Race 1: Maiden Special Weight, 2yo, Fillies, 1 Mile
4- Souper Escape: She was well-backed in her debut, but had a rough beginning and lost all chance. She’s been working very well since that debut, and gets blinkers on. I’m willing to give her another chance.
7- China Cat: Finished ahead of two of her rivals in this race, including Souper Escape, in her last race. She took a quantum leap forward in that spot, improving her brisnet figure 18 points from her debut. Must be respected.
8- Luna Fortis: First-timer for Delacour has been working sharply at Fair Hill, including two bullet drills in her last five. Looks to live up to the $160,000 purchase price.
Race 2: Claiming $12,500 (n/w2L), 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
7- Boondoggle: Came in a respectable third against similar at Delaware Park last out, running a career-best figure of 71. He’s not a proven loser yet, as he’s only lost one time at this level. Looks to rate just off the pace from the outside.
4- Ticker Tape Parade: Looks to be the early speed in the field. Got the cutback in distance he wanted last out, but got hung out wide from post nine. Here, he’s drawn closer to the inside, and there’s not much speed in the race. Could get an easy trip.
5- Hidden Bamboo: Three times in a row, he’s gone off as the favorite in a race like this, and he’s lost every time. He could win here, but I wouldn’t bet him straight at low odds.
Race 3: Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and mares, 1 Mile
5- Pretty Enuff: Takes a big drop from the n/w2x allowance level. Her early and late pace figures are superb. She’ll be heard from both early and late.
2- Floating By: She crushed a weak off-the-turf group two races ago, but still ran a career-best figure of 85. Had a dull performance at Parx three starts back after a bad break, but outside of that, she’s never been in better form.
1A- Ransom Past Due: You couldn’t expect her to turn in a peak performance last out, with her running for the first time in fourteen months. In her career, she’s run figures as high as 94, so with a race under her belt off the bench, she could improve sharply.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 2yo, Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
3- Full of Drama: Closed sharply in her debut, making up almost nine lengths while finishing fourth. Gets blinkers on, moves back to the dirt, and drops in class.
14- Flirtation Walk: If she wasn’t drawn on the extreme outside, she’d likely be the heavy favorite. As it were, she’s never been worse than third in her career, and improved seven points to a 67 last out. Sticking with the cold Yomar Ortiz does not do her any favors, however.
4- Lucky Dilly: Returns off a small layoff, after a decent fourth-place finish in her most recent start at Delaware Park. Comes in here off a career-high figure and a bullet workout. Cannot be discounted.
Race 5: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
8- Junction: He’s a dangerous horse to pick on top, considering he’s come in second or third five times in a row. However, he’s the primary early speed in the field, and could end up very loose on the lead. He’s not worth a bet at low odds, but is the likeliest winner.
3- Posterity: Almost the opposite in running style to Junction: he’ll be closing from far behind. In his last dirt race, he was in way too deep and had no chance, but he had been competitive against claimers of a slightly lesser water at Delaware Park.
9- Mountain Cry: Just missed defeating Junction last time out, losing by a neck to his toughest rival. Makes his first start off the claim for Claudio Gonzalez, so watch out!
Race 6: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, 1 Mile
5- Brahms Romp: This Ness trainee defeated similar n/w3L claiming foes three starts back at Delaware Park, and narrowly missed at this level last out.
12- City Gold: Got involved in a speed duel last out, and folded his tent after about a half-mile. When he got a clear lead two starts ago, he dominated. Will he be able to sneak away this time?
3- Watch Your Words: Gets a positive jockey switch to Jevian Toledo, and his speed figures have been competitive, consistently running in the mid-70s. At a 15/1 morning line, he could be a big overlay.
Race 7: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, 1 Mile
8- Menacing: Dealt with a funky pace scenario last out, in which a loose leader scampered clear of the field by twelve lengths in the early stages. He still ran well, finishing third and matching his career-high figure of 86. Runs first off the claim for the hot Lacey Gaudet barn.
3- Takedown: The “other” Gaudet in the field, he ran well first off the layoff last time against similar, finishing fourth with a figure of 84. Should enjoy the class relief he gets here and can improve second off the layoff.
1- Sparty: Survived a speed duel in his last race to prevail by 3/4 of a length. He has to go an extra furlong here, but he narrowly missed at this distance three starts back, so it shouldn’t be too much of a concern.
Race 8: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w1x), 2yo, Fillies, 7 Furlongs
3- Workaholic: This Kentucky invader has already crossed the finish line first two times in his career, having been disqualified out of a maiden win in September at Indiana Grand. She’s got great early speed and superior speed figures. The one to beat.
5- Past Perfect: She lost crucial early position last out after a rough beginning. Two starts ago, when she was able to rate just off the pace, she crushed the field. Looks to be in sharp form coming in here.
8- Olive Kat: Faded after a tough pace duel last out, now gets back on a fast track and should be in better shape.
Race 9: Claiming $16,000, 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
6- Ten Hut
8- Iredell
2- Social Stranger