Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, May 02, 2026

–        #7 THE MONEY MONKEY’s recent last-to-first success at Mahoning Valley in March should be downgraded slightly as he had a very favorable pace setup and the track was presenting a strong closer bias. Makes turf debut this afternoon.

–        All debutants.

–        #3 BLO BY’EM sat a good trip and had a good setup on his way to victory last time, but that’s not to say his win was a fluke; he was fully in control from the top of the lane and clearly relished the stretch out in trip. Player right back.

–        #4 FREEDOM MAKER was promoted to first at Penn National last time after the first past the post floated him ~5W off the home turn, forcing him to cut back inside entering the lane before launching a rally. Whether the DQ of the winner was just or not (these eyes suggest it was harsh), the interference FM suffered was not significant enough to warrant a speed figure upgrade, and his 62 Beyer seems a fair reflection of his effort. His overall trip was fine.

–        Both #6 SPEEDY ALEX and #8 DAT’S MY PHAROAH finished their last races (ran 3rd and 2nd, respectively, in the same race on 04/11/26) on their left leads.

–        #4 TIZ PURPLE unfavorably switched to her outside lead on the turn and then lugged out racing into the lane before fading quickly when last seen at Parx. She’ll need to bounce back if she’s to score today.

–        #1 SELF TAUGHT didn’t have any major excuses as the 2/1 fav last out, but he does still deserve a little extra credit for closing almost 10L into a pace that did not collapse (winner wired the field at 6/1, runner up prominent throughout). What’s more, he may have also ‘bounced’ very slightly off his big effort (74 Beyer) just 19 days prior.

–        Although a touch wider than ideal on the turn, #2 BE BETTER had no real excuse as the 9/5 fav last time, failing to capitalize on a perfect pace setup (hot pace collapsed). He’ll need pace to aim at again cut back to a flat mile today.

–        #5 YOUR ANALYSIS looked a little awkward on the first turn last time and shuffled is rider back into the saddle when running up on heels slightly. He then appeared to lug out a little on the far turn too, but neither incident affected his trip/performance that much. Still, overall, it was a very solid return effort off the layoff and if stripping fitter today, he should hold a strong chance.

–        Although he eventually checked in 6th, #5 LATIN REBEL actually ran with credit for a long way returning from a layoff last time, only losing 3rd in the final few yards. Cutting back to a flat mile with a run now under his belt, he’s entitled to offer more today.

–        There was plenty to like about #2 J D FACTOR’s last start… his effort isn’t quite deserving of an upgrade; however, after dropping back a touch racing into the lane, the winner and runner up then drifted down to the rail and (as well as plastering him with kickback) blocked his run… as he then had to alter outside (lost a touch momentum and ground) before re-rallying to finish just a 1/2L 2nd, this may have cost him the race, even though he never had to steady or check. He then galloped out strongly in front of the field, suggesting a return to two-turns today could be to his benefit.

–        Not for the first time, #5 CATALYTIC raced awkwardly in behind horses last time, carrying his head sideways and not grabbing hold of the bridle. It seems he might be a horse who needs daylight in front of him and if that is the case, could be booked for a wide trip/aggressive ride? Lasix go back on as he makes his debut for Russell.

–        As a closer, #6 WORCESTER simply did not have enough pace to close into in the 7F Frank Y. Whitely S. last out… a 24.05 opening ½ and 46.96 ½ resulted in the field almost retaining the same running order throughout and five of the six running coming home in under 12s for the final 1/8 – not the set up that he wanted. We can excuse that defeat and potentially expect more from him with lasix on back at two-turns today.

–        #8 IRISH CORK returns from a layoff today and so it may be worth highlighting that the last time he ran off the bench (in a 1M restricted stake at Parx), he ran even better than his 2nd place finish and 89 Beyer suggest, as he closed against a speed bias and into a pace that held very well. If returning to that level of form running fresh again today, he could play a major role with lasix back on. Note: he was racing against an even stronger speed bias two-back.

–        #5 PREPAREFORTAKEOFF made her last turf start in the same race that #2 LADY ENSIGN was last seen in. As highlighted in the chart comment, PREPAREFORTAKEOFF had to check when in tight ~1/4 pole that day and did not have a fully clean trip; however, it’s hard to upgrade her effort in anyway as she’d already lost the lead to LADY ENSIGN, was heading backwards and the time, and failed to pick back up after the incident occurred. Returns off layoff today.

–        #7 BIG EARN’s last turf start (11/23/25) is borderline upgradable… a big, long striding horse who takes a few strides to find top gear, she was unable to build momentum on the turn when boxed in racing to upper stretch, and then she didn’t quite have sufficient room to fully let herself down in the lane (rider never had a chance to use the crop). A wide post and clear path throughout could help her as she returns from the bench today.

–        #2 I CAN DO IT closed with credit into just an even pace for 3rd last out after steadying slightly at the break. She may be capable of stepping forward from that effort (and reversing form with #4 ANITA BEER) given a cleaner start and faster pace to aim at today.

–        #3 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT had to be used early when rushed up to contest an honest pace between horses when last seen… those early exertions may have contributed to his defeat as the co 8/5 fav; however, he was struggling far too early for us to solely use that as an excuse, and he’ll need to find more today if he’s to reverse form with #5 EDELWEISS, who was also part of the pace and stayed on willingly for 2nd.

–        Prior to a 2nd place finish last time, #5 EDELWEISS has dusted three rivals by 15 1/2L, producing a 71 Beyer without really being asked for any effort from Hazlewood – it seemed going into his last start that he might be capable of running faster again if asked for an effort… with Hazlewood getting back aboard today, might we see that this afternoon?