2-7-1-3
#2 Tony Eclipse (5-2)the winner of the 2024 Maryland Juvenile, had a rather rude return to the final race. On his first start after a ten-month layoff he was unlucky to meet Lonesome Road, who destroyed the field. This achieved a respectable fourth place with a score of 83, an improved figure from the races he completed towards the end of his three-year-old season. He has a lot of upside and will be hard to beat if he takes a step forward after his release. #7 Devil’s Cay (5-1) has gone gate-to-wire in his last two starts in Pennsylvania. The draw far out with the short run to the first corner doesn’t do him any favors, but if he can make it to the rail and the lead without any problems, it will be difficult to catch him. Of course, that’s a big ‘if’. #1 Night nap (9-2) was an easy winner against a similar last out and was third at this level two starts ago behind Indy Charges On, who won a second-tier race on Thursday as one of the favourites. He was claimed from his last race by Brittany Russell’s Kieron Magee. Magee became the first to win a race on Thursday after a claim by Russell with Worcester.
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RACE 5: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W3L), 4 year olds and up, 6 furlongs
3-5-2-8
#3 Trulli Warrior (2-1) stopped badly after a long run last at Parx, but fell two and three starts back in the mid-80s, figures that would overwhelm this one. He looks fast enough to make the rail and the lead, and with the right trip he won’t get caught. #5 World on Fire (6-1) turned into a perfect trip to win against non-winners of two last-place rivals. Four of the five horses he beat that day returned in a two-race non-winner on February 4, and they formed the superfecta. #2 City Panda (10-1) closed for third against a better field in these conditions last and should benefit from the slight extension of 5 ½ furlongs.
RACE 6: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 4 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 6 furlongs
5-3-7-8
#5 Bucking Right (5-2) is the only one to run in the 70s in each of her last two starts. No one else has run at least a 65 in each of their last two races, let alone a 70. She was the last to lead a major race at this level, setting the pace and fending off pace chasers, eventually finishing third behind two rivals who came from far away. #3 Aeronyx (12-1) made her first start for the Sarah White shed a winning last out as she stormed down the stretch to win from well off the pace. The second and third places in that race came back to finish 1-2 in a first race on February 6 as the heavy favorite and third choice respectively. #7 Centamilla (4-1) is the first to rely on Mike Gorham’s claim. She set the pace and stopped badly last, and Gorham gave her about six weeks off after that race. The best version of herself will be very dangerous at first, which could pose a serious challenge for Buckin’ Right.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4 year olds and older, fillies and mares, MD-LIMITED, 5 1/2 furlongs
6-7-3-1
Finally, #6 Mrs. Notie (7-2) is ready for her return to the races. This impressively bred filly made waves at first sight with an impressive four-length victory. Runner-up Mega Mil has since won three times in seven more starts, with earnings of more than $200,000. Ms. Notion went off as one of the favorites in the next 2024 Maryland Juvenile Filly Stakes, but stumbled at the start and lost the jockey. She hasn’t raced in 486 days, with countless starts and stops on her work tab. She has been working very well in recent weeks, including an impressive four-furlong shot exercise on February 4. It’s never easy coming back from such a long break, but she has huge potential and should be respected. #7 Sassafrassness (2-1) has hit the board in five of her last six starts. Her only boring race since August came in November, where she acted out a 1 1/16-mile race that was probably out of her element in the first place. She tends to show speed and fade, so today’s distance should help her case. #3 Anita Beer (10-1) gets a class test after winning two of her last three starts against softer. She’s in good form, having posted career-best numbers in both wins, and a little more improvement puts her squarely in the mix.
RACE 8: CLAIM $7,500 (CONDITIONED), 4 YEARS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONS
2-3-4-6
Baaistraat 2 (3-2) came from further off the pace than normal to finish third last, behind the stylish Firstlady Rosalynn and the next winner R Averie Lynn. She seems well suited for this spot, her first start in Damon Dilodovico’s claim. #3 Sapphire Beauty (9-2) was in dull form for a while, but recovered in her next start with a second place behind the aforementioned R Averie Lynn. Her best races last year would certainly scare Bay Street. #4 Kissed at Sunrise (6-1) won her last two starts over 4 ½ furlongs at Charles Town, coming off the pace both times. She was well beaten here in her first three starts, so we’ll see if her form can be carried over into this period.
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