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

–        #6 SQUARE SLICE ran okay up until ~1/8 pole last out (6F, LRL, 02/28/26 – 7th), but his rider then seemingly felt something amiss and eased him through the final furlong, exasperating the margin of defeat and drop in speed figure. Assuming that he’s A1 for today, we can probably expect something more like his par.

–        #1 PARALEGAL (sped clear, set honest pace into lane, succumbed stubbornly); #2 WORLD ON FIRE (chased pace from ~2L back into lane, evenly); #3 RAPIDITY (tracked even pace inside, evenly; cuts back today); #4 LOU’S BIRTHDAY (pressed even pace outside winner, game in defeat; blinkers on today); #7 DOCSGOTALLTHECANDY (set even fractions on uncontested lead into lane, then weakened grudgingly on left lead; cuts back today which might make securing the lead more difficult, if he needs it?); #8 CITY PANDA (light bump start, chased even pace on rail to ¼, tipped out and finished evenly; extra 1/16 today could suit); and #9 ECUMENICAL (chased even pace 2W to ¼, 4W into lane, evenly), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        Aided by a good trip, #5 FEEL THE BOLT stayed on evenly enough from rear last out (6F, LRL, 03/06/26 – 3rd) to suggest she’s worth another go at a mile today.

–        #1 TEA ROSE (stalked even pace 2W to 3/8, gradual fade); #2 WHISKEY BREW (broke outward from outside post, outrun while wide throughout); #4 MY EMI SHIRAZ (sent 2W early, led to 7/16, then gradually faded and was not persevered with late; needs more); and #6 RYLNNSLOOKINGLUCKY (established clear lead early, set even fractions on uncontested lead, met bid 5/16, dueled grudgingly, solid try), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        The chart comment notes how #5 HAY CHIEF was “squeezed start” last out (1M, LRL, 12/21/25); while this did happen, it wasn’t significant interference and owing to the fact that he’s a deep closer by trade – he was always going to be in rear – the break was fairly inconsequential and definitely not the reason for his 10 point Beyer drop; some questions to answer off layoff today.

–        #1 SELF TAUGHT (chased even pace on rail from rear, advanced slightly far turn, evenly to 1/8, then flattened out); #2 MAJESTIC TIGER (tracked pace setting winner on rail to ¼, cut corner into lane, ran evenly to 1/8, then faded; stretches back out today); #4 COLLECTION DAY (established clear lead early, set even fractions on rail to 7/16, dueled on rail into lane, edged away again ~1/8, then succumbed grudgingly to fresh challenger late; solid); and #7 PRINCE KHOZAN (3W between horses first turn, lost position back stretch, done shortly after ½), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        #2 TOPS THE CHART was arguably a little too close to the red-hot pace (that collapsed) racing down the back stretch last time (1 1/8M, LRL, 03/01/26 – 6th); while it’s unlikely he’d have hit the board at 13/1, he probably could have finished stronger if ridden a little more patiently. Drops in class and distance today.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #3 NOTED ran so far below par last time (1M, AQU, 02/15/26 – 6th) – he had a wicked pace to chase on a closer friendly track, yet failed to make any inroads rounding the home turn and finished tailed off; he needs to rebound in a big way today. Makes debut for Ness.

–        Having broken from the rail and then been sent, #4 NIGHT TIME NAP probably ended up doing too much in front setting a pressured pace (that favored closers) last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/15/26 – 7th); while on would still have liked to have seen a little more from him, it wasn’t a surprise to see him tire late, especially as he was running back off just 10-days rest (bounced?). Strong chance he can rebound today (his wide draw and cut back should help).

–        #6 TEN GAGUE (raced prominently to even pace 2W to far turn, then faded gradually); and #7 HOLY SYNCHRONICITY (broke alertly, set controlled fractions to far turn, then dropped back and finished evenly), both sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        #3 CONQUEST DANCER traveled powerfully in a good position behind the even pace into the lane last out (1M, LRL, 02/15/26 – 4th), then looked to simply fail to stay the mile distance; off this effort alone, it seems she’ll be suited (can improve) by the cut back today.

–        #1 A P M NOTION (sent hard from outside, clear entering turn, met bid 5/16, faded lane); #2 ANITA BEER (chased even pace on rail into lane, then faded; drops in class today); #4 DINE AND DASH (chased honest pace 3W into lane, stayed on well to 1/8, then faded grudgingly; returns off layoff today); #7 ATLAS STRONG (tracked even pace from ~3L back into lane, then stayed on but was no match for winner; cuts back today); and #8 ROYAL SEAMSTRESS (vied through even fractions to turn, opened up clear lead approaching stretch, then continued widening, fully extended; up in class today), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        Overall, #5 SEVEN’S ELEVEN sat a good ground saving trip on his way to victory last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/20/26); however, he did very briefly have to tap on the brakes when a little short of room ~5/16 and at the top of the lane, for which he can be awarded a little extra credit.

–        The rider accepted defeat a very long way out on #7 JOLLY BY GOLLY last time (7F, CNL, 03/13/26 – 5th) and did not ask her for any effort from ~5/16 pole home, massively exasperating the margin of defeat. Maybe something was amiss, but assuming she’s A1 today, we can likely expect more from her for a stronger ride.

–        #1 TALKIN PHAROAH (chased pace between horses to turn, then dropped back and was empty lane; not certain to be suited by 6F distance today); #2 LADDIE DANCE (after being aided by a fast pace two-back; stalked wire winner, bid under ride ~1/4, turned back, then faded grudgingly lane); #3 PUDGE BOY PALACE (off 7-days rest; close up between horses in tight bunch early; chase ~3W turn, then faded tamely stretch); #4 ARTILLERY GUNNER (nudged along chasing even pace on rail into stretch, then weakened; needs more off bench today); #8 FREEZE THE FIRE (stalked slow pace early, dropped back between horses 3P turn, weakened lane; drops in class with lasix back on today), and #10 BROTHER CONWAY (vied through slow fractions on rail to turn, then stopped; below best with no visible reason as to why, needs to bounce back today), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        #2 MEG ran a nice race back up in trip last time (1M, LRL, 02/21/26 – 2nd); however, the fact that she was able to establish an uncontested lead on the rail and got away with slow early fractions (25.04 opening ¼) did seem to help her cause and therefore, we probably need to downgrade the effort a little.

–        After breaking sharp, setting even fractions into the lane, battling hard but losing the lead ~1/16 pole and settling for 2nd last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/15/26), #3 SPENCER TIARA then actually galloped out well enough to offer at least some hope that she’ll cope with today huge distance change.

–        #5 DAZZY worked 3-4W to establish lead first turn, dropped to rail and set even fractions to 7/16, then faded; below par with no visible reason as to why; needs to bounce back.

–        After chasing the even pace 2W into the lane, #6 BOURBON N LACE threatened to come with a run from between horses in the lane last time (7F, LRL, 02/22/26 – 5th) but was then quite aggressively forced towards the rail ~1/8 pole and weakened thereafter. Despite the interference, she never had her momentum checked and the rate at which she stopped suggests that she wouldn’t have hit the board regardless (no upgrade necessary), but the interference was still notable and didn’t help her chance.

–        The running line on #1 TUFF LUCK’s last start (1 1/16M, LRL, 02/22/26 – 1st) suggests that he was tiring through the final furlong, as he went from 2 1/2L up at the 1/8 pole to just 3/4L up at the wire, but that wasn’t the case; he opened up off the turn, then was only mildly hand ridden through the lane (not sure the rider knew he had someone closing him down) and not all out. If anything, he actually won with something in hand.

–        #4 DOLCE VITA’s slight trouble at the start last time (1M, LRL, 02/21/26 – 4th) was inconsequential and he had no real visible excuse; however, he was running on a muddy surface and his record on off tracks is poor – maybe that was the reason for his dull try?

–        #3 FORMAL AFFAIR (outrun off fast pace on rail throughout, never a factor); and #5 STRAIGHT TO WATER (chased even pace on rail, dropped back a little entering turn, under ride 2P bend, stayed on willingly despite failing to switch leads lane, solid try), both sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.

–        #4 EL PAPACITO broke very sharply last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 02/15/26 – 3rd) but his rider seemingly didn’t want the lead and instantly dragged him back, conceding the lead to the 1/1 fav and eventual winner, who proceeded to set just even fractions with another foe in front; this meant that EP was tasked with running the fav down while also conceding ground in the 3P on the turn (he’d likely have been saving ground if he’d have gone on with it at the break and crossed to the rail). Not going to upgrade this effort and he was probably 3rd best regardless, but the rider didn’t give him the best opportunity to win, and we might be able to expect more as he drops in class today.

–        #5 VIDA deserves a little extra credit for his last try (6F, CNL, 03/13/26 – 3rd as he lost a little ground racing ~4-5W throughout the turn. He also failed to switch leads in the lane, however, and was seemingly third best regardless.

–        #1 TIZ IS PONTE (chased even-modest pace from ~3L back 2W, steadily faded from 5/16; lasix on today); #2 TIZ THE GREAT (showed speed from rail, set even pace to turn, extended lead turn while drifting off rail, came wide into lane, then finished evenly, second best); and #6 FLYING TO WORK (traveled well chasing even pace, 3P turn, floated out a little from ~1/4 into lane, then finished evenly to the 1/8 before tiring; could be suited by cut back today), all sat perfectly fine trips in their respective last starts and were ridden through the line – their results/speed figs seem fair.