Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Thursday, February 05, 2026

–        #1 SCHRADER’s most recent effort (7F, LRL, 12/13/25) deserves an UPGRADE as he dueled through fast fractions (that ultimately played into the hands of the closers) on a track presenting a small closer bias. He did very well to hold 3rd and was better than the PPs suggest. Gelded since.

–        #2 HAPPY JAUNT pulled hard between horses early, then found himself caught slightly flat footed as the pace lifted on the bend before being floated out ~6W at the top of the lane last time (1M, LRL, 12/27/25). He finished gamely for 2nd and while this wasn’t a terrible trip by any means (not worthy of an upgrade), it wouldn’t be surprising if he had slightly more to offer again.

–        #7 THE COUNT IS ON had to be used to hold his stalking position when met with outside pressure approaching the far turn last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/10/26), then was caught tight between horses on the turn (often unideal) before getting knocked around (admittedly when backpedaling) ~1/16 pole and fading out of contention late. Under the circumstances, at 20/1, he ran with credit, and with a different trip back at a flat mile today, he may be able to build on the effort.

–        #8 MUGATU was pinched at the break last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/10/26) which even as a closer put him at a disadvantage as he was only able to gather stride well after the others had gotten a head start on him; he then made a sizable mid-race move to get into contention down the back stretch before losing ground racing ~4W on the far turn (UPGRADE); the validity of the chart comment “hung” is questionable under the circumstances and he’s seemingly capable of more.

–        #9 KEEN SURGE was caught slightly wide on both turns last time (small UPGRADE) and then not persevered with in the lane, exasperating the margin of defeat. He was never winning the race but under different circumstances, he does seem capable of improving on the effort.

–        Although #2 SEVEN’S ELEVEN was caught slightly wide on the turn last out (01/10/26), the modest early pace he was part of held well, making it difficult to upgrade the effort. He failed switch leads in the lane and was weak in the final furlong. Likely needs more today. (Note: the barn was cold at the time but has found form over the last couple of weeks).

–        #4 LET’S HAVE A PARTY saved every inch of ground with a great trip when posting a career best Beyer (66) last time (7F, LRL, 01/16/26); don’t want to knock him too much because it was a great effort in defeat, but we shouldn’t assume that he’ll replicate the level of form back down at 6F today.

–        #6 MALIBLUE posted a career best when winning convincingly last time (6F, PRX, 01/14/26). It should be noted, however, that he (like LET’S HAVE A PARTY) was able to skim the rail throughout and speed also held well in the race (top four finishers filled those positions throughout at odds of 12/1, 6/5, 7/1 and 7/2); it’s not certain he’ll run another 76 Beyer again today, though he does need respecting .

–        #7 CATAHOULA MOON raced slightly wide on the turn last time which, seeing he was only 1 1/2L off 2nd and raced wider than both rivals who beat him that spot on the turn, arguably cost him a place or two. However, his wide trip didn’t cost him the win and after being reluctant to load and then failing to switch leads in the lane, he ultimately disappointed as the 8/5 fav.

–        #2 MY MILITARY HERO’s most recent effort (6 1/2F, PRX, 11/28/25) deserves a notable UPGRADE: after a slow break, he looked to resist the kickback early (surprising considering his experience) and dropped back but was then roused into stride by his rider and began to advance nicely along the rail heading into and around the bend; with good momentum behind him, he advanced into a close 4th at the top of the lane but then found himself short of room just after the ¼ pole and had to take up sharply, halting his momentum; he dropped back again slightly upon straightening but then regathered his stride and rallied with credit for 2nd. Making two moves like he did and picking back up at the business end of the race when stamina reserves are starting to run low was commendable and with a clear run, one suspects he’d have gone close. Expect more second off the bench today, though he is facing a decent bunch here.

–        #3 MARKET WATCH did not look in love with the kickback and lost ground at a key stage of the race (fell almost 7L behind in a detached last) entering the bend last time (6 1/2F, AQU, 01/10/26) before finishing up well for 3rd. Suspect he has more to offer with this extra experience behind him and a step forward looks likely second off the bench today.

–        #5 BRING THE SMOKE lost ground breaking outwards from the rail and racing awkwardly for a few strides on debut last time (6F, LRL, 12/26/25); he then traveled well into contention along the fence but was boxed in on the turn (when he’d ideally have been building momentum) and then forced to wait and (very, very) slightly steady/shift off heels ~1/4 pole; he ran a promising race behind a monster (in LONESOME ROAD) and a more experienced rival (STANZA) and can likely build on this effort today. Player.

–        While traveling strongly on the leaders’ heels, #6 DURATION was forced to wait on the rail when he’d have ideally been building momentum on the turn last time (1M, AQU, 12/28/25) which allowed the eventual winner to get the jump on him. He then found himself in tight along the rail in deep stretch (he didn’t look to have the legs to get through the gap, but it wasn’t really big enough for him to go through either). It was a good effort that he can improve on second off the bench today. Big player.

–        #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 6F 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.

–        #3 PARTY WITH SMARTY was very game to get up when breaking the maiden last time (6 1/2F, AQU, 12/26/25) with lasix on first time. It should be noted, however, that he worked a great ground saving trip and had plenty of pace to run at, possibly warranting a downgrade. Still, his late kick was impressive and he’ll demand respect today. (He made slight contact with the rail when squeezing through a small gap in the lane last time, but it didn’t hinder her momentum and was of no consequence).

–        We can draw a line through #5 FIRMANTOWN’s last start (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) because he bobbled at the break and was away slowly which prevented him from adopting his preferred front running tactics; he then lost ground racing wide on the bend and came 6W+ into the lane; he was also eased in the final furlong, exasperating the margin of defeat at 54/1. Didn’t like how he failed to switch leads in the lane, but he certainly seems capable of showing more under different circumstances and he shouldn’t be entirely disregarded on the drop.

–        #3 ELUSIVE TARGET was caught 4-5W on both turns (UPGRADE) before finishing well to win at Turfway last time (1M, TP, 12/02/25); makes his third start off the bench and first for Ness today.

–        #4 ARMANDO R’s last start (1 1/16M, LRL, 11/29/25) can be UPGRADED: the chart comment notes how he was “steadied ¾” but that was inconsequential (he was pulling hard between foes and just had to ease back out of the pocket; it wasn’t a proper steady, he didn’t lose momentum/rhythm and it happened very early on in the race); however, he then had to lightly tap on the brakes entering the bend, steady again briefly ~3/8 pole, and again ~1/4 pole when squeezing through narrow gaps on the rail; it’s a testament to how well he traveled into the race and the energy with which he finished that he was instantly able to get back into top gear after these checks. He was better than the winning margin suggests and now looms as a logical win contender making his debut for Magee.

–        The chart comment about #6 WORK HARD’s last start (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/16/26) says: “bump working between ½”. While this did happen, it was the rival he bumped with that took the brunt of the bump (it completely wiped that horse out of the race) but WORK HARD himself never lost momentum or position – it was inconsequential and overall, he sat a great trip. Still, his win was visually strong, especially as speed held well (2nd – 5th place finishers filled the top four positions at second call) and he’ll need respecting today.

–        #7 STRAVA broke sharply and led on the rail around the first turn last time (1 1/16M, CT, 01/16/26) but was then restrained back into mid-pack, allowing the 1/1 fav (eventual winner) to get the jump on him. He was then also forced to angle off the rail ~4W+ on the far turn for a run. He’d have likely fared better had he not given up the lead or rail early, and more can likely be expected of him second off the bench today.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #2 PROM NIGHT ran quite so poorly last time (6F, LRL, 01/10/26); he’ll need more today.

–        #6 HATCH did not switch leads in the lane when well beaten last time (7F, LRL, 12/12/25).

–        There was no real reason as to why #7 UNIWINNER underperformed last time (7F, LRL, 01/16/26); he needs to bounce back today.

–        #8 FIND FAITH was caught slightly wide last time (7F, LRL, 01/16/26) but it made little difference to the result (he underperformed, period). He wasn’t persevered with in the final furlong, though, exasperating the margin of defeat, and the cut back in trip today should help him bounce back.

–        #9 WOODLINE was able to set a slow, uncontested pace that held well when finishing 3rd last time (6F, LRL, 01/10/26); he failed to switch leads in the lane though and was weak in the finish. DOWNGRADE this effort.

–        While accepting that he had a fast (closer friendly) pace to run at and the bug weight off his back, #10 HELDISH ran well to finish 3rd after sitting a notably wide trip (3-7W) last time (6F, LRL, 10/31/25). Could play a role if ready off the bench.

–        #3 INTREPID’S LEGACY can be given a slight pass for his most recent defeat (6F, LRL, 01/09/26): he pulled extremely hard (wasting both his and the rider’s energy) between horses in behind a slow early pace (set by #2 TENEBRIS – possible downgrade for the runner); he then found himself caught slightly flat footed as the real running began on the far turn and dropped back before losing real estate swinging 5W+ into the lane; he then stayed on evenly for 4th. Feel a more honestly run race and a more ground saving trip would have seen him to much better effect (both of which he may get today); return to 7F today looks to suit.

–        #4 GORDIAN KNOT sat a notably wide trip when finishing 2nd last time (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/24/25) – UPGRADE. He also finished like today’s extra 1/16th would suit. (Note: he was very late with his lead change in the lane last out too).

–        #8 ALL THE HARDWAYS posted a big career best with a very smart win last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25); there was no fluke about the performance at odds of 10/1 and he’ll demand respect today. However, it should be noted that he sat a great trip throughout, and his gallop out was particularly vigorous enough to fully convince one he’ll replicate the level of form at 7F today.

–        Although he only faced three rivals and ultimately tired in the final 1/8th, #9 GOODBYE NOTE ran with credit against a tough group last time; despite having pulled too hard early when hooked to the (also hard pulling) leader, he battled hard and stuck with the front two right up to ~1/8th pole. Facing easier today back down at 7F should see him to better effect.

–        #2 SECRET ZIPPER lugged in badly throughout when well beaten last time (1 1/8M, LRL, 11/22/25).

–        Despite a slightly wide trip on the far turn (inconsequential in the grand scheme of things), there was no visible excuse for #3 HITTHEROADJAK’s poor effort last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26) (or for his effort two back for that matter). Lasix back on today, he needs to rebound.

–        Both #4 FEELING WOOZY (1M, AQU, 01/15/26) and #6 PAY BILLY (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25) were caught slightly wide (~3-4W) in their respective last outs but it made little difference to either of their finishing positions (maybe just a speed fig point or two). PAY BILLY also brushed with a rival entering the lane last time but that was inconsequential.

–        #3 DATS MY PHAROH was bumped by the eventual winner at the top of the lane when finishing 2nd ahead of #1 SALVO TRIGGER, #4 MAUPANSANT, #5 RETURN FIRE and #6 UNCLE GREY last time (1M, LRL, 01/09/26). It’s hard to argue convincingly that the interference cost him the race, but it did check his momentum very slightly and allowed the winner to get the jump on him. He stayed on well regardless and was best of the re-opposing foes. (Note: his gallop out was strong, suggesting the extra distance today will be to his benefit).

–        #4 MAUPANSANT sat a notably wide trip (UPGRADE) last time (1M, LRL, 01/09/26) which almost certainly cost him 3rd (just missed that spot by a head from the rail skimming RETURN FIRE; was in front of that foe one stride past the wire).

–        #7 SHOT FOR THE MOON looked good breaking his maiden last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/09/26) and retains upside. It should be noted, however, that despite taking a bump at the start, he sat a great ground saving trip and was gifted a fast pace (that collapsed) to close into with the bug weight off. His gallop out was only so-so.