RACE 1: CLAIMING $10,000 (N/W3L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, FILLIES AND MARES, 6 FURLONGS

1-6-4-7

#1 Cause to Dream (2-1) makes just her second start at this level, having won going away against n/w2L types two races back. She got caught wide last out and faded, but still has the best last-out brisnet figure of anyone in the race with a 68. She should work out a more ground-saving trip here. #6 Shinelikeadiamond (5-2) was well-bet against these types last out, but showed brief speed and faltered. It’s possible she emerged from that December 29 race less than 100%, because she hasn’t been seen since since then. She ran in the mid-70s consistently last year; that kind of effort wins this. #4 Mebs Web (6-1) makes her second start for Jose Corrales and is starting to round back into form after missing a lot of time last year.

RACE 2: CLAIMING $16,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

1-5-2-6

#1 Thruster (7-2) made a solid move but flattened out last out, running a 75. He’s got eh best last-out figure in the field by seventeen points. Cutting back from a mile should help. #5 Star Shopping (9-5) had been consistently running in the 70s, but stopped badly last out when he stretched out around two turns. He’s done his best running in sprints, and that last line might throw some bettors off the scent. #2 His Royal G (3-1) hasn’t raced since Oct. 2, but showed some promise last spring at Delaware Park. He’s dropping in class precipitously here, in a good spot for his return.

RACE 3: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, FILLIES, 1 1/16 MILES

3-5-2-4

My top two picks exit the same race at this condition on Jan. 20. #3 Dunder Boss (5-2) edged #5 Cocktail Dreaming (2-1) after battling in the stretch. Dunder Boss has gotten better with each recent start, picking up back-to-back victories with career-best figures both times. Cocktail Dreaming has shown a higher ceiling, but based on her last race, she might be better off around one turn. Although Dunder Boss is also making her two-turn debut, there isn’t much in her lines to suggest the extra distance will be problematic. #2 Anath (20-1) broke her maiden last out in far and away a career-best performance. Considering she hadn’t shown many signs of life in her prior starts, that might’ve been a fluke, but it’s still an encouraging sign, and you’ll get the right price.

RACE 4: CLAIMING $25,000 (N/W2L), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

1-3-4-6

#1 Aristocrat (8-5) took a step backwards in her last start, fading to finish fifth after vying for the lead in the early stages. He looks like the fastest one in here early and could work out an easier trip than he did last time. #3 Icy Minister (2-1) exits the same race as Aristocrat, and rallied for fourth with an 82, his best figure in months. He had lingered towards the back and been flat late for a while, but he perked up a bit in the stretch last out, a positive sign. #4 Love Machine (10-1) closed well and just missed in his last start around two turns two races ago and should enjoy getting the extra distance again.

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

4-3-1-7

#4 Five Star Fran (6-1) went out and set a free-wheeling pace last out going a mile, and although she tired late, she managed to hold on for third. This distance should be more her game. #3 Cami Rachelle (3-1) shook off the challenge of a dueler last out and looked as if she was finally going to get it done, but got caught late and finished second. She’s often looked like the best on paper but has yet to get it done, so I’m suspicious of her at low odds. #1 She’ll Make Waves (4-1) makes her debut for Jerry Robb in a soft field and will contend if she shows anything at first asking.

RACE 6: STARTER ALLOWANCE $5,000, 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 1 1/16 MILES

5-2-7-1

#5 Shoot Themessenger (7-2) was third behind some of these around two turns two starts back, and closed well last Saturday around one turn to lose by just a length. In the aforementioned two-back race, he was forced to close off a very slow pace, but still came on well in the end. #2 Albertano (7-2) won at this level on this track three starts back and made ground despite an unfavorable trip at Charles Town last out. He’ll likely get a similar trip as Shoot Themessenger and will try to outkick him late. #7 Curlington (2-1) overcame a wide trip to win at this level last out, defeating Albertrano and Shoothemessenger in the process. While he’s consistently run in the low/mid-80s, that’s right around the range of the other two as well, making a low price less appealing.

RACE 7: MAIDEN CLAIMING $45,000, 4 AND 5-YEAR-OLDS, 1 MILE

1-4-7-5

#1 Nico Lucky (12-1) made his debut last out in a race where he was the lone first-time starter. He rallied wide and lost to favored Open the Books by a nose, running a solid 76 at first asking. He looks like a great value play in a race where his two main rivals are sure to be overbet. #4 Your Analysis (9-5) has hit the board in each of his four starts, going off at 2-1 or less in three of those races. He fell further off the pace than usual last out and wasn’t a factor, but did battle gamely in the lane in his prior two performances. #7 Crossland (7-5) is the classic chronic maiden type: he’s finished second six times in eleven starts without a win. Last out, he had a clear lead late, but got run down (although he did outfinish Your Analysis). If he finally wins, it’ll be at a price too low for my tastes.

RACE 8: ALLOWANCE OPTIONAL CLAIMING (N/W3X), 4-YEAR-OLDS AND UP, 6 FURLONGS

9-5-6-4

#9 Al Loves Josie (3-1) turned in a statement race last out against second-level company. He broke well from the outside post, cleared to the lead, and drew off to win emphatically with a career-best figure of 99. He’s once again drawn towards the outside, but looks like the mains peed and has shown he can outkick his rivals earlier on. If he wins this, stakes company will likely be next. #5 Going to the Lead (6-1) has run in the 90s in his last two starts and was a solid second at this level last out. He can live up to his name or rate just off the pace; in this kind of spot, it might be a good idea to sit and stalk. After missing most of last year, #6 Exculpatory (8-1) has been consistently solid this season, running in the 90s three straight times against similar company. I’m not sure if his best is good enough here but he’s worth using underneath at a good price.

RACE 9: CLAIMING $12,500, 3-YEAR-OLDS, 1 1/16 MILES

4-5-3-2

#4 Fun Lovin Criminal (8-5) showed promise last year when he won a maiden claiming race at Monmouth Park going away with an impressive 78. He hasn’t quite found that form since then, but he’s dropping from the $20,000 level and should be able to handle these. #5 Thtwasthenthisisnw (2-1) exits the same race as Fun Lovin Criminal. This one was well-beaten that day, but ran in the 70s three times in his prior five starts, so we’ll see if he can bounce back here. #3 Fartlek (9-2) got up in the last few jumps to break his maiden last out at this distance. This is a tougher spot but he’s in ascending form.