6-3-4-1
#6 Backstretch Roos (6-1) is one of a few here coming out of the Thirty Eight Go Go Stakes. She was defeated by Complexity Jane, who was almost slow paced and won by moving away. However, she still ran a big race and came from well off that small pace to finish third. She has shown in previous races that she can win by modest fractions and can avoid Complexity Jane and Thirty Eight Go Go runner-up Doctor Abbie, both proven two-turn runners. #3 Clock Clock (4-1) might get a case of seconditis. She finished second three times in her last four starts, including a loss in the Maryland Million Distaff Starter Handicap in which she looked like she was about to blow by and hung on. Still, she has already run well for a mile or more and has good tactical speed, so she cannot be dismissed completely. Still, I would advise treading lightly. #4 Stopwatch (3-1) recently won twice by doing two turns on grass. She showed some promise in her only dirt start to date, finishing second in her Delaware Park debut. It wouldn’t be a surprise if this turned out to be a perfect place for her.
RACE 5: CLAIMING $7,500, 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 1 1/16 MILES
4-1A-9-2
#4 Maximo madness (7-2) switches back to dirt after battling on grass most of the year. She ran a 77 and an 84 in her last two dirt races in April, both of which are better than almost anyone else has run recently. She will also receive class exemption after facing optional starters claiming rivals in most of her last few starts. #1A Major Houlihan (3-1) fought hard in the lead to regain two starts at this track, then went to the sidelines after a second attempt at Delaware in mid-July. Hugh McMahon is hitting a solid 19 percent as his runners are the first to get going after a layoff of 90 or more days. #9 Chublin (5-1) won when he last headed to Charles Town on a stalk-and-pounce trip. She should get a similar setup here.
RACE 6: GIRL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-6 YEARS, FIRMS AND MARIES, 1 MILE
5-14-13-12
#5 Close-up (7-2) makes her first start on dirt after spending her previous twelve starts on grass and the Gulfstream Park Tapeta. She finished a strong second with two starts in a race for amateur jockeys before finishing fourth, beaten by less than a length, in a driving, overall finish last. Anthony Farrior is shooting a strong 21 percent as his runners move from grass to dirt, and that number will improve as this one’s form continues. #14 Nobody Girl (6-1) also makes her first start on dirt, but ran in the mid-60s in her last two grass starts and has raced only three times. She looks like she has a high ceiling and should have a decent price. #13 Fall in Vermont (8-1) got on the board four times in five starts at this level this spring, shooting a respectable 62 first after a 4.5-month layoff last.
RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 year olds and over, 6 furlongs
8-10-9-1
#8 Kerness K (5-2) last led a huge race, in his first race after a 10.5 month break. He battled through fast fractions, including a second quarter of 22.95, and pulled away to win with a career-best 90. He should improve even more in his second start of the year, and could prove a serious force in Maryland-bred stakes competition over the winter. #10 Bad Boy (9-5) finished third behind Kerness K two starts ago and then bounced back with a dominant win against Maryland-limited foes with a season-best 96. He should have a nice trip just off the pace on the outside for the red-hot Gary Capuano/Yedsit Hazlewood trainer/jockey combo. #9 Crab Dad (12-1) has been closed to small stocks at good prices against these types in his last two starts. He has great closing speed, and while six furlongs may be too short for him, for a small spot he is worth respecting.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIM (N/W3X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, 6 FURLONS
4-1A-3-2
#4 Sunny breeze (6-1) finished third at this level behind easy winner Petingas Twin, who returned to win the Dave’s Friend Stakes last Saturday. This one hasn’t won in a while, but it’s still going strong. He’s one of two here who will run in the 90s in each of his last two starts, and will be by far the better value of the two. The other is #1A Rome (1-1)who was last seen on September 21. He easily beat another third-level field that day with a 96, the third time this year he has achieved such a high mark. Something probably went wrong with him that day, as a claim against him was declared void and he missed the Maryland Million Sprint, in which he would have been one of the favorites. If he runs his race, he will be very difficult to beat. That said, his work pattern is a bit alarming. He returned to work in late October, worked twice, didn’t work again for a month and has had just one practice in November, a mid-four-furlong practice last Friday. #2 Take a Hint (3-1) dominated an optional starters claim field with a final out of 98, a career-best score and a dramatic improvement from his previous few races. He has plenty of back class and has won four times at this track, including the Not For Love Stakes last year. It wouldn’t be surprising if he got close to that mark again.
RACE 9: GIRL CLAIMING $25,000, 2 YEARS, 6 STATES
1-3-5-2
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