3-5-8-7
Many of them come from the same race on October 26 in these conditions. #3 Worker Bee (6-1) was an easy first winner on his debut in late May, but then went to the sidelines before reappearing that day. There was enough confidence in him internally that Yedsit Hazlewood chose him over the other, better-rated Gary Capuano trainee in the race; Capuano later scratched the other horse. He made decent ground late to finish fourth. He has worked very well since then and should improve second off the bench. Max Capacity overwhelmed them in the October 26 race, but #5 Blue Forty-two (5-2) came off the pace to finish 1 ¼ lengths ahead of the rest, improving further to a career best of 82. He needs pace to get closer, but there’s enough pace here to make it. #8 Monday Booty (2-1) could not escape the fast Max Capacity in the final out of the James Lewis Stakes, but was then overwhelmed by runaway winner Balboa. This is a much easier spot and he looks quick enough to take the lead from outside despite the draw.
RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3 year olds and up, 5 1/2 furlongs (GRAS)
3-13-12-14
#3 Uncle Dar (3-2) went away as the final 7-10 favorite from the outpost in a similar spot. He looked ready to avoid them down the stretch, but Tough Workout, with Jorge Ruiz on board, dug in and wouldn’t let him take the lead. Now he’s moved much further in, Ruiz has no horse, and his recent figures tower above that. I don’t know if I’d bet on him winning at low odds, but he’s a good horse to build a pick 5 play around (especially considering this race is in both series). #13 Crane (9-2) has won his last two starts with much the same great ride in both races. He looks ready to get another great setup in the open on the outside. Ruiz, who rode him in these two victories, is not here today. Raul Mena has the call in place. #12 The count has begun (8-1) made a well-timed move to win at this level 23-1 last clean sheet. He won that race despite being very widely fanned down the stretch, so we know he can overcome traffic problems.
RACE 6: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 2 YEARS, FIRMS, 6 FURLONGS
8-5-1-9
#8 Hoof and boots (15-1) made her dirt debut last and went on an adventure as soon as the gates opened. The horse that was heading straight in swerved out and threw her jockey, who landed right in Hoof and Boots’ path. As such, Hoof and Boots were forced to check hard to avoid that rider, and had to check hard again after a quarter mile when the loose horse caused chain reaction interference. Despite everything, Hoof and Boots closed well when she was clear and lost second place in a photo finish. Fiesta La Luna, who finished in fourth place, returned to beat the low-priced first-time winners on her next start. This one is a step up in class, but it looks like a pretty soft girl’s field, and she should run much better without all the tricks she encountered last time. #5 Watch me shine (5-1) came on strong and finished second on debut last with a 73, the best last-out mark by seven points. She also does a paper jump in class, but the bigger question for me is the distance. That last attempt was a mile away; will her rally be as powerful as six panels? #1 My Girl at Home (8-1) is by the winning early stallion Great Notion and trained by Phil Capuano, who does well with starters. She will be a threat as long as she shows something if she asks first.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE FOR OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, MARIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)
5-4-7-10
#5 Dream (5-1) won two in a row at Penn National this summer and then almost set up a 70-1 defeat in the Glen Cove Stakes at Aqueduct as a final out. She recovered from the pace and came into contention late, ultimately finishing fourth with a career-best 88. These are certainly easier waters. #4 Simply put (3-1) made her first start with the Jamie Ness claim in the Crowd Pleaser Stakes at Parx Last Out. She was under pressure and finished well ahead of the track, but is now dropping in class and switching back to her preferred surface. She won twice at this level at Colonial Downs during the summer. #7 Independence Avenue (8-1) is also a recent winner in this state, having completed a second-level grass sprint on Tesio Day in April. She became the big favorite in Delaware in June, did nothing and went to the sidelines. Her recent training has been strong and Arnaud Delacour seems to have her ready for a big effort.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIM (N/W1X), 2 YEARS, 5 1/2 FUR LONGS (GRASS)
6-7-4-2
#6 Parks (15-1) gobbled up ground, winning 11-1 on her debut in mid-September, during a period when her trainer, Suzanne Stettinius, was red-hot. He finished a respectable third in the Laurel Futurity, was terrible in his most recent two-turn start on dirt, and has now been cleared to sprint on grass again. Those recent lines could drive its price straight to the overlay city. Mike Trombetta sends out a dangerous pair. #7 The magic of movies (9-2) is my preference, after breaking her former with a strong rally last in her third straight in-the-money finish. #4 Alden (2-1) led briefly into the stretch as a last-out favorite, but was caught late and finished second by a nose. She has a lot of speed, but I’m not sure she can hang on when put under pressure. That would make it okay for her stablemate.
RACE 9: GIRL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-6 YEARS, MIDRES AND MARIES, 6 FURLONGS
1-2-6-7
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