3-5-7-8
#3 Only Maria (8-5) sat off the pace and pedaled away to break her maiden in seventh place and ask out last. While she’s a step above a company claiming $12,500 first, it’s not a huge leap in class considering current rivals’ recent numbers. #5 Hotness (4-1) And #7 Pichu (3-1) coming from the same $25,000 claiming race on November 23rd. Hotmessness got back to her competition that day, leveling off to fourth place after driving too fast. She had no training leading up to that race, so she may have been a little short. She ran a good drill at Delaware Park on Dec. 6 and added blinders, so she should improve on that last effort. Pichu dueled for the lead, shaking off her dueling partner to finish third behind two rivals who passed her in the last few jumps. She is the only one in the race to have run in the 60s in each of her last two starts.
RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3 year olds and up, 1 MILE
3-8-1-6
#3 Melts with you (5-2) is one of two here that come first from Jamie Ness’s claim. Two starts ago, when in Ness’ shed, he won by nine lengths with an impressive 90. His only bad race in recent months came when he became involved in a duel four starts back, but there is enough speed here to provide a target. #8 tops the list (3-1) chased gate-to-wire winner Feeling Woozy last and finished second, about as good a race as he could have run given the conditions. He has by far the best early pace numbers in the field, so he could end up as the loose leader being chased by the others. #1 Dolice Vita (9-2) rode flawlessly in the stretch and finished second in his last start behind the always stylish and very hot Armando R. Two starts ago he was second in the Maryland Million Starter Handicap to Formal Affair, which was in the middle of a three-race win streak.
RACE 6: GIRL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEARS, 5 1/2 FURLOONS
4-6-7-12
#4 Quahog Republic (12-1) came from well off the pace to a third-place finish in his last dirt start, and has also continued late in his recent grass starts. He has every chance of picking up the pieces at a very good price. #6 Final Offer (20-1) went away as one of the favorites in his first start after an 11.5-month layoff. He chased the pace and finished well on the track. Before he was sidelined last year, he ran a 63 and a 73. If he returns to that form at second after the long break, he will pose a serious threat for possibly another good price. #7 Super sustainable secret (7-2) kept the pace high, rode clear and finished second in his first start in this condition. He will be the first to take on controversial leaders.
RACE 7: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 3-6 YEARS, 6 FURLONGS
6-5-3-8
#6 stanza (4-1) closed for the third last out in his dirt debut, defeated by runaway first starter And Sum (who entered later today) and next-place winner Neverworkedaday. He’s been getting better all year long and he’s proven that he can run at least credibly well on dirt. #5 Lonely road (4-1)a half-brother of Mindframe, makes his first start since September 12 and his debut on dirt. He ran a much improved race on the second question and took a fairly easy field for his first start on dirt tracks. He will be a threat if he shows any aptitude in this area. #3 Summerintheland (5-1) was last in second place after the aforementioned Neverworkedaday and seems to be taking a step forward after a three-month hiatus.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 year olds and older, MD LIMITED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS
2-6-9-1
#2 Wicked Divine (8-1) set the early pace, retook the lead and finished last in second place at this level with a career-best 93. The winner of that race, Intrepid’s Legacy, was next to beat an open field at the first level as the 7-10 favorite. This year he has run an 86 at least three times in four starts; the only time he didn’t was when he was outclassed in the Maryland Million Sprint. The above mentioned #6 And Sum (9-2) was a dominant winner on his debut, battling for the lead and kicking away to win with an impressive 92. This will be a tough class test, yet his ceiling is clearly very high. #9 Big Heavens (4-1) is the only runner in the field to have run at least an 85 in three consecutive dirt starts, and has great middle and late speed. However, he doesn’t always have the finishing touch, as evidenced by his five second-place finishes in twelve starts this season. He’s the perfect type to tinker underneath.
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