Laurel Park Tips and Trips – Thursday, February 12, 2026

–        #5 MAJOR HOULIHAN sat close enough (no more than 4L back) to a red-hot (47.94) pace that ended up playing into the hands of the closers last out (1M, LRL, 12/21/25) and is deserving of a PACE UPGRADE. He held the lead at the 1/8th pole but was run down late by two deep closers (one of whom was the re-opposing #3 HONOR THE TRUTH) who closed 19L and 10L back respectively; he did best of the forwardly placed horses and may be able to improve third off the bench with a softer pace forecast. Note: he also failed to switch leads in the lane.

–        #6 IT’SFIFTYSHADETIME was bumped and pinched at the break last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/19/25) but it’s a stretch to say that was the reason behind her poor effort; she’ll need more today stretched back out to a mile.

–        #7 BABY SOX’ last effort can be UPGRADED: she stumbled badly out of the gate, then worked forward in the 3P and chased a very hot speed duel (47.94) from just 3L back racing to the far turn; she then made an early move at the fast pace while 2W on the turn, briefly drew ~level for the lead at the top of the lane, then understandably faded despite continuing to try hard. Had she not stumbled at the gate and/or (more importantly) not made the early move into the fast pace that was always going to come back to her, she’d likely have finished off the race better and possibly achieved a better finishing position; she has the potential to offer more today.

–        #8 BY THE GLASS was caught 4-6W on the far turn last out but it’s hard to say that was the reason behind her sub-par effort; she needs to bounce back today, period. (The chart comment also notes how she was “steadied in tight quarters start” but it’s a reach to say that; she was eased back to last by her rider leaving the gate but had plenty of room to try for a more prominent position if she had so desired; seemed connections planned on adopting those tactics).

–        #9 MAINSTREAM SELLOUT ran an eye-catching race in defeat last time: from an inside draw she lacked the room to get forward like she had in her prior two starts and was bumped around slightly between foes in the 2P rounding the far turn; remained tight between foes while traveling well ~8L off the pace racing into the far turn; dropped to the rail entering the bend, continued to travel well though was slightly boxed in and unable to build as much momentum/advance as her rider would seemingly have liked; eventually managed to angle out into the clear 4W upper stretch, then finished well into a clear 3rd and galloped out in front. Suspect a wide draw (which she gets today) would have allowed a more prominent position/smoother passage through the race, possibly resulting in an event better effort at 31/1; wouldn’t be a surprise if she were to go well again today.

–        There was no obvious excuse for #1 MY FLICKER in her latest start (6F, LRL, 01/10/26), in fact she ran as expected as the 15/1 outsider. However, it could be worth noting that she took an awful lot of sloppy kickback racing on the rail in mid-pack having drawn the rail – a factor that possibly contributed to her Beyer drop.

–        Both #2 PINOTSLILGIRL (6F, LRL, 11/07/25) and #3 ON A PROUD NOTE (6F, LRL, 01/23/26) were impressive winners of their respective last outs and will demand respect again today. Could be worth noting, however, that the 3/1 second choice – PINOTSLILGIRL’s main rival in her last start – lost the rider at the gate which likely made success easier for her and aided her in achieve it a clear 5 length winning margin.

–        After dueling through fast fractions 2W with the eventual winner, #5 GREEK HEIRESS folded at the top of the lane and weakened into 5th last out (7F, LRL, 12/14/25) before falling after the wire and being transported off the track via equine ambulance. She’ll need more today.

–        #1 TROUBLE AND STRIFE strode out nicely through the wire despite failing to switch leads when breaking her maiden in a quarter horse maiden last time (1000Y, LA, 12/21/25); she might not get away with that (not switching) against winners at 5 1/2F today. (But who knows?).

–        #2 GENCHO’s stride shortened notably late on when breaking her maiden over 4 1/2F last time (4 1/2F, CT, 11/26/25); holding reservations about whether she can back up her speed fig with an extra 1/8th to get against today against winners.

–        #4 HOTMESSNESS was showed a likable attitude when beaten 3/4L by #8 PICHU last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25); she now adds a lasix first time and races of level weights with that foe (conceded 3lbs last time). Wouldn’t be a total surprise if she were to reverse form.

–        #6 BLIND LOVE took back from between #4 HOTMESSNESS and #8 PICHU (who ran 1-2 throughout), then raced slightly wider than those two re-opposing rivals when finishing behind the pair last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/26/25); it wasn’t a wide enough to trip to warrant an upgrade, but it does seem she can narrow the margin on them with a more ground saving trip, lasix on.

–        #8 PICHU’s last start (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/10/26) can either be upgraded or tossed: she was pinched badly at the start which resulted her giving the field a head start and left her trailing in rear early – considering she usually races on or pressing the pace, was far from ideal; she dropped 14L behind the even pace (that held relatively well) at first call, then lost real estate racing 4-5W from ~5/16 pole into the lane. She did well to finish 4th under the circumstances and a bounce back to form can be expected today.

–        Having drawn a wide post, #1 AMAZING BERNIE was able to adopt a more prominent position than usual after pulling his way forward in the center of the course last out (1M, LRL, 01/17/26); he then had clear sailing ~3W throughout which, as a big long-striding stayer who thrives on a sustained rhythm and momentum, helped him to show off his best; holding reservations about whether he can back up the effort drawn inside today, though he does need respect and if he doesn’t get forward, that might not be a bad thing with so much pace signed on. Note: he was later DQ’d from 1st last out for a crop violation.

–        #2 TWICE GOLD sat a good trip when winning last out (1M, LRL, 01/09/26); the “bump ¼” mentioned in the chart comment was inconsequential and his effort is not worthy of an upgrade.

–        #5 LUCKED IN stayed on well for 3rd in a race that saw speed hold well last time (1M, LRL, 01/17/26) (1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th place finishers filled the first four positions at second call, all within 2 1/2L; LUCKED IN was 7 1/4L behind in last at second call). Pace scenario should be more in his favor today.

–        #3 TEA ROSE sat a slightly wide trip when beaten by just a neck last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25) and also drifted out in the lane under left-handed urging; she gave away more real estate than the margin of defeat and it’s easy to argue that she should have won that race. However, it should also be noted that she had a very favorable pace setup (fast pace favored closers), and the track was presenting a closer bias (DOWNGRADE).

–        Although her finishing effort was uninspiring whichever way you slice it, #5 FEEL THE BOLT can be given something of a pass for her most recent defeat (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25): she stumbled out of the gate, then rushed up and dueled through fast, closer friendly fractions on a track presenting a closer bias over a distance that stretches her on her best day – she was always going to fold late under those circumstances. Back at a sprint trip today, a return to her par form looks likely.

–        In her first start for 357 days and her first with lasix (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/21/25), #9 HEY ALEXA lost ground on the turn but then finished up in eye-catching fashion to run 4th before galloping out well in a race that saw speed hold well; it was a visually more promising effort than the bare PP’s suggest. Second off the bench with an extra 1/16 to work with today, she could play a role.

–        #10 CLASS AND SASS was caught 4W on the first turn after breaking sharp last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 12/20/25); chased the hot pace duel from ~4L back into the back stretch, then made an early move to go after the leaders (who were always going to come back to her anyway) racing into the far turn; responded willingly to her rider’s urgings while 4W on the far turn and took 2nd ~1/4 pole, then faded through the lane. Considering her wide trip, the early move into the fast pace, the fact that she was running off a layoff, and the fact that she was not persevered with through the final 1/8th, exasperating the margin of defeat, she didn’t disgrace herself at 41/1 and more can likely be expected of her second off the layoff today back down in trip. Makes debut for White.

–        #3 KARAN’S NOTION ran with credit despite sitting a slightly wide trip last time (6F, LRL, 01/09/26) – (small) UPGRADE.

–        #4 WORCESTER sat a wide trip last time (1M, LRL, 12/21/25) and was slightly better than his 4 1/4L winning margin suggests (small UPGRADE).

–        #5 HOWGREATISNATE’s most recent effort when finishing 2nd by just a head (6 1/2F, PRX, 11/26/25) is worthy of a fairly sizable UPGRADE because A) there was a significant speed bias present that day and the early pace was slow, compromising his chance as a closer and allowing the winner to wire the field; and B) he lacked room ~1/16 pole and briefly had to check his momentum (it was only a slight check, but enough to cost him the race). There’s a chance he improves again today placing him high on the shortlist.

–        As the 3/5 fav, it was a little disappointing that #6 PRINCE OF JERICHO didn’t go past CHIPOTLE in the lane last time when it appeared he had every chance to do so; maybe he was just beaten fair and square by what is clearly a nice horse, but it wouldn’t be completely out of place to suggest he hung a little. On the contrary, he was beaten just a neck having raced a path wider than the winner on the turn, which, considering the small margin of defeat, that could have been the difference between winning and losing.

–        #9 BUMP N RUN did relatively well to finish 4th last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 12/21/25) having lacked room at the start and given the field a few lengths head start. (Slightly) UPGRADE this effort.

–        There was no visible reason as to why #10 BOUNCER ran quite so far below par last time (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/08/25) – he needs to bounce back today.

–        #11 NO EASY DAYS’ last start (6 1/2F, PRX, 12/31/25) can be UPGRADED, even though he had a favorable pace setup: he hopped slightly at the start, then took a hefty bump and had to check which resulted in him racing out of position early (was ~10L back early, usually stalks); he then tried to build momentum and advance heading into the far turn but lacked room in the 4P and was forced to steady, checking his momentum slightly and shifting him off course; from there, he finished well for 2nd but the winner had already gotten the jump on him. Expect more today.

–        #1 MO MISSILE was slightly pinched at the start last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26) but his slow beginning was more a result of him simply breaking slowly (again), rather than him being impeded by other rivals. He then sat a slightly wide trip on the bend which cost him 4th (against the re-opposing #4 MOSE SMOKIN; was beaten just a nose by that rival) but it was not a wide enough trip to warrant an upgrade (speed fig seems fair).

–        #2 IN HONOR OF JEFF sat a great ground saving trip closing into a fast pace that favored closers last time – potential DOWNGRADE.

–        #4 MOSE SMOKIN sat a slightly wide trip last out (5 1/2F, LRL, 01/16/26); hardly enough to warrant an upgrade, though.

–        #7 WILLISTON WARRIOR deserves something of a pass for his most recent effort (6F, LRL, 11/09/25): he broke outwards from the rail and bumped hard with a rival which caused the rider to lose his irons (Cruz did very well to stay aboard) and the pair got away slowly; he then chased the pace into the turn, dropped back a little and was not persevered with in the lane, exasperating the margin of defeat. One would still like to have seen more from him as, despite his poor start, he didn’t lose contact with the field and had a pace to chase, but the start certainly didn’t help and with a better break and more vigorous ride in the lane, he should be able to get back on track soon. Returns off freshening today making his debut for Adorno.

–        #9 HOPPETUSE broke in a tangle last time (5 1/2F, LRL, 11/30/25), but it made no difference to his trip or the result (he still won in convincing style).

–        #5 CERTIFIED LOVERBOY was DQ’d from 1st last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/17/26) for causing interference leaving the gate but it’s hard to argue that he wasn’t best in there regardless; he traveled very powerfully through honest fractions in front, opened up in the stretch and then coasted home under a mild hand ride through the final 1/8th, crossing the line with his ears pricked by 2 1/2L, eased down. He looked right back to his best and like he could potentially have a little more to offer again.

–        #6 CROSSLAND was caught 3W on both turns last out (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/17/26) and then floated 4W into the lane – (tiny) UPGRADE.

–        #7 MACLEAN’S ROOK ran a game race to finish 3rd in the Jennings S. last out (1M, LRL, 01/17/25) and looms as an obvious win contender today. Two things to note from that last start, though: A) he was extremely headstrong out of cover, dragging his rider to the front and making it impossible for his rider to get him a breather into him (which possibly cost him late on and could make 1 1/16M a stretch if doing the same again today, for all his class might just prevail); B) he failed to switch leads in the lane too.

–        Although he was notably wide on the far turn, there was no real visible reason as to why #1 HAGRID’S FLAME ran below par last out (1M, PRX, 01/14/25); he never traveled and was dull; needs to bounce back today.

–        #8 INDY CHARGES ON was ridden with a lot of confidence last time (1 1/8M, LRL, 12/27/25), only coming under a ride ~1/8th pole where he then put the race to bed with authority, seemingly with more left in the tank. Suspect he’s yet to reach his peak.

–        Having built up strong forward momentum entering the bend last time (1M, LRL, 12/21/25), #3 STATES UNITED found himself boxed in racing to the top of the lane and was forced to halt his momentum in traffic until straightened for the drive (when he really needed to be sustaining/continuing to build momentum). He then found room in the stretch, picked back up again and drew off to win comfortably by 3L. Easy to argue he was better than the margin of victory/speed fig suggest.

–        #4 BE BETTER lost ground racing 4-5W on both turns last time (1 1/16M, LRL, 01/16/26) but it’s hard to say that was the reason for his poor effort – he needs more today, period.

–        A line can be drawn through #5 ALILNALOT’s last effort (7F, LRL, 01/16/26): he was bumped at the break and then lacked daylight soon after which prevented him from adopting his typical front-running tactics; he then pulled hard between horses racing into the turn before clipping a foe’s heel ~7/16 pole which led him to stumble badly, checked his momentum and knocked him back several lengths; the rider then shoved on him while angling 5W on the run to the ¼ pole but quickly accepted soon after their race was over; he then simply cantered home in his own time. Best judged on his prior efforts which make him live today.

–        #7 SELF TAUGHT lost ground racing 4-5W on the turn last time (1M, LRL, 12/26/25) but it’s hard to say that was the reason for his poor effort – he needs to bounce back today.