RACE 1: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 7 FURLONGS

2-5-6-1

After two days in the frozen tundra, much warmer weather greets us for today’s program. My top two picks, and in all likelihood the top two betting choices, exit the same race on January 15. I lean towards #2 Mine Run (5-2), who was in the midst of a move on the turn but was forced to check and lost momentum. He ended up fourth with a brisnet figure of 72. #5 Pride of Payton (1-1), meanwhile, saved ground on the inside and finished second with an 83, his best figure by a longshot. He’s already raced five times, while Mine Run is making his second career start here. If Mine Run improves a bit, he’s got a big chance, especially since it might be tough for Pride of Payton to continue that momentum. #6 Super Accelerate (6-1) has pressed and faded in his last few, but he’s had some time off and will try to move forward in his 3-year-old debut.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

9-7-3-5

#9 Love Machine (9-2) ran a much-improved race in his first start at this level. In a race at 1 1/8 miles, a distance not many of his rivals wanted, he ate up the ground and lost by a nose. He broke his maiden going seven furlongs a few races ago and should relish the long stretch of the one-turn mile. After losing at low odds a few times in a row, #7 Plunk (5-1) finally broke his maiden at 12th asking at Charles Town last out. Anthony Farrior and Arnaldo Bocachica have cooled off a bit over the past few days, but they nonetheless remain a potent duo. This one is going third off the layoff and should sit mid-pack. #3 Thruster (6-1) is also making his third start off the bench and flattened out after a wide trip. He might prefer a shorter distance, but he has back-to-back figures in the 70s with room to improve.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 MILE

3-5-7-1

#3 One Las Olas (8-5) couldn’t catch the two favorites in her last start, but chased them admirably in the stretch and was a clear-cut third, running a career-best figure of 68. Even though it’s the same condition, this looks like an easier bunch than the one she saw last time. #5 Lovely Liza (3-1) returned off a seven-month layoff last out and broke her maiden going away. She has lots of room to keep moving forward; the only caveat is the distance. She’s never gone beyond six furlongs. #7 Dropkick Queen (9-2) was a distant fourth behind One Las Olas in her most recent, but she improved sixteen points in her second start in the mid-Atlantic. She’s dangerous if she continues to acclimate to the area after coming here from Florida in December.

RACE 4: STARTER OPTIONAL CLAIMING $20,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 7 FURLONGS

1-4-6-3

#1 A Girl Named Jac (3-1) shook off pace pressure and won going away last out. She’s run in the 80s three straight times. By contrast, the rest of her rivals have run in the 80s a combined three times within their last three starts. #4 Startwithabang (7-2) has struggled against better in her last two, but cuts back around one turn and gets some class relief. Look for her to do her best running late. #6 No More Mask (9-2) was a game second last out. She looked well-beaten on the turn, but rallied back towards the inside and won a duel for the runner-up spot. She’s was claimed out of that spot by Anthony Farrior.

RACE 5: MAIDEN CLAIMING $30,000, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 6 FURLONGS

2-3-1-4

#2 Major Houlihan (7-2) didn’t do much in her debut down here, but improved to a 71 in her second start at Aqueduct. She’s had a good workout since that last race and should contend dropping further down the class ladder. #3 Six the Hard Way (9-2) showed speed on debut and ran a respectable 70. She’ll add blinkers and will try to sustain her speed a bit longer here. #1 Sweet Shugs (4-1) closed for third in her debut at Canterbury Park over the summer, then improved her figure eleven points against better maidens at Oaklawn Park last out. She’s the wild card of this race.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, MD-BRED/SIRED, 1 MILE

2-5-11-12

I’ll take the two Brittany Russell horses on top. #2 Frightland (4-1) ran a career-best 94 last out, coming off from off the pace and dueling in the stretch. He lost by a neck to Shaft’s Bullet, who lost a second-level allowance race yesterday by a scant nose. This one’s drastically improved with every start since coming back in mid-November and looks loaded with upside. #5 The Addison Pour (6-1) races for the first time since June 12. He ran a huge race to win a first-level spot on this track last April, with a figure of 96, behind Uncle Irish, who came back to win on Black-Eyed Susan day. The Addison Pour was my top pick in the Sir Barton Stakes, but was scratched, and went to the sidelines not long after finishing fourth at this condition. He’s also a promising one, but I’ll have to be a bit patient first off the layoff. #11 Find Faith (12-1) broke his maiden gate-to-wire last out at second asking and is interesting at a price.

RACE 7: CLAIMING $8,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

2-5-3-4

#2 No More Talk (5-2) crushed the field in his last start at this condition and ran on well for fourth against better last out. He’s run in the low/mid-80s in each of his last four starts, right in the range he needs to win this race. #5 Pepe and Heywood (3-1) has had time off since tailing off a bit in the fall, and looks like a serious speed threat in this field. His main challenge on the lead will come from #3 Great Go Go (4-1), who has wired softer groups in two of his last three starts. He shook off a challenge through fast fractions in his last start and pulled away.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

7-4-3-2

The top two finishers in the Jennings Stakes, #7 Plot the Dots (9-5) and #3 Galerio (7-2), are back for more in here. Plot the Dots was impressive against a tough allowance field a few starts back, struggled against stakes company in his next two, then exploded with a career-best 100 in the Jennings after a wide trip. This level looks right up his alley. Galerio improved sharply in the Jennings, getting up for second in his second start off the layoff following a dull return performance. He’s finished in the exacta 20 times in 27 starts on this track and has run figures as high as 106 here. In between those two, I’ll try #4 Iywaan (4-1), who was a game third following a wide trip at this condition last out.

RACE 9: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

7-4-1-3

#7 Your Analysis (8-5) has run at least an 82 in each of his last two starts, a mark none of his opponents have ever hit. He ran his best race at this distance two starts back when he lost by a neck. #4 Luigi’s Spirit (7-2) overcame a bad start to get second in his last start and continues to improve since resuming his career here in November. #1 The Great Gazoo (6-1) was fourth behind Your Analysis with a respectable 74 in his first start off the layoff last out. He’s likely going to show speed from the rail.