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

5-7-8-2

We’ve got a 9-race card on tap today, as we kick off the final month of the racing season. Note the slightly earlier post time. #5 Bettheover (10-1) showed some promise towards the end of last year, but went to the sidelines for a while after flattening out going longer on November 19 of last year. He returned after an 11 1/2-month break last out, but broke awkwardly and showed little. Since then, he’s put in a sharp four-furlong workout, going the distance in 49 1/5 seconds on November 25. If he improves at all second off the bench, he could surprise. #7 Notion to Tapit (7-2) regressed a bit last out after back-to-back impressive brisnet figures of 81 and 78. He finally broke through for his first career win after numerous defeats three races ago, and will try improve as he cuts back around one turn. #8 Its Over (6-5) battled but couldn’t get there against better n/w2L types earlier in the meet, then was flat at Charles Town last out after a wide trip. That line might be a bit distracting to players, and he should improve getting back to the big track. However, he’s burned a lot of money here lately, and I’m not too comfortable taking low odds on him even with the class drop.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $20,000, 2-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

6-2-1-4

#6 Read the Spec (7-2) is the only one in the field with a victory against winners, having sat the trip and defeated gems of a slightly lesser water last out. With lots of speed signed on here, he should work out a great trip near the pace. #2 Freddyness (3-1) was pressed on the lead last out at Parx and left his dueling partner in the dust, only to get nailed late. Still, it was a promising effort, and backs up the speedy form he showed in his maiden win two races back. If anyone gets away with a loose lead in here, it’ll likely be him. #1 Johnnyfrenchfri (9-5) cruised on the lead last out to break his maiden in gate-to-wire fashion, running far and away a career-best figure of 76. He’ll show speed from the rail but might have a harder time getting a clear lead than last time, with Freddyness drawn to his direct outside.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

4-3-1-2

I’m not sure what happened to #4 Appalachianheights (5-2) in her most recent. She raced well first off the claim for Charles Frock two back, but stopped badly after a wide trip in exactly the same type of race last out. She’s getting some class relief here, dropping from the starter allowance ranks, and gets Jeiron Barbosa back in the saddle. #3 Gold Time Vixen (3-1) finished third behind Appalachianheights last out, and comes in here off a slightly longer layoff. She’s been consistent as of late, running a 75 or a 76 in each of her last three races. #1 Viking Queen (3-1) has yet to win this year, but she has early speed and shouldn’t get much pressure up front.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

8-2-4-3

The form of #8 Boondoggle (3-1) is obscured by the fact that he’s no good on sloppy tracks. In his two most recent starts on a wet surface, he stopped badly. However, he’s run in the 80s in three of his last four starts over a fast track, including a sharp win at this level two races back. The best recent figures of #2 Jettin Out (8-1) are a few points below those of Boondoggle, however, he has great late pace figures and should be heard from late at a decent price. He got up to win two races ago at Presque Isle Downs, albeit in conditioned company. #4 Smile Bryan (9-5) has done his best recent running on grass, but has run some competitive dirt races in the past and is facing easier company compared to what he raced against on the lawn.

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

1-9-6-10

Half of the field has experience, and that’s the half I’m leaning on. #1 Donna’s Courage (7-2) raced wide over a wet track in her first start and showed little. However, she improved dramatically second time out. She set the pace and led almost the whole way before getting nailed on the wire by Ride the Rapids. She’s likely to set the early pace once again and should prove tough to catch once again. #9 Ellie Victorina (3-1) is Sheldon Russell’s first mount back since being unseated two weeks ago, and exits the same race as Donna’s Courage. She went off as the 13-10 favorite, but fell behind early and was unable to catch the top two, although she did close well late. She had to deal with some traffic in that race and hopes for a cleaner setup here. #6 La Tache (6-1) has closed well in her last two starts and cold make some noise with the right setup.

RACE 6: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

2-9-4-3

#2 Hot Lookin Royal (5-1) has shown adoration for this track in her two races over it. She broke her maiden here by eleven lengths on debut in April, then crushed a n/w2L field last out by seven lengths with a powerful move on the turn. She’ll be tough if she keeps it up. #9 Abidale (3-1) cruised to a gate-to-wire win at Parx last out. She ran an 84 that day, her second consecutive career-best figure. Her recent form is excellent, but she runs the risk of getting caught wide with early speed and the outside post. #4 Sweet Talia (6-1) has run her best races on this track, earning a 79 when fourth behind better last out. She’s had a revolving door of riders as of late; Jevian Toledo gets the call today.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

6-1A-7-8

#6 Victorian Riviera (9-5) dueled with eventual winner Oh Mrs. Maisel on the front end last out, and although she faded late, she held on for second, running a 67 in her first two-turn start. She’s cutting back a bit around one turn and should be at home at this distance. #1A Isabella’s Glory (2-1) came from well off the pace and finished with interest on grass last out, in her first start off a seven-month break. She was running in the 70s consistently at this time last year and looks to keep moving forward second off the bench. #7 Kerford’s Commish (12-1) ran a respectable 62 in her dirt debut last out, showing brief foot and racing evenly late. She could surprise for the underneath spots.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

6-3-4-5

Today’s featured event is highlighted by Timonium Distaff winner #6 Breviary (6-5). She was well-beaten against better stakes horses in her next three races, but now takes a big drop in class and will have these at her mercy if she runs her usual race. #3 Unrequited Love (5-2) has the most early speed by far and should be able to set an uncontested early pace. She’s flattened out on the lead in her last few but might be able to last if she sets modest enough fractions. #4 My Boss Lady (4-1) has run in the 70s consistently all year and looks for improvement first off the claim by Kieron Magee.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

1-3-5-8

#1 Only Child (8-1) had to work for it, but he prevailed in a long stretch charge at Delaware to break his maiden at tenth asking last out. He’s run back-to-back lifetime top races, and in an event where many of these are chronic losers, the fact that he’s never lost against winners has to count for something. #3 On the Engine (5-2) drops to this level for the first time and switches back to dirt. He’s run in the 70s on dirt in the past, but was flat as the favorite in his most recent dirt start. #5 Cash Kid (6-1) stopped badly last out after getting caught wide on the first turn last out, but ran in the 70s consistently prior to that race.