Race 3: Clm $12.5k 1M Turf
1st: #4 Hoffenheim, handicapping for off turf given the amount of rain we’ve received in the MidAtlantic and the forecast. This one is so obviously the class of this field I wonder if his entry was a mistake? He is 7 and may have lost a step or two, but this horse was competitive in graded stakes races last year and showed an 80 Beyer in March 2020. Was favored in open $25k company at Saratoga just 3 weeks ago!
2nd: #8 Runabout, was a monster at the lower claiming levels two winters ago. Narrowly missed at this level on the dirt in June and ran decently the last in OC$12k. Will be in the mix at the wire.
3rd: #5 Eldritch, has ran well on both turf and synethetic at much higher quality levels. Expect this one needed a race last out, probably a good claiming opportunity here.
Race 4: MdClm $16k F&M 6F
1st: #7 Sevilla Sangria, wasin contention at the MdSpWt level ovefr the winter and likely will have the lead to herself in this one. Was favored in the last and showed early speed before tiring badly, but you can toss that turf effort.
2nd: #1 Foalsfillyspecial, a solid debut effort in July from this one when sent away at 11-1 at the $10k level. Not much to go on but should improve from there and puts her right in contention.
3rd: #2 Cornetta’s Choice, two back race was nice at this level but was going further and I don’t know if she can keep up and pass at this distance considering there is some sped in the field.
Race 5: MdClm $25k 1M Turf
1st: #9 Hard Sting, again handicapping for off turf here. This one ran two very decent Beyer figures on the dirt at the end of last year and ran with a couple different stakes horses on turf and dirt in Structor (BC JuvTurf) and Sonneman (5th in the G1 Jerkens). First time as a gelding here, if taken off the turf he ought to be 1-20.
2nd: #10 Striking It Lucky, just looking for any main track form, this one earned a 44 Beyer on the main track last year once.
3rd: #2 Mint Game, such a high quality debut on the turf, might be the pick if this one stayed on, if it comes off he should have the ability to be competitive.
Race 6: Clm $5k 6 & ½F
1st: #1 Zitarrosa, last win cam in allowance company at Pen in January and drops back to the lowest claiming ranks for the first time since last October (also a win). Has speed but can also rate just off the pace and pass and win. Like his versatility. Seems like an obvious claiming opportunity, earned $59k in 2019.
2nd: #9 Tricky Lion, probably the top two choices in the wagering come post time, this one moves from turf to dirt but no biggie, he’s been a winner on both. Wasn’t at this low of a level all of last year. Won at $12.5k, $16k, and $25k last year.
3rd: #5 The Forty Factor, speed horse who just narrowly missed at this condition last out going slightly shorter.
Race 7: OC$50k F&M 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #8 Fashion Faux Pas, has been facing much much tougher than these foes and has reeled off some ridiculous speed figures in the process. Assuming this one comes off the turf, she won the Light Hearted Stakes at Del last year by 14 and earned a 97 Beyer. She broker her maiden over this main track by 5 lengths and was second in the G3 Del Oaks. Note in the two back she tired badly going a full mile but for the first half she ran with none other than Monomoy Girl. Stakes horse.
2nd: #3 Never Enough Time, Trombetta/Pimentel/R Larry Johnson homebred who just equaled her career best Beyer figure when back on her preferred surface. Looks like a future stakes horse for sure.
3rd: #4 Giggling, horse does much better on dirt, have to believe Lynch is entering this one assuming it comes off just like the last race which resulted in a win. Ot sure how he was 6-1 in a 4 horse field, must’ve been some nice ones in there. Definite contender.
Race 8: [R] Alw $35k 1 & 1/16thM
1st: #7 The Rock Says, simply much higher quality than anything else in this field. Fresh off a 9F second place finish in StrAlw$50k company at Saratoga, a much tougher condition than this restricted allowance. Broke his maiden at Churchill, placed in open allowance company a couple of times at Saratoga, Keeneland, and CD. Just a classy open allowance company horse who happens to be bred in Maryland.
2nd: #6 Tap The Mark, first back off the layoff was a try in this condition and it was a second place effort earning a solid 77 Beyer. Expect improvement second back.
3rd: #5 Can He Shine, a lot of speed for this one, don’t think he can take it all the way around given the company but a definite threat.
Race 9: OC$16k 5 & ½F Turf
1st: #2 Day the Music Died, handicapping for off-turf, MTO entry here and he’s got a lot of early speed which will be important for this short sprint. Nothing clever here.
2nd: #5 Yummy Bear, probably meant for turf but does have a solid effort over synthetic. This is most likely just a trip out for some exercise, doesn’t really seem like a sprinter (0-3 at this distance.)
3rd: #9 The Queens Jules, has some decent efforts on the main track.