Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Saturday, October 10, 2026

–        #2 JOSIE G was very fractious pre-race before making her debut; she then ran fine in a race which did not feature a strong pace; eligible to improve second out.

–        There was a very strong speed bias present at Timonium when #4 MENDELSSHON ADI broke her maiden in gate-to-wire fashion two back – possible downgrade.

–        #6 ZEN DREAMS was not hard ridden through the final furlong last out, slightly exacerbating the margin of defeat.

–        #5 STEPHANIE’S ROSE blew the start (green) but then finished with enough interest on debut at Colonial to suggest she can play a role getting back to the grass with that experience under her belt. Note: toss her last race on the dirt – she clearly didn’t handle the surface.

–        When finishing 5th on the dirt at Charles Town last time, #8 GLORY’S WISH showed signs that she will be suited by today’s stretch out in distance; first turf try.

–        #9 MISCHIEVOUS TWIN didn’t have a bad enough trip to earn an upgrade last time; however, she was slightly shuffled out of position entering the far turn (as the winner made a bold move on the outside to take the lead), and she then had to navigate a tiny bit of traffic off the turn and through the lane which, based on her fast closing finish, could have maybe cost her the race; player back at 1 1/16M.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #11 REPAZZ performed so far below par last time; needs to bounce back.

–        #1 SECRET OAKS was bumped notably at the start and got away slowly before finding herself outpaced going 6F off the bench last out; she’s entitled to take a big step forward for that ‘tightener’ second back today at a mile.

–        #5 WATCH ME SPARKLE hardly came off the bridle when winning by a street last week; she seems capable of far more than the 47 Beyer she was awarded. Note: the track was sealed, which might have aided her.

–        #7 DIVULGE did well to keep battling for show honors last out having found herself in an awkward, intimidating position tight between horses ~1/4 pole last time; likable attitude but needs to prove she can stay a mile.

–        The chart comment notes how #2 CRABS N BEER was boxed in/awaiting room entering the far turn last out; while this did (sort of) happen, we shouldn’t use it as an excuse as he got out in plenty of time and had every opportunity to win if good enough.

–        #3 EMERGENCE’s last turf start two-back seemingly didn’t see him to the best of light as the field crawled (25.59, 51.07, 1:17.23) and then sprinted late; he stayed on willingly all the way to the wire but just lacked the late pace to remain competitive; the cut back today – especially if there’s pace – could suit him well.

–        #5 GREEN BEANS endured a very rough stretch run at Colonial when going two-turns last time; he wasn’t a real threat at the time and we shouldn’t use the trouble as the sole reason for his defeat; however, we also shouldn’t take that result/speed fig literally.

–        The strong early pace (23.63, 46.26) set in #6 KORU’s last race ended up collapsing and the result might just flatter him somewhat; blinkers on today.

–        Although nothing was visibly amiss, the rider wrapped up on #7 MONGOLIAN APPLE the second he was headed ~3/16 pole last out, easing him out of the race and exacerbating the margin of defeat (he was running fine up to that point); he’s capable of better.

–        #8 LUCA MACHINE lost ground last time when he raced awkwardly on the turn and lugged out before being floated even wider again in upper stretch, neither of which helped his chances. (He may benefit from the rider trying to get inside horses today); stretches out today.

–        #9 STRAIGHT ARROW was once again fractious in the gate before running no race at Belmont last time; needs to bounce back.

–        #1 NIAL AND PRAY received a good pace setup last time and the track was slightly leaning towards closers too, so it’s a little difficult to strongly upgrade his effort; however, he did also endure a very rough start which left him well behind early, and he also lost ground racing extremely wide on the turn, offering a couple of reasons as to why he may be capable of offering more.

–        Exiting the same race as above, #3 VEKOMAMONA also suffered a troubled start before staying on past tired rivals in the stretch.

She met significant stretch trouble in this race and was also attempting to close into a slow pace (23.17, 46.04); she appeared to finish with plenty in reserve and we should not mistake this result as a drop off in her form; big player right back.

–        Prior to a non-effort at Kentucky Downs last time (maybe didn’t handle track, though has run well there before?), #4 AIR ONE had run two consecutive races over a flat 5F in which she had shaped like she’d really appreciate and improve for 5 1/2F, especially here at Laurel with the long stretch.

–        #10 SPENCER TIARA (MTO) was first to load at Delaware last time and became worked up in the gate.

–        #4 BOLD FACT didn’t quite do enough running on the slop to earn an upgrade last out; however, he was a little wide on the turn and also racing against the ‘flow’ which made it beneficial to be prominently positioned; seems capable of more back on a fast track; player.

–        Having pulled a little early, #1 GRIPEN actually ran a nice race going 1 1/16 miles on a ‘good’ listed turf course last time; a return to a flat mile and (hopefully) a firm turf course should suit her and possibly help her improve a tad.

–        #5 CORRETO made a fine return off the bench sprinting at Presque Isle last time; she should be well suited by today’s return to a mile on grass second back; player.

–        #9 MISS PICKY ran a very nice race last time, staying on well despite having been keen and unsettled early (she also had to weave her way through traffic a little in the lane); she has a likable attitude and it feels that we haven’t seen the best of her yet.

–        #10 SCREEN TEST was very strong racing in the pocket at Colonial last time; she can likely improve/offer a stronger late kick if settling a little better; cut back to a flat mile today could suit, although a wide post might make it more difficult to find cover. Note: regarding her last start, ignore the chart comment “traffic 2nd turn” – there wasn’t any.

–        #11 WAR MADAM was a fraction wider than ideal at Colonial last time.

–        Although she was never far away and the trip she sat was fine, we still might see more from #13 SET ABLAZE (AE) today because her last race was not run to suit her style at all (fractions of 26.20, 51.20 were set; she’s done best running late at solid paces).

Note: there was a heavy speed bias present when he posted an 85 Beyer with a forward trip two-back – maybe take that form with a pinch of salt.

–        #4 PACO THE TACO MAN was forced to steady notably in the early stages of his last race, costing him lengths and putting him on the back foot; not saying it cost him the race by any means, but it wasn’t ideal and he may be capable of offering more today.

–        Regarding #5 FEAR NOTHING’s last start, ignore the chart comment “traffic 1/8” because it was totally negligible; he sat a perfect trip and ran to form.

–        #6 RE MARKABLY managed to oblige at short odds last time despite having been floated out wide off the turn and through the stretch also; player.

–        Regarding #8 TOP MANIPULATOR’s last start, ignore the chart comment “steadied 3/8: because it was negligible and not the reason he was beaten; returns to sprinting with lasix on today.

A troubled trip while trying to close into a slow pace; she’s in better form than this bare result would suggest and is deserving of respect now returning to the turf and dropping in class.

She was ridden with far too much patience in this race and arguably could have won if put into the race earlier; capable of improving and respected.

–        In her moist recent starts when ridden by a professional (so exclude her last), #3 HOP TO IT had been finishing her races in a manner to suggest she’d benefit from today’s stretch out to 1 1/8M.

–        #5 CALL ME TONI has finished well in both her last two starts on turf despite not receiving a great pace setup on either occasion; she can likely improve on those efforts under the right circumstances; contender.

–        Following a very solid turf try two-back, #1 CARA’S DREAMWEAVER endured a troubled beginning to her most recent race on dirt at Parx, steadying and clipping a heel entering the first turn; contender.