, but it was only minor and we cannot attribute his 44 3/4L defeat to that.

–        While accepting that speed did hold around for longer than expected, #8 TRANSQUAKING still ran a nice race on turf debut last time, finishing 3rd after being stuck tight between foes (often an unfavorable spot to be in) and working without much room for the majority of the contest; respected right back.

–        Exiting the same race as #8 TRANSQUAKING, #9 MASTER NIBBLES ran well despite a marginally wide trip lat time; respected.