Race 1: Claiming $5,000, 4yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
2- Sing Praises: Faced much tougher in his last race, but hung in gamely until the last eighth of a mile or so. Takes a big drop in class, to a level where he’s had success in the past, and doesn’t figure to have much serious competition on the early pace.
6- Big Slick: Comes in off an easy gate-to-wire win over the Charles Town bullring. He won’t get that kind of east setup here, but figures to get a great trip rating off the early pace. Could be in a great spot to pounce as they turn for home.
3- Goodbyseeulater: Chased a vastly superior rival in his last race, now faces easier horses and cuts back from one mile.
Race 2: Claiming $12,500, 4yo and up, 6 Furlongs
3- Silver Starship: Made decent ground last out at Penn National, closing more than three lengths in the last eighth of a mile. He can’t afford to fall that far behind here, but if he can rate a few lengths off the lead, he’s got a big shot.
1- Jrock: Runs for the first time since August. Showed fantastic form last year, and if he runs back to this figures, he’ll bury this group. As things stand now, he should save ground a few lengths off the pace and be in a prime spot to attack.
6- Hurricane Bear: Cuts back from a mile and looks like the primary speed. He got tangled up in a duel last time and stopped badly; don’t think that will happen here. First off the claim for Claudio Gonzalez helps the cause.
Race 3: Claiming $5,000, 4yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
1- Ore Pass: He’s been in way over his head in his last few, now takes a big drop in class and cuts back in distance. Gets a competent jockey in Toledo, a good post, and a distance that he likes at a comfortable level. He hasn’t had the stars align like that for him in a while.
4- Sventastic: Has been making big rallies and falling just short in his last few races. We know he’ll be coming from way out of it; the question is, will he finish the job this time?
7- Bobcat: Makes his third start off the layoff after two flat tries at Parx. Faces easier competition here and gets the hot hand of Trevor McCarthy. Worth a look.
Race 4: Maiden Claiming $16,000, 3yo, Fillies, 5 1/2 Furlongs
1- Ballerina Gal: Any time Jeremiah Englehart send a horse down to Maryland, they must be respected. This first-time starter has been working well at Belmont, and gets Jorge Vargas aboard, another positive sign. In a race where almost no one has experience, she looks like the best debuter by far.
5- Margie’s Band: Showed some life when debuting against maiden special weight company last out, closing from way out of it to get fifth. Must show more speed this time, but if she does, she’s a contender.
11- Devil’s Revolution: Ness firster has been working very well at Delaware Park, with a string of bullets on her worktab. The outside post does not do her any favors, but I expect her to at least show some life.
Race 5: Claiming $5,000, 4yo and up, 5 1/2 Furlongs
7- Eightyeightmph: Didn’t change leads in his last race, which probably cost him the victory. Nevertheless, he earned a career-high figure in that race, takes a slight drop in class, and should get a similar rating trip as last time.
1- Prudhoe Bay: Ran a big figure last out after a very wide trip at Penn National. Shows up here for the first time since that November 9 outing. He might need a race, but if he can run back to his last three figures, he will be tough.
2- Sir Rockport: Bobbled at the start in his last race and didn’t have much of a chance after that. If he breaks cleanly here, he’ll have great early position, always a benefit in these kind of races. McCarthy gets aboard for the first time since September.
Race 6: Starter Optional Claiming $25,000, 3yo, 1 Mile
6- Southern Myth: Looked sharp when winning his debut last out. He’s never lost to winners, always a good thing. His low morning line indicates that he might be overbet, but he’s still a good horse to key pick 4 and pick 5 plays around.
3- He’s No Bull: Improved sharply when switching to the synthetic track at Turfway Park last out. Makes his Maryland debut and gets Sheldon Russell aboard.
4- He’s Not Curly: Was a complete non-factor against allowance company at 1 1/16 miles in his last race. He broke his maiden three starts back at this one mile distance. He got a bit of a break after that dull effort, turned in some good workouts at Fair Hill, and takes a drop in class here. Worth a look if you want to take a shot against the big favorite.
Race 7: Allowance Optional Claiming (n/w3x), 4yo and up, Fillies and Mares, 5 1/2 Furlongs
3- Reality Queen: Finished second at this level last out behind She’s Stunning, who returns in the What a Summer Stakes on Saturday, while defeating many of her rivals here. Comes in with career form and should sit a great trip.
5- I Still Miss You: Shook off a bit of rust last out, in her first race in almost three months. Defeated NY-bred stakes company two starts back, capping a three-race winning streak. McCarthy retains the mount for the hot Jeremiah Englehart stable.
1- Anna’s Bandit: Drops back to allowance company after plenty of fruitless tries against Maryland-sired foes. Closed well to finish third in the Geisha Stakes last out; a similar effort here is definitely possible.
Race 8: Maiden Claiming $50,000, 3yo, 7 Furlongs
1- Pretty Good Year: Trainer Kelly Rubley is an unimpressive 5% with first-timers, but Toledo gets aboard and the workouts have been encouraging.
5- Gran City: Has shown speed and faded in each of his last two. Faces an easier field than he saw last time, despite the increase in claiming tag, and improved his figure slightly from last time.
4- Coffee Please: He’s got a bunch of steady works coming in here, and trainer Jason Egan has a positive ROI with firsters.