RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

4-2-6-9

There’s eight races on today’s card in central Maryland. Four races scheduled for the grass, including this one, were pulled off last night. The track got hit by some thunderstorms earlier in the week, especially on Wednesday night. #4 Stimulus Maker (4-1) showed more promise with every dirt start since returning from a long layoff in early April, with brisnet figures in the 70s every time. He should be near the pace. #2 Federal Offense (10-1) battled on the lead and drew off to break his maiden against $16,000 types last out, with a career-best figure of 69. He showed a lot more speed than usual in that race, so it’ll be interesting to see what strategy is employed here. #6 Street Lamp (5-1) drops for the starter optional claiming level at Penn National. He ran in the 70s consistently over the winter and looks for a rebound after two consecutive dull tries.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

6-4-5-7

#6 Miss Fussy Pants (7-2) chased loose leader Don’t Tell Deren in her last start. While she had no chance of catching that impressive winner, who coasted to the wire eight lengths in front, she outkicked the others and finished second in a much-improved race from her debut. Brittany Russell 2-year-olds always get bet around these parts, but she’s won just one 2-year-old race this meet, with Heldish on July 1. She’ll try to add another winner with #4 Anath (2-1), a half-sister to last year’s Perryville Stakes winner Hesmyhoneybadger. This filly has shown a string of good four and five-furlong workouts, but the debut for such a low tag is a bit of a concern. I’m interested to see what kind of money she takes. #5 Blame Catalaya (6-1) makes her debut for Anthony Pecoraro. She’s had some good workouts at Delaware Park and gets Carol Cedeno to come in for the ride.

RACE 3: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-9-11-2

#1 Elusive Agent (5-1) was well-bet on debut, and chased the pace to run a 74. If she improves a little bit off that race, she’ll easily beat these. #9 The Last Scip (6-1) ran in the 70s on dirt earlier in the year, but got caught up in a speed duel and stopped badly in her most recent dirt start on Preakness week. She adds blinkers and switches back to dirt. #11 Dominguez (15-1) showed some brief foot in her debut last out but flattened out. She faces a fairly soft field here and has room to improve at a price.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-3-1-2

This race begins the late pick 5, and it looks like it’s going to be determined by who gets to the front. I think it’s more likely to be the #5 Boondoggle (2-1) than #3 Moneyinthebanskey (5-2), based on the former’s better pace figures, and that Moneyinthebansky has been rated in his last few starts, whereas Boondoggle is more likely to be sent straight to the front. However, Boondoggle did come from just off the pace to win going away in his most recent dirt start, so we’ll see. #1 Antipoison (5-2) sat the trip and got up to win last out with a career-best mark of 82. If Boondoggle and Moneyinthebanksey end up burning each other out, Antipoison will be there to pick up the pieces.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

11-12-3-9

#11 Ashara (5-1) is the main speed threat in the race. She couldn’t get to the front from an outside post at Delaware last out, but she has among the best pace figures here and should be able to clear. #12 Police Woman (15-1) was well-bet on debut against weaker. She couldn’t hang on the lead, but managed to hold on for fourth. She has a chance to improve at a price. #3 Bella Bettina (9-2) is the biggest threat to Ashara on the lead. She got caught up in a duel last out and stopped badly. She’s cutting back around one turn here and has position on her rival, but wilted under pressure in that race and looks better suited for two turns in general. Jevian Toledo must be aggressive with her.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

6-4-5-3

#6 Contented Now (7-5) has run at least an 80 in four of his last five starts, including an 82 earned in an impressive win against better last out. If he can stay close to the pace he should wipe the floor with these. #4 Aftermath (5-1) came from way off the pace to win going away against these types last out. He got a solid pace to run into and will hope for another fast tempo here. #5 Millean (4-1) races for the first time since April 3. He cruised to an easy win against n/w2L horses that day. While he hasn’t lost against winners, he’s unlikely to get as easy a trip as he did last time.

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

1-6-5-8

#1 Canoodle (9-5) has finished second at this level two starts in a row. Two races ago, she fought gamely in the stretch and lost by just a neck to Swayin To and Fro, who came back to win a n/w2x race and is entered in a stakes at Colonial Downs on Tuesday. #6 Spicy Margarita (8-5) lasted through a duel and drew off to win easily at Delaware Park last out. The runner-up, Jet Force, came back to win at Penn National next out. #5 Watch Your Tone (20-1) has won two in a row against softer and has good tactical speed. I don’t think she can compete with the top two but can round out the trifecta at a decent number.

RACE 8: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-6-5-3

#4 Spotake (3-1) improved to a 66 in her first start on dirt last out, recovering from a poor start to get second. This is her first start off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez. #6 Sapphire Beauty (5-1) chased loose leader Polish Cookie last out in her first race of the year and held on for third, with a career-best figure of 66. #5 Tilted Tiara (5-2), a stablemate of Spotake, drops in class from straight maidens and has dramatically improved with every recent race.