Race 1: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
4- Young American: There’s not much value in playing this heavy favorite to win, but he’ll have a hard time losing this one. He’s won two straight against similar company, with superior brisnet figures compared to the rest. Looks to stalk the pace and pounce.
6- Pachi Cruze: Takes a slight drop in class and profiles as the main early speed. Showed speed and faded in his prior three starts, but never stopped that badly, and shouldn’t get as much pace pressure in this field.
3- Daystrike: Looked to have it won last out, before drifting in the stretch and finishing third. Cuts back in distance from one mile, which will almost certainly be a huge benefit.
Race 2: Allowance (n/w1x), 3yo and up, MD-bred, 5 1/2 Furlongs
4- Cheese On: Drops to state-bred company after flailing away against better starter optional claiming horses for a while. Gets a jockey switch to Jevian Toledo, and runs for the third time off the layoff. Showed some decent closing foot last time against better. One to respect.
2- Vineyard: Lightly-raced gelding looks like the dominant speed of the race. He displayed a lot of heart to beat starter optional claiming foes last out. Was very dull two starts back after a brutal opening quarter, but if he gets a softer pace here, he’ll be dangerous.
5- Apolodorodedemasco: He had a great summer running all over the mid-Atlantic, but has been dull in his last two. Enjoys some class relief and runs first off the claim for Jamie Ness. I’m willing to give him another chance.
Race 3: Starter Allowance $8,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
1- Blow the Whistle: Hard-knocking Cal-bred seeks his fourth win in a row here. Sat a beautiful trip last time out that he probably won’t get again here, but his running style is conducive to victory and his speed figures look astounding.
6- Etruscan: He chased Blow the Whistle throughout last time, ending up three lengths behind his most formidable rival. Hasn’t missed the board in his last four races, and is, at worst, the best alternative to Blow the Whistle by far.
8- Dazzling Okie: Won easily two starts back, but couldn’t quite get there last time despite a ground-saving trip. Takes a jump in class here, but has run some great races this year. Worth a look at a possible price.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 2yo, 5 1/2 Furlongs
10- Kitchen Soup: Had a very wide trip last time, but still ran a field-best last-out figure of 62. Makes his second start off the layoff here, so he should improve. I’d like him a lot more if he wasn’t hung in the outside post again, but as things stand, he’s got a good chance.
3- Ice Docket: First-timer for the Farrior barn has had some very sharp workouts getting ready for this spot. If he fires at all first out, he will be tough.
8- Top Hat Tune: Runs for a career-low tag, is a first-time gelding, and looks to show early speed. There’s some signs of life here.
Race 5: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
6- Vicar’s Chalice: Lightly-raced Bailes trainee has improved sharply in each of his three races. Finished a sharp second when stretching out to a mile last time; it remains to be seen if he can carry his ability another sixteenth of a mile.
4- Colonnello: Had a rough trip first off the layoff last out. Showed good form going two turns at Tampa Bay Downs last winter, including two brisnet figures above 65. He cannot be discounted.
10- Lovely Games: Heavy morning line favorite has superior speed figures, but the 0-for-24 mark makes him difficult to use. It’s possible he’s finally found the field that he can beat, but he’s not a good win bet at low odds.
Race 6: Allowance (n/w1x), 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, MD-bred, 1 Mile
1- Beyond Forever: Made a strong closing rally last time, but ended up losing by two lengths. The speed figures make her look tough, but she’ll have to be more forwardly placed to have a real chance.
3- Irish Access: Defeated open company with a big figure four starts ago, but hasn’t been able to get over the hump against Maryland-breds. Worth a look, but not a win bet at low odds.
4- Hashtag Selfie: Inconsistent filly has two great races and two duds within her last four races. If the good version of her shows up, the rest of these are running for second. Of course, the problem is, the good version of her running is no guarantee.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w2x), 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
2- Bronx Sandman: Looks to be rounding into form at the right time, with four figures in a row of 85 or higher. Showed impressive drive last out, sitting just off the pace and drawing away easily. Tries the n/w2x level for the first time, but his form fits right in.
5- No More Talk: If he gets a clear early lead, he’s got a big shot. Otherwise, he’s in danger.
3- Twin Valor: Has been knocking on the door at this level for some time without much success. His upper-80s figures are competitive enough, and it looks as if he’ll get a check, if nothing else.
Race 8: Claiming $16,000, 3yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
6- Field Advantage: Had to deal with a lot of pace pressure in a tough field last out, but held on well to lose by just two lengths. He’s shown that he doesn’t fold his tent in the clutch, and will be a factor on the early pace.
7- Self Start: Suffered from a brutally wide trip in his last race, but still lost by only two lengths. He’s got the opposite running style as Field Avantage; look for him to be closing from far out of it.
8- Hot Mic: Finished second against similar in each of his last two. He didn’t have much of an excuse last time, but looks like a contender to pick up a check, if nothing else.
Race 9: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 2yo, 1 Mile
1- Eliav
3- America’s Prince
2- Trion Wings