RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

3-6-2-7

Nine races on today’s card as we begin a special 4-day racing week. #3 Elusive Image (3-1) finally broke cleanly after two poor starts in a row in his most recent, but was flat in the stretch after a wide trip. He showed signs of life two races back, running a career-best brisnet figure of 70 while getting up for third. He’s a mystery at this distance but he hasn’t run a bad race relative to these. #6 Sir Smoak (5-2) showed speed and held well in his two-turn debut at Penn National most recently. No one else in here has shown much speed before, and he’s already raced well at this distance. #2 California Ghost (2-1) takes a career-low drop in class and has run some decent late pace figures, suggesting the mile shouldn’t be a problem.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

4-6-7-1

#4 Union Fleet (2-1) has closed boldly in his last two starts since getting claimed by Anthony Farrior, but has fallen short each time. In his first start off the claim, he broke slowly and fell further behind than he might’ve liked, then raced at six furlongs last out, which might’ve been too short for him. These look like ideal circumstances. His stablemate, #6 Ampersand (3-1), was rushed up after a poor start last out and, unsurprisingly, tired. When he breaks well, he’s usually forwardly placed, and there isn’t a lot of speed on his inside. #7 Highland Dream (10-1) has improved his figure with every recent start, including a career-best 85 in a strong second-place effort last out. However, these are better rivals than what he’s accustomed to.

RACE 3: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

4-2-5-1

This is a maiden claiming race in name only. Since all six horses in the field are Maryland-breds, they all get to waive the claiming price. #4 Blue Moon Bunny (4-1) improved to a career-best 70 in her last start, grinding on in the stretch to get fourth. She’s making her first start since November 14 but does have some good workouts since then. #2 Thunder Boss (6-5) has been competitive at this level since returning from a long layoff in October, but keeps falling just short while burning money in the process. In her last two starts, she went off at 2-1 or less, and is sure to be a much lower number today. She has to be respected but is hard to swallow at a low price. #5 Brzina (2-1) handled the class jump well in her most recent, closing for second and outfinishing Thunder Boss in the process. I’m interested to see how much money she takes.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-6-5-3

#2 Bernie’s on Fire (7-5) has won two in a row in front-running fashion, lasting through early pace pressure and drawing off both times. He’s only raced once since late September, but if he runs his race, he’ll be very tough to beat nonetheless. #6 Dialing Dixie (3-1) has won three of his last five starts, including a sharp win against conditioned foes last out when he dueled for the lead and drew clear late. I don’t know if he can run with Bernie’s on Fire early, but he has shown he can rate, which will serve him well here. #5 Great Go Go (6-1) was bumped at the start last out and lost his usual early position, but repelled a challenge and kicked away against conditioned claimers last out. He’s taking a slight drop in class but may be faced with a disadvantageous pace scenario.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

7-6-8-5

This race begins the late pick 5, with a carryover of $8,594. #7 Call Me Maestro (5-1) made his first start in more than a year last out, and just his second lifetime start. He rated off the pace and broke his maiden going away, earning a solid 76. He’s one of just two horses in here who has not lost against winners. #6 Winston’s Gold (7-2) improved to a career-best 83 last out, but was outkicked late and ended up second. He’s had plenty of chances against winners, but has been in a solid form lately and should be hang around late. #8 Jebster (4-1) is the other one in the field who has not lost against winners. He broke his maiden fifth time out with a great stalking trip and has improved his figure with every start.

RACE 6: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

9-3-5-6

#9 Mama’s Eyes (5-2) a half-sister to stakes winners Street Lute and Alottahope, set the pace and held on for fourth in her first start off a 3 1/2-month layoff last out. The draw isn’t ideal for her, but she’s got lots of early speed in a race without any other proven early pace. She should improve second off the bench. #3 Maria From Miami (3-1) is sure to attract plenty of money, having previously raced in New York and now making her first start for Brittany Russell. She stopped badly going two turns last out, but chased the pace and rallied four-wide for second in her previous effort, running an 80 in the process. Cutting back to a sprint should help her out. #5 Calm N Collected (8-1) is one of two in here debuting for Mike Trombetta. Her dam, Secret Kitten, was a multiple stakes winner on grass and has produced three winners from as many foals of racing age. This one will probably be better down the road but could make some noise here.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 1/16 MILES

7-2-4-1

#7 Mit Mazel (3-1) has gone gate-to-wire to win her two of her last three starts, but raced dismally in her last start at this level when she couldn’t get to the lead. She raced well against these types earlier in her career, and looks fast enough to clear them early despite the outside post. #2 Gamestonks (4-1) made her second start off the layoff a winning one in her most recent, sitting just off the pace and kicking on strong in the stretch. She didn’t get a super-fast pace to run into last time, so even if Mit Mazel slows things down early on, this one is not without a chance. #4 She’sarollingstone (5-1) has begun to round into her best form in her last few after missing most of last year. She handled the stretch-out to two turns easily last out, beating a softer field going away.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

6-1-3-5

#6 Coal Mine (5-2) races first off the claim by Claudio Gonzalez. She was outkicked by Liquidator and finished second at this level last out, but lost by less than a length and raced one path further off the rail than that rival. She’s run some consistent figures in her career, with a 78 or a 79 in three of her last four starts. #1 Classy Nancy (2-1) came from off a relatively slow pace to grab second at this level at Parx last out. She’s handled this distance with aplomb in the past, having broken her maiden going a mile at Delaware Park in October and having run a career-best 76 at a mile and 70 yards two starts later. #3 Cats Inthe Timber (5-1) improved sharply to win second time out at Delaware last out but has not raced beyond six furlongs. Recent workouts have been sharp.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $12,500, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-7-6-3

#1 Sapphire Beauty (9-5) hasn’t raced since late October, but has speed from the inside and ran in the 60s consistently earlier in the year. She went to the sidelines after a disappointing race last out and should be ready to roll here. #7 Kerford’s Commish (9-2) made mild ground in her dirt debut two starts back but was flat in her most recent. She’s the lightest-raced member of the field and has room for improvement. #6 Coffee Bean (5-1) has run in the 60s in her last two starts and shows improving late pace figures.