RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 5 1/2 FURLONGS

1-6-8-7

It took 13 tries, but #1 Sapphire Beauty (9-2) finally broke her maiden last out, holding on despite pace pressure to win second off the layoff. She’s set or exceeded her lifetime-top brisnet figure in her last two starts, peaking at a 70 in victory. She should be able to control the pace from the inside. #6 Queen Cadence (3-1) showed a new dimension in her most recent start, coming from off the pace with a decent late rally at Penn National. She ran some promising races last year, and it looks like she’s rounding into form after missing the spring and summer last year. #8 Camelia Rod (6-1) ran in the 70s consistently last year, but she’s raced just once since late mid-September. She went off favored at this level in mid-December and was no factor. She’s had a decent workout since then, at least. Bryson Butterfly has quietly had a strong winter meet and gets aboard for the first time.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

3-2-1-4

#3 Rudy Rod (9-5) has won back-to-back races at Parx, running a 95 and an 88 in those races. Form from Parx doesn’t always translate to here, but he has a gigantic figure edge compared to the rest of these. No one else in the field has run better than a 79 at any point in their last two starts. Joezer Rangel comes in for the mount. #2 Jettin Out (6-1) closed well to narrowly miss fourth in his last start. He’s run between a 72 and a 74 in his last four starts and has decent late pace figures. #1 One More Factor (8-1) ships from Charles Town and has good tactical speed. He should sit the trip on the rail.

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

2-6-5-8

#2 Omikami (3-1) has run on well in her last two starts, running back-to-back figures in the 50s. She’s going third off the layoff and is lightly-raced, having competed just three times. #6 Grass Cutter (7-2) has shown speed and flattened out in her last two starts going 1 1/16 miles, and might benefit from a cut-back around one turn. #5 Susanas Luckycharm (8-1) made what looked like a promising move in her two-turn debut last out, but tired late. Nonetheless, it was an encouraging development, and she’s improved several points with every start.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

4-3-1-2

My top two picks, and likely the top two betting choices, come out of the same Jan. 21 race. #4 Rahmer (2-1) chased the pace and held second, running a 90 in his second start off the layoff. After a stop-and-start season last year, it looks like he’s settled into a consistent rhythm, and he’ll be tough if he can keep up his recent form. #3 Crimson Rocket (3-1) was third that day behind Rahmer, and although he had to check on the turn, he did not make ground on Rahmer once he was clear. Still, he’s run in the 80s in his last two starts, which should be enough to chase his way into the exacta. #1 Brion (5-2) goes out for the first time since October 20. He has early speed and some good recent workouts. He might need a race but should be a factor in this one all the same.

RACE 5: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-1-8-6

#3 Stronger Than Dex (9-2) went gate-to-wire to clear his n/w2L condition last out. He’s in career-best form and has shown the ability to rate in the past, so he can let the early leaders do their thing and pounce on them. If anyone’s going to wire the field, it’ll probably be #1 Sutton Valley (6-1), who’s going third off the layoff and almost wired similar fields in each of his last two starts at Penn National. Jadiel Zambrana, who recently started riding here after starting his career in Puerto Rico, looks for his first career win here. #8 Uncommon Valor (5-1) finally broke through to win a n/w2L race from the back of the pack last out, improving to 2-for-32 in the process. He might’ve benefited from a cut-back around one turn in that win, and is going even shorter here after winning at a mile in his most recent.

RACE 6: ALLOWANCE (N/W1X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 7 FURLONGS

3-2-5-7

#3 Supreme Law (5-2) has run in the 90s in each of his last two starts, the only one in the field who can say that. He chased Gerrys Gem last out, who was in the midst of a winning streak but was well-beaten against n/w2x foes yesterday, and ended up second. Still, this one has raced just three times, with lots of room to improve, and could potentially find himself on the lead in this group. #2 Magic Mule (3-1) almost caught the precocious H P Moon in that one’s return effort, but just missed. He has a good middle punch but tends to flatten out late; looks like a good one to use underneath of Supreme Law. #5 Captain Quint (8-1) has sat the trip and run big figures in his last two starts, including his maiden win last out. He’s getting a stiff class test here but should at least get a good stalking trip.

RACE 7: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W1X), 3-YEAR-OLDS, 6 FURLONGS

3-1-8-7

The stock of #3 Lost Weekend (5-2) increased yesterday, when Drew’s Gold, who beat him last out, won the Jimmy Winkfield Stakes at Aqueduct. This one was also second by a nose at this level two races back. Trainer Phil Capuano has been on a heater since getting his first career training win Jan. 13, winning at almost a 50% clip. #1 Swifty Devil (9-5) shipped up to Aqueduct for his most recent start and led most of the way before tiring late. He scampered away to clear leads in his last two starts, and if he can get that kind of trip here, he could prove tough to catch. #8 John Hall (6-1) broke his maiden impressively in early December and looks to rebound off a dull race last out. He’s adding lasix and blinkers for Brittany Russell.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE (OPEN), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 MILE

4-5-3-1

#4 Zabracadabra (1-1) has cruised to victory against top-shelf allowance company in his last two starts, and today should be no different. He overcame a wide early trip to make the lead mid-race and win going away in his post recent. After spending some time in Florida and the midwest, Hello Beautiful’s half-brother #5 Hello Hot Rod (4-1) finally makes his return to Maryland. The 2021 Jimmy Winkfield Stakes winner rejoined the Brittany Russell barn in mid-January. The majority of his races over the past two years have been around two turns, but one turn looks more to his liking. This is a nice spot to reacclimate him to the circuit with. #3 Alwaysinahurry (4-1) was forced very wide in the Fire Plug Stakes last out but closed for fourth. This might be a bit longer than he’d like, but he should still punch on late.

RACE 9: MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

1-6-7-3

#1 Princess Cairo (5-2) was pressed on the lead throughout in her debut, but held gamely and lost by a head with a solid 73. She’s the only one in this race with positive two-turn experience. #6 No Easy Days (9-5) chased the pace and finished second in his local debut last out, following some slow improvement in Kentucky. He should also be near the lead. #7 Dover Bluff (2-1) was well-bet in his first start and finished fourth behind No Easy Days, although only beaten a half-length. The distance is the biggest question, as he’s stretching out from seven furlongs.