RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

3-4-2-6

Set your alarms: we’ve got an earlier post time than usual today. #3 Luigi’s Spirit (3-1) has run two solid races in his first starts since coming off a long layoff. He ran back-to-back brisnet figures of 77 and 79, including a determined near-miss against slightly softer two races back. #4 Here and Nofurther (2-1) has also slowly improved since coming off a break and was taken out of it last out following a poor beginning. #2 Hay Diddle Diddle (5-1) cut back around one turn for the first time last out and improved more than 20 points, losing by a neck despite racing wide throughout. He’s cutting back even further here from a mile.

RACE 2: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/8 MILES

3-6-4-7

#3 Closer Look (3-1) has won two of his last three starts in front-running fashion at Penn National. There’s no speed drawn to his inside, and he looks faster early on than the other pace threat, #4 Carte Blanche (9-5), who has won six of his last eight on the front end between Hawthorne and Fanduel Racing. He’s going first off the claim by Kieron Magee, who took him for $13,500 out of a race where he rated and pounced. #6 Curlington (9-2) was flat last out behind Closer Look, but had run in the 80s in his three prior races. If he can stay close to the pace, he has a strong late kick and will be ready to pounce.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $40,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

3-5-1-2

#3 Miss Fussy Pants (2-1) dueled a longshot rival into a sound defeat last out, then kicked away and won impressively with a career-best 83. There’s some tougher foes in here, but she’s on the right track. #5 Mo Co Gold (9-5) dropped to this level last out after two disappointing starts in allowance company. She rated off the pace, got clear late, and was caught in the last few jumps, but still ran a career-top 81. Arnaldo Bocachica and Anthony Farrior have made a good jockey/trainer combo at the meet so far. #1 Classy Nancy (3-1) cuts back from a mile and should rate a good trip near the pace. She’s consistently run in the mid-70s in her last three starts.

RACE 4: STARTER ALLOWANCE $10,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

7-4-3-1

#7 Askin for a Baskin (9-5) was a five-time winner last year and started his 2023 season on a strong note with a big win at Parx last out. He had a tough post on a wet track and was wide throughout, but still came on late and pulled clear in the end. #4 Top Boss (6-1) is in career-best form and was a solid-closing third last out after a wide trip. He should make a good middle move and can at least hang around for a share in this field. #3 It’s Sizzling Time (3-1) exits the same race as Askin for a Baskin. He also raced wide, but unlike his rival, he stopped badly after contending briefly and was well-beaten. Prior to that, he ran some big figures, including a 97 in victory at Parx two starts back. His last race was his first in almost two months, so it’s possible he merely needed a race off the bench. I’m still a bit wary of him as a win contender, however.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $20,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

8-4-5-2

With the 10-race card, the rainbow pick 6 begins here. #8 Happy Clouds (5-2) won going away in her local debut last out and was claimed out of that race by Anthony Farrior. She’s stepping up from the $12,500 level but her best figures win this without much trouble. #4 Bossyness (4-1) battled for the lead early on last out, but unlike the last time she was forced to duel for the front, this time she kicked away and broke her maiden. She should be a factor on what looks like a contested early pace. #5 Golden Neve (10-1) won impressively at Delaware Park in August in her maiden-breaking score. However, she went to the sidelines not long afterward, and was no factor after a wide trip in her return race. I’m banking on some improvement second time out, and you’ll get a good price if you believe she can step forward.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-5-1-8

This race starts the late pick 5, with a carryover. #3 Cats Inthe Timber (8-1) beat a tough maiden field at second asking at Delaware in late October, getting up after a five-wide sweep from the back. She returned to the races two weeks ago, and closed well to close a photo for second, with a career-best figure of 76. As the “other” Brittany Russell trainee when compared to stablemate Cover the Spread, she should go off at a good price. #5 Gormley’s Gabriela (2-1) has the class edge over these, having finished stakes-placed twice towards the end of last year. Most recently, she closed well while wide to get fourth in the Gin Talking Stakes. She’s shown some decent late punch in her last few starts but will likely get overbet thanks to the attractive company she’s kept. #1 Liquidator (7-2) has beaten winners twice and will sit a good trip off the pace on the rail. This will be her first start at a mile, although she has won twice at seven-eighths.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

6-5-2-3

There’s only six horses in the field, but just about any of them can win this race. #6 Divine Law (4-1) ran far and away his two best figures on this track in his first two starts off the claim by Carlos Mancilla. He went to Charles Town for his most recent race, and did little while racing wide on the bullring strip. He should enjoy the return to the big oval. #5 Highland Dream (3-1) has hit the board in his last four starts against similar types. He declined to a 71 after a string of career-best figures to end last year, but that duller race was over a wet track. This surface will be nice and fast, the way he likes it. #2 Practical Sense (3-1) is still n/w2L eligible, but he’s run back-to-back 80s, which keeps him competitive in this field. He was well-beaten behind H P Moon last out in that one’s comeback performance; the company here is a tad easier.

RACE 8: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 1 MILE

7-6-4-3

#7 Unadulterated (3-1) has run no worse than a 77 in her last four starts and was stuck in a tough pace scenario last out. She’ll be tough to hold off late if she gets an honest pace. #6 Miss Dillingham (5-2) has good early speed and will try to sprint clear of the others early. She was pressed on the pace last out but held well until caught by the precocious Gamestonks. #4 Gold Time Vixen (4-1) is stretching out off a win at six furlongs but ran well at a mile or longer last summer at Delaware. Her last-out figure of 80 was her best number in months and represents the second start in a row she’s taken a big step forward.

RACE 9: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

2-3-5-6

#2 Noah Chance (5-2) returned off a two-month layoff with authority last out, crushing an open claiming field by 6 1/4 lengths with a career-best 88. Runner-up Bo’s Bourbon came back to impressively win at Charles Town in his next start. This one looks loaded with potential and should benefit further from adding lasix. #3 Lost Weekend (3-1) dueled throughout on the lead last out and was beaten a nose by a rival who sat a great trip off the battle. He also ran an 88 that day and has the ability to go straight to the front or rate off the pace. #5 Drew’s Gold (6-1) broke his maiden last May at Churchill Downs going away. Four horses from that race have since come back to win. He hasn’t raced since that day, but he’s interesting if he can move forward at all off of that effort.