RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 1/16 MILES (GRASS)

12-7-4-2

The rest of the racing world may be going through Breeders’ Cup withdrawal, but around here, we’re getting amped up for a 9-race card, plus looking forward to the big day of stakes action this coming Saturday. We’ll kick things off today with a race for amateur jockeys. #12 Cainudothetwist (3-1) won a steeplechase race at Aiken very impressively last out. She opened up a long early lead and coasted to victory. She didn’t do much in her last flat start at Colonial Downs in September, but has some brisnet figures in the 70s in her lines and enters here in great form. #7 Satisfied (6-1) came from the clouds to finish second in his most recent grass start. He showed little in his prior races on the lawn but that effort signals drastic improvement. #4 Blue Kentucky Girl (5-2) has finished second in both of her races since coming back from a layoff and will show early speed from towards the rail.

RACE 2: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

4-2-3-6

#4 Luv U Mary Jane (2-1) has improved big-time with every start for Claudio Gonzalez, including a solid second-place effort with a 73. She’s stretching out around two turns for the first time, but she wasn’t getting tired at seven furlongs last out, so this shouldn’t be a big problem. #2 Shaymyname (7-2) does have positive two-turn experience, having finished second in a one-mile affair against similar at Delaware Park last out. She got hung wide around the turn last out after breaking from post position ten and stopped badly, but she shouldn’t have to worry about such matters here. #3 Carmel Sunrise (6-1) was hammered at the windows on debut and recovered for second after a poor break. She’s going first off the claim by Jose Corrales.

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

10-1-2-3

#10 Class Wizard (4-1) broke his maiden as the odds-on choice a few races back at Colonial, then struggled around two turns in his last grass start. Cutting back in distance should help the cause. He’s never lost at this level and is dropping from a race against gems of a slightly better water on dirt. #1 Gallant George (7-2) led late against these types last out but got caught, for his second runner-up finish in his last four starts. He’s been extremely consistent as of late, running either a 74 or a 75 in his last three races. Should draft near the pace on the rail. #2 Board Certified (6-1) didn’t show any of his customary early speed last out but did make up some ground late and got fifth. He might be better-suited for two turns but I’m open to giving him another chance. He gets a jockey switch to the hot-riding Horacio Karamanos.

RACE 4: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-6-3

#4 Slingshot Boy (5-1) improved significantly from his last two-turn start last out, closing for third despite a wide trip. He’ll try to keep the good things going. #5 I Am the Mike (12-1) has slowly improved in his last few races, narrowly missing second last out after a grinding rally. #6 World Factor (9-2) made mild ground last out at seven furlongs; we’ll see how he handles the stretch-out. He’s one of two in here for Brittany Russell; note Sheldon Russell decided to ride this one.

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

6-4-13-2

The difference a trip can make was on full display in the Maryland Million Turf Distaff Starter Handicap. While the winner, Pounding Music, saved ground on the rail in the stretch, #6 Downtown Katie (2-1) was forced six-wide in the lane and lost by a head. It was her third consecutive figure in the 80s. She’s facing a slightly better bunch than she did last time but will be a factor late with a better trip. #4 Nicolar (9-2) was a hard-charging second at this level last out, finishing ahead of two of the rivals she’ll see here. She’s hit the board in five of seven this year without a victory, but is nonetheless a strong underneath candidate. #13 Brushing (10-1) ran well first off the layoff at Parx two starts back, then was flat after a wide trip in the Turf Distaff Starter Handicap next out. She’s got a tough draw here but will be tough if she can work out a trip.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

8-3-1-4

#8 Cynergy’s Electra (3-1), a half-sibling to stakes winners Cynergy’s Star and Look Who’s Talking, recovered from a bad start to finish a solid-closing fourth in the Maryland Million Lassie, a race where no one made up much ground. She’s not in for the tag here, being a Maryland-bred, but is taking a class drop and should be a serious factor. #3 Fast Tracked (4-1), a first-time starter for Arnaud Delacour, also has some notable siblings. She’s a half-sister to Malibu Beauty, a multiple stakes winner this year, and stakes winner Steady Warrior. Those are two of nine winners produced by Slow and Steady. She’s had some bullet workouts lately, and Delacour, while usually not great with firsters, does have a 2-year-old first-out winner in Maryland under his belt this year. #1 Never Done (6-1) battled with Divine Romance most of the way last out and lost to her by a neck, with a career-best figure of 72. She’s been pounding on the door lately and will try to finally break through here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS (GRASS)

1-7-3-8

#1 Justwaveandsmile (4-1) loves this grass course, having won six times from eight starts on it. He won the Ben’s Cat Stakes against a solid field here in July, but was flat in a salty allowance race last out. He’s taking a drop in class and his recent form should be able to beat these. #7 Momos (4-1) has been close against these types in his last two starts and will be forwardly placed. With regular rider Victor Carrasco on the sidelines, Horacio Karamanos gets aboard. Fellow Mike Trombetta trainee #3 Maya Prince (12-1) has cleared his conditions quickly. He broke his maiden third time out at Colonial in his first start off a 6 1/2-month layoff, then came from the clouds to win a first-level race on this track last out. He’s getting a class test here but has lots of upside.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W2X), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-3-1-5

#7 Indian Lake (3-1) ran a giant race in his most recent dirt start. He battled with Whereshetoldmetogo in the New Castle Stakes at Delaware and lost by a head. He showed little after a rough start last out, but when he breaks well, he’s dangerous on the lead. He has no wins from eight starts on the year but most of those efforts were against better horses than he’ll see here. #3 Backnthewoods (6-1) is also taking a drop in class, having most recently finished third in the Challedon Stakes on this track. He ran the two best figures of his life in his last two starts, running a 95 and a 97 in those two races. He’s also going to show speed from closer to the inside and will try to keep Indian Lake honest. #1 Radical Right (9-2) came from well off the pace to get up for second at Delaware in his first dirt start of the year. If Indian Lake and Backnthewoods burn each other out, Radical Right will be there to pick up the pieces.

RACE 9: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE (GRASS)

12-3-8-7

#12 Witch (15-1) has improved with every start this year, peaking at a 78 last out, and will likely rate just off the pace on the outside. She was claimed out of her last start by Carl Doran and is racing for the first time since August 31. #3 New York Rock Star (8-1) broke through to win on dirt last out after a few near-misses at the Delaware meet. She hasn’t run worse than a 77 in her last three grass starts. #8 Gold Rush Kizzie (4-1) saved ground and burst through late to win at the Meadowlands last out and should put in a good rally late if she gets the trip.