Race 1: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3yo, 1 1/16 Miles
1- Expect Drama: Ran a good race first of the layoff, where he showed speed, outdueled his rival, and got overwhelmed in the stretch. On paper, it doesn’t look like there’s as much speed to go with him this time, nor a closer good enough to run him down if he gets loose. He looks very tough to beat.
8- Rapidashcat: Had an OK closing kick while having to run down a loose leader over a speed-favoring track in his last race. He’s stretching out beyond six furlongs for the first time, but if he can handle the extra distance, he looks like a contender.
7- Trion Wings: Couldn’t close the deal at 1/5 when last seen at the level. He ran well against tougher in his last race, showing a good closing kick. Looks like a good contender for underneath.
Race 2: Claiming $16,000 (n/w2L), 4yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 1/16 Miles
7- Millie’s Journey: Didn’t do much on the grass in her last start, but she had shown good form at Delaware Park and Presque Isle Downs last year. She now tries this level on dirt for the first time, and definitely can take a step forward as a 4-year-old. The Motion/Vargas combination is always a dangerous one.
5- Rag Top: She’s got the best recent form in the field by far; the only downside is that she lost at 1/5 in a similar race last out. She battled gamely throughout that race and lost by just a nose, so I can’t hold it against her too much. Not sure I’d bet her to win at low odds, though.
4- War Tweet: Absolutely smoked a maiden claiming field last out; now tries winners for the first time. It’s a big jump up in class, for sure, but she ran a career-best race last out, and came from just off the pace during a stretch where almost no one was doing so.
Race 3: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 3yo, 5 1/2 Furlongs
6- Devotion in Motion: He was fairly well-backed in his debut at Penn National, but was hung wide throughout and didn’t run a step. The field was strong enough that, even though he lost by 20 lengths, he ran a brisnet figure of 54, which makes him competitive with these. If he improves second time out, he’s got a shot at a price.
7- Eliav: Interestingly, Luis Reyes comes down for the mount on this New York shipper. He showed speed and stopped in his last race, but now faces easier competition in his Maryland debut. Will almost certainly be overbet, but still merits respect.
8- Top Hat Voyager: Closed from far back on a speed-favoring track last out while running a career-best race. He improved so sharply in that race, it’s fair to be skeptical if he can run a race that good again. If he can, though, watch out.
Race 4: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w3x), 4yo and up, 1 Mile
2- Marengo Road: He faced much tougher in his last race, but didn’t embarrass himself. Two races ago, he ran against a group that, with the exception of the uber-talented Tiz He the One, was similar to this field, and finished a clear second. Should benefit from the drop in class, and has competitive speed and late pace figures.
1- Bronx Sandman: I don’t know what happened in his last race at Aqueduct, but if you take it out, he’s got early speed and sharp form. Won a n/w2x allowance race here two races ago, sitting off the pace and drawing off to win easily. I’m counting on a rebound.
6- River Deep: Easily won the Bert Allen Stakes in his last race, back in September. Since his winning streak at this track in the fall of 2017, his form has been inconsistent, but when he’s on, he’s very tough to beat.
Race 5: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 4yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 Mile
7- Complicated Lady: She’s lost her last two against similar at low odds, but I’ll take a shot with her, if for no other reason, that she’s only raced four times and is running for the third time off the layoff.
6- Hey Mabel: Finished a distant second in her last race, but was well clear of third. Has the best last-out figure in the field by a considerable margin, and closed decent ground in her last race.
9- Spooky Tooth: Didn’t do much after a wide trip in her last race. Before that, she ran well against similar horses going 1 1/16 miles. Stays at a mile distance and gets a jockey switch to Victor Carrasco.
Race 6: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3yo, Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
5- Coqueta: Raced wide throughout in her last race, while the only horse who beat her came up the inside to score. She’s drawn a bit closer to the inside here, and should be able to save more ground than last time. If she can, she’ll be tough, especially since she beat a lot of her rivals here last time.
7- Queens or Better: Cuts back in distance and faces slightly easier competition than in her last race. Showed a lot of fight for a long way last out, and at 5 1/2 furlongs, the job of wiring the field should be easier.
3- Gaby Vee: Firster for the Rudy Rodriguez barn ships down after some works at Aqueduct. The board will tell the story on her.
Race 7: Allowance (n/w1x), 4yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 6 Furlongs
9- Bells Irish Fancy: Got involved in a tussle last out, drew clear of her dueling rival, but was worn down late. In the start prior, against easier competition, she never got tired and easily defeated her rivals. The outside post isn’t ideal for her, but she’s got plenty of early speed, and will try to outgun her rivals as much as she can.
4- Cilantro: She was well-bet against slightly tougher rivals last out, raced wide throughout, and didn’t do much. She ran better at shorter distances earlier in her career, and cuts back from a mile to six furlongs here. Gets blinkers for the first time as well.
8- Hot Friesia: Saved ground last out, but didn’t fire much in her last race. Faces slightly easier rivals here, and showed good form during the fall meet. Worth a gamble at the right price.
Race 8: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w1x), 3yo, Fillies, 6 Furlongs
1- Elverson: Got involved in a rough speed duel in her debut, but brushed away her rival and held on for the win. This race is a step up in class from the maiden win, but she’s got a great post, McCarthy stays aboard, and has been working sharply since the last race.
7- Knock Out Kid: Rolled by a similar group last out, coming from far out of it. There wasn’t anyone in that race who’s as good as Elverson, but this one still looks much better than the rest.
8- Music of Life: Hasn’t done a ton in her two tries against winners, but improved a bit last time, and earned a big figure in her maiden-breaking debut in September. Gets blinkers for the first time.
Race 9: Claiming $12,500 (n/w3L), 4yo and up, 6 Furlongs
4- My Eminence
2- Gringo Star
3- Sound Off