RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 5 1/2 furlongs (GRAS)
10-14-1-11
#10 Wonder Girl (9-5) has won twice in a row at this level. She didn’t win as impressively as usual last time out, having to hold off Quick Power Nap’s late rally. However, she still got the job done and looms large in this group. #14 Gift from Gab (5-1) hasn’t been a factor in her last few efforts against rivals Delaware and Penn National. However, she has raced in the starter optional claiming business three times, winning twice and finishing second once. #1 Bustin Bullet (2-1) races first off Anthony Farrior’s claim and has tremendous speed off the rail.
RACE 5: GIRL CLAIMING $16,000, 2 YEARS, 5 1/2 FURLOONS
3-2-10-12
After showing almost nothing in his first two starts, #3 Sugar on fire (12-1) woke up big time on third and asked about Delaware. He fought for the early lead in a multiple match. Everyone else involved finished well down the track, but Sugar On Fire held on bravely to finish a clear second, losing only to a rival who had a perfect ride off the fast pace. #2 El Papacito (8-1) extended to a mile last with disastrous consequences. His races at the current distance or shorter are much more encouraging. See if he moves forward and try to continue. #10 Counting my blessings (10-1) showed speed and faded at the first ask, but he has worked well since and was able to make a nice run near the pace on the outside.
RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIM (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLD, FEMALES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)
12-8-7-10
#12 In her glory (5-2) was scratched in a similar spot on October 3, has worked three times since and is now ready to rumble here. She ran a huge race to break her first race at Saratoga two starts back, improving 11 points to 83. Runner-up Sadie Earp won next at Kentucky Downs, while third-place finisher Bibi Dahl returned to win a maiden race at Monmouth Park. In In Her Glory’s next start she rose late and just missed the Presque Isle Downs Debutante Stakes, improving further to an 87. She switches back to grass and drops in class. #8 Amberia (12-1) didn’t give much of a double turn in her American debut in the Selima Stakes, but ran very well over sprint distances in England earlier in her career. She has every opportunity to improve. #7 Dale’s Bluff (6-1) has improved with each start and finished last in this state behind a Mike Trombetta-trained runner who overwhelmed the field. She has shown that she can run well both off-pace and just off-pace.
RACE 7: CLAIMING $12,500 (N/W2L), 3 year olds and older, fillies and mares, 6 furlongs
3-4-8-6
If Shezahotmess wins earlier today it will be even more validating #3 Anita Beer (3-1). She beat that rival two starts back, then ran well in an overall finish in her first start against the Delaware winners in her next start. She is the only one in the race to have run in the 70s in each of her last two starts. #4 Loss (6-1) finished second in her last start in these conditions, chasing runaway winner South Pacific. She has solid tactical speed and should benefit in a race where it looks like there is a lot of cheap speed. #8 Standstill game (2-1) battled for the lead and faded last by a mile in her second start after an eight-month layoff. She adds blinders here and should run much better by shortening the distance.
RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)
2-5-3-14
LATE PICK 5 STARTS HERE, CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO ANALYSIS
#2 McRavin (3-1) initially ran a big race and ended with a rush of very slow fractions to win. Runner-up Juris Doctor broke his lead as favorite last Saturday, while third-placed Monterrey won at Charles Town on his next start. This one gets a class test, but he has shown a lot of skill and commands respect. #5 Whenever you want (12-1) has had back-to-back best marks in his last two starts, finishing third behind some fine horses at Colonial Downs. He will look to have a good trip near the pace. #3 Koningsrivier (7-2) closed from modest fractions to lose the Maryland Million Turf Starter Handicap by a nose in his last start, losing a nosebob shot to Whiskeyinthejaro. If he can get out late, he’ll be rolling.
RACE 9: SPECIAL WEIGHT GIRL, 2 YEAR OLDS, MD LIMITED, 6 STATES
6-7-5-2
#6 Point Aven (5-2) has worked like an absolute tank, with three bullet workouts in his last four timed exercises. He comes from an early-win family; In fact, his trainer, Phil Capuano, sent a distant relative, Ms. Notion, to victory at the first question last November. He will have to tackle a big race on his debut to beat this experienced field, but all indications are that he is capable of doing so. #7 CaseoftheMondays (5-1) returns to fast rest after last racing eight days ago. He put in a respectable performance in both starts, despite not being able to settle down early. We’ll see if he can finally save himself. #5 Tartabull (2-1)the first foal of local legend Anna’s Bandit, makes his first local appearance after finishing well on the track in two attempts at Saratoga. A change of scenery and a switch in rider to Xavier Perez, the jockey of Anna’s Bandit, could wake him up. That said, it’s almost certain he overcommitted.
RACE 10: ALLOWANCE FOR OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3 YEARS AND OLDER, FEMALES AND MARIES, 6 FURLONGS (GRASS)
10-2-9-3
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