Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Sunday, February 22, 2026

–        #1 ARMED AND DANGEROUS sat a good trip last out (1M, CNL, 07/23/26) and was fully extended to the wire. Returns from layoff today.

–        #2 MUGATU lost ground racing 4-5W on the turn last out (1M, Lrl, 02/05/26) which warrants a slight UPGRADE. The pace was also not quite strong enough to see him to best effect – a 48.59 half, the top two finishers ran 1-2 the whole way around while the eventual 36/1 shot who was positioned 3rd all the way into the lane (#4 THE COUNT IS ON – downgrade?) managed to hold on for 4th; closers struggled to get involved,  potentially warranting another UPGRADE for MUGATU.

–        Having sat a good trip, #3 DATS MY PHARAOH powered away from inferior rivals and hit the line with good energy before galloping out with his ears pricked last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/05/26) – a sign he won with gas in the tank and has potentially more to offer again. His energetic stretch run was partly aided by the fact he well positioned in a slowly run race and 4/5 on the board, but there’s no denying that he’s in great for at the moment and he might not have reached his peak just yet.

–        Although the pace was not frantic, #5 SUMMER VIBES finished well into 2nd from well back last out (6F, LRL, 01/16/26) and then galloped out nicely, suggesting that the stretch back out in trip should pose no issue to him today. Lasix go back ON.

–        #6 TUFF LUCK had no real excuse but was fractionally wide on both turns last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/10/26) – tiniest of upgrades. Logical contender today.

–        Similarly to #5 SUMMER VIBES, after being shuffled back ever so slightly on the far turn, #7 MINISTER showed good stamina to draw off and win cozily in a strongly run 7F contest last out (7F, LRL, 12/05/25); he left the impression that he’ll handle two turns just fine.

–        #1 BABY SOX ran very well last out (1M, LRL, 02/12/26) and is deserving of a slight UPGRADE as she made (and largely sustained) a premature move racing into the far turn and then lost ground racing ~4W on the bend before staying on for 4th, just a 1/4L off 2nd.

–        #2 IT’SFIFTYSHADETIME lost a little ground swinging 6W off the bend into the lane last out (1M, LRL, 02/12/26), then finished with credit before her rider stood up ~1/16 pole; she could have finished a little closer than she did and looks to be heading back in the right direction following a poor showing two-back.

–        After sitting a good trip, #3 WATCH YOUR TONE drew off in the lane to score nicely last time (7F, LRL, 02/13/26), seemingly with something in hand; it wouldn’t surprise if she broke back into the 60+ Beyer range today.

–        #4 SKIP THRU DA FIRE was shuffled back a little when struggling to hold her early position ~5/8 pole last out (6F, LRL, 01/23/26) but that doesn’t really explain why she ran quite so poorly, and she now has questions to answer.

–        Both #5 GOLDEN CHARM and #6 ENIGMATIC sat good trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire. The cut back to 7F today could help the latter.

–        With lasix on first time, #2 KUAGA was very game in defeat last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/14/26), finishing 3/4L ahead of #5 BARBADOS BULLDOG; however, the latter runner had given away far more than KUAGA ground racing 3-5W on the turn, was closing late and in front on the gallop out, arguably running a more promising race with today’s 6F test in mind.

–        #6 ONLY MARIA was squeezed back out of a position when in a little tight ~1/2m pole last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25) then lost a little ground swinging wide into the lane, but it’s hard to say either factor greatly hindered her chances/performance. Lasix on today.

–        Although she was a long-shot, following a career best 51 Beyer two-back, it was still disappointing to see #7 SONG TO REMEMBER post just a 39 Beyer last time (6F, PEN, 11/26/25) considering that she had everything in her favor – she had a very strong pace to run at and the track was presenting a closer bias. Maybe a ‘bounce’ and/or the track conditions were against her? Still, she underperformed, period, and will need more today as lasix go on.

–        #1 PEACEFUL UNION, #3 LAST GIFT and #4 FLOYNESS sat good trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire.

–        #1 GALPIN SUNDAY prompted an honest pace, then vied for the lead while 3W, took over on the home turn and opened up in the stretch last time (7F, CD, 11/28/25) before fading deep inside the final furlong. While his trip wasn’t bad, he did by far the best of the speed (race was dominated by closers) which warrants a small PACE UPGRADE. Cutting back to 5 1/2F today could suit. (Note: he drew the outside post last time and therefore had plenty of space to work forward after breaking a beat slowly; he might struggle to adopt the same forward position today if again a step slow, this time from the rial). Blinkers on.

–        Not entirely sure why, but after sitting a good ground saving trip, the jockey never really got into a full drive on #2 EL JUNIOR last out (5F, PIM, 05/09/26) – the gelding was running on with decent energy from rear despite the rider remaining high in the saddle and only tapping the crop down the shoulder; he seemingly could have finished closer with a more aggressive ride. Returns from a lengthy layoff today.

–        #3 ENZO sat a good trip last time (5F Turf (good), DEL, 06/06/25) and was fully extended to the wire. Returns from layoff today.

–        Prior to overcoming a 3W trip to break his maiden in likable fashion last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/04/26), it had been highlighted in these lines that #4 ZIO LINO simply looked short of fitness when returning from a lengthy layoff two-back; he can be forgiven for that defeat and we can overlook the speed fig – he clearly stepped forward and his winning figure (58 Beyer) and effort last time seems a truer reflection of his ability.

–        #5 TETHERED SOUL lugged out on the turn when returning from a layoff last time (6F, LRL, 11/28/25).

–        #6 NANTUCKET obliged at odds of 2/5 when returning from a lengthy layoff last time (5 1/2F, PEN, 12/18/25); while he’s entitled to step forward for that run and he remains lightly raced, opening the door for further natural improvement, he did sit a good trip in that race and was fully extended to the wire – presuming he does step forward today, it might not be a huge step. Respected, nonetheless.

–        #2 FAYES HEART sat a good trip rail last time (6F, LRL, 02/06/26) and was fully extended to the wire.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #3 VIDA ran so far below form as the 1/5 fav last time (6 1/2F, CT, 02/12/26) – he never lifted a hoof and now has questions to answer off just 10 days rest.

–        Similarly, there was no visible reason as to why #5 IT’S ALL GRAVY ran so far below par in his last start (1M, PRX, 10/29/25); it was his sole start with blinkers on, though, and they now come off today – was his poor showing a blinker related issue? Whatever the case, the fact that speed held well seems irrelevant as he was never traveling from before halfway. Cuts back to 5 1/2F off the bench today following a gelding operation with lasix on and blinkers off – three factors that could help him step back in the right direction on debut for Magee.

–        #6 FLIRTY BAJAN bobbled at the start last out (6F, LRL, 02/06/26) but it made no difference to his trip – he still broke on top, then ran a nice race after dueling on the rail into the lane. Blinkers on today, he’s a logical contender.

–        #7 GREYLINE STATION was fractionally wide on the turn last out but overall sat a good trip and was fully extended to the wire (left lead lane). Blinkers on today.

–        #2 MAUPANSANT ran well last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/05/26) despite not having raced fractionally wide and not having had quite enough pace to run at for him to show his best – (very small) UPGRADE. In the same race, #7 SHOT FOR THE MOON broke from the outside gate and sat an even wider trip than MAUPANSANT while also trying to close into the slow pace from further back than that foe. His effort deserves a larger UPGRADE, and it wouldn’t surprise if he were to take a notable step forward today as he makes just his fourth lifetime start/second going beyond 6F. Also in the same race, #9 RETURN FIRE was the one setting the slow fractions on the rail – he failed to take advantage of that setup though and quickly faded in the stretch. He has questions to answer today. #8 UNCLE GREY was also pace compromised and slightly wide at 50/1; he failed to factor and was well beaten but did have things somewhat against him – mark his effort up a little too.

–        #3 DOOMED bobbled slightly at the break last out (1 1/8M, AQU, 12/28/25) but it made no difference to his trip or the result – he ran a nice race at 13/1 and today seems a logical contender cutting back to a flat mile on debut for Ness.

–        #4 TASK FORCE was the beneficiary of a closer bias (and good trip) when breaking his maiden last out (1 1/16M, CT, 10/23/25) – DOWNGRADE. There was also a closer bias present when he finished 2nd two-back. Returns from layoff today.

–        #1 RIGHT OF RUSH, #5 CHRISTMAS SPIRIT and #6 ALBERT FINNIGAN sat good trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire.

–        #1 STAR BLESSING (IRE) caught a slightly wide trip last time (1M Turf, IND, 11/03/25); she was never really on terms, though, (despite having had a wicked pace to run at) and it’s hard to say the ground loss really cost her that much. Makes dirt debut on first start for Beattie today following layoff.

–        #2 NOBODY’S GIRL showed both speed and stamina with a game effort in defeat last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/14/25); 7F could suit her well.

–        #3 CRUZ RAMIREZ managed to win in visually taking fashion on debut (6F, LRL, 12/08/24) despite having set a legitimate pace that played into the hands of closers – PACE UPGRADE. Returns from a lengthy layoff with lasix on today.

–        Although one would still have liked to have seen more from #1A SHOUT TO THE LORD last out (1M 70Y, PRX, 11/11/25), things certainly didn’t go right for him and he can probably be given a pass for his defeat: he was sideswiped at the break and away slowly in last, then pulled hard and fought the rider in rear while looking uncomfortable behind the kickback, and he then raced ~5W on the far turn before stopping. The effort was followed by a layoff too, potentially indicating something was amiss. Eligible to bounce back today.

–        Although strong, the pace held well in #4 BOURBON N LACE’s last start (1M, LRL, 11/15/26), with the 2nd and 3rd place finishers (at odds of 13/1 and 3/2) running 1-2 into deep stretch before BNL blew right by them from 10L back with his ears pricked in a manner to suggest he won with something in hand. There was a then a large gap back to 4th. It was a tidy effort that earned him a career best 55 Beyer and he might not have peaked just yet. Short turn around.

–        #5 PHLYING PHYLLIS had a rival laying on her in the lane last time (7F, LRL, 12/14/25) but it didn’t seem to make much difference. She just missed after sitting a great trip and receiving a great setup; result and speed fig seem fair.

–        #6 FABIA sat a dream trip when winning last out (6F, LRL, 02/06/26), possibly warranting a downgrade. However, she also managed to close into fairly slow fractions and had been fractious in the gate (an often-overlooked way in which one can upgrade a performance). She’s clearly in fine form, whatever the case, and figures to play another role today.

–        Prior to being outclassed in a tough allowance on the synth at Turfway last time, #7 ASHES AND DIAMONDS had managed to run down a decent 4/5 fav with a nice looking win on the dirt (7 1/2F, CD, 11/16/25), despite having had to wait in traffic in last (when he really needed to have been building momentum) for most of the far turn – he was slightly better than the winning margin and 68 Beyer that day suggest. Back to dirt today.

–        #1 TAP DANCIN COWGIRL was caught ~5W+ on the turn last out (7F, LRL, 02/04/26) which warrants a slight UPGRADE. Cuts back to 6F today with a better draw.

–        #3 GRAYSON’S GIRL lost a little ground swinging 7W+ off the turn from ~3/16 pole last out (6F, LRL, 12/20/25) which could warrant an upgrade. However, she was also riding the closer bias present this day and overall, her trip was fine (probably leave result/fig as is). Lasix back on today.

–        Although they raced tight between horses (as a pair) for the majority of the contest (often not ideal), there was no real visible reason as to why either #4 ITSAMONSTAMASH nor #6 I’M A CUTIE PIE ran below par last out (7F, LRL, 02/04/26). Both need to bounce back returning to 6F today. Note: I’M A CUTIE PIE was not hard ridden when beaten in the lane, slightly exasperating the margin of defeat.

–        #2 KILO ROAD and #5 SPENCERIAN sat good trips in their respective last starts and were fully extended to the wire. Lasix go back on SPENCERIAN (who just looked a touch flat last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26)) today as she cus back to 6F.

–        #4 FASTFIELD stumbled awkwardly at the break last out (7F, LRL, 02/06/26), chased the honest pace from mid-pack/rear, swung slightly wide into the lane, then finished well to split #1 I’M A LIL WICKED and #2 KITTYUP. At first glance, you’d say FASTFIELD ran a more promising race than her two re-opposing foes with today’s 1M trip in mind. However, she recovered very quickly from her stumble (it didn’t actually seem to cost her), and I’M A LIL WICKED and KITTYUP had already done plenty of work sitting close to the honest pace, so FASTFIELD did have the best pace setup of the three. What’s more, it was actually KITTYUP (who’d sat closest to the pace and then faded into 4th) who ended up in front on the gallop out (!). As was the case when they all met two-back, it’s really hard to argue that any one is/was better than the other based solely off tape.

–        #3 QUALITY SWAG was wide on the turn last out (1M, AQU, 01/22/26) but that doesn’t really explain why she ran poorly. Drops in for a tag today.

–        #5 SWEET LEXI bore out from the outside gate last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/17/26), then was outrun. She’ll need more today, period; extra ground (slower pace) should help her travel better early on today, though.

–        Especially with a wide draw, we can expect more from #6 BELLA MENTE second out today: on debut last time (6F, LRL, 02/13/26), she broke slowly, then resisted the kickback, climbed, and dropped herself out into a hopelessly detached last; when so far back that she was out of the kickback, though, she stayed on with credit and made up 10L at an even pace before galloping out well. She physically looked like further would suit and if keeping her head clean today, improvement seems inevitable.