RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-5-8

Nine races for today’s program. #4 Five Star Phil (7/2) has lots of early speed, but has been racing at distances that might be a bit too far for him. Should be fast enough early to cross over and set the pace. #3 Amicalola Falls (5/1) has rapidly improved in each of his recent three starts, breaking his maiden last out with a great brisnet figure of 76. Looks to get another great setup. #5 Deshackled (8/5) loves getting checks but hates winning, with a 1-for-31 lifetime mark. Gets some class relief after numerous tries at the $16,000 non-winner of two level but will be tough to bet at low odds.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

2-6-4-1

#2 Caribbean (2/1) beat a few of these last out in an impressive gate-to-wire effort, He’s the only one in the field who has run in the 90s in each of his last two races. #6 Pretty Good Year (5/1) was outclassed in his last start but closed well off a slow pace for second two races back at Aqueduct. He’s susceptible to getting caught behind another slow tempo, however, he will assuredly turn in a game effort. #4 Boss Logic (3/1) drops from the n/w2x level and will press the early pace.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 1/2 FURLONGS

7-1-2-5

#7 La Casa d’Oro (3/1) closed mildly to get fourth in her first dirt start last out, improving to a career-best figure of 77. Makes her first start for the Brittany Russell barn here. #1 Happy Tappy Sue (4/1) has been working well for her debut, including some recent bullet drills at Pimlico. Ben Perkins Jr is sharp with first-timers. #2 Senson (9/5) always shows early speed and fades, but hangs around for a piece. She’s hit the trifecta six times in her eight career starts. Expecting a similar result here.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

10-9-3-2

#10 Silent Service (10/1) goes second off a long layoff and first off the claim for Anthony Farrior. He was well-bet at this level last out, but had a rough break and showed little. I’d be surprised if you got the 10/1 morning line on him, but he should still be a good price. #9 Strange Arrange (9/2) broke his maiden at Turfway Park in gate-to-wire style and was claimed out of that race by Charles Frock. Should be a major pace presence. #3 Trustyourinstinct (4/1) has run in the 80s in three of his last four races and will get a great trip just off the leaders.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-11-8-4

#6 Bliss This (5/2) fought hard on the lead throughout in his last race and has run in the 70s in three of his four career starts. He outfinished Icy Minister by almost six lengths in that race; that one came back to win next out. #11 Classy Union (6/1) ran a career-best figure of 74 last out but could not take advantage of a great trip. Should at least get up for a piece of the exotics. #8 Gold Guy (9/2) made his debut at 1 1/16 miles and showed speed before stopping badly. This distance should be more to his liking.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-7-2

#6 Armando R (7/2) has made some very impressive closing rallies in his last few starts, including a 3 1/2-length win against first-level allowance foes three races back. He’s going to be way behind early, but should close strongly and at least get a piece of the exotics. #1 D’Rapper (8/5) has won three of his last four races and will be the controlling speed. He held on over several of these, including Armando R, in his most recent start. #7 Irish Meadow (12/1) ships in from Charles Town off some improving races and has great late pace figures. If he can stay close to the early leaders, he could pull the upset.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

5-2-1-4

#5 Combat Queen (9/5) has been showing speed and fading in her last few starts, and tired when outclassed in the Conniver Stakes last out. However, she’s now facing a field where she looks much the best on paper. Looks like a now-or-never spot for her. #2 Killy Start (5/1) sat the trip and drew off to break her maiden last out, and enters here with rapidly improving form. #1 Mattitude (9/2) goes third off the layoff and comes off a career-best figure of 82, earned in victory against Maryland-breds last out. She showed a new dimension in that race, coming from off the pace after showing speed in her prior few.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-1-5

This race is the same condition as the race prior, just a half-furlong further. #3 Tiz Susan Ann (9/5) was claimed out of her last start at Turfway Park by Anthony Farrior. She closed well in her last few starts and now faces a very soft field for the level. #2 Summer Odds (5/1) made a powerful move to the front and drew off to win easily last out against starter optional claiming types. A similar move would likely win this one. #1 Who Knows What (4/1) overcame a rough trip to get second, beaten a length, against these types in her most recent start. Will get the good trip just off the leaders.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

6-1-2-5

#6 Heffner (7/5) consistently runs figures in the 80s and drops from n/w1x company, where he’s been racing very well. He got up to win at that level two back and just missed last out. #1 Rustys Gfivefifty (5/2) has been very sharp in his last two races, including an impressive victory against $25,000 horses in his last start. #2 Blo My Budget (6/1) ships in from Penn National, and while his figures are a touch below those of the big two, he’s in improving form and should hang around for a piece.