Most of the logical players in this allowance/optional claimer want the early lead. That’s not surprising — it’s a 4 1/2-furlong dash. But it does open up the possibility of a horse rallying from farther back to get the money, and the horse that does that could be #7 Manarola (6-1). The Javier Contreras trainee has run OK in her two starts after a three-month break, has won against similar, and reunites with rider Antonio Lopez. With Lopez aboard, Manarola finished first or second in four consecutive starts to conclude her ’21 campaign… The ultra-quick #3 My Best Friend (2-1) is the most likely runner to grab the early advantage and take ’em all the way. She’s won two straight impressively at the trip and should be on the engine once again… It might be she’s just not that horse anymore, but let’s give one more crack to #6 Nice n’ Broad (20-1). She won against similar last year, was off from May until late January, and makes her third start off the bench here… Trainer Anthony Farrior has a pair in here in My Best Friend and #4 Lookingforanewspot (5-1). This one won last out against starter foes and has leading rider Bocachica aboard; it looks like My Best Friend is quicker early, though, so this one likely hopes for a stalk-and-pounce trip…