Note: all picks are assuming that all races will be on dirt.
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Race 1: Claiming $16,000 (n/w3L), 3yo an dup, 5 1/2 Furlongs
2- Col. Andy: He was hung wide and rallied well in his last race, but lugged in in the stretch. Adding blinkers here should help, and he gets a big jockey switch to Trevor McCarthy. He’s gone off as the favorite in his last five races, but has just one victory. He’s got a good shot here, but be cautious if he goes off at a low price.
7- Mr. Fixit: The presumptive heavy favorite blew the doors off a similar field last time out, going to the lead and not stopping. If he gets another clear lead here, watch out.
1- Top Hat City: Presque Isle Downs shipper makes his third start off the layoff and retains the riding of Erin Walker. He’s made good ground in each of his last two races at the level, but has fallen short each time. A major threat for the underneath spots to be sure.
Race 2: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 6 Furlongs
3- More Than Treasure: This filly seeks her fourth win in a row. Last out, she annhilated the field at Timonium, going gate-to-wire over the notoriously speed-favoring oval. She’s never faced company this tough, but has boatloads of early speed and is making her first start off the claim for Claudio Gonzalez. No one will get rich betting her, but she looks very tough.
5- Southern Peach: Couldn’t keep up with the heavy favorite on the lead last out, but still held on well and finished second. A similar scenario may play out here.
7- Misses Knight: Charles Town invader has come in the top two in her last four races and will make her presence felt on the early lead. The big question with her is if she can handle the stretchout from 4 1/2 furlongs.
Race 3: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 5 1/2 Furlongs
6- Paz the Wine: Ships in from the NYRA circuit, which will definitely provide some class relief. Her brisnet figures against NY-breds make her very competitive with these rivals.
3- Expect Wonderful: While you can’t take low odds on a horse who hasn’t raced in fifteen months, this filly made an impression last year, coming in third three starts in a row while earning strong figures each time. Trainer Mark Reid is just 8% with horses making their first start off a layoff. Workouts have been promising, but one must tread lightly nevertheless.
4- Egber: Ran decent figures in her two most recent dirt races last year, and is clearly the best of the rest.
Race 4: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
4- My Eminence: Finally broke through against n/w2L claimers last out at Churchill Downs, coming from behind and winning by two. He’s got some of the best late pace figures in the field at the distance, and his last-out brisnet figure of 90 would likely beat these.
8- Cerulean Springs: He earned a career-high figure of 91 last out, but earned it with the aid of a perfect stalking trip. In his two races before that, he ran figures of 76 and 88. He’ll need a strong pace in front of him for his closing kick to have much impact.
5- Taco Supream: Runs for the first time since May 25, and is the primary early speed of the field. If he’s not challenged early, he could sneak away to a front-running tour de force.
Race 5: Allowance (n/w1x), 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 5 1/2 Furlongs
11- Party Rock: Survived a rough speed duel last out at Parx to win by a length, and earn a figure of 84. Ran an 87 three races back after rating just off the pace and drawing off at Delaware Park. Has demonstrated both early speed and tenacity at the end.
14- Zorally: Hasn’t been worse than second in four races on dirt in her career. Ran gigantic figures of 89 and 88 in her first two races, back in the spring. She hasn’t quite recaptured that form since then, but must command some respect.
1- In Jail/1A- A Great Time: Both halves of the Trombetta entry are coming off runner-up finishes against similar company and figure to prompt the pace.
Race 6: Claiming $12,500 (n/w2L), 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 Mile
1- Final Fear: Last time out, she was faced with the uneviable task of having to close at Timonium. She still finished a respectable second. She’ll tackle n/w2L company for the first time in this race, always a positive sign, as she is not yet a proven loser.
4- Ridgemont High: She was very wide all the way around last out against tougher opponents. Takes a slight class drop here and will hope to save more ground. Her strong late pace figures will make her dangerous late.
7- Petion Lass: Showed promise when breaking her maiden at Delaware last out, winning by four lengths and improving her figure by nine points, up to a 67. This is another one trying n/w2L claiming horses for the first time. One to consider at a price.
Race 7: Maiden Claiming $25,000, 2yo, Fillies, 6 Furlongs
5- Perfect Exchange: She ran a great race in the Jamestown Stakes last out, recovering nicely from a slow beginning to rally furiously late and lose by just three lengths, earning a very nice figure of 69. That gives her a four-point edge over the rest of the field. Will seek a cleaner beginning this time; if she gets it, look out.
2- Dixie Do Good: Outlasted her dueling partner in her last race, holding on to the lead briefly in the stretch before giving way in the last eighth. She’ll be a tough opponent on the lead.
9- Empire Panther: Her figure of 65 in her last race represents a career-high, but her 0-for-6 lifetime mark is not inspiring.
Race 8: Claiming $12,500, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 Mile
12- Dance Queen: Crushed a $5,000 group last out. She’s run at least an 80 in two of her three dirt races.
5- Banana Anna: Jersey-bred veteran comes in off a win under similar circumstances at Delaware. Her stalking running style and excellent late pace figures make her well-suited for the long stretch run of the one-turn mile. Must merit some respect.
4- Miss Nosy: Takes a big drop in class drop from the n/w2x allowance level. She’s the sort who always gives a great performance, but seems to fall short more often than not. In fact, she hasn’t won since taking down the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap last year. Perhaps the easier competition will put her in the winner’s circle.
Race 9: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 6 Furlongs
1- Cool as You Like: She easily defeated a n/w2L claiming field at Saratoga last out, earning a big figure of 87. Comes down to Maryland for the first time and gets an advantageous post position draw. Looks to show speed from the inside and may be able to wire this field.
5- Sarah’s Treasure: Made a big, wide rally last out, and needed every bit of the long stretch run to win at a mile. Will be heard from late.
3- Rithm and Rap: Gamely battled on the lead against similar foes to win by half a length and earn a great figure of 84. She’ll be very tough if she repeats that effort.
Race 10: Claiming $16,000 (n/w3L), 3yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
3- Showcase Mall: Last out, he tried to go a mile and seventy yards at Presque Isle Downs, but found the distance too far for him and tired badly. Prior to that, he won two straight going shorter. He’ll enjoy the distance cutback.
6- Waterhaven: Wired a n/w2L claiming field last out after surviving a rough early speed duel. He’s never lost a n/w3L claiming race, always a good sign.
9- Whendovescry: He’s hit the board in eight out of nine races lifetime, and lost by just half a length the only time he didn’t come in the top three.