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Race 1: MdClm $25k 6F

1^st: #4 No Hitter, this colt narrowly missed breaking his maiden at Aqueduct last out under the tutelage of Mike Maker in a NY-State Bred Mdn Claimer $25k. Even state-breds are probably a higher level in NY and the improving Beyer is a great sign.

2^nd: #5 Caneel Bay, 7 time maiden here but strong Beyers all the way through, albeit on turf. Never know until you try, could take to the dirt well. Has shown ability at MdSpWt level. 

3^rd: #1 Petion Night, close readers will recall we picked this one in the two back event Nov 1 where he was edged by a neck at the wire. No much improvement since the barn switch, Ness might not have the magic he once had 😉  

Race 2: OC$50k 2 Year Olds 1M

1^st: #7 Amino, Graham Motion got this one to wake up bigly between his debut up in Eerie and his win last month at Laurel where he earned a 70 Beyer. I asked Motion on twitter what happened to get that improvement and his response was, “I think a combination of being immature/green and we also rushed him off his feet that day.” Breeding is world class, expect further improvement.

2^nd: #2 Aspect, Tim Ritchey competitor has had a really solid rookie campaign losing by a neck in open stakes company at Del back in August. Ritchey gave him a breather and brought him back at Parx and he notched a career and field-best 73 Beyer. Definite contender. 

3^rd: #1 Mount Travers, campaigned in the Delacour barn all summer decently and debuts for the Linda Rice barn here who is winning 27% with her 1^st timers.   

Race 3: Clm $20k Fillies 2 Years Old 6F

1^st: #1a Caterina One, after a brief freshening this one earned a field last-best Beyer of 45  breaking his maiden at 11-1 beating 13 rivals. Appears a bit of time off her feet has big good.

2^nd: #6 Rossby, hard to know what goes on at Parx, I’m going to throw the last out her first against beatens. She broke her maiden at the $30k level up in New York (against state-breds) and adds the blinkers. A lot could happen. 

3^rd: #9 Call Me Jelly Roll, big time class drop after a couple tries at the OC$50k level, O’Dwyer gave this one a break since mid-September. Last drill locally was terrific going 6F in 1:13 and 1.  

Race 4: StrHcp $16k 1M

1^st: #2 Divine Interventio, one of my absolute favorite horses sent out by the Gaudet barn and spotted perfectly here. He campaigned for $16k in his last race for Asmussen making him eligible here in what has turned out to be a fantastic claim by Lacey. The two back loss by 9 to TizHeTheOne is a badge of honor as that one Beyered 100 there and came back to win. So did Divine, winning in dramatic come-from-behind fashion Thanksgiving day on a frozen surface that was helping speed last all day. Odds will be short.

2^nd: #7 Lion Lord, this lightly raced 4 year old sent out by the Jose Corrales barn had the best start of his life last out locally at the OC$25k level winning by more than a length earning a 74 Beyer. Clearly in form. 

3^rd: #5 Joy Drive, two straight winnings in the claiming ranks, the forebandages appear to have made a big difference in addition to the barn swap. 3 for 8 locally with 7 in the money. 

Race 5: Clm $5k F&M 5 & ½F

1^st: #4 Gloria’s Gal, another familiar name, this one drops out of allowance company where she was competitive to the bottom level claiming rung here. It was only back in August where she won an OC$25k event by 3 open lengths albeit at Timonium. Beyers are honest.

2^nd: #1 Slewzer, clearly in form since transferring to the Ness barn winning her first and narrowly missing last out. 2 for 3 locally with a second. Exacta opportunity. 

3^rd: #13 Queen to Checkmate, this one is 6 for 16 locally although recent form is not quite there. Beyer’d 71 back in May. Claudio magic? 

Race 6: MdClm $16k Fillies 2 Years old 6F

1^st: #3 But He’s a Beast, don’t like playing first time starters but Trombetta has one here out of Union Rags that is working consistently up at Fair Hill. The two back gate drill is encouraging along with a couple others at the end of the summer. Not a strong field, sort of surprised he chose this low level for the debut, might lose her.

2^nd: #8 Two Way Road, not a lot to like in this field, this one has 5 starts and the last was ugly but this is a huge drop down in class. Two-back at Parx was a solid effort earning a 35 Beyer at the Md $40k level.

3^rd: #1 Jagger Baby, 4 time’s the charm? Two third place finishes in the past. Ness barn sends this one away.

Race 7: Clm $5k 1 & 1/16^thM

1^st: #3 Top Prospect, this 10 year old has shown the highest Beyer figures in the field including last out 74 in a win here in October. 6 for 14 locally. Question is: is he ready off the short layoff?

2^nd: #2 Pleiadian, sharpest horse in the field, fresh off a second place finish here earning a 66 Beyer. Speed of the field, depending on how the track is playing, he could be your top selection.

3^rd: #8 Rare Candy, Gonzalez starter, usually runs to the low 60s Beyers but throws in a stinker every once in a wild. 3 for 9 locally.

Race 8: Clm $5k 7F

1^st: #8 Colonel Andy, Ollie Figgins tried the allowance level and he was uncompetitive but drops him back into the lowest level claiming where he won two back. 

2^nd: #6 Chief Tarhe, most recent was impressive earning a 66 Beyer. 3 for 27 at Laurel a warning signal.

3^rd: #4 Turbin, we’ve picked this one twice in the last two to no avail, but there is talent there. No consistency. 

Race 9: Clm $16k F&M 5 & ½F

1^st: #6 Angelina’s Star, the improving figures are striking and this 3 year old appears to really be coming into her own. Bit of distance relief should help her here.

2^nd: #5 Street Passion, last out got caught in a speed duel and paid the price. But the two back effort on the dirt he showed his ability winning at the MdClm $25k level by 3 lengths. 

3^rd: #4 Superstar Diva, two recent efforts at this level have been decent including last out second place finish by just a length.