RACE 1: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-6-5-10

There were four scheduled grass races today, including this one, but they were pulled off the grass last night. Fortunately, many of the horses in them have lots of established dirt form. Speed did well on the wet dirt yesterday, so I’m leaning towards horses with speed today. #1 Krug (6/1) has run brisnet figures in the 80s in each of his last two starts, and takes a drop in class from a tough allowance race for 3-year-olds. He has some speed and the rail, an advantageous combo. #6 Halite (6/1) faced a tougher field at this level last out and made a solid move to the lead before flattening out. He also consistently runs in the 80s. #5 Beyond the Victory (2/1) was a force to be reckoned with over the winter, consistently running figures in the 90s, but he hasn’t shown that form in his recent starts. In his first two starts off the claim by Jerry Robb, he wasn’t even able to get to the lead, after showing lots of speed in his winter races. We’ll see if he can bounce back here.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $10,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

3-4-1-2

#3 Some is Nice (5/2) couldn’t outrun the winner on the lead last out, but managed to finish second, well-clear of the others. She has solid early pace figures in her last two starts and has a chance to get the lead here. #4 Tough One (2/1) ran a promising third after stalking the pace in her debut. However, that race was fifteen months ago. She’s caught a pretty easy field for her first start off a long break, but it will nonetheless prove a challenge. #1 Colorofacloud (5/2) has been close in her last few with competitive figures, but it’s hard to endorse a horse with an 0-for-30 mark.

RACE 3: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $16,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 FURLONGS

6-5-8-3

#6 Algebraic (9/5) has blazing early speed and has won four of his last seven. In all of those starts, he either set the early pace or was very close to it. This kind of race on this kind of track is tailor-made for him. #5 Big Tall Dawg (6/1) sat the trip and drew off to win in an off-the-grass affair last out. He’s won the last two times Jaime Rodriguez rode him, and he’s got Rodriguez back in the saddle today. #8 Oldies But Goodies (5/2) takes a big drop in class for his first start since mid-November and has been working well for a while now. Should get a good trip rating off the pace on the outside, and even if Algebraic outkicks the others, this one can hang on for second.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

6-5-4-7

#6 Uncle Jerome (2/1) led almost every step of the way last out but tired in the last eighth. He’s been getting better with each start since returning off a break and goes first off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez. #5 Phra Phrom (3/1) also has lots of early speed, but got away with slow fractions in his last start that he might not be able to get away with here. Nonetheless, he has position on Uncle Jerome and might be able to work out the trip. We’ll see. #4 Coastal Chaos (5/1) has great late pace figures but often leaves himself with too much to do at the end. If the track plays the same way today that it did yesterday, that also won’t do him any favors. A good candidate to round out the trifecta, or maybe even the exacta, but I can’t see him as a win candidate.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $25,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/8 MILES

12-5-8-13

#12 Scintillo (4/1) got caught up in a speed duel last out and faded. He’s very dangerous if he doesn’t have to actively battle for the lead, and goes first off the claim by Jerry Robb. #5 Stimulus Maker (3/1) improved sharply in his second start off a long layoff last out, running a 75 when finishing a game third. We’ll see how he handles the distance; his worst start was his only two-turn one. However, he went to the sidelines after that race, so the distance might not be to blame for the poor performance. #8 Bold Licorice (8/1) drops for a tag for the first time in his 2022 debut. He was visually unimpressive in two dirt starts at Delaware Park last year but did run competitive figures both times.

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

4-5-1-6

#4 Ragtime Blues (6/5) blew the field away on the lead in his local debut last out and should have little trouble handling these. #5 Day the Music Died (6/1) won his first race off a long layoff two starts back, then improved his figure four points to an 84 last out, even though he only got fourth. Should rate near the pace. #1 Maythehorsebwithu (9/2) consistently ran in the low 80s over the winter, but was unable to find his stakes-winning form for Jamie Ness in three starts. Goes first off the claim for Anthony Pecoraro and should benefit from the track if it stays speed-favoring.

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

3-4-12-14

#3 Fly Me Home (7/5) has been entered for grass three times in a row, but she’s gotten washed off every time. However, she’s shown plenty of aptitude on dirt, including a dominant gate-to-wore win to break her maiden last out. If she breaks well this one could be over quickly. #4 Tiz Susan Ann (9/2) stepped up in class for her first start off the claim for Anthony Farrior, and showed speed before fading. She usually sits just off the pace, and might be better off employing that strategy here. #12 Senson (6/1) finally broke through in her tenth try last out. Her backers will hope the “lightbulb” angle applies with her. She has speed but often has trouble sustaining it.

RACE 8: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-2-5-6

#1 Antipoison (3/1) drops in class and stretches out in distance. He’s been in sharp form lately and will get a good ground-saving trip. His stablemate, #2 Camp Pendleton (3/1), impressively cleared his n/w2L condition two starts back but struggled last out. Looks for a rebound here. #5 Boondoggle (2/1) switches back to dirt after a dismal grass try last out, and wired a weaker field impressively three starts back. If he can get the lead he’ll be very tough.