RACE 1: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-10-1-7

It’s time to kick off the Laurel Park fall meet! Nine races are on the schedule today. #2 Eleazar (9-2) ran a big race in his first start off the layoff last out. He was pressed on the lead throughout but battled back gamely, ultimately losing a three-horse photo finish while running a sharp brisnet figure of 72. He faded on dirt last out but did run a career-best mark of 74 and should improve further returning to the lawn. #10 Refund Rigler (5-1) broke his maiden at Parx last out in a much-improved race and will also be a serious early pace factor. #1 Great Assumptions (9-2) takes a much-needed drop in class from the n/w1x level at Delaware Park last out. He just missed at this condition after setting the pace two starts ago and has tactical speed. He should rate off the pace on the rail.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

3-6-7-2

#3 Rascally Rebel (5-2) continues to drop down the class ladder. He showed much more early speed than usual last out, rating in third, and ended up with a career-best figure of 57. We’ll see if this kind of race is what he needs. #6 Preacher Amos (8-1) chased the pace and was third in his first start off the layoff at Timonium, chasing front-running Blame the Bourbon and next-out Pimlico winner I Once Stood Alone. He returns to dirt after a dull try on the lawn last out. #7 Buck Wild (8-1) was fourth that day at Timonium and looks to get back on the right track after a bad break in his most recent start.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

3-4-2-7

#3 Crossland (7-2) chased the pace two starts back and tired, then set it last out and almost held on for an upset victory. There’s not much early speed in this race, so he should be able to get the trip he wants. #4 Grand Manner (8-1) is the only one in the race who can press Crossland. He returned to grass last time and faded after setting the early pace. Still, if he’s rated off the lead, perhaps he can hang around late for a slice. #2 The Last Scip (3-1) ran as high as an 84 earlier in the year but has been somewhat flat in his last two races. He was wide throughout in his last race and got a mild third, so a ground-saving trip could prove more to his liking.

RACE 4: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

4-3-5-2

The disappointing last line of #4 Miss Georgie (9-2) might throw some bettors off the scent, but there’s a reason why Lacey Gaudet sent her up to Saratoga for the Spinaway Stakes. She impressively broke her maiden on debut here on August 20, racing with a clear lead throughout and drawing off to a 2 1/4-length win. Since the Spinaway, she’s settled back in here and turned in a good four-furlong drill on September 21, so she should be ready to go once again. #3 Tappin Josie (5-2) was beaten a neck by Bound By Destiny two races ago, who had since gone on to win two stakes races at Delaware Park. This one couldn’t make the lead and was hard to handle last out, but has room to improve here. #5 Bosserati (3-1) sat the trip and got up to win going away on debut at Timonium, and could get a similar trip here with lots of speed signed on.

RACE 5: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

7-9-10-4

#7 Artemus Bridge (9-2) has bounced around between a few different stables this year. Here, he’s making his first start for Rudy Sanchez-Solomon. He ran a lifetime-best figure of 87 last out at Monmouth Park despite a less-than-idyllic trip, and ran a 84 a few starts ago to narrowly miss his prior top. #9 Go Poke the Bear (6-1) tried to go a little too far at Monmouth last out, where he flattened out in a 1 3/8-mile race. Still, he’s run in the low-80s consistently as of late and can win this with a well-timed move. #10 Resident Liberal (15-1) made good ground in the stretch of his most recent outing, but left himself with too much to do in the last eighth. He almost pulled the upset in his two prior races when he was closer to the pace.

RACE 6: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-8-2-6

#5 Boss Logic (8-5) showed speed and repelled his challengers to win last out, in his first start off the claim by Jamie Ness. When his early speed is utilized, he’s dangerous. His biggest threat on the front end may be #8 Millean (8-1), who went gate-to-wire to win first off the layoff last out. If he can clear to the front from the outside post, he could cause trouble for the rest. #2 Vinny (5-1) blew away a conditioned claiming field two starts back, but broke awkwardly and didn’t stand much of a chance in his last start. He’s a hit-or-miss type: either he draws away easily or he backs up badly. We’ll see which version of him shows up here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES

2-3-7-6

#2 Preparefortakeoff (4-1) has run her best two dirt figures in her last two starts on this surface. She ran a big race to win first off the layoff in mid-July while dueling for the lead throughout. #3 Mit Mazel (8-5) has lots of early speed and was competitive at this level last fall and early winter, but hasn’t raced since April 1. This Maryland Million eligible could win despite the layoff with the right trip, but I’m not sure if she’s worth a low price. #7 Quiet Imagination (8-1) loves to fall well off the pace and make big late moves to get a piece. She’s finished second six times from 13 starts on this track, and hasn’t won a race since July 2020. She could get into the exacta or trifecta at a decent price, however.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

2-1-6-4

More Maryland-breds! #2 Miranda’s Desmond (6-1) improved sharply in her second start off the layoff with a gate-to-wire win at Delaware. She hasn’t raced since late July but has a good recent workout. #1 Flirtatious Lassie (6-1) will press the pace on the rail and ran consistent figures at Delaware over the summer. #6 Hitch a Ride (4-1) closed strongly in the stretch to lose by a length in her grass debut last out, while facing tougher horses than she’ll see here. She was further off the pace than usual that day and can run away from them with the right trip.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

5-3-7-6

#5 Bumperdoo (7-2) has won three of his last four starts between Parx and Delaware, running 91s in his last two starts. Most of these struggle to run a figure that high even once. This one will be tough to beat if he runs his best. #3 Walk Away Joe (3-1) has improved with every start since coming off a nearly year-long layoff. He’s hit the board in his last two starts at this condition, including a third-place effort last out where he ran a season’s-best mark of 90. He’ll hope to get a similar trip as Bumperdoo while saving more ground. #7 Kershaw (7-2) was claimed out of his last start at Saratoga on July 14, and although he’s been stabled at Monmouth and worked there a few times, he did not make a start during that meet. He ran in the 90s with regularity earlier in the year and tries to rebound after a few subpar races in a row.