RACE 1: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 4 1/2 FURLONGS

1-4-6-5

2-year-old racing officially begins in Maryland with this race. Of course, no one in the field has raced before, so trying to decipher anything in this one is an inexact science at best. I’ll default towards the two Jerry Robb starters, #1 Tappin Josie (2/1) and #4 Cocktail Dreaming (4/1), and lean towards Tappin Josie, as she has a slightly more extensive worktab and gets Xavier Perez up. #6 Alexis’s Storm (6/1) has also been working very sharply lately at Fair Hill, including a bullet four-furlong drill in 49 seconds.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-2-4-1

#6 Baptize the Boy (3/1) consistently runs brisnet figures in the 80s but didn’t show a strong closing kick towards the end of last year. He hasn’t raced yet in 2022, so perhaps the time off will help him out. #2 Air On Fire (9/5) is coming off a longer breaker, having not been seen since September 19. He has lots of early speed and should be at home against these types. #4 Fast Cash (7/2) has been on a stop-and-start campaign this year. He last raced on January 27, when he turned in an uncharacteristically flat effort after winning his prior two with big figures. He may have been hurt in that race, as a claim on him was voided and he hasn’t been seen since. He then worked out on March 10, then went back on the sidelines and did not return to the tab until April 28. Now he’s back for a race. We’ll see if he’s back to his old self.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

5-8-12-13

#5 Looks Don’t Lie (10/1) has shown speed and faded on several occasions, but she was steadily improving form when grass season ended. She showed little last out in her first start of the year, but the race nonetheless served as a nice prep for a race like this. Looks like a threat to take them gate-to-wire. #8 Hollywood Walk (5/2) hung in there on debut on grass at Colonial Downs last out, and was a solid-closing second on debut in her first race of the year. She’s another one who should benefit from a race under her belt. #12 Dancing Sophia (9/2) rallied and just missed in her last start on grass at Tampa Bay Downs and should be rolling late here. She’s gotten stuck behind some slow setups in her last few races.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-4-2

#3 R Averie Lynn (3/1) has been on a rather impressive streak lately, having finished second in four in a row and five of her last six. She’s going to set the early pace here, and looks fast enough early that she shouldn’t have many challengers on the lead. She looked home free at Charles Town late before getting caught; hopefully that does not play out again here. #1 Little Ms Scarlet (2/1) sat the trip last out and couldn’t convert, but did win impressively two starts back. She has it in her to run a winning race. #4 Maureenlovesfrank (9/2) made a steady rally to win at this condition last out, but now faces a tougher field here. Should at least close for a piece.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-9-5-4

#7 Mosler Safe (6/1) improved a bit in his second start off a long layoff, closing for second with a decent mark of 70. That’s a bit below the figures he had been running last spring before going on the sidelines. He’ll look to put it all together third off the layoff. #9 Mailman’s a Flyer (4/5) has run some big figures in his last few starts, including a giant mark of 85 last out. However, he’s burned a ton of money in spots where he’s looked much the best, so I’m a bit suspicious. #5 Big Daddy D R (9/2) recovered from a bad start to get second on debut and should improve second time out.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $8,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-1-5-2

#7 Blue Sky Venezuela (2/1) got caught wide against a tough field last out and flattened out. She was impressive in victory in her two prior starts, including a starter allowance victory two starts. Will get a good trip pressing the pace from the outside. #1 Dat Deres Gold (6/1) generally chugs along for a piece of the exotics. She ran her best race two starts back, when she was second behind Blue Sky Venezuela after rating off the pace. #5 Torch Carrier (8/1) fought hard and won against conditioned types last out and ran a sharp figure of 72 in doing so. She’s fairly lightly-raced, having raced just eight times with three victories.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE (GRASS)

16-2-9-5

There’s not much grass experience in this race, which will give #16 Jardani (5/2) a big advantage on the others if he draws in. He closed for second despite a wide trip at Gulfstream Park last out and has run at least a 69 in his last three grass races. #2 Consultant (9/5) drops to this level for the first time and adds lasix for Mike Trombetta, but has not been seen since October. At least he’s shown promise on the lawn, including a game effort with a figure of 71 last out. #9 Bridge to Success (6/1) ran a 76 to nab third on debut sprinting on dirt, and will try to transfer his promising form to a new surface.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 miles

6-2-5-1

#6 The Addison Pour (5/2) was probably the best in his last start, as he overcame a wide trip to finish third, beaten a neck. Looks ready to put it all together fourth time out for Brittany Russell. #2 Uncle Irish (3/1) closed strongly to get second two starts back, outkicking The Addison Pour in the process, and matched his 81 figure with a less visually impressive race last out. #5 Majestic Frontier (3/1) ran back-to-back figures of 86 and 90 earlier in the winter but has struggled somewhat in his last two. Looks to get back on track here.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIESS, 7 FURLONGS

7-3-5-4

#7 Smart Eulee (5/2) recovered from some traffic to get third last out. She’s hit the board in each of her three starts so far and has never run below a 66. She went off at odds-on last time, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see her at low odds once again. #3 If Then (6/1) adds blinkers and should be near the pace from the inside. Her best race so far came in her debut, where she closed well to get second with a mark of 70. #5 Fashionista (2/1) has hit the board in four straight and is coming off a performance where she equaled her lifetime-best figure.