Race 1: Maiden Claiming $10,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 1/16 Miles
4- Hard Rockin Blues: It’s hard to take a horse who hasn’t been in the top three in twelve starts on top, but that’s the way it is here. She’s been in career-best form in her last two races since stretching out, and has the best jockey in the field aboard, in Jevian Toledo.
1-Hey Mabel: Hung in well in her last race against similar, but three second-place finishes in a row at this level isn’t a great sign. Maybe she’s found a race weak enough to beat, but I still wouldn’t take low odds on it.
3- Roman Times: She doesn’t have any early speed to speak of, but still closed well for second in her first race off a long layoff at Penn National. Will have to make up a lot of ground to win this one, but cannot be easily ignored, either.
Race 2: Maiden Claiming $25,000, 3yo, Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
2- Allgotuptodance: I’m taking a shot against the heavy morning line favorite with this Trombetta first-timer. She’s had some strong workouts at Fair Hill, including a bullet drill on February 28. If she’s got any kind of ability, she should at least turn in a strong performance against these.
3- In Class: The aforementioned heavy favorite, she runs first off the claim for Claudio Gonzalez, and gets Victor Carrasco aboard. She showed speed and faded going a mile in her debut last out, and should enjoy the cutback in distance. Not invincible, but tough to beat.
1- One Odd Story: Had a good trip in her last race, and was in the midst of making a move when she was soundly bumped and lost momentum. Can she rebound? At a bit of price, she’s worth a look.
Race 3: Claiming $12,500, 3yo, Fillies, 1 Mile
3- Swirrlie Shirlie: The last time she appeared at this level, she went gate-to-wire in a ridiculously easy win. There’s not much speed to challenge her, and the competition is similar to last time. It looks like another easy win.
1- Yours to Keep: Had a great trip and drew away to an impressive win in her last start. If Swirrlie Shirlie doesn’t last on the lead, this one is first in line to pick up the pieces.
4- Holy Freedom: Tries winners for the first time after just getting up to break her maiden at Charles Town, earning a career-best figure. Looks to sit mid-pack early on and pounce with about three-eighths to go.
Race 4: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 Mile
1- Prevailing Party: This mare’s start marks the training debut of Saul Ramirez, who claimed this horse away in her last start. She’s got the best closing kick in the field, and made up a ton of ground to just miss at six furlongs last time.
6- Louise: The lightbulb angle certainly applies to her, as she’s won two in a row after starting her career on a fifteen-race losing streak. In a paceless race, she’s got some speed, and could end up with a friendly setup.
5- Eye of the Wildcat: She showed good form last fall, winning two races in a row, but has declined since then. Relative to the others in the field, she still looks good, so perhaps the class drop will do her good.
Race 5: Claiming $5,000 (n/w2L), 3yo and up, 6 Furlongs
9- Arrivederci: He laid a bit of an egg last time against $12,500 n/w2L company, but now takes a big drop in class. Two starts back, he smashed a maiden claiming field with a gigantic figure. Even a mild return to that form would mean easy victory.
4- Captain Trips: He always picks up checks in these kind of races, but can’t quite get the job done. Made up some solid ground last out to finish second, and I’ll lok for a similar race this time.
6- The Mason Factor: Didn’t do anything in his first start for the Lacey Gaudet barn, but plunges in class. I’m wiling to give him another shot.
Race 6: Claiming $5,000, 3yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
6- Easy River: Had strong form at Parx in the winter of 2018, then ran a dull race against much better company. That was his first start in a long time, so I’m willing to give him a pass. I’d like to see a workout between his last start and now, but he’ll get one more chance from me.
8- Keuka Roller: Dueled and drew off in his last race, now looks like the controlling speed. Showed great improvement in his last race, and I’m betting on him to keep it up.
4- Clever Caliban: This Jersey-bred makes his first start off the claim for Jamie Ness, who is still a potent 24% with that angle. Raced wide against a pretty salty bunch last time, now profiles as one of the top dogs.
Race 7: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 1 Mile
8- Janelle Dreams: She had been racing well against similar earlier in the year, then tried to step up in class and struggled. Taylor Hole stays aboard, and will aim to have her more forwardly placed.
1- Toma: Heavy morning-line favorite was ridiculously wide in the stretch last out, but rallied sharply late to secure second. Faces a weaker field here and looks dangerous. The only downside is the 6/5 morning line, which means she’ll almost certainly be odds-on.
4- Brushing: Takes a bit of a jump in class after even tries in her last two races. Ran a more visually impressive race when McCarthy got in the saddle, and he stays aboard here as well.
Race 8: Maiden Claiming $25,000, 3yo, 5 1/2 Furlongs
1- Lucky Leonard: Chased the leader last time, but still held on for a solid second. Takes a mild jump in class, but this doesn’t look like anything that he can’t handle.
6- Sweet Brother: Was well-backed on debut last time and finished a mild third, with a respectable speed figure. Looking for improvement second time out.
3- Tbtwelve: First off the claim for Ness and gets McCarthy aboard for the first time. Showed speed and faded in his first race off the layoff last time, but I’m looking for some improvement here.
Race 9: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo and up, 1 1/16 Miles
7- Galatians
2- Revolutionary Road
4- My Good Man