1-2-7-5
#1 Love Me Not (4-1) was just off the pace and beat a pretty salty starter-optional claim field in his last grass start with a career best 90. There are a few others here who like to run at pace, but he has the best early pace numbers so he should be able to establish himself as the controlling pace. #2 McCullough (3-1) rose to defeat second-tier rivals at the Presque Isle Downs synthetic last-out, in his first start for Brittany Russell and his first race after a six-month break. He won twice on grass last year in New York and finished second twice in second-level races at Tampa Bay Downs this winter. He will benefit if Love Me Not can’t get the easy lead he wants. #7 Wow, what a summer (12-1) is always overlooked in the betting, and although he rarely wins, he always finishes well and is more than capable of shaking up the exotics at a good price.
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RACE 5: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIM (N/W1X), 2-YEAR, MID, 1 MILE
5-8-6-3
#5 Hidden Rose (8-1) closed out the last modest fractions and won in his debut at Delaware Park, as one of only two starters in the field. Miguel Clement sent this from his base at Belmont Park for this race, and he’s sending her back to I-95 for another attempt at a mile. Clement is doing well with his Mid-Atlantic shippers – he’s gone 13 for 15 between Laurel and Delaware so far (although he has yet to win a race here). #8 Moon Buzzer (10-1) also broke her maiden going out last a mile, but she did that here in a gate-to-wire effort. It was by far the best performance of her four-race career and should again play a prominent role in the pace. #6 In her glory (2-1) went away as the even-money choice last on grass, losing by a neck after being edged out in the stretch. She is racing on conventional ground for the first time, and although she has never gone beyond six furlongs, her pedigree suggests she can handle the extra distance. Her mother, Zonda, was a stakes winner at 1 ⅛ miles, and her only racing sibling won as a 2-year-old at 7 ½ furlongs and a mile. The surface is the bigger question mark, but if she ventures in, she’ll be badass.
RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 1 mile (GRAS)
12-7-5-13
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#12 Spoils of War (7-2) has beaten similar fields to this one in her last two starts, coming out on top to win both times. As mentioned above, Horacio De Paz has had a great grass season, and this mare is a big reason for that. #7 Antonacci Girl (10-1) ran well during her last grass debut. She finished in third place behind Gift of Gab and Wonder Girl, a pair of stylish mares who have won five times between them this year. She hasn’t gotten this far on grass before, but she’s a winner at this distance on dirt, and is worth watching for a prize in a wide open race. Another intern from De Paz, #5 Buzzaway (5-1)poses a serious threat. She has won twice at this track this year, coming from far away and just getting up both times. She’s proven she can win with slow strides, so a potentially slow pace shouldn’t deter her too much.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, DIRTS AND MARIES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)
6-9-7-4
#6 Worth a dime (10-1) made her first start around two turns and a successful last out, as she captured the Maryland Million Ladies with a career best 85. Jorge Ruiz rode her for the first time that day and retains the mount. Anything near her morning line would be very generous. #9 Tap the champagne (9-2) took advantage of a sharp early pace to break her first last-place finish in her second race after a layoff of more than a year. She ran a huge 86 that day, a career-best nine points, and it looks like she has a lot of upside. #7 Mambo Queen (5-1) won her last two starts in close battles and steps up first in class after Brittany Russell’s claim.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 1 1/16 MILES
6-3-5-2
#6 Sassafrassness (6-5) has won three in a row, with her last two wins coming around two turns. Last in Delaware, she was forced to post a strong second quarter of 23.57, but still had enough left to hold off Atlantis Queen for the win. It seems like she can keep a leisurely pace and run with it from there. #3 Fearless Mo (4-1) is ridden lightly and is quickly improved with every start. She was third with an 85 in two turns for the first time two races back, then peaked at a 91 in a sharp win at seven furlongs last. Gary Capuano, who had a fantastic meet, should have her ready to go the extra distance. #5 Paradise Wins (8-1) has no early speed at all, which will likely endanger her if the early pace is as slow as predicted. However, she has finished third in her last three starts at this level, coming at a slow pace each time, so you know she’s good for at least a bottom spot when she runs her race.
RACE 9: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, MD LIMITED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
1-6-2-4
As a 2 year old, #1 Bucaro (2-1) was a winner of the bets on artificial grass and on grass. He ran a solid 84 in his only grass start of the year, which came first after a six-month break in late July at Colonial Downs against a salty group. #6 Dalinar (3-1) crashed the gate before his last start and as such may not have given his best effort. He plateaued after showing his usual early speed, but at his best he’s capable of going all the way. #2 Cheerful boss (5-2) rode evenly around the line in these conditions in two starts and finished third both times. His best hope is that Dalinar stops in the lead again and he gets the first jump.
RACE 10: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 5 1/2 furlongs
2-1-6-5
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