RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

1-4-5-9

A little bit later than expected, but we’re back in action for the final stretch before New Year’s. #1 Five Star Fran (7-2) was forced to check hard last out, but recovered and closed well to get third. She’s run brisnet figures in the 50s in each of her three starts, which should be enough to contend in this one. #4 Golden Blossom (12-1) improved second time out, when she showed speed for the first time and lasted until late. She’s interesting at a price second off the layoff. #5 Dunder Boss (3-1) has shown a good closing kick in her last few starts and has also run consistent figures.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-7-2-1

By virtue of being a 3-year-old, #4 Backatya (8-5) gets to run here even though he’s won more than twice. He has a gigantic figure edge over these, having run in the 80s in each of his last five starts, and will be very tough to beat with anything close to his best. #7 Spritzer (10-1) has chased the pace and run decent figures in his last few starts. He overcame a wide trip to clear his n/w2L condition at Charles Town last out and will likely have to overcome a similar setup here. #2 Forth (10-1) continues a steady drop down the class ladder here and has late pace figures good enough to sneak into the exotics. The only caveat is the distance; six furlongs might be too short for him.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 3, 4, AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-6-10

South Carolina-bred #2 Performanceanxiety (6-1) improved sharply in her second dirt start, running a 65 when closing well for fourth at this condition. This lightly-raced filly has some room to improve at a decent number. #3 Good Story (9-2) was outkicked by the hard-charging Hov Lane in her last start, but she closed well from behind and ran a 69. She’s worked consistently since that October 23 race and should be ready for another big effort. #6 Lookin Spunky (7-2) was a solid third in her first start at this condition and looks to sit the trip on the outside.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $10,000 (CONDITIONED), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-4-12-8

#1 Illusion of Hope (8-1) was blocked and got up for fourth in her first start at this level, but improved noticeably last out, running a 77 while closing from well off the pace. She hasn’t shown as much early speed in her last few starts, but if she can stay closer to the pace she could prove especially potent. #4 Shinelikeadiamond (6-1), making her final start for the Dale Capuano barn, has run a 77 in back-to-back starts on this track. She coasted to a gate-to-wire win when allowed an easy lead a few starts ago and looks fast enough to at least vie for the lead from the inside. #12 Meraviglioso (9-2) has been improving in her last few starts and will need to overcome another wide trip to win her third straight.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

5-10-3-2

#5 Crimson Rocket (3-1) has run his two best dirt figures in his last two races. He went off as the odds-on choice last out but flattened out after chasing the pace. He has a similar figure edge this time around and you’ll get a better price. #10 Mosler Safe (5-1) was well-bet against better in his last two starts. He flattened out after racing wide in those races, but he might be able to get away with a trip like that against these. #3 Born for Victory (6-1) is the lightest-raced horse in the field and hasn’t run worse than a 67 in five career starts. He acted up before the race last out and expounded a lot of energy.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 2-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-5-8

#3 Happy Time (3-1) was rating near the pace and in the midst of a solid debut effort when she clipped heels and went down. She turned in a five-furlong workout on Dec. 21, going five furlongs in 1:02 3/5, That line might throw some bettors off the scent, but if she was allowed to finish, it might’ve been a very different story. #2 Carmel Sunrise (10-1) checked trying to avoid that spill and was well-beaten. She ran figures in the 50s in her prior two races; both marks are good enough to contend. #5 Bali Hai (6-1) didn’t do much in her first two starts against better, but she should be more comfortable at this level.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

10-5-1-6

#10 Pharaoh’s Triumph (5-2) was thrown out of sorts in his last start when he was squeezed at the break. Usually near the front, he was forced to come from off the pace, and rallied for a solid fifth-place performance with his best figure in months. No one in here looks particularly fast early on, so if he breaks cleanly he should be able to sneak away. #5 Auspicious Lad (6-1) also has early speed, but his pace figures aren’t as fast as the best of Pharaoh’s Triumph. Nonetheless, he broke his maiden on the lead two races back, and made it to the front despite a wide early trip before fading last out. #1 Hellman (7-2) hasn’t run worse than a 77 in his three most recent dirt starts and has a steady closing style that should at least earn him a check here.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

8-1-2-6

#8 Escape Fund (5-2) won three in a row against these types at Delaware Park over the summer and should improve off a dull race at Charles Town last out. #1 Little Ms Scarlet (4-1) makes her first start since she went down in a spill at Penn National in late September. She’s worked consistently since mid-November with a string of a sharp four-furlong workouts. She won at this level in July and her usual closing kick makes her a threat. #2 My Boss Lady (8-1) was outkicked by runaway winner Italian Dressing last out, but kept on late and lost a three-horse photo. She’s run in the 70s consistently all year and should hang on for a share.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 3-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

10-1-2-3

#10 Pursuing Pace (8-5) was no match for the runaway winner Tate last out, who got a jump on him, but chased well and ran 77, He’s going first off the claim for Kieron Magee. #1 Only Child (7-2) makes just his second start against winners. In his first start at this condition, he set relatively fast early fractions and faded. He’ll try to slow things down on the front end here. #2 So There (12-1) improved dramatically to break his maiden at Delaware last out and will try to keep it going here. Jeiron Barbosa gets in the saddle for the first time.