1-7-6-2
#1 Devil’s Cay (7-2) faded last after a wide two-turn trip, after wins in Pennsylvania two and three starts back. Pulling in further and turning back about one turn should help his case. #7 Union Fleet (5-1) rallied well for second after a 183-day layoff last. He defeated a number of beautiful horses, such as Armando R, Fan Club and Work Hard. Only Night Time Nap, who raced and pedaled through moderate factions at pace, could beat him. Unlike Devil’s Cay, he may want more distance, but in this spot he still can’t be left out. #6 Don’t wait (5-2) has finished second three starts in a row, with his late rally falling short each time. He was recovered by Ferris Allen from his last start. In his last race for Allen at the end of November, he won by 6 ½ lengths from a similar group to this.
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RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4 year olds and up, 7 furlongs
4-9-3-6
#4 Pudge Boy Palace (6-1) was an easy winner after a great trip two starts back, then held his own against the final first-tier rivals to finish third. He should once again get a perfect set-up on what could be a highly contested pace. #9 Forward Movement (3-1) closed very well for fourth place, beaten by 1 ¼ lengths, when last seen at this track in late November. He’s had some time off since his last race, a fourth-place finish at Parx in early January in a race where the leaders were never in doubt, but this race should go well for him too. #3 Heroic (6-1) lost the jockey at the start of his debut in 2026. In his previous race, at the end of October, he finished third behind a pair of stylish runners in Freeze the Fire and B West. This is a clear class drop compared to that field.
RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 4 year olds and up, 7 furlongs
5-3-4-8
#5 Deadpan (9-2) has had big races in his last two starts at Mahoning Valley, including an impressive first-level win in the final event, where he pedaled away after setting a controversial pace. Yedsit Hazlewood was mentioned on several horses here, and he ultimately chose #3 Laddie Dance (7-2). This one has finished second in three of his last four starts, running similar races each time. He likes to race far behind and make a strong late bid that ultimately falls short. He’ll have an easier time dealing with horses this time than last time, so this could be the day it all comes together. #4 Spotted Bull (5-1) has a very in-and-out shape. His best race wins this easily; his worst wouldn’t make him a factor. It looks like he’s at the high end of his form cycle, as his lackluster effort has been the last time and his big win started two ago.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4 YEARS AND OLDER, 1 MILE
3-5-4-6
#3 Indy advances (5-2) won in impressive gate-to-wire fashion, two starts back. In his most recent race, he came in just off the pace, coming last to the likes of Maclean’s Rook and Certified Loverboy, who crossed the line first against second-tier foes in his previous start. #5 Feeling dizzy (7-2) defeated some of these easily last, but has been known to throw in the occasional inexplicable clunker. Buyer beware for a low price. #4 Pay Billy (9-2) finished a close second behind last-place Feeling Woozy and continues to move in the right direction further into his four-year-old season.
RACE 8: GIRL CLAIMING $12,500, 3 YEARS, 1 MILE
1-5-3-2
#1 Triathlon (4-5) raced wide off the pace and just missed clinging to the penultimate out as favorite Sin Sin ran away and hid from the rest. A pair of horses from that race, runner-up Q Got Hops and fifth-place Flying to Work, finished third and second respectively at this level last Friday. #5 Perkins Gem (20-1) lagged behind most of the time in his debut, but showed a little late interest and may drop from the $25,000 level for his second outing. #3 Rio de Valle (20-1) wasn’t a final factor (after Flying to Work and Q Got Hops last Friday, in fact), but delivered respectable performances in his previous two starts. He has one of the highest ceilings in a shaky bunch.
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