RACE 1: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-3-2-1

Ten races on the Saturday card. The only question with #4 Five Star Phil (6/5) is if he can handle the extra distance. He came from behind to win a n/w2L race going away two starts back, and he ran back-to-back brisnet figures of 82. He has great recent late pace figures, but hasn’t run his best races at this distance. Still, he’s been very sharp lately and looms as a serious contender nonetheless. #3 Emphasize (4/1) switched back to dirt last out and cleared his n/w2L condition easily after stalking the pace. Shouldn’t have a problem with the jump in class. #2 Camp Pendleton (3/1) improved to get second in his second start at this level and should hang around for a piece of the exotics, at least.

RACE 2: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $25,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

8-2-3-4 (DIRT: 7-6-8-10)

All of my picks exit the same race at this level on May 1. #8 Mary Jane Chrome (3/1) came from the clouds to get up for second, beaten just a neck, in her first start on the grass this year. She’s getting better with every grass start and has blinkers off. #2 Closertotheheart (6/1) saved ground in that race and made a decent move on the inside, but got outkicked in the stretch and ended up fourth. She ran an impressive 84 last fall on this track in a maiden-breaking score. #3 Ampilo Esquema (4/1) ran impressively in her first start off the layoff, making up a ton of ground to lose by just two lengths. She might not have enough early speed to win but is a safe bet to hit the board.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

7-5-4-6

#7 Lantau (5/2) is a nose away from having won his last three dirt starts. He has tons of early speed, and although he’ll have to outrun some rivals drawn to his inside, he has the best early pace figures int he race and shouldn’t have much trouble doing so. #5 Heffner (2/1) cuts back to a sprint for the first time since New Year’s Day. He’s been keeping much better company than this, and made a premature move and held second in his last start at this condition. Look for him to sit just off the pace. #4 Gallant Gold (5/1) is also dropping in class and won impressively in his last start at this level with an 85.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $16,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/8 MILES (GRASS)

11-3-10-4 (DIRT: 5-13-1-4)

#11 First Lady Di Da (7/2) ran on the grass consistently over the winter at Tampa Bay Downs, and made a strong move to get fourth, with a figure of 66, last out. She looks like she’s getting better and will be running on late. #3 Little Miss Minion (5/1) made her grass debut at Aqueduct in her most recent start and ran a decent figure of 63 despite a wide trip. Should improve second time on the lawn and fourth time out overall. #10 Bay B (6/1) races for the first time since late October but has a strong closing kick.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

2-8-3-4

#2 Cowboy Cardo (7/2) has hit the board in his last five starts, including runner-up finishes in his two starts at this level. He rated just off the pace and ran on well last out. His consistency is his biggest asset. #8 Total Effort (10/1) broke his maiden impressively two starts at Aqueduct and goes first off the claim by Horacio DePaz. I don’t know if you’ll get his morning line price, but he has early speed and plenty of upside. #3 Tate (9/5) has burned up a lot of money lately against better, losing at 11/10 or lower four straight times. Maybe the drop in class will help the cause, but I’m still wary of him.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $40,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

4-2-3-6 (DIRT: 6-5-10-3)

#4 Twelveo’clockrock (6/1) ran her best grass race last out, setting the pace in a similar race to this one and holding on for fourth. Gets a rider switch to Denis Araujo and will likely show speed again. #2 Watch Me Disappear (4/1) went off as the 19/10 favorite last out in her first start of the year, and made a solid bid despite a wide trip. You’ll get a better price here if you still believe. #3 Princess Palmer (6/1) stalked the pace and got nosed out for third last out. Jevian Toledo gets back aboard after consistently riding her last year and should improve.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED, 1 MILE

1-7-5-4

#1 Charming Way (6/5) hasn’t run worse than an 80 in five career starts, while the rest of these struggle to crack that mark ever. She’s going to be very tough as long as she runs her race. #7 Fool Yourself (4/1) was no factor for the win at this level twice last fall despite going off as the favorite both times. However, she ran in the mid-70s/lower-80s on a consistent basis. This’ll be her second start off the layoff. Her stablemate, #5 Lady Fox (6/1) struggled in her last start at this condition but usually runs in the mid-70s outside of that one bad race.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

13-8-2-5 (DIRT: 2-9-12-4)

#13 Discreet Tune (9/5) was no match for The Critical Way in the Get Serious Stakes last out, but he nonetheless rallied for third with an impressive-for-the-level figure of 91. He ran a 95 two starts back off a great trip at Gulfstream Park. #8 Oldies But Goodies (4/1) was claimed out of his last start, an impressive starter optional claiming win, by Jamie Ness. He’s hit the board five times on this track and has good tactical speed. #2 Embolden (8/1) has run two big races since getting claimed by Mike Trombetta, including a strong-closing second on the Tapeta at Woodbine last out. He could be the value play of this race.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

5-1-6-2

#5 Smarten Up (2/1) made a solid move to the lead in a tough Long Branch Stakes field and held on to finish third behind Smarty Jones Stakes winner Dash Attack and graded stakes-placed Dean’s List. There’s no one of that caliber in here, luckily for him. #1 Uncle Irish (9/5) crushed a similar field in gate-to-wire fashion on Black-Eyed Susan day and has run in the 90s in back-to-back starts. He’s a serious threat to take them all the way again. #6 Majestic Frontier (6/1) chased Uncle Irish in that race and got second. He’s improved with each race and will go off at a decent price.

RACE 10: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE (GRASS)

7-5-4-9 (DIRT: 11-14-7-8)

#7 Favorite Image (4/1) couldn’t get to the early lead and was flat in his last start, but usually shows plenty of early speed. He’ll be tough if he gets his trip. #5 On the Engine (8/1) makes his third start off the layoff and his second start against winners. He ran in the upper-60s consistently on the lawn last year at Gulfstream. #4 Honor My World (6/1) drops in class and has great closing speed.